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Earth’s Magnetic Field Flips Slowly

February 5, 2026

Earth has a magnetic field. It is like a big magnet. It keeps us safe from the sun.

The magnetic field has a north pole and a south pole. Sometimes, north and south change places. This is called a “flip.”

Scientists study rocks from the ocean floor. The rocks remember old magnetic fields. Scientists can see when flips happened long ago.

A flip usually takes about 10,000 years. But scientists in Utah found something new. Some flips took much, much longer—up to 70,000 years!

When the magnetic field flips, it becomes weak. More radiation from space can reach Earth. This may change plants and animals.

Professor Peter Lippert worked on this study. He says: “The magnetic field protects us from space radiation.”

The scientists drilled into the ocean floor in 2012. They found special rocks from 40 million years ago. These rocks show the very long flip.

This is exciting news for scientists. They want to learn more about how Earth’s magnetic field works.

Vocabulary Help

• magnetic field — an invisible force around Earth (like a magnet)
• flip — to turn over, to change places
• pole — the top or bottom point (north pole, south pole)
• radiation — energy from the sun and space
• drill — to make a hole (scientists drill into the ground)

Grammar Focus

• Present simple: “Earth has a magnetic field.” / “It keeps us safe.”
• Past simple: “Scientists found something new.” / “They drilled into the ocean.”

Source: Phys.org