The Earth’s poles flipped 41,000 years ago in an unusual event saw the magnetic field weaken, allowing cosmic rays to batter the atmosphere.
And humans have now heard the terrifying sounds of the so-called Laschamp event for the first time.
Scientists used satellites to map the the rays smashing into our planet, capturing what sounded like wood breaking apart and rocks crumbling.
The magnetic field protects our planet from solar wind and if the Laschamp event were to happen today, it could wreak havoc on the electric grid and leave life at the surface exposed to higher amounts of solar radiation.
And the eerie soundscape captured in the new video occurred when the region was just five percent of the current strength.
Scientists mapped Earth’s magnetic field using a swarm of satellites. That allowed them to recreate the sounds of the region when it flipped 42,000 years ago
The soundscape was captured using data from a constellation of European Space Agency satellites.
Researchers mapped the movement of Earth’s magnetic field lines during the event and produced a stereo sound version using natural noises.
Scientists have been monitoring Earth’s magnetic field for decades, waiting for the moment it again flips – a shift in which the magnetic south pole would become magnetic north, and vice versa.
Data has estimated Earth’s North and South magnetic poles flip every 200,000-300,000 years.
A study in 2018 revealed that it has been roughly 780,000 years since the last such event, causing many to suspect we’re overdue.
Professor Roberts from the Australian National University said at the time: ‘Earth’s magnetic field, which has existed for at least 3.45 billion years, provides a shield from the direct impact of solar radiation.
‘Even with Earth’s strong magnetic field today, we’re still susceptible to solar storms that can damage our electricity-based society.’
The research analyzed the paleomagnetic record from 107,000 to 91,000 years ago by analyzing a stalagmite from a cave in southwestern China.
The team conducted magnetic analysis and radiometric dating on the meter-long sample, revealing the behavior of the ancient magnetic field.
And, they found the magnetic field experienced a rapid shift over the span of about two centuries, decreasing in strength by about 90 percent when a field reversal occurred.
A more recent study in 2021 blamed the extinction of the Neanderthals on the reversal of Earth’s magnetic field.
Australian researchers analyzed the radiocarbon record from ancient trees in New Zealand that were alive when the magnetic poles flipped.
The trees revealed spikes in atmospheric radiocarbon levels, caused by the collapse of Earth’s magnetic field and changing solar winds.
The researchers dubbed this danger period the ‘Adams Transitional Geomagnetic Event’, or ‘Adams Event’ for short – a tribute to science fiction writer Douglas Adams.
The flip weakened the magnetic field, allowing cosmic rays to batter Earth’s atmosphere
The British author famously wrote in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy that ’42’ was the answer to life, the universe, and everything.
Chris Turney, co-author of the study, said: ‘For the first time ever, we have been able to precisely date the timing and environmental impacts of the last magnetic pole switch.
‘The findings were made possible with ancient New Zealand kauri trees, which have been preserved in sediments for over 40,000 years.
‘Using the ancient trees we could measure, and date, the spike in atmospheric radiocarbon levels caused by the collapse of Earth’s magnetic field.’
The team found that Earth’s magnetic field weakened only up to six percent, leaving ‘essentially no magnetic field at all.’
During the magnetic field breakdown, the Sun experienced several grand solar minima (GSM) – long-term periods of quiet solar activity.
Even though a GSM means less activity on the Sun’s surface, the weakening of its magnetic field can mean more space weather – like solar flares and galactic cosmic rays – could head Earth’s way.
‘Unfiltered radiation from space ripped apart air particles in Earth’s atmosphere, separating electrons and emitting light – a process called ionization,’ said Professor Turney.
‘The ionized air fried the Ozone layer, triggering a ripple of climate change across the globe.’
The Adams Event could explain a lot of other evolutionary mysteries, like the extinction of Neanderthals and the sudden widespread appearance of figurative art in caves around the world.
