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Science Frontiers ONLINE No. 22: Jul-Aug 1982 |
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Large changes of the earth's magnetic fields in historical times
By measuring the magnetic properties of bricks and other accurately dated human artifacts, geophysicists can reconstruct the history of the local magnetic field. Near Loyang, China, the field was as much as 54% higher in 300 A.D. than it is now. It was 15% higher in 1500 A.D. In 1000, it was less than today's value.
(Wei, Q.Y., et al; "Intensity of the Geomagnetic Field near Loyang, China, between 500 BC and AD 1900," Nature, 296:728, 1982.)
Comment. Direct measurements of the earth's field go back only a few hundred years, but they are consistent with the data reconstructed from artifacts, both showing a steady decrease since 1500. No one has estimated the effects of these substantial changes on radiocarbon dating and, perhaps, human biology.