2012End of the World?

Everyone says that the world will end in 2012, but will it really end as we imagine, with widespread chaos and disaster? Although no one knows for sure, scientists have gathered enough information to conclude that what will actually happen is a reversal of Earths magnetic poles. Much debate has erupted over how these reversals originated. Some believe that the reversals result from the weakening of the Earths magnetic field, due to a disruption of the shifting in the molten core; others believe that a meteorite struck the earth, sending enough dust into the atmosphere to cool down the temperature of the earth to form enough polar ice caps to speed the rotation of the earth, thereby causing the mantle and outer core to fracture and cause the reversal. The latter has not come up with enough supporting evidence though. While this may seem like a strange, foreign concept to many people, the fact is that these reversals occur quite frequently, though irregularly, in terms of geologic history, about once every 250,000 years or so. The most frequent reversal was about 780,000 years ago. The polarity of earths magnetic field has reversed hundreds of times in its history. Evidence of these reversals can be found through analysis of the magnetism in different types of sedimentary and igneous rocks. So what does impact will this pole reversal have on the earth? The results are highly speculative, but it will impact earths molten core, which could lead to a rise in volcanic eruption frequency, which would in turn influence weather and climate and could cause widespread flooding. Since the reversal would be due to a disruption of the outer core, it would affect the mantle and therefore interfere with tectonic plates. An increase in tectonic activity would also result from the reversal. Wildlife will also have to face challenges brought by the pole reversal. Animals such as sea turtles and birds rely on the magnetic field for navigation, but no evidence has supported the fact that pole reversals trigger mass extinctions. They will have time to adjust to the change in polarity. But one bright side to this chaotic change will be the frequent displays of auroras in the sky. Auroras occur when an extraterrestrial projectile is launched at the earth and its magnetic shield, and smash into atmospheric gases to result in a beautiful array of glowing, colorful lights in the sky. These jewels will become a recurrent sight if the pole reversal occurs, so if the world does end in 2012, at least the sky will be a real spectacle.

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