Despite the significant advances in science and technology in recent years, there are still places and natural phenomena that are not fully understood on our planet, sometimes with unusual “side” effects. The magnetic anomaly belongs to such cornerstones of modern natural science.
By the way, what is it? The modern definition of this phenomenon implies that some area on the surface of our planet, which is distinguished by a strongly modified value of the geomagnetic field, can be recognized as an anomaly. What are they like?
Science identifies three types of similar formations on the surface of the earth. The most significant and largest are continental formations. Such a magnetic anomaly can occupy an area of more than 100 thousand square kilometers, but in terms of its characteristics it differs little from the normal geomagnetic field of the planet. Their appearance is associated with certain characteristics of the Earth's core and faults in its crust.
The next type are regional anomalous formations. They occupy an area of no more than 10thousand square kilometers, but their characteristics are somewhat more interesting. The geomagnetic field within them has changed much more strongly, and the very appearance of such an anomaly is associated with the structural features of the earth's crust in this area.
The smallest are local formations. Such an anomaly is a change in the geomagnetic pole of the Earth, the area of which in some cases may not exceed hundreds of square meters. In most cases, it occurs due to mineral deposits located close to the surface of the planet.
By the way, the last property of anomalies is the most valuable. Today, such places are being searched even from airplanes, precisely because under them huge deposits of minerals can often be located. In this case, the magnetic anomaly can help save a huge amount of money that would otherwise go to geological exploration of the area by traditional means. In addition, clear boundaries of deposits can be identified in this way, which also facilitates their development.
Often the appearance of new anomalies indicates the beginning of global natural changes or even cataclysms. So, the poles of the Earth were by no means all the time “in the right place”. From time to time their position changes, and their change inevitably leads to dire consequences for all the inhabitants of the planet. In particular, scientists say that the last such perturbation led to the mass extinction of all dinosaurs on Earth.
In general, all of ourthe planet is a giant magnetic anomaly. We still do not know exactly why our Earth has the properties of a huge magnet at all. Many theories are put forward every year, none of which has yet given a clear and unambiguous answer to this important question. In addition, it is not entirely clear why this magnetic field is constantly changing.
However, studying anomalies on Earth, most scientists tend to conclude that the magnetism of the planet is due to the action of its core, which some compare to a "big generator".
