This essay is adapted from “The Spinning Magnet: The Electromagnetic Force That Created the Modern World — and Could Destroy It,” by Alanna Mitchell.
One day in 1905, the French geophysicist Bernard Brunhes brought back to his lab some rocks he’d unearthed from a freshly cut road near the village of Pont Farin.
When he analyzed their magnetic properties, he was astonished at what they showed: Millions of years ago, the Earth’s magnetic poles had been on the opposite sides of the planet. North was south and south was north.
The discovery spoke of planetary anarchy. Scientists had no way to explain it.
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One day in 1905, the French geophysicist Bernard Brunhes brought back to his lab some rocks he’d unearthed from a freshly cut road near the village of Pont Farin.
When he analyzed their magnetic properties, he was astonished at what they showed: Millions of years ago, the Earth’s magnetic poles had been on the opposite sides of the planet. North was south and south was north.
The discovery spoke of planetary anarchy. Scientists had no way to explain it.
Read Entire Article »
