Space weather can have important consequences for our lives, such as interference with radio communication, GPS systems, electric power grids, the operation and orientation of satellites, oil and gas drilling, and even air travel as high altitude pilots and astronauts can be subjected to enhanced levels of radiation.
Does the Earth's magnetic field affect human health?
The Earth's magnetic field does not directly affect human health. Humans evolved to live on this planet.
High altitude pilots and astronauts can experience higher levels of radiation during magnetic storms, but the hazard is due to the radiation, not the magnetic field itself. Geomagnetism can also impact the electrically based technology that we rely on, but it does not impact people themselves.
Learn more: USGS Geomagnetism Program
Related
What is a magnetic storm?
Do solar flares or magnetic storms (space weather) cause earthquakes?
Why measure the magnetic field at the Earth's surface? Wouldn't satellites be better suited for space-weather studies?
What are the hazards of magnetic storms?
Are we about to have a magnetic reversal?
How does the Earth's core generate a magnetic field?
Do animals use the magnetic field for orientation?
Do any mass extinctions correlate with magnetic reversals?
Could magnetic reversals be caused by meteorite or comet impacts?
Is it true that Earth's magnetic field occasionally reverses its polarity?
Are earthquakes associated with variations in the geomagnetic field?
Space weather can have important consequences for our lives, such as interference with radio communication, GPS systems, electric power grids, the operation and orientation of satellites, oil and gas drilling, and even air travel as high altitude pilots and astronauts can be subjected to enhanced levels of radiation.
USGS scientist Duane Champion explains the Earth's geomagnetic qualities and the potential for and possible consequences of a geomagnetic shift.
On the feasibility of real-time mapping of the geoelectric field across North America
Magnetic monitoring in Saguaro National Park
The Boulder magnetic observatory
U.S. Geological Survey natural hazards science strategy— Promoting the safety, security, and economic well-being of the Nation
Monitoring the Earth's dynamic magnetic field
Related
What is a magnetic storm?
Do solar flares or magnetic storms (space weather) cause earthquakes?
Why measure the magnetic field at the Earth's surface? Wouldn't satellites be better suited for space-weather studies?
What are the hazards of magnetic storms?
Are we about to have a magnetic reversal?
How does the Earth's core generate a magnetic field?
Do animals use the magnetic field for orientation?
Do any mass extinctions correlate with magnetic reversals?
Could magnetic reversals be caused by meteorite or comet impacts?
Is it true that Earth's magnetic field occasionally reverses its polarity?
Are earthquakes associated with variations in the geomagnetic field?
Space weather can have important consequences for our lives, such as interference with radio communication, GPS systems, electric power grids, the operation and orientation of satellites, oil and gas drilling, and even air travel as high altitude pilots and astronauts can be subjected to enhanced levels of radiation.
Space weather can have important consequences for our lives, such as interference with radio communication, GPS systems, electric power grids, the operation and orientation of satellites, oil and gas drilling, and even air travel as high altitude pilots and astronauts can be subjected to enhanced levels of radiation.
USGS scientist Duane Champion explains the Earth's geomagnetic qualities and the potential for and possible consequences of a geomagnetic shift.