Could Magnetic Field Fluctuations Explain the Bermuda Triangle Disappearances?

[Shockwavedoom]

I have heard many claims about many things over the years, but this on interested me very much, and I'd like to know if there is truth behind it. According to this documentary I watched, the Earth's magnetic fields have reversed many times in the past. Apparently, some believe we are about due for another switch, and the Bermuda Triangle is an effect of this slow, radical process. Could this be true?

 

[matthyaouw]

According to this documentary I watched, the Earth's magnetic fields have reversed many times in the past.

That's 100% true. If we look at the remnant magnetism in igneous rocks, we can see that they are polarised in the direction of the magnetic field at the time they formed. If we look at areas near ocean ridges, we can see alternating bands of N & S polarised rock where new crust has formed in different magnetic fields.

Apparently, some believe we are about due for another switch,

I've heard this too. A weakening of the field and a magnetic anomaly in the south atlantic may point to the fact that it has already begun. I don't know how certain people are about this. Any switch will be very slow (thousands of years) and won't be the drastic and dangerous event the apocalypse junkies and 2012 nuts believe.

and the Bermuda Triangle is an effect of this slow, radical process. Could this be true?

No. As far as I know no magnetic anomalies have been observed in the triangle. Sounds like someone just made that up to make the topic sound more interesting. I won't go into the issue of whether there's anything unusual about the triangle though.

 

[JCrules]

That's 100% true. If we look at the remnant magnetism in igneous rocks, we can see that they are polarised in the direction of the magnetic field at the time they formed. If we look at areas near ocean ridges, we can see alternating bands of N & S polarised rock where new crust has formed in different magnetic fields..

Excuse me if I am wrong but wouldn't studying magnetism by the ocean not be a good palce to study. I remember an experiment in Chemistry class that we actually changed polarization and magnetism with water and heat(i believe)

I've heard this too. A weakening of the field and a magnetic anomaly in the south atlantic may point to the fact that it has already begun. I don't know how certain people are about this. Any switch will be very slow (thousands of years) and won't be the drastic and dangerous event the apocalypse junkies and 2012 nuts believe.

Again excuse me if I am wrong, but magnetic fields can move through water can't they? And hasn't it been a known fact that the entire magnetic field throughout the world is slowly diminishing?

 

[Shockwavedoom]

"Again excuse me if I am wrong, but magnetic fields can move through water can't they?"

Well, to my knowledge, magnetic fields pass through just about anything, including water, but how is that relevant? After all, these areas studied are formed of igneous rock. As the igneous rock cools, the iron grains in the molten rock alligns with the Earth's magnetic field. Once fully cool, these metal bits won't turn around. So, if at the time of eruption the field is varied just a little, it would show up in our studies.

"I remember an experiment in Chemistry class that we actually changed polarization and magnetism with water and heat(i believe)"
Number one, i don't believe water is magnetic, but i suppose that is possible.
Number two, These rock formations were formed long before humans heated up the planet, therefor the changes would be completely natural.




"And hasn't it been a known fact that the entire magnetic field throughout the world is slowly diminishing?"
Well, the diminishing magnetic field could be a sign of this switch. After all, you have to slow to a stop before you can turn change to reverse.

 

[JCrules]

Simple. The magnetic field was attracted or repelled by something much more powerful than the small particles itself. You don't have to stop to turn around if your on a globe though. They could rotate themselves around instead of stopping.

And u flawed ur logic with the igneous rock show.

can someone show me proof that the magnetic fields have switched before?

 

[Shockwavedoom]

ya, read my edited post one up from yours.

 

[Andre]

See also this thread:

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=238720

 

[DrClapeyron]

Not only can reversal of the magnetic field be found using iron grains in igneous but you may also track the position of the north pole. Why even stop with igneous rocks. Paintings with iron grains can be used for these same purposes.

 

[maverick_starstrider]

Simple. The magnetic field was attracted or repelled by something much more powerful than the small particles itself. You don't have to stop to turn around if your on a globe though. They could rotate themselves around instead of stopping.

And u flawed ur logic with the igneous rock show.

can someone show me proof that the magnetic fields have switched before?

The polarization of the igneous rock on both sides of the mid-atlantic ridge. Although just cause the field is diminishing now does not suggest a flip (it, of course, don't rule it out) but if you look at the magnetic field over time you'll find it varies quite a bit. And I think bother the OP and JCrules should probably read up on basic E&M. Magnetic fields aren't 'attracted' or 'repelled' by anything, they're a mathematical construct which characterizes the interactions between moving charges.

 

[matthyaouw]

Excuse me if I am wrong but wouldn't studying magnetism by the ocean not be a good palce to study. I remember an experiment in Chemistry class that we actually changed polarization and magnetism with water and heat(i believe)

I'm not sure exactly how you mean, but I don't know what's wrong with studying seafloor rocks. The magnetic components in the rock become 'frozen' into position at quite a high temperature. once the rock has formed, in normal circumstances it won't be subject to those kinds of temperatures again until it reaches a subduction zone.

And hasn't it been a known fact that the entire magnetic field throughout the world is slowly diminishing?

I think so, yes, but don't forget we've measured only a very small part of what is likely to be a long term trend. Concluding that it would continue until it disappears would be like watching the tide go down for an hour and deciding the oceans will be dry within a year.

 

[battery]

The Bermuda triangle and other disaster areas at sea have been explained, at least in principle years ago.An american geologist (can't remember his name) said that methane hydrates in the mud under the sea at certain places around the world can be suddenly released by landslides/earthquakes.It bubbles to the surface and is highly explosive so aircraft passing through it would ignite the gas with disastrous consequences.The sea becomes less dense because of the bubbles and ships sink quickly.A ship's captain was on television saying he had seen one such huge bubble event close to his ship so he knows it happens.Also frothy water has a magnetic field and this could be what throws compasses off course.
Around the world where there are large deposits of methane hydrate on the sea floor there are more ship disasters than normal too.