Octavus t1_jdsj58i wrote on March 26, 2023 at 9:14 PM

Reply to comment by ronflair in Around 550 million years ago the earth's magnetic field almost collapsed, but then strengthened a few million years later. Scientists say this may have been due to the formation of the inner core. But why exactly would that cause the magnetic field to get stronger? by somethingX

You are forgetting that the atmosphere is responsible for the bulk of Earth's radiation shielding and is equal to about 10 meters of water.

ronflair t1_jdskzk1 wrote on March 26, 2023 at 9:28 PM

You still would get a net increase in surface ionizing radiation, which would increase as a positive feedback loop the longer the magnetosphere was “off”.

According to NASA, a prolonged loss of the magnetosphere could erode the protective layers of the atmosphere. More cosmic rays would reach the surface as well.

https://science.nasa.gov/science-news/news-articles/earths-magnetosphere