NASA on alert after dent found in Earth's magnetic field

dailyrecord.co.uk:

NASA is keeping an eye on a massive “dent” in Earth’s magnetic field that could put an end to humanity as we know it.Scientists at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration have been watching the huge dent closely as it slowly splits in two.Officially known as the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA), it is a gigantic spot across Earth.The region spans more than more than 4.3 million square miles over parts of Africa and South America.NASA and the European Space Agency are keeping a close eye on the SAA as it monitors the planet's magnetic field and its impact on humanity and all our modern ways of living.Recent observations from the ESA show that the anomaly might actually be splitting in two main areas of disruption.The magnetic field surrounding Earth acts as a safety barrier from cosmic radiation ejected by the sun and solar winds which are represented visually by the northern lights or aurora borealis as they hit the magnetic barrier surrounding the planet.It protects life on Earth and keeps the planet habitable.

Scientists say any spots in the magnetic field that are weaker are a major cause for concern to us on the planet.Jürgen Matzka, from the German Research Centre for Geosciences, said: “The new, eastern minimum of the South Atlantic Anomaly has appeared over the last decade and in recent years is developing vigorously.

We are very lucky to have the Swarm satellites in orbit to investigate the development of the South Atlantic Anomaly. The challenge now is to understand the processes in Earth’s core driving these changes.”The South Atlantic Anomaly means that those in the region - either in space or on Earth - are more vulnerable to the harmful stuff from space.Scientists first sounded the alarm about the weak