One of the most drastic events in the evolution of Earth’s magnetic field is a geomagnetic reversal, when the poles switch position. During a reversal, the magnetic field is significantly weakened and exhibits a complex, multi-polar structure. Throughout its history, Earth’s magnetic field has reversed many times. The most recent reversal took place approximately 780 000 years ago and is called the Matuyama-Brunhes reversal.
Based on paleomagnetic data inferred from sediments, taken from drill cores all over the globe, researchers at the Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) in Potsdam, Germany have constructed a global model of the magnetic field before, during and after the reversal.
To visualise the complex dynamics, the video follows the evolution of a surface of constant strength during the reversal. Three violins and three cellos form a six-voice musical piece that follows the field evolution as well, leading to a disharmonic cacophony during the reversal.