Earth’s Magnetic Field Weakness Expands: Swarm Satellite Data Reveals South Atlantic Anomaly Growth
New research from ESA’s Swarm satellite constellation shows the South Atlantic Anomaly in Earth’s magnetic field has grown by nearly half the size of continental Europe since 2014. This expanding weak spot exposes satellites to higher radiation levels and reveals complex changes occurring deep within our planet’s core.
For over a decade, the European Space Agency’s Swarm satellite constellation has been meticulously mapping Earth’s magnetic field, providing unprecedented insights into our planet’s protective shield. The latest analysis reveals concerning developments in what scientists call the South Atlantic Anomaly – a growing weak spot in the magnetic field that has expanded significantly since 2014, covering an area nearly half the size of continental Europe. This discovery comes from 11 years of continuous magnetic field measurements, marking the longest such record ever obtained from space.
