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Near-collapse of the geomagnetic field may have contributed to life on Earth
An ultra-weak magnetic field from Earth’s core lasting for at least 26 million years may have contributed to Earth’s oxygenation and further diversification of the Ediacaran fauna, according to single-crystal paleointensity data from igneous rocks in South Africa and Brazil.
An effect that also warrants further consideration is that with decreased magnetopause standoff, greater penetration of highly energetic protons is expected over a larger solid angle, resulting in the formation of NO x compounds which can create ozone holes 57. The multiple pathways discussed above provide a framework for future studies quantifying hydrogen loss, oxygenation of the atmosphere and the potential consequences on the evolution of complex animals highlighted by the synchroneity of these phenomena and the near collapse of the geodynamo. For the Thellier-Coe paleointensity experiments, samples were mounted on quartz holders having moments ≤1 × 10 −12 A m 2, and measured using a 2G Enterprises 755 3-component DC SQUID magnetometer with high resolution sensing coils housed in a magnetically shielded room with ambient field <200 nT at the University of Rochester.
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