Outer Core - Effect On Life

Effect On Life

Without the outer core, life on Earth would be very different. Convection of liquid metals in the outer core creates the Earth's magnetic field. This magnetic field extends outward from the Earth for several thousand kilometers, and creates a protective bubble around the Earth that deflects the solar wind. Without this field, a larger proportion of the solar wind would directly strike the Earth's atmosphere. The presumed effect would be to strip the Earth's atmosphere away slowly. This is hypothesized to have happened to the Martian atmosphere, rendering the planet effectively lifeless.

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Famous quotes containing the words effect on, effect and/or life:

    Before the effect one believes in different causes than one does after the effect.
    Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)

    The courage of a great many men, and the virtue of a great many women, are the effect of vanity, shame, and especially a suitable temperament.
    François, Duc De La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680)

    I set forth a humble and inglorious life; that does not matter. You can tie up all moral philosophy with a common and private life just as well as with a life of richer stuff. Each man bears the entire form of man’s estate.
    Michel de Montaigne (1533–1592)