Open AccessChanges in the geomagnetic field and the evolution of marine biota
Author(s) -
M. S. Barash
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
okeanologiâ
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 0030-1574
DOI - 10.31857/s0030-1574592257-264
Subject(s) - earth's magnetic field , extinction event , geophysics , geology , phanerozoic , plume , volcanism , paleomagnetism , atmospheric sciences , earth science , paleontology , magnetic field , tectonics , physics , cenozoic , thermodynamics , biological dispersal , population , demography , quantum mechanics , structural basin , sociology
The ideas about the influence of the geomagnetic field on evolution and biodiversity are controversial. The quantitative distribution of datum levels of oceanic microplankton during the last 2.0 million years shows a correlation with geomagnetic inversions. Lowering of the field intensity increases cosmic irradiation of the Earth's surface, which can activate mutagenesis leading to new species emergence. Moreover, since the correlation of the geomagnetic field intensity with the composition of the atmosphere, temperature, climate, volcanism and other environmental conditions is revealed, it is possible to assume its influence on evolutionary processes as a part of the general complex of environmental conditions. Geomagnetic polarity superchrons ended by mantle plume formation which produced the trap eruptions and initiated Phanerozoic faunal mass extinctions. The sources of the geomagnetic field and plume formation leading to trap volcanism are at the boundaries of the inner spheres of the Earth, which explains their correlation. And their correlation with impact events as one of the causes of extinction can be explained by the common cosmic root cause located outside the solar system.