If the north and south pole change direction or rotate would that effect the earth?

Answer 1

The magnetic field of the Earth serves a useful purpose in deflecting Solar radiation. Without the magnetic field there is much more charged-particle radiation striking the surface. The auroras would occur everywhere instead of at the magnetic poles. Compass needles wouldn't work, and then they would flip direction. The magnetic field IS DECREASING and could go to zero and reverse sometime in the next few tens-of-thousands of years. It may be overdue for a flip. See: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/magnetic/timeline.html

Answer 2

This is all to do with the Doomsday scenario of the Mayan calender ending in 2012. The North and South Magnetic Poles have changed many times in the Earths history, and life is still around.

Now, for the Geographic North and South Poles to switch it would mean that something very catastrophic has happened, and to be frank, I doubt if very many, if any Human Beings would be around to worry about it.

Answer 3

There are two "north poles" - the magnetic north pole, and the geographic north pole. The geographic north pole is defined by Earth's rotation - that one wouldn't change. The magnetic north pole (which is close to the geographic south pole) is defined by magnetism; that one would indeed change, if the magnetic field changes.

Answer 4

Research shows that the North and South poles polarity may, indeed switch every couple of thousand years. This normally results in a weakened atmosphere for the time it takes to swap.

Answer 5

the north and south magnetic poles can shift

Answer 6

They wander around a bit, yes.