Is Colorado high in cosmic radiation?

Answer 1

There are two factors which determine the relative level of cosmic radiation at different points on the earth's surface. First, because the earth's magnetic field deflects the charged particles in cosmic radiation toward the magnetic poles, cosmic radiation levels are generally higher the closer you are to a magnetic pole, i.e., the higher your geomagnetic latitude. Second, since the earth's atmosphere provides physical shielding from cosmic radiation, cosmic radiation levels are generally higher at higher altitudes where there is less atmosphere between you and the vacuum of space. As it turns out, the impact of differences in altitude is much greater than the impact of differences in geomagnetic latitude. Because Colorado has a high average elevation, cosmic radiation is generally higher there than at other locations with lower altitudes.