Researchers from the Technical University of Denmark and the German Earth Sciences Research Center used data from a variety of sources, including the mission. European HerdTranslating changes in the magnetic field into sounds reminiscent of rocks rubbing and wood creaking.

Changing the Earth’s poles

Known as the Lachamp Event, it occurred 41,000 years ago during the Upper Paleolithic period, when Earth’s magnetic poles temporarily shifted over several hundred years. During the most intense phase of the transit, the planet’s magnetic field weakened to about 6% of its normal strength, allowing cosmic rays to penetrate the Earth’s surface and interior and leave a trace in the form of isotopes.

Scientists aim to offer a new perspective on how these processes occur by converting the dynamics and intensity of the magnetic field into sound. While the articulation of astronomical and environmental data is nothing new, this is the first time the Earth’s magnetic field has been presented in this way with data from the Swarm mission.

The “symphony” of the Earth’s magnetic field was presented to the public for the first time in Copenhagen’s city square. A system of 32 speakers was used, each representing changes in the magnetic field in different parts of the world over the last 100,000 years, providing a unique auditory experience of the Earth’s geological history.

What does Earth’s magnetic field look like?