What is a magnetic anomaly and why this phenomenon can arise?

Despite the significant advances in science and technology in recent years, still unexplored places and natural phenomena still remain on our planet , sometimes with unusual "side effects". The magnetic anomaly also belongs to such cornerstones of modern natural science.

By the way, what is it? The modern definition of this phenomenon implies that an anomaly can be recognized as a region on the surface of our planet, which is distinguished by a highly modified value of the geomagnetic field. What are they like?

Science identifies three types of similar formations on the surface of the earth. The most significant and large are the continental formations. Such a magnetic anomaly can occupy an area of more than 100,000 square kilometers, but in terms of its characteristics it differs little from the normal geomagnetic field of the planet. Their appearance is associated with certain characteristics of the Earth's core and faults in its crust.

The next type is regional abnormal formations. They occupy an area of no more than 10 thousand square kilometers, but their characteristics are somewhat more interesting. The geomagnetic field within them is much more strongly changed, and the appearance of such an anomaly is associated with the peculiarities of the structure of the earth's crust in this region.

The smallest are the local formations. Such an anomaly is a change in the geomagnetic pole of the Earth, the area of which in some cases may not exceed hundreds of square meters. In most cases, it occurs because of the deposits of minerals close to the surface of the planet .

By the way, it is the last property of anomalies that is most valuable. Such places are even searched for today even from planes, because they can often contain huge deposits of minerals. In this case, a magnetic anomaly can help save a huge amount of money that would otherwise go to geological exploration of the area by traditional means. In addition, so it is possible to identify clear boundaries of deposits, which also facilitates their development.

Often the appearance of new anomalies indicates the onset of global natural changes or even cataclysms. Thus, the poles of the Earth were not at all times "in the right place". From time to time their situation is changing, and their change inevitably leads to grave consequences for all the inhabitants of the planet. In particular, scientists say that the last such perturbation led to the mass extinction of all dinosaurs on Earth.

In general, our entire planet is a giant magnetic anomaly. We still do not know exactly why our Earth in general has the properties of a huge magnet. Annually many theories are put forward, none of which has so far given a clear and unequivocal answer to this important question. In addition, it is not entirely clear why this magnetic field is constantly changing.

However, when studying anomalies on the Earth, most scientists tend to conclude that the magnetism of the planet is due to the action of its core, which some compare to the "big generator".