Weird Space Weather Seems to Have Influenced Human Behavior on Earth 41,000 Years Ago

Weird space weather seems to have influenced human behavior on Earth 41,000 years ago

Our first meeting was a bit awkward. One of us is an archaeologist who studies how past peoples interacted with their environments. Two of us are geophysicists who investigate interactions between solar activity and Earth's magnetic field.

Humans Felt The Effects of Weird Space Weather 41,000 Years Ago

Our first meeting was a bit awkward.

41,000 Years Ago, Earth Lost Its Magnetic Shield—Here's What Happened

Scientists have long known that Earth’s magnetic field has not been a constant shield. Now, new interdisciplinary research—recently published in Science Advances shows that a major geomagnetic event, the Laschamps Excursion, may have directly impacted human behavior over 41,000 years ago. The study links the sudden weakening of Earth’s magnetic field to an increased exposure to solar and cosmic radiation, leading to striking auroras and possibly…