Splitting Dent in Earth’s Magnetic Field

• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has reported a splitting dent in Earth’s magnetic field over the southern Atlantic Ocean which can be bad news for satellites.
• This unusual weak spot in Earth’s magnetic is called the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA).

Genesis of SAA

• The SAA is caused by the tilt of Earth’s magnetic axis and the flow of molten metals within its outer core.
• The observed SAA can be also interpreted as a consequence of weakening dominance of the dipole field in the region.

Threat and Challenges

• Earth’s magnetic field has a protective layer around the planet that keeps ....