Could solar flares wipe out life on Earth?

[bob10]

Could a solar flare wipe out life on Earth? ? Ask an Expert (ABC Science) (http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2011/11/23/3374013.htm)

[Ausfree]

Thank God for the Earth's magnetic field. If it wasn't for that life would not survive in it's present form.

[Eevo]

i'm more worried about when the earths magnetic field flips!
its already over due.

[Ausfree]

i'm more worried about when the earths magnetic field flips!
its already over due.

That would mean you would be upside down!!!:whistling:

[Ausfree]

According to this article the Earth's magnetic field is weakening. The magnetic field has flipped many times in the past with no mass extinctions.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/earth-s-magnetic-field-flip-could-happen-sooner-than-expected/

[JDNSW]

The biggest risk from the sun is a "Carrington Event". This would not have significant direct effects on life on earth, but would probably have serious to catastrophic effects on advanced economies due to the disabling of power and communications systems. This could easily lead to massive loss of life in the aftermath as supply chains broke down.

John

[Eevo]

According to this article the Earth's magnetic field is weakening. The magnetic field has flipped many times in the past with no mass extinctions.

Earth's Magnetic Field Flip Could Happen Sooner Than Expected - Scientific American (http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/earth-s-magnetic-field-flip-could-happen-sooner-than-expected/)

the field has decreased by 40% in the last 100 years.

no mass extinctions, but we have a lot of technology now days.

[Ausfree]

the field has decreased by 40% in the last 100 years.

no mass extinctions, but we have a lot of technology now days.

Yup, and that is where the danger lies.