RHS1 Connector – November 2007
In this issue...WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CRYSTAL DIG 2007 -TREASURE HUNTING…Odyssey Marine: “The World’s Biggest Treasure Hunt”. EARTHWATCH… “Pole Shift – A Danger? “… THOM’S COLUMN… Rockhound Recipes and Tips… TRAVEL… New York State.. FEATURE ARTICLE… Meet the members… —RHS1 News.
FUN FACT OF THE MONTH…
This month trivia buff, Debra Cruz of www.theunequaled.com has a sent a few trivia facts about the mineral world for us to ponder.
- You can find African Dust in Florida! Dust can be picked up in high winds and carried at altitudes as high as 20,000 feet for distances that will carry it across oceans. Dust from China also makes it America.
- Ice was at one time considered a mineral and was included in Dana’s System of Mineralogy. The water captured as drops in rock crystal is the oldest water on Earth. Rock crystal does not melt in extreme heat or dissolve in acid.
- 95% of the world’s opals come from Australia.
- The rarest color of diamond? Green.
- And of course, us:
The average human body contains enough: - iron to make a 3 inch nail,
- potassium to fire a toy cannon,
- fat to make 7 bars of soap,
- phosphorous to make 2,200 match heads,
- sulfur to kill the fleas on an average dog,
- carbon to make 900 pencils
- water to fill a ten gallon tank.We might not all be “gems” but it looks like we come close to it! Next month Debra is coming back to tempt the imaginations of our treasure buff pals with a mystery that would do any treasure hunter proud to unravel!
“WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CRYSTAL DIG 2007”
“127 Registered diggers”.
“Cystals I really dig ’em”
The Mount Ida, Montgomery County Championship Dig, Mineral, Craft, and Quilt Show 2007 was a huge success. Maureen Walther, Director of the Mount Ida Area Chamber of Commerce has sent us a few pictures and some words about this year’s show.
The Championship dig took place on the 11, 12 & 13th October. The Diggers were at the “Maddox Building before 8.00am and had orientation about where to dig and the Rules of the Contest were explained. This year we had 127 Registered diggers who came from all over the USA and Canada.
We had 4 Mines participating in the Dig this Year and there were really “high dollar” Crystals coming out of the Mines this year.
Some of the winners
More winners
The Prize Giving was on Saturday Evening at 6.00pm and the Winners were awarded with Trophy’s and Cash for the first three places and then the 4th & 5th Places were awarded with smaller cash amounts.
The diggers said that they had a real good time this year and we sure would like to encourage everyone to attend next year as it is 3 days of digging and meeting rockhounds from all over America. We will have the Dates posted on our Web Site for next Years Dig (2008) In January 2008.
“Phew!”
Our Web Site is www.mtidachamber.com and all the winners details are posted on the Home Page.
Maureen Walther
Director
Mount Ida Area Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 6
Mount Ida, AR 71957
870-867-2723
Thanks Maureen – we will put that on the RHS1 calendar. It sounds like a GREAT event! I’m sure that many rockhounds will be hoping to be there next year. I know its on my wish list.
TREASURE HUNTING
Odyssey Marine Exploration and Walt Disney Pictures
Team Up Online In “The World’s Biggest Treasure Hunt”
Newest online games promoting NATIONAL TREASURE: BOOK OF SECRETS feature Odyssey’s shipwreck exploration operations and SS Republic (copyright) shipwreck site
Tampa, FL – October 30, 2007 – Action, suspense, and the opportunity to win hundreds of thousands of dollars in authentic shipwreck treasure from Odyssey Marine Exploration, or even a brand new Mercedes-Benz, are attracting users everywhere to play “The World’s Biggest Treasure Hunt”. The online experience at www.disney.com/NationalTreasure is both a multi-week treasure hunt game and the official website for Walt Disney Pictures’ and Jerry Bruckheimer Films’ NATIONAL TREASURE: BOOK OF SECRETS, in theatres everywhere December 21.
Odyssey’s Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) ZEUS in action.
Every two weeks, “The World’s Biggest Treasure Hunt” opens a new location featuring two new games. In the latest addition to the site, visitors can test their reflexes and talents as ocean explorers by piloting Odyssey’s Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) ZEUS through the SS Republic shipwreck site to search for treasure, or by testing their memory in sonar-themed puzzles. Players of these games are eligible to win authentic shipwreck treasure from the Civil War era SS Republic shipwreck discovered by Odyssey.
NATIONAL TREASURE: BOOK OF SECRETS reaches back into the Civil War era, as the film’s hero Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage) sets out on an action-packed global quest to unravel the mystery of 18 missing pages from the diary of John Wilkes Booth that implicate Gates’ great-great grandfather as a key conspirator in President Lincoln’s assassination. “The World’s Biggest Treasure Hunt” website allows visitors to interact with film content and play a variety of online games themed around the movie’s globe-trotting adventures.
“We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with Walt Disney Studios on this unprecedented promotion” stated Greg Stemm, Odyssey Co-Founder. “There are some amazing parallels between the shipwreck treasure of the SS Republic and the plot of NATIONAL TREASURE: BOOK OF SECRETS. The film begins as the Civil War is ending, about the same time that the SS Republic was on her way from New York to New Orleans carrying a fortune in coins and cargo to help rebuild the war-ravaged South. Amazingly, rare coins minted by the Confederacy in 1861 were among the treasures carefully recovered from the shipwreck in the most extensive deep ocean archaeological excavation ever accomplished.”
Visitors who play at least one game from each location in “The World’s Biggest Treasure Hunt” over the ten week promotion period will be eligible to win the grand prize, an all-new 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-class car, the vehicle featured in the film, filled with real treasures. Entertainment Tonight, the #1 syndicated entertainment newsmagazine show in the world, plans to announce the winners on the show leading up to the film’s opening day on December 21.
About Odyssey Marine Exploration
Odyssey Marine Exploration (NASDAQ:OMEX) is the world’s leader in deep ocean shipwreck exploration. Odyssey uses innovative methods and state-of-the-art technology to conduct extensive deep-ocean search and archaeological recovery operations around the world. Odyssey discovered the Civil War era shipwreck of the SS Republic in 2003 and recovered over 50,000 coins and 14,000 artifacts from the site nearly 1,700 feet deep. The authentic shipwreck treasure prizes offered in “The World’s Biggest Treasure Hunt” are from the SS Republic shipwreck site and include coins minted during the Civil War by the Confederate States of America. In May 2007, the Company announced the largest historic deep ocean find of over 500,000 silver and gold coins, weighing 17 tons, from a colonial era site code-named “Black Swan”. Odyssey has several shipwreck projects in various stages of development around the world.
Odyssey offers various ways to share in the excitement of deep-ocean exploration by making shipwreck treasures and artifacts available to collectors, the general public and students through its webstore, exhibits, books, videos, merchandise, and educational programs. Odyssey’s “SHIPWRECK! Pirates & Treasure” exhibit recently opened at the Tampa Museum of Science and Industry. For details on the Company’s activities and commitment to the preservation of maritime heritage please visit www.shipwreck.net.
About “NATIONAL TREASURE: BOOK OF SECRETS”
In this follow up to the box-office hit “National Treasure,” treasure hunter Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage) once again sets out on an exhilarating, action-packed new global quest to unearth hidden history and treasures.
When a missing page from the diary of John Wilkes Booth surfaces, Ben’s great-great grandfather is suddenly implicated as a key conspirator in Abraham Lincoln’s death. Determined to prove his ancestor’s innocence, Ben follows an international chain of clues that takes him on a chase from Paris to London and ultimately back to America. This journey leads Ben and his crew not only to surprising revelations – but to the trail of the world’s most treasured secrets.
Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and Jon Turteltaub and directed by Turteltaub, the story reunites the original cast including Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Academy Award -winner Jon Voight and Academy Award -nominee Harvey Keitel, joined this time by four-time Academy Award -nominee Ed Harris and 2006 Academy Award -winner Helen Mirren. Story by The Wibberleys & Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio, Screenplay by The Wibberleys. Based on characters created by Jim Kouf and Oren Aviv & Charles Segars. “NATIONAL TREASURE: BOOK OF SECRETS” opens in theatres December 21, 2007.
Odyssey Marine Exploration’s Ship Cleared
Research Vessel Odyssey Explorer Prepares to Depart Spanish Port Today
Tampa, FL – October 19, 2007 – Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc.’s (NASDAQ:OMEX) recovery vessel, Odyssey Explorer, has been cleared by a Spanish Judge and Harbor authorities to depart from the port of Algeciras, Spain after Spanish authorities conducted a thorough inspection of the ship. The ship will shortly be en route to another port where she will be mobilized and then resume shipwreck search and archaeological recovery operations.
“We’re pleased that the Spanish authorities were able to conduct their inspection so efficiently,” commented Greg Stemm, Odyssey Co-Chairman and Co-Founder. “We hope that the evidence gathered makes it clear to authorities that we did not conduct any unauthorized operations in Spanish territorial waters, as alleged by outlandish claims made in the press. We also look forward to resolving any outstanding issues with the Kingdom of Spain over the “Black Swan” site in U.S. Federal Court in the near future and are prepared to share extensive documentation about the site pursuant to the offer made in our filings before the Judge.
“We have always shown the utmost respect for Spain’s cultural heritage and are prepared to provide Spanish authorities with the archaeological data gathered about shipwreck sites discovered during authorized and legal operations in the deep waters of the Alboran Sea in the Western Mediterranean. This information will be useful in documenting and protecting these valuable sites in the future,” commented Stemm.
For additional information, please contact Natja Igney, Odyssey’s Manager of Corporate Communications, at 813-876-1776
Odyssey Marine Exploration believes the information set forth in these Press Releases may include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. Certain factors that could cause results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements are set forth in “Risk Factors” in the Part I, Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Copyright, 1998 – 2007, Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc., Tampa, FL 33679-2057, USA – All Rights Reserved
We are just getting over Halloween season and I am already getting emails with that ultimate question on all the minds of people who love a rockhounds — “What do I get them for Christmas?”.
You want my honest answer? I haven’t a clue. I know what I want, but trying to figure out what your own particular rockhound wants is just more responsibility than I need to try to shoulder right now. Don’t fret though, because I am not just dropping you off to wander aimlessly on your own.
I knew from how early I was getting questions about Christmas that my email box was in danger of looking like Santa’s in another month, so I asked the members what they want. I hope the answers give you a good idea of what to do for your own rockhound.
With all that said here is a bit of a Christmas Wish List from some our our members and some links so you can see what they are talking about.
Herkimer:
I really would like to have the Little Mak Hand-held Telescope. I do a lot of bike riding on nature trails here in Raleigh – That mini-telescope would fit nicely in my bike seat pouch. I could use it for viewing the wide variety of birds that one can see along the Greenway trails.
Xsivejeff:
Books. I’m big on handy research material. Funny thing is that I still don’t have a copy of the Rockhound’s Handbook available at Black Cat Mining.
I also notice that Gem Trails of Oregon and Gem Trails of Arizona would pretty well round out my western states collection.
And come to think of it, the book Geodes:Nature’s Treasures would make a very fitting addition to my coffee table collection.
I’m pretty well stocked up on Estwing stuff but I’d just LOVE to someday add their Geo-Paleo Pick to my gear collection.
Back to the books, I find that I’ll need to spend A LOT more time browsing the selections of Alibris Books. I get many of my books used and this looks like a great resource that I didn’t know about.
Anonymous:
I really like this saw-polisher combo unit. I’d feel funny telling my girlfriend that, though. I don’t know if we’ve been together long enough for her to want to spend that much on me but I’m worth it!
I could use some head phones for my metal detector, too. Maybe she’ll think I’m worth those.
rustinbiberson:
I sure know what I would like to have for Christmas. I’m not really familiar with the types of makes and which one is the best but I would really like to have a saw to cut some rocks and one of those tumblers to polish some rocks……until then I guess I’ll just keep collecting.
I really want this GPS watch and I’ve been very good this year.
Anonymous 2:
I’d like to see plane tickets to the Tuscon Gem Show next year. I might have a chance to get those. I don’t think I have a chance to get the Hummer I wanted. Santa gripes a lot about inflation these days.
I just want another rock pick to replace the two darned picks I’ve lost hunting in the last year!
Well there are some ideas for you special Santa’s out there about what to get your favorite rockhound for Christmas. I know it is a bit early but that will give all of you out there time to figure out if “anonymous” and “anonymous 2” are one of your rockhounds!
SHHHHH ! DON’T TELL ANYONE!
Today I got an email from member Ricardo Birnie (agates from Argentina) just as I was finishing up the newsletter and it’s just too funny not to share it. So I just slipped it in here. Don’t tell Claudia!
There are lots of places to hide up here in the US if Claudia sees this, Ricardo!
Today , I found this funny picture that I wanted to share with you, while Claudia is not around : This picture was shot about ten years ago, when we traveled to a Province (“Santiago Adel Ester”) in a small town(???) called “Sumatra”. In the North of Argentina.
We had to sleep in a whore house because there were no hotels (who would want to build one here??) It was Saturday night so all the “Gauchos” were drinking and socializing with the “ladies” there. This is why we carried a rifle. It was not comfortable , as you can see. Take a look at the walls!! . Also notice her cute pajamas with Disney’s Minnie Mouse character.
Claudia & Winchester
Cheers!!
RICARDO & CLAUDIA BIRNIE AGATES FROM ARGENTINA
Look for the only Grapefruit tree at the INN SUITES Room Number 223.
Rockin’ the Third Rock – and the 4th.
Baked Butternut Squash
Butternut Squash (Cucurbita moschata), also known in Australia as Butternut pumpkin
Baked Butternut Squash
I like Squash (as you may have figured out). Butternut Squash is one of my favorites. With Thanksgiving just around the corner in the US I figured I’d share my favorite Butternut Squash recipe with you. Can you guess what one of the course’s will be here on that day?
Baked Butternut Squash
Wash 2 Butternut squashes, split them in half, and remove seeds. Coat the meat thickly with butter and sprinkle with brown sugar, salt and pepper to taste and a little ground ginger.
Arrange cut side up in a shallow baking pan in 1 inch of water. Bake them in a moderate oven (350 degree) for about 1 hour or until they are brown and very tender when tested with a fork. Serve with the shell.
This year (like most others) I’ll be cooking most of Thanksgiving dinner outdoors in my larger wood burning cooker. To me it just adds so much more to the holiday. Here’s a partial menu for that meal, all of which will be cooked outdoors.
- Baked Honey Glazed Ham
- Baked Butternut Squash
- Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- Roasted Carrots
And that’s just for starters. Of course there will be pies in the oven for dessert.
Happy Holidays All!
About Thom…
Thom Meyer is a retired professional chef who has a degree in Culinary Arts – Also an avid camper and most importantly a person who likes to eat. Lately he has been involved in marketing and building websites when not using WordPress for them, a process of which in some circles he is considered an authority. Among his many websites that he maintains are www.recipes-4-all.com and www.wp-revealed.com
“When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro”
Hunter S. Thompson
TRAVEL
New York State
New York State
Niagara falls.
Being a new temporary resident of New York, I have been finding out that there are some incredible rockhounding opportunities in this state. I was very hesitant to come out here, even for business, because I had a picture in my mind of New York as being mostly pavement and skyscrapers. It looks like about the only place out here that is the case is in New York City itself. The rest of the state is absolutely breathtaking.
Driving into the Troy area, I checked my map a few times to see if I was actually on the right road.
The state is mostly rolling hills and trees, with some mountains thrown in as a bonus. Villages with quaint colonial architecture dot the landscape. When you hear the word park, it doesn’t necessarily mean a little square of grass with a few sidewalks or paths. The whole range of the New York Adirondack mountains is a called a “park”. Unlike the parks of the West, however, rockhounding is not prohibited.
Quartz Herkimer cluster
For those that love quartz crystals, Herkimer, New York is a required stop. This area is the home of the world famous Herkimer diamonds, as these double terminated, sparkling crystals are named, have few comparisons for beauty or perfection in the mineral world. The hunter can find several fee dig areas in the Herkimer area where the likelihood of a strike is pretty much guaranteed. Those who like a bit more adventuresome hunt will find plenty of open areas to do so, too.
For other minerals to be found in New York, just pick from over one hundred varieties of gem and mineral material and there will be a location in New York just right for you including the New York City area!
In Jefferson County, East of the Adirondacks, fluorite, apatite, spinel, malachite, and even agates (rare in the East) can be won by the fortunate hunter. The Adirondacks are peppered with gemstones and mines where the hunter can search for a wealth of minerals such as the Garnets of Gore mountain or the geodes of the Natural Bridge and Caves area. In St. Lawrence county one is left to wonder exactly what can’t be found.
The Catskill mountains present not only breathtaking scenery and waterfalls, but many gemmy minerals as well. The rock in some areas of the Catskills is notoriously hard, however, and you should make sure you have some good strong equipment with you when hunting in these mountains.
Kolihapeltis
Fossil hunters don’t need to feel left out in New York either. In the shales of the Erie County area, beautiful specimens of trilobites can be won. Crinoid fossils also can be found in abundance in Western portions of the state. Shark and other fish teeth and scales are common finds. Near Alden, in Erie county fascinating pyritized fossils can be found, an exciting addition to any collections.
Bivalves, brachiopods, plants, cephalopods, and even mastodons and dinosaur remains can all be found in this amazing state. While rules still hold that collecting vertabrae fossils is a no-no, it doesn’t mean that you won’t accidentally run across them. Of course, if you do find a mastodon or dinosaur, you will need to report the find to the local authorities.
Eagle Lake Adirondacks New York.
The list of hunting attractions in New York goes on and on. Almost wherever you go in this magical and misunderstood state you will find magnificent specimens to thrill even the most experienced hunters. The scenery you will take in while hunting is resoundingly spectacular. For those of you who need a break from the desert heat of the summer, New York makes a great change of climate and environment.
MEMBERS CORNER…
Last month member, Dragon, told us just a bit about his recent trip out to Oregon. This month he has returned to tell us about one of the phenomenal, yet difficult to hunt, types of obsidian to be found at Glass Butte, Oregon. When you look at the pictures, you won’t need to do much wondering why he is so excited about these finds. Had I known about these beauties on my last stop there, my trip East would have taken a day or two longer!
Black Fire
Obsidian from Glass Buttes Image Jason Hinkle
For years I have been hearing about and occasionally reading about a mysterious obsidian found only at Glass Buttes, Oregon. This year I made a trip to this Mecca for rock hounds and met with Emory Coons, a noted knapper and authority on local obsidian. We spent long hours discussing the various forms of obsidian to be found in the locality, then we hit on Fire Obsidian. He showed me some cabs he had fashioned from the material and explained the complexities of finding the stones with fire, orienting the stone for the best possible reflection of color, and then how easy it is to grind right through the micro thin layer, ruining this precious gem. Undaunted by the difficulties in acquiring the rock, or the delicacy with which the stone requires when cabbing, I asked that he take me to mine some of this enigma of the rock world. We planned for the next day, when Cecil, Emory’s father, would be free to take me for the experience I would not soon forget.
Obsidian from Glass Buttes: Image Jason Hinkle
One does not realize how out of shape you are until you attempt to do a task which would have been simple just a few years earlier. Cecil promptly left me in the wake of his dust, which was rapidly turning to mud. Yep, it began to rain on this gray morning adding to the already difficult task. As I stood to catch my breath I noticed snow on the top of Glass Buttes, adding an ethereal glow to the already enchanting countryside. I finally caught up to Cecil who threw me a rock hammer and said to gently chip the matrix away from the obsidian. Before he finished his sentence, I noticed blood on the ground and told him he must have cut himself. In fact, as I had seated myself on the ground, I had punctured my hand and was the one in need of attention. As I settled in to chipping the obsidian, Cecil began to relate his many experiences in his search for earth’s jewels. Not to be rude, I waited patiently for an opportunity to ask when we would get to the Fire Obsidian. Sometime later, when he stopped to take a drink, I asked, “so when are we going to the fire pit?” He laughed and told me we’ve been in it since we got here! I looked at the stones we had dug and couldn’t see anything resembling what Emory had showed me the night before. Cecil explained that since the sky was overcast it would be nearly impossible and that we would have a better chance to see if we had been fortunate, after we had tumbled the outer surface from the rock.
Emory
Later we returned to his home in Burns and began the process of removing the oxidation from the rocks. After only a few hours we took the rocks, washed and the proceeded to grade them according to the amount of fire each showed. Believe me, it is not an easy process, minuscule clues hide within each rock, telling if and where the fire is. More often than not, the stone is just a nice gold or silver sheen and some have no color other than black. But when you do find one with fire it is unmistakable! Out of the near 200 pounds collected, only about a 5 gallon bucket had potential for fire. Of that, most was practice grade, then there was a small representation of visible fire, and finally a few that were almost blinding. Emory laughed at my inexperience, telling me that this was the easy part. Tomorrow we would sort through the last batch again and see if we found any lunar rock. I couldn’t resist, so I asked how would we recognize a lunar rock, he stated, “it will show fire under a full moon, you’ll see.”
Obsidian from Glass Buttes: Image Jason Hinkle
As we broke for dinner, Emory started pulling out tray after tray of cabochons he had cut from some of the top grade of Fire Obsidian, these he called Black fire! I soon learned why. Those gems were absolutely the finest examples of fire I have ever seen, a rainbow of color on a black bed of obsidian; I knew I had to add this material to my line of jewelry. It seemed each stone became increasingly better as the night went on. Now folks, you think I may be exaggerating, but I tell you the light was no more than a 60 watt bulb and these stones were brilliant. The coup de gras came when Emory said, “I only have one stone left to show you”, at which time he produced an emerald cut Black Fire stone. My jaw nearly fell off its hinges. Everything else became second best. I will say that this form of Obsidian is by far as good as or better than any Black Opal I have seen! found in Burns.
Obsidian from Glass Buttes: Image Jason Hinkle
Cabochons by Emory Coons photography submitted by Jason Hinkle; please do not copy or use these photos without assigning proper credit to the artist!
Dragon
The Earths Magnetic Field:Image NASA.
Pole Shift – A Danger?
World prophecies have indicated we are moving to a time of a polar reversal – a flip in the Earth’s rotational pattern – an action of quite possible dire consequences. Mayan prophecy sets the date in December of 2012. Another sect has determined the time to be 2009. Biblical scholars around the world are adopting the idea that we are in the end times as purported by revelations. Physical evidences are adding fuel to the fire of these prophecies. Most scientists concur that we are very possibly moving toward a magnetic reversal, or flip. As the planet and our solar system are studied we are learning more about how magnetic fields work for (or against) us and what we may be expecting as our current poles wander and our electromagnetic field wanes.
Electromagnetism is a force that determines the placement of everything in our solar system. Any addition or discharge of energy will change the configuration. It is generally accepted that the earth’s magnetism the interaction of the heavy metallic core with the lighter metal of the crust acts much as a battery producing an electromagnetic field, although there are a few different theories about how this interaction works. The electromagnetic field is not stagnant until one major event disrupts the flow. Monitoring has shown that this energy is not smoothly distributed, but anomalies are scattered over the planet. These anomalies fluctuate and can cause changes in the magnetic field in general. How dramatic the change will be is determined by the amount of force added or discharged.
The actual North and South poles on our planet will always adjust to keep in close proximity to our magnetic poles. It has been found that our magnetic pole normally oscillates and even drifts. Over time the poles will drift enough to cause shifts in the earth’s rotation and, subsequently, in the land masses and oceans, which, in turn, adjust to the centrifical force of the planet’s rotation. The positions of the oceans and land masses on the planet will always be determined by where the poles and the equator are located – as long as the planet continues to rotate. The poles, and subsequently the rotation, have flipped, and possibly actually jumped, many times in the planet’s history, sometimes causing a major shift, sometimes a minor one. Until recently knowledge of these events was only through speculation, but the flips are now known to actually have occurred.
Scientists are now able to read the magnetic signature of rocks, fossils, etc, and can tell the strength of the magnetic field and direction of the poles during specific periods of the earth’s history. It is by studying the traces left by the magnetic pull that they have begun to understand some of the cataclysms which have happened in the past on this planet.
For instance, approximately 530 million years ago the earth’s magnetic poles caused a flip in the rotation. This flip was accompanied by an extinction rate of over 90% of life forms on the planet. The magnetism also was stronger before this flip and one area of thought now suggests that the extinction of the giant species that roamed before the flip was caused by the decrease in the strength of the magnetic field. Surviving populations after the event never repopulated as the magnetic field was no longer strong enough to support these massive creatures. The last flip has been dated at between 17,000 and 12,000 years ago. This date would coincide with the end of the last ice age. The magnetism of the earth again dropped. Mammoths and other large earth mammals died off leaving the only truly large species surviving within the oceans.
We now know that the shifts are periodic. The sun experiences polar reversals every 11 years. On earth major shift events are not so frequent. In the last 550 million years only hundreds have been found to have occurred. Scientists are not clear, however, about how long these shifts take to occur. Many scientists hold to the idea that these flips take up to thousands of years to complete. If the flips occur over long periods, the effects will be subtle throughout the generations of life times.
It appears that this theory is generally correct. The continual evolution of the planet, earthquakes, volcanoes, and other weather and environmental events may all be related to continually wandering magnetic poles that takes place over long periods of time. Evidence is growing, however, that sometimes a flip can happen in just hours – or an instant and the planet’s reactions to such a flip would be devastating.
One frequently noted evidence for instantaneous flips is a mammoth that was found frozen. The animal had not deteriorated at all before freezing, yet when it was dissected the remains of tropical plants were in its stomach – and even still in it’s mouth! There is no possibility that plants of that nature were growing in an arctic climate. Especially one that could freeze an animal fast enough to avoid decay. The only explanation for this creature’s condition is an instantaneous flip in the planet’s rotation. It has also been found that when evidence of glaciers is found in any part of the world, evidence for glaciers existing at the same time period will be found on the direct opposite side of the globe. By reading the magnetic signature left in the terrains of these areas scientists have discovered that the time lines of these traces are also indicative of these areas having positions as poles in the past. It has been only recently that science has had any method of determining the speed of the shift, though.
Discoveries in quantum physics explain how the earth’s magnetic energy grid can change instantly. According to findings related to matter/energy oscillations and the action of energy in what is known to physicists as the quantum void, the magnetic poles, rotation, and even the orbit of the planet can change in the course of hours, or even minutes, rather than centuries . The results of such an instantaneous jump will be disastrous. While energy can change it’s direction in an instant, the air, water, and land masses would be effected by inertia. Cataclysmic floods, windstorms, earthquakes, and lava flow would engulf the planet.
These storms would be of magnitudes unknown to humans living today. New mountain ranges would be formed and old ones would increase in size over night. Plates and ocean floors would collide. Crust would be ripped and destroyed. Survival of our species during the period that earth restructures relative to the new poles would be minimal, but survival would be likely as long as extra factors are not added to the mix. Not only would local climates change to suit their new longitudes and latitudes, but if the jump contains enough energy the earths orbit path could be effected. This change could, in turn, result in a planet wide cataclysmic temperature changes – instantly. The magnetic field could also diminish further.
It has been purported that the loss of magnetic force is the reason that larger animals did not survive the change after previous pole reversals. Magnetism is vital to life so a diminished magnetic field may not allow for the larger life forms to thrive. Larger animals may have needed the more compressed atmosphere that the stronger field supported. As the magnetism of the planet diminishes the atmosphere gains ability to expand. One scientist compared the expansion of the atmosphere to climbing a mountain.
As you get higher, oxygen levels become less dense. It is harder to breath. Exactly how much can our magnetic field diminish before we are left with an unbreathable atmosphere? Another problem with the loss of magnetism is our vulnerability to our sun’s radiation which is deflected by our magnetic field. The sun’s activities are currently increasing. We need the earth’s magnetic field to divert the radiation as it hits our atmosphere. We are already experiencing an increase of radiation from the continual decline of our magnetic field. How much more can we absorb and still survive and adapt?
Scientists agree that the waning magnetic field is an indication of an imminent pole shift, but do not agree about how our magnetic field will be affected by a pole reversal. Since the pole reversal 530 million years ago we have experienced several flips, or jumps, each accompanied by a decrease in the strength of the field. We have only about 20% of the magnetic field strength that existed a half a billion years ago.
Will we experience an event that reorganizes the matter on earth in a way that will strengthen the magnetic field again or will the force continue to subside as time goes on and flips continue? Many scientists predict that the worst that we will experience is difficulty with electrical systems. It is agreed that we will experience difficulties with electrical systems. Satellites, telephones, computers and the like will be affected. Many scientists, however, point to increasing evidences that these difficulties represent only the tip of the iceberg.
At the present time our magnetic North pole is moving rapidly toward Siberia. How far can the magnetic pole travel from the actual North axis pole before the rotation of the planet is affected? Will the flip be instantaneous or will it occur gradually? Is the increased occurrence of storms and natural disasters a sign that we are in the midst of a shift at this time or are these events the harbinger of a jump? Scientists are working hard to find the answers to these and other questions. We can only hope that the prophecies of the ancients are wrong and we have the time to find these answers and solutions to survival through a cataclysmic instant jump.
age and info credits for this edition:
Wikipedia: Jason Hinkle: NASA: Maureen Walther: Odyssey Marine Exploration:
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