A groundbreaking study published in Science Advances has revealed a strong correlation between the strength of the Earth’s magnetic field and atmospheric oxygen levels over the past 540 years. The research, conducted by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and the University of Leeds, found that the two factors have spiked and dipped together at the same time.
The connection, which was statistically significant, could be due to relationships between geophysical processes in the Earth’s deep interior, redox reactions on its surface, and biogeochemical cycling. The study also showed that both magnetic field strength and atmospheric oxygen levels reached their peak intensities around 330-220 million years ago.
The findings support the hypothesis that the Earth’s magnetic field plays a role in making the planet habitable. Scientists have long speculated about this connection, with paleomagnetic records suggesting an overlap between the existence of a geomagnetic field and the emergence of life on Earth.
Previous simulations suggested that the magnetic field may prevent the atmosphere from being stripped away by space activity, such as solar winds and solar energetic particles. However, a direct comparison of magnetic field and oxygen level records had not been conducted before.
The study analyzed paleomagnetic records and geochemical proxies for atmospheric oxygen, including fossilized charcoal in sediments and ocean anoxia data. The results showed a high correlation between the two factors, with a value of 0.72 over the past 540 million years. This connection suggests a previously unrecognized link between the Earth’s interior and its surface environment that supports life.
The findings provide deeper insight into what makes our planet habitable and offer valuable clues in the search for life beyond Earth. They enhance our understanding of the Earth’s evolutionary history and support the hypothesis that the magnetic field plays a role in making the planet habitable.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2025-06-discovery-strong-link-earth-magnetic.html