A South Atlantic Magnetic Anomaly (Amas) is a growing weak point in Earth’s geomagnetic field, located between Africa and South America. This fault allows solar radiation to approach the surface, increasing the exposure of satellites and space missions to ionizing particles.
One study used records of archaeological ceramics and furnace fragments from northwestern Argentina to map these magnetic fluctuations over the past 2,000 years.
The results indicate that the evolution of this anomaly is directly linked to changes in the positive and negative energy of the planet.
The science behind the discovery
To understand the behavior of terrestrial magnetism in the past, researchers analyzed archaeological materials from sites such as the Santa María Valley and the Puna de Jujuy.
Through Thellier method – a standard technique used to determine the strength of Earth’s magnetic field in the past – scientists measured the remaining magnetization in the fired clay of ceramics.
This methodology made it possible to filter out unreliable information from previous studies, resulting in a more robust data set for the South American region.
The new SHAWQ2k-SH model
The collected data was integrated into the updated global model, called SHAWQ2k-SH. This model revealed that, between the years 700 and 1200 AD, there was a significant reduction in the maximum magnetic field intensity that was predicted in previous reconstructions.
In the past, most data on magnetism came from the Northern Hemisphere, as more than 90% of available historical magnetic information was concentrated in the region.
The study demonstrates that the South Atlantic Anomaly it is not a static phenomenon, but a reflection of complex variations in the Earth’s core that affect the continent’s magnetic shielding.
Impacts and perspectives
Understanding the trajectory of AMAS is essential for modern technology, as the weakness of the magnetic field in this region can affect the operation of satellites and communication systems.
Furthermore, the 2,000-year record provides a foundation for future research into how these magnetic fluctuations may influence Earth’s long-term environment.
The study reinforces the importance of archeology in geophysics, using everyday objects from past civilizations to solve mysteries about the planet’s internal dynamics.
