Science Learning Hub logo
TopicsConceptsCitizen scienceTeacher PLDGlossary
Sign in
Image

Earth’s magnetic field

Diagram of the Earth’s magnetic field.

The Earth has a magnetic field extending thousands of kilometres into space. There is no big magnet inside the Earth. How the field is made, and why it occasionally reverses direction, is not fully understood.

Glossary

Rights: The University of Waikato Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato
Published: 11 May 2011Updated: 21 November 2017Size: 470.98 KB
Referencing Hub media

Explore related content

Appears inRelated resources
Fossil compasses

Article

Fossil compasses

The Earth has a magnetic field around it, and some magnetic minerals line up with that field. A compass also ...

Read more
Introducing magnetism

Article

Introducing magnetism

Magnetism is a fascinating invisible force – it influences the environment around it. A magnet is a material that can ...

Read more
Mapping the Milky Way’s magnetic field

Article

Mapping the Milky Way’s magnetic field

Astronomers at Victoria University were part of an international team led by Germany’s Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics (MPA), which ...

Read more
Exploring magnetism

Teacher PLD

Exploring magnetism

In this recorded professional learning session, Lyn Rogers and Dr Simon Taylor explore aspects of magnetism. They:

Read more
Using magnetism

Article

Using magnetism

What is magnetism used for?

Read more

See our newsletters here.

NewsEventsAboutContact usPrivacyCopyrightHelp

The Science Learning Hub Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao is funded through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's Science in Society Initiative.

Science Learning Hub Pokapū Akoranga Pūtaiao © 2007-2025 The University of Waikato Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato