Paleomagnetic Field Reversals and Cosmic Radiation

Abstract

Faunal changes observed in association with reversals of the geomagnetic field have been attributed to increased radiation dosages produced by cosmic rays when the field intensity is greatly reduced. However, at currently observed cosmic ray and solar particle intensities, the additional dosages produced at sea level during a period of complete removal of the geomagnetic field are negligible. Furthermore, even complete dumping of the energetic particle in the radiation belts would not give rise to the necessary increased dosages.