Historically, Earth’s North and South magnetic poles have flipped every 200,000 or 300,000 years—except right now, they haven’t flipped successfully for about 780,000 years. But the planet’s magnetic field is at long last showing signs of shifting. Although there’s no way to know yet for sure, it could be gearing up to flip once more, according to Undark Magazine. And that possibility is raising new speculation about what that means for planetary life.

Our planet’s magnetic field protects us from lethal levels of radiation from phenomena like solar rays. The dangerous particles never hit us directly, because upon entering the Earth’s atmosphere the magnetic field deflects them and forces them to move around, according to NASA. So the prospect of that field weakening, which it does when it’s getting ready to flip, is worrisome: It would leave us without sufficient protection.

The Earth’s North magnetic pole has been wandering at 10-year intervals from 1970 to 2020, as seen in this animation from the National Centers for Environmental Information. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information

Trending: The 'Glee' Cast's Tragic History: From Cory Monteith to Mark Salling

The Earth’s magnetic field extends out from electrical currents created by the metals in its core, generating invisible lines that touch back down at the planet’s opposing magnetic poles. Cosmic radiation expert Daniel Baker, director of the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at the University of Colorado, Boulder, believes that the next pole reversal could likely render some areas of the planet unlivable, according to Undark.

That devastation could arrive through multiple avenues. The combination of powerful space particles, like unfiltered solar rays, cosmic rays and ultraviolet B rays (the stuff your sunscreen bottle warns you about), would smash through our battered ozone layer and lead us the way of the dinosaurs.

Don't miss: Trump Expected To Tout Economy At SOTU But His Predecessor Deserves the Credit, Senior Democrat says

Our infrastructure wouldn’t fare much better. Since satellite grids are linked, once radiation eats through, more will follow, causing a cascading mass blackout, among other disasters, according to Undark.

Because we haven’t reached that point yet, scientists are using imagery from satellites to track the magnetic field’s movements. Since 2014, Swarm—a trio of satellites from the European Space Agency—has allowed researchers to study changes building at the Earth’s core, where the magnetic field is generated.

Historically, Earth’s North and South magnetic poles have flipped every 200,000 or 300,000 years—except right now, they haven’t flipped successfully for about 780,000 years. But the planet’s magnetic field is at long last showing signs of shifting. NASA

Most popular: 60,000 North Korean Children at Risk for Starvation, Warns UNICEF

Their observations reveal that both the molten iron and nickel are draining out of the Earth’s core. That kind of restless activity could indicate that the field is preparing to flip, according to Undark. Protective measures could include building more radiation-fortified satellites, plus shoring up ones that are already operational, according to the International Business Times.

Not all of the Earth’s polarity reversal attempts are successful; the poles last put out a botched effort around 40,000 years ago, according to Futurism. And scientists have yet to establish a cause-and-effect relationship between pole reversals and mass extinctions.

But that doesn’t mean there isn’t one. We might not know when the poles will finally complete their long-overdue switch, but we at least have the advantage of being able to prepare.

This article was first written by Newsweek

Supermassive Black Hole Jets Could Spawn Three Kinds of Turbo-Charged Space Particles

Physics: 'Quantum Radio' Breakthrough Could Save Your Life in a Fire, Flood or Earthquake

August Solar Eclipse Created ‘Bow Waves’ in Earth’s Atmosphere, a Phenomenon Never Seen Before

Roberts wrote that a decision that limited abortion rights without overturning Roe v. Wade would have been "markedly less unsettling."

He calls for evidence of what doesn't exist: a rigged election.

"I am alarmed they chose to reject the stability the ruling has provided for two generations of Americans," the West Virginia Democrat said.

I tasted canned versions of the classic meal from Hormel, Wolf Brand, Amy's, and Campbell's to find the best option for your Fourth of July spread.

Kate Middleton has several body language tricks she uses at public events—including the Fig Pose and the "Adoring Gaze."

The occurrence is “still not fully understood by scientists,” officials say.

The California Democratic slammed the extremist congresswoman for inciting violence and shared audio of a call threatening his children.

Burger King employee Kevin Ford went viral — and caught the attention of Saturday Night Live alum David Spade — with a TikTok about a paltry 27-year anniversary present

In response to Johnson's explanation, a Pennsylvania Republican said: "Senator Johnson's statements about Representative Kelly are patently false."

'Pitch Perfect,' 'Bridesmaids' and 'Senior Year' actress Rebel Wilson posted a new bikini photo on Instagram. See her stunning picture and how fans reacted.

Until recently, Brooks was a staunch ally of Donald Trump and even pleaded for the former president's re-endorsement amid his failed Senate campaign.

She has no idea where her dog got it from, or how long it had been in her mouth.

"Pardon me?" many Twitter users asked the Florida congressman.

BASALT, Colo. — Claudia Cunningham had never voted for a Republican in her life. She swore she couldn’t or her father would roll over in his grave. But ahead of the Colorado primary on Tuesday, she did the once-unthinkable: registered as unaffiliated so that she could vote in the GOP primary against her congresswoman, Lauren Boebert. So did Ward Hauenstein, the mayor pro tem of Aspen; Sara Sanderman, a teacher from Glenwood Springs; Christopher Arndt, a writer and financier in Telluride; Gayle F

Casey LaCaze-Lachney posted a TikTok video after receiving a public indecency charge and the video quickly went viral gaining over 2.6 million views.

Even one of the greatest shooters in NBA history struggles with the theme park basketball game.

A new report by Get Golden Visa predicts a “golden visa frenzy” after Roe v Wade decision as Americans look to work remotely abroad and escape inflation. The data doesn't lie.

'Live With Kelly and Ryan' cohost Kelly Ripa posted a photo of her daughter Lola on Instagram to celebrate her 21st birthday. But there was something off about the cake.

When Donald Trump's American Freedom Tour pulled into Mississippi last week, Jordan Klepper from "The Daily Show" tagged along.

The Warriors' No. 28 pick in the NBA Draft, Patrick Baldwin Jr., once did his best Steph Curry impression.