Cómo los seres humanos sobrevivieron al evento de extinción que se repetirá otra vez

Key Discovery: Survival Strategies During the Laschamps Excursion

A recent study published in Science Advances reconstructs the Earth's magnetic field during the Laschamps excursion 41,000 years ago. This event significantly weakened the magnetic field, increasing exposure to harmful UV radiation. The study used three interconnected models to demonstrate the scale of the environmental crisis, highlighting its role in the extinction of Neanderthals and megafauna.

Human Survival Mechanisms

The research emphasizes the role of technological innovation in human survival. Key survival strategies identified include:

• Seeking shelter in caves: Caves offered protection from increased UV radiation.
• Creating tailored clothing: Bone needles indicate advanced clothing technology that provided better protection than that of Neanderthals.
• Using ochre as sunscreen: The widespread use of red ochre as body paint, which has experimentally proven UV-blocking properties, played a vital role in shielding from radiation.

These adaptations allowed Homo Sapiens not only to survive but also to thrive and expand, unlike the Neanderthals and megafauna who became extinct.

The Risk of Future Geomagnetic Events

The Laschamps excursion is not a unique occurrence; similar events have happened repeatedly throughout history. While the timing of future events is uncertain, a weakening of the magnetic field has been observed in recent times. The potential consequences of such an event are alarming, including severe radiation exposure, disruptions to electrical grids and satellite networks, and substantial environmental impacts.