Abstract

Overview

Earth, unlike other inner planets in the Solar System, has an oxidising atmosphere, relatively stable temperature, and a constant geomagnetic field (GMF), which is crucial in shielding the atmosphere and supporting life.

Findings

• The GMF plays a significant role in protecting life against solar wind and cosmic rays.
• It assists in maintaining stable environmental conditions which are favorable for life.
• Organisms ranging from archaea to plants and animals might use the GMF as a source of spatial information from the outset.
• Fluctuations in the GMF, such as pole reversals, could lead to a weakened field, climatic shifts, and increased mutation rates due to enhanced cosmic radiation and solar wind exposure.

Conclusion

The GMF positively influences life by providing stability and protection, whereas its reduction or disappearance poses significant risks to living organisms. The GMF's influence is also crucial for the survival of terrestrial life forms in extraterrestrial environments and potentially for the emergence of life on other planets.