Brunhes–Matuyama reversal

Brunhes–Matuyama reversal

The Brunhes–Matuyama reversal, named after Bernard Brunhes and Motonori Matuyama, was a geologic event that happened about 781,000 years ago. During this time, the Earth's magnetic field flipped direction.

Scientists have different ideas about how quickly this change happened. Some think it took several thousand years, while others believe it might have occurred faster.

This reversal is important for scientists because it helps mark a specific point in Earth's history. It is used to define the start of the Chibanian Stage and the Middle Pleistocene Subseries, as decided by the International Union of Geological Sciences in 2020. This event helps scientists date things like ocean sediment layers and volcanic rocks.

There are some interesting ideas about this reversal, like a possible link to a large group of meteorite fragments called the Australasian strewnfield, which happened around the same time. However, most scientists think these are just coincidences. Other events, like the Bosumtwi impact event in Africa and the Jaramillo reversal, also happened around this time and are often studied together.