A generalized Bak-Sneppen model for Earth's magnetic field reversals

TL;DR

This paper presents a simplified model simulating Earth's magnetic field reversals using a self-organized criticality framework, reproducing key statistical features like power-law distributions of reversal times.

Contribution

It introduces a generalized Bak-Sneppen inspired model that captures essential statistical properties of magnetic field reversals without detailed geophysical accuracy.

Findings

Reproduces power-law distribution of inter-reversal times

Models vortices in Earth's core as nodes in a critical state

Provides insights into the statistical nature of reversals

Abstract

We introduce a simple model for Earth's magnetic field reversals. The model consists in random nodes simulating vortices in the liquid part of the core which through a simple updating algorithm converge to a self organized critical state, with inter-reversal time probability distributions functions in the form of power laws (as supposed to be in actual reversals). It should not be expected a detailed description of reversals. However, we hope to reach a profounder knowledge of reversals through some of the basic characteristic that are well reproduced.