Overview

• Researchers found Earth's magnetic field was significantly weaker between 591 and 565 million years ago, coinciding with a rise in oxygen and biodiversity.
• The weakening of the magnetic field potentially allowed more hydrogen to escape Earth's atmosphere, increasing oxygen levels in the oceans and air.
• This period of low magnetic field strength overlaps with the emergence of Ediacaran fauna, marking a crucial phase in the evolution of complex life.
• Studies indicate this oxygen increase could be linked to the diversification of life forms during the late Ediacaran period.
• The findings challenge previous assumptions about the detrimental effects of a weak magnetic field on early life.