Recently, the shifting of Earth's magnetic North Pole has made news headlines. The North Pole has been recorded to be shifting since the early 1800's. Currently, the North Pole has been shifting at a rate of 30-40 miles per year towards Russia. Scientists say that a total reversal of the poles is likely to occur. My question is: will the effects of a total shift create catastrophic events on our planet? One would think, considering the effects this would have on tectonic plates, our climate, the ecosystem ect. However, NASA has stated, "As far as we know, such a magnetic reversal doesn't cause any harm to life on Earth." According to scientists, a total polar reversal happens every 400,000 years - if that number is correct then how are we to know that it doesn't cause any harm?
What are your thoughts on this?