Magnetic Field of

Earth
 Earth's magnetic field (and the surface magnetic field)
is approximately a magnetic dipole, with the magnetic
field S pole near the Earth's geographic north pole (see
Magnetic North Pole) and the other magnetic field N pole
near the Earth's geographic south pole (see Magnetic
South Pole).
Scientists know that today the Earth's magnetic field is powered by
the solidification of the planet's liquid iron core. The cooling and
crystallization of the core stirs up the surrounding liquid iron, creating
powerful electric currents that generate a magnetic field stretching far
out into space.
 What would be the effect of reversing the magnetic field on
Earth?

During an excursion or a reversal, the magnetic field is

considerably weakened and allows many more cosmic rays to
reach the surface of the planet. These energetic particles from
space can be damaging to life on Earth if too many reach the
surface. If the Earth was not protected by the magnetic
field, the solar wind would push our atmosphere away from the
Earth into outer space. That would remove the ozone and oxygen
from the Earth's atmosphere. The Sun also releases ultraviolet
radiation, which also streams towards the Earth.
A cartoon that shows the burst of solar particles from the Sun, called a solar wind, towards the planet
Earth. The Earth's magnetic field deflects the solar wind and protects the Earth from that blast of solar
particles. The Earth's magnetic field acts like a shield to keep the solar particles from stripping away
our atmosphere!. Image from European Space Agency: 
http://www.space.com/23131-earth-magnetic-field-shift-explained.html