Earth’s Poles

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31001, 5 March 1966, Page 14

Earth’s Poles

Sir,—On January 27 a photograph appeared in “The Press” of a fossilised leaf of a tree which could only have lived in a warm climate. Many years ago fossilised remains of animals which scientists said could only have lived in warm climate were found in the Arctic Circle. When Captain Scott returned from the South Pole he said that it was not the true magnetic pole, and that the earth, besides revolving on its axis, was also moving in another way. This movement would cause the present poles to become the equator in the course of time. About a year ago American pilots flying over the North Pole found that they were 168 miles off course. Evidently what Captain Scott said about the South Pole also applies to the North Pole. Is it not possible that this movement is necessary to sustain the earth and allow it to be habitable? The earth at the Equator is being drained of the necessities of life: is it not possible that in millions

of years it will be buried under snow and ice to recuperate, as that which was the Equator millions of years ago is doing today? This would allow the formation of metals, coal, oil and other substances so necessary for existence.—Yours, etc., FIAT LUX. February 14, 1966. [This letter was referred to the Geophysical Observatory of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. Mr G. A. M. King, replying in the absence of the superintendent (Mr J. W. Beagley) replies as follows: “Over a period of millions of years it is likely that the axis for the earths rotation would shift appreciably from its present position. However, so little is known about this movement that my colleagues and I are unwilling to comment on its implications for life on earth.”]