Strange Electromagnetic Dimensions

2 The Electromagnetic Pulse of Life

In the previous chapter we established that magnetoception exists in a wide variety of life forms. We saw that even cattle and deer appear to possess this ability, as shown by their tendency to line up parallel to the Earth’s magnetic field (except when in close proximity to high-voltage power lines). In this chapter we will further investigate the possibility of magnetoception in humans. We will also take a look at the related issue of whether geomagnetic disturbances are capable of affecting the human body. But first let us turn our attention to birds.

The radical–pair mechanism

That many species of bird make use of the Earth’s magnetic field for navigational purposes is confirmed beyond all doubt. What remains ...