McCanney identifies five layers of magnetic field, two permanent and three variable. Earth's central core (the original comet "seed") maintains a permanent magnetic field, formed as it cooled early in Earth's life. Next is the molten layer in the sub-mantle: the area that geologists today believe is the main driver of Earth's magnetic field. In McCanney's model this layer is only a lesser component, and subject to influence from the layers above. To top off this layer, there are localized pockets of iron and nickel in the mantle and outer crust, forming more or less permanent magnetic fields, which (on average) align with the field of the core. Some of these magnetized pockets form such large localized distortions of the Earth's magnetic that compass readings are near useless in these locations. (It should be noted that such regions have also been known for their high frequency of UFO sightings and other anomalous happenings based on the research of John Keel and others.)

The variable layers, starting in the atmosphere going up into space, form the bulk of Earth's magnetic field, even though they are not permanent in structure. These layers include the three current flows in Earth's ionosphere: the three "jet streams" which flow westerly at the equator and easterly at temperate latitudes. Above that are the Van Allen radiation belts, followed by the outer current of solar wind. The alleged "magnetic tail" flowing from the night side of the Earth is actually a comet tail, with electrons flowing out and positive ions in. Solar flares activated by comet discharges alter these variable layers of magnetic field by loading them with excess charge, which can in turn lead to hurricanes, ocean heating (El Nino) and potentially Earth Changes.

It's a rare time that doesn't see hysterical warnings of imminent "Pole Shifts" among pseudo-catastrophists and doomsayers. There's a lot of disinformation being spread about the topic. There are actually two types of pole shifts: physical and magnetic. Both depend on external conditions - they don't "just happen". According to McCanney, magnetic reversals in the variable fields may occur because of electrical interactions, but they are only temporary. The core keeps its true north, to which the total field re-aligns after the period of disturbance is over. Findings of rocks and metals magnetized in the opposite direction are most likely the result of their cooling (and thus developing their permanent magnetic properties), or actual physical rotation, during the time in which the variable fields were off kilter.

Similarly, the passage of a large comet can have gravitational effects (like the Moon has on the tides), causing massive tidal waves to course through the Earth's mantle and oceans, causing chain reactions of earthquakes and volcanoes. Like the eggshell of a spinning egg, this can cause the more solid outer layers of the Earth to shift over the molten layers below. (In Atlantis to Tesla - The Kolbrin Connection, McCanney relates that "true north" used to be inhabited by the region just north of New York and Michigan before such a shift occurred several thousand years ago, i.e. a physical movement of 30-40 degrees.) After the outer layers settle down, they will resume rotating in the direction of the core, which, just as it retains its magnetic field, retains its own direction of rotation. However, such gravitational effects can cause a slight precession of the core's rotation, offsetting true north (i.e., Polaris will no longer be the North Star.)

Q: (L) Now according to these guys who are writing this web page about pole shift, they say it can be predicted where the poles will shift to. Is this in fact the case?
A: No.
Q: (L) Why can't pole shifts be predicted? Can't we know where the new pole will end up?
A: Chaotic function here
Q: (L) Okay, in a pole shift does the lithosphere of the planet slide on the core? (A) No. We have to be very precise. There are three possible things that would come under the name pole shift. Only one of them may come, or two, or three, okay? And these are the following - the axis of rotation with respect to stars is changing, straightening out for instance; this is one thing; while all the rest goes with the axis, the lithosphere and the magnetic field. Second, the axis stays where it is, maybe it shifts a little bit; the lithosphere stays where it is - maybe it wobbles - but the magnetic field changes: for instance reverses. Third, axis stays, magnetic field stays, but the lithosphere is moving. So that's three ways a pole shift can happen. And of course there are things that come together. The most dramatic one which is seen from outside is when the axis of rotation changes. The next dramatic one is probably when the lithosphere changes. And the third of unknown consequences is when the magnetic pole changes, okay? So, we want to have an understanding what will be the main change. (L) Well I guess we ought to ask an even more basic question: are we looking at a pole shift happening? That's starting at the beginning. (A) Alright. (L) In the next ten years. Is a pole shift possible in the next ten years?
A: Yes.
Q: (L) Is a pole shift of the axis...(A) Honey, you ask if the pole shift is possible, of course it's possible. But suppose it's almost zero probability? 'Is it possible' is not the right question. 'Is it going to happen?' That's a question. (L) Okay you ask, carry on. (A) Are we looking at a pole shift during the next ten or so years with a high degree of probability?
A: Yes.
Q: (A) In this concept of pole shift, what would be the main feature of this pole shift, of all those which we were discussing?
A: New axial orientation, and magnetic reversal.
Q: (L) That's fairly dramatic. (A) Alright, now, change of axis or orientation of axis of rotation: can we say we would straighten up, getting almost perpendicular to the ecliptic? Or the other possibility is that it will fall down being almost parallel to the ecliptic. The third is that we'll flip completely by 180 degrees. We know it's highly unpredictable, but can we have a clue from which one is, so to say, dominate?
A: Perpendicularity will be restored.
Q: (A) We know the axis will change dramatically and magnetic reversal will happen. You didn't mention a change or shift of the lithosphere alone. Can we...
A: Lithospheric shift will feature to some extent.