How are we able to direct narrow bands of magnetic fields like utility lines if Earth’s magnetic field emanates outward from the core towards the atmosphere?

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If Earth’s magnetic field emanates from the interior of the earth outward, and magnetosphere is large enough and strong enough to deflect electrified particles thrown by solar flares, how are we able to direct narrow bands of magnetic fields while living within a giant magnetic field? E.g. transfer electricity along utility lines by directing magnetic fields around the wires?

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Anonymous 0 Comments

The main question has been answered in comments, I think, but to further put things into perspective:

The total energy of Earth’s magnetic field is very roughly our current energy consumption over a thousand years. This on one side sounds seriously huge, it’s enough to boil away the Caspian sea (twice, actually). On the other hand, it is not at the absurd scales most other cosmic things are (e.g. dismembering the entire planet, solar energy output, or worst, supernovae), we _could_ get there if we very very seriously want it even with current tech.

(I hope I remembered the total energy correctly, as modern Google is utterly useless when trying to verify them; all other numbers have been re-calculated.)

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