Imagining the Intangible - Audio-visual outreach project captures attention

We describe the creation and public response to a video and sonic composition illustrating the last geomagnetic field excursion - the Laschamps excursion, which took place ca. 40.000 years ago. Excursions are extreme events and happen irregularly in the evolution of the Earth's magnetic field. Using a global model of such an event, we created a visualization and sonification to convey this dramatic moment in Earth’s history to a wider audience. The video reached over one million people online and generated positive feedback, demonstrating how art can effectively communicate complex science. Our work suggests that innovative media can be a powerful tool for public outreach in the Earth sciences.