A moment equation description of magnetic reversals in the earth.

Low order moments of the alpha dynamo equations in a geophysical regime are related to the dependent variables in a reversing disk dynamo. The link suggests that nonperiodic reversal is an intrinsic feature of the alpha dynamo equations provided the forcing is vigorous and the toroidal and poloidal magnetic fields are sufficiently out of phase. The nonuniformities in reversal frequency are then attributable to subcritical instability.