You are correct that the Earth’s magnetic north pole has been moving faster than expected in recent years and has now crossed the prime meridian. The World Magnetic Model (WMM), which is used by navigation systems to accurately calculate compass headings, has been updated a year ahead of schedule due to the rapid movement of the pole.
The updated model shows that the magnetic north pole is moving away from Canada and towards Siberia. The movement of the pole is caused by changes in the Earth’s magnetic field, which is generated by the motion of molten iron in the planet’s core.
While the movement of the magnetic north pole is not a cause for immediate concern, it can have implications for navigation systems that rely on accurate compass readings. The updated WMM will help ensure that navigation systems continue to provide accurate information for pilots, mariners, and others who rely on compass readings for navigation.
Scientists continue to study the Earth’s magnetic field and the movement of the magnetic north pole to better understand these phenomena and their potential impacts on our planet.
You are correct that the magnetic north pole is the point on Earth that compasses designate as true north and is the result of geological processes deep within the planet. The movement of the magnetic north pole has been accelerating in recent years, which led to the early update of the World Magnetic Model (WMM).
The WMM is a model maintained jointly by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the British Geological Survey (BGS). The model uses data from satellites and land-based observatories to show what Earth’s magnetic field looks like and where the locations of the magnetic poles lie.
The WMM is critical for navigation, including GPS and military applications that rely on accurate compass readings. The updated model will help ensure that navigation systems continue to provide accurate information for pilots, mariners, and others who rely on compass readings for navigation.
While the movement of the magnetic north pole is not a cause for immediate concern, it is important for scientists to continue to study the Earth’s magnetic field and the movement of the magnetic poles to better understand these phenomena and their potential impacts on our planet.
Global map of declination and the dip pole locations for 2020. Courtesy of NOAA NCEI/CIRES.
You are correct that the mechanism driving the movement of the magnetic poles is not fully understood, and some have suggested it may be due to an underground jet stream. Both the magnetic north and south poles have been tracked since their discovery in 1831, and their movement and speed have been recorded.
The magnetic north pole has traveled 1,400 miles since it was first discovered and has changed speed over time. As recently as 2000, its speed was recorded at 10 km/year, but the latest readings show it moving at a brisk 50 km/year.
While the increased speed of movement of the magnetic north pole is not expected to have a significant impact on most people, it may cause changes to GPS applications on smartphones and the re-designation of runway markers at airports. The World Magnetic Model (WMM) is updated to ensure that navigation systems continue to provide accurate information for pilots, mariners, and others who rely on compass readings for navigation.
Scientists will continue to study the movement of the magnetic poles to better understand this phenomenon and its potential long-term impacts on Earth’s magnetic field and navigation systems.
The Earth’s magnetic field is generated by the convection of molten iron in the planet’s core and that the processes driving pole reversal are not fully understood. Computer simulations of planetary dynamics suggest that pole reversals arise spontaneously, and this is supported by observations of the Sun’s magnetic field, which reverses approximately every 11 years.
The Earth’s magnetic field has existed for at least 4 billion years, and the magnetic poles have reversed many times since then. Over the last 2.6 million years, the magnetic field has switched ten times. However, these reversals are not predictable, and there is no periodicity to them. While some scientists believe that we are overdue for another reversal, this is not a certainty.
During a pole reversal, the magnetic field weakens and the magnetic poles can wander. This can have implications for navigation systems, as well as for the Earth’s atmosphere and biosphere, which are protected from cosmic radiation by the magnetic field.
Scientists continue to study the Earth’s magnetic field and the processes that drive pole reversal to better understand these phenomena and their potential impacts on our planet.
