Earth's magnetic North Pole shifts towards Siberia, navigation updates crucial
The Earth's magnetic north pole is shifting its position. Research indicates it is moving from Canada toward Siberia.
As reported by ScienceAlert, scientists from NOAA and BGS have updated the position of the magnetic north pole. It is moving from Canada toward Siberia. A new magnetic model of the Earth is developed every five years, and this change requires calibrating navigation systems on ships and airplanes.
Time for changes
The geographic north pole remains stable, but the magnetic one changes. These shifts result from the movement of iron and nickel inside the planet. Over the past 20 years, the magnetic north pole accelerated its movement toward Siberia, and its speed has decreased.
Scientists have observed unexpected changes in the Arctic, where the north magnetic pole is moving toward Russia. Until now, we have not experienced such a phenomenon. Since the 1990s, the pole accelerated its movement toward Siberia, reaching a speed of 34 miles per year before slowing to 16 miles per year in the last five years.
Without accurate measurements, you can significantly deviate from the course
Changes in the pole's position significantly impact navigation. Old models could lead to route errors, as shown by a journey from South Africa to the United Kingdom, where the difference was 93 miles. The new model offers higher resolution, which is crucial for logistics companies and governments.
The movement of the magnetic pole is due to unpredictable fluctuations in the motion of liquid iron in the Earth's core. These changes, at a depth of about 2,000 miles, impact the magnetic field and the pole's position. Monitoring these changes is crucial for navigation and air traffic management.
Important information for aviation and military
Airlines and the NATO military must update navigation software to incorporate the new data. However, these changes do not affect personal devices such as phones or car navigation systems, which update automatically.
Although researchers succeed in monitoring changes in the magnetic field, accurately predicting its future behavior remains challenging. Even with today's technology, observations are conducted highly, yet forecasting changes still require further research and improvements.
Revolutionary discovery
Sir James Clark Ross discovered the magnetic north pole in 1831 in Canada. Since then, scientists have been tracking its movements with increasing precision using ground and satellite measurements. The new magnetic model will be in effect for the next five years.
