The North Pole isn’t where it used to be
29 Jun 2021
The earth’s magnetic field has been used since ancient times for navigation, and it continues to serve this important function in modern systems, which help navigate aircraft, submarines, mineral exploration, directional drilling, and location services on smartphones. The study of these fields (geomagnetism) is one of the oldest areas of geophysical research. These magnetic fields are not stagnant. They actually vary day to day and even minute by minute as the electrical currents that run through the earth are influenced by the sun’s radiation. Elaborate numerical models, fueled by data from an extensive network of satellites orbiting the earth’s atmosphere, strive to keep pace with the movement.
The earth’s magnetic north pole has been shifting away from Canada and inching closer to Siberia at an accelerating pace. Its historic speed of 0–15 km/year has increased to approximately 50–60 km/year. A recent study predicts that the current trajectory of movement will send it traveling a further 390–660 km toward Siberia. As the scientists pored over satellite data, they determined that two large-scale lobes of negative magnetic flux on the core-mantle boundary under Canada and Siberia are influencing the movement. It is believed that between 1970 and 1999, molten magnetic material in the earth’s outer core changed, basically splitting into two distinct sections, the stronger of which appears to be drifting toward Siberia, carrying the magnetic north pole along with it.
FOR FURTHER EXPLORATION:
The north pole is moving at a dangerous pace
The north pole is moving at a dangerous pace • Earth.com
The magnetic north pole is currently en route to Siberia, moving eastward at about 40 kilometres per year which could disrupt technology.
www.earth.com
NOAA: Wandering of the geomagnetic poles
Wandering of the Geomagnetic Poles | NCEI
Observed north dip poles during 1831 - 2007 are yellow squares. Modeled pole locations from 1590 to 2020 are circles progressing from blue to yellow. Observed south dip poles during 1903 - 2000 are yellow squares. Modeled pole locations from 1590 to 2020 a
ngdc.noaa.gov
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