Magnetic north's race: Shifting poles challenge navigation
The Earth's magnetic north pole is shifting. 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 towards Siberia. A new magnetic model of the Earth is developed every five years, and the change requires calibration of navigation systems on ships and aeroplanes.
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 towards Siberia, and its speed has decreased.
Scientists have observed unexpected changes in the Arctic, where the north magnetic pole is moving towards Russia. Until now, we have not had the chance to observe such a phenomenon. Since the 1990s, the pole accelerated its movement towards Siberia, reaching a speed of 55 kilometres per year before slowing to 26 kilometres per year in the last five years.
Without accurate measurements, you can significantly deviate from the course
Changes in the pole's position have a significant impact on navigation. Old models could lead to errors in routes, as shown by the example of a journey from South Africa to the United Kingdom, where the difference was 150 kilometres. The new model offers higher resolution, which is crucial for logistics companies and governments.
The movement of the magnetic pole results from unpredictable fluctuations in the motion of liquid iron in the Earth's core. These changes, at a depth of about 3,200 kilometres, 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 NATO military services 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 have succeeded in monitoring changes in the magnetic field, accurately predicting its future behaviour remains challenging. Although today's technology allows for high-precision observations, forecasting changes 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.
