The compasses are in the direction of the north – this is known. Where exactly where the magnetic is located North Pole It is unclear: because every year it moves a few kilometers, which has significant consequences for navigation worldwide. Even smaller changes can shift the coordinates by hundreds of kilometers.

How does the magnetic north pole come about?

Earth Magnetic Field is created deep inside Landwhere huge currents of melted iron move the boundaries between the earth’s core and the earth cloak. These currents remain in constant motion through the rotation of the Earth and thus produce electric currents, a magnetic field with two poles: the magnetic north and south pole.

However, as these processes inside the earth are constantly shifting, the Earth’s magnetic field changes. And when these currents change or slow down through the shift of tectonic plates, then the magnetic north pole also changes.

Which navigation is based on the Earth’s magnetic field?

For accurate navigation of all military and civilian aircraft, ships, submarines and GPS devices, the World Magnetic Model (World Magnetic Model, WMM), which is updated every five years by the US Weather Service and the British Geological Survey (British Geological Survey), is decisive every five years. BGS).

WMM is used, among other things, by NATO, the US Department of Defense, the US Federal Aviation Service and the international hydrographic organization. And in the present period of conflict and volatility, where there are states such as Russia and China that are repeatedly pursuing to “tease” navigation and location systems, precise navigation is of enormous strategic importance.

WMM is also used by almost all maps and navigation applications, as well as by the GPS services of smartphones, which are updated on the basis of new changes.

The scientific community has been waiting for a long time for the new update and has now been published by the World Magnetic Model 2025, which will be valid until 2029. For the first time an additional, second high -resolution model has been published, which offers significantly higher precision ability. navigation.

Where is the magnetic north pole headed?

At the beginning of the century the magnetic north pole was near the northeast passage in Canada, one of the most important routes of world navigation. Today it is much further north, near the geographical North Pole. In 2018 it crossed the international date line towards the eastern hemisphere.

During the last 20 years it has moved at an impressive speed in the direction of Siberia – by about 50 kilometers per year. Five years ago, however, his displacement suddenly slowed to just 35 kilometers/year. “A corresponding behavior of the magnetic northern pole, such as the current one, has never been observed again,” says William Brown from BGS. “This is the greatest slowdown ever recorded.”

Why is the magnetic field power so important?

For life on Earth, the important thing is not exactly where the magnetic poles are, but especially how powerful they are. And by paying the recordings (started 175 years ago) the earth’s magnetic field has been weakened by about 10% – for unknown reasons.

The weaker the earthy magnetic field, the more difficult to orient many species of animals, such as whales, butterflies, sea turtles, and many species of birds.

In addition, a powerful earth magnetic field protects the Earth from aggressive cosmic radiation and solar winds. A weaker magnetic field reduces the protective layer of the ozone on the other hand, so that the dangerous UV rays can penetrate more easily, especially in the areas of the poles. Gestational satellites are also less protected when the earth’s magnetic field is weaker – and can be more affected by the radiation or space particles, which may have a significant impact on communications as well.

Curated by: George Passas