The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently released the “World Magnetic Model 2025,” updating the location of Earth’s magnetic North Pole. This model reflects the pole’s ongoing drift toward Russia, a movement first noted by Sir James Clark Ross in 1831 in northern Canada. NOAA explains that while the Earth’s geographic and magnetic poles aren’t always aligned, the magnetic North Pole is crucial for navigation systems like GPS and aviation.
The WMM 2025 provides enhanced spatial resolution, improving accuracy for applications ranging from military operations to consumer electronics. This update benefits organizations such as NATO, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the Federal Aviation Administration, offering precise data for plane, ship, and submarine navigation. Higher resolution also aids compass apps, maps, and GPS services in smartphones and other devices.
William Brown, a geophysicist with the British Geological Survey, notes that while most users won’t need to upgrade their equipment, major industries like NATO will have to update navigation software across vast systems. NOAA highlights that this model is critical for future navigation accuracy but cautions that scientists aren’t yet clear on why the magnetic pole’s movement has accelerated and then slowed down recently. Previous models had limitations in tracking accuracy over time.
Source: https://www.mrt.com/news/article/world-magnetic-model-2025-update-20051400.php