The magnetic north pole is now closer to Siberia than it was five years ago, according to scientists who released an updated model tracking its position. The new model reveals that the pole is continuing to drift towards Russia at a slower rate than previously thought.
Unlike the geographic North Pole, which marks a fixed location, the magnetic north pole’s position is determined by Earth’s magnetic field, which is in constant motion. This has led to unprecedented changes in the past few decades, with the pole speeding up and then rapidly slowing down.
The World Magnetic Model (WMM), developed by the British Geological Survey and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, predicts future drift based on the trajectory of the past few years. However, scientists have updated the model every five years to preserve accuracy in global positioning systems, including those used by planes and ships.
Researchers verified that the new model confirms previous predictions about where magnetic north would end up by 2025. However, they emphasize that users don’t need an upgrade unless major airlines or militaries plan to update their navigation software.
The latest updates follow a period of unusual activity for the magnetic north pole, including a rapid deceleration in its drift rate around 2019. Scientists expect the drift towards Russia to slow down further, but there’s uncertainty about how long this will persist.
Earth’s magnetic field has previously undergone dramatic changes, with polar flips occurring every million years. While scientists are working to better understand these events, they emphasize that modern technology needs a “slow, centuries-long build up” to adapt to any potential changes.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/21/science/magnetic-north-pole-new-position/index.html