The Earth’s magnetic North Pole is shifting faster than ever, with experts warning that this change could play havoc with your smartphone navigation system. The latest update to the World Magnetic Model (WMM) reveals that the magnetic pole will move closer to Siberia by January 2025.
Unlike “true north,” which points directly towards the geographic North Pole, magnetic north aligns with Earth’s magnetic field and is the direction a compass needle points to. This change has significant implications for navigation systems, as even small misalignments can lead to big errors.
Scientists have observed that the magnetic pole has shifted about 110 miles at a rapid pace of 22 miles per year since 2019. The current behavior is unprecedented, with the model predicting that by 2030, the pole will be at 84.72 degrees North and 126.07 degrees East.
The discrepancy between true north and magnetic north creates problems for devices using the magnetic field to get their bearings. For example, a deviation of just one degree on an 8,500-km journey could leave you 150 km off target.
To mitigate this issue, agencies such as the British Geological Survey and the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration produce the WWM, which contains predictions for how the magnetic field will change over the next five years. By combining GPS data with a recording of the magnetic field at your location, navigation apps can work out which direction you are facing.
However, experts warn that if the changes continue to be just as rapid, more frequent updates to the WWM may be necessary. This is because the Earth’s molten iron outer core does not move predictably, causing the magnetic pole to wander freely over the Arctic.
The current shift in the magnetic North Pole is attributed to turbulence within the Earth’s molten core. Scientists believe that two large “blobs” of negative magnetic flux at the boundary between the core and the mantle are causing the pole to shift at an unprecedented rate.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-14205099/real-reason-north-pole-moving-russia-smartphone.html