Our Earth is a dynamic, ever-changing organism. This dynamism is most clearly manifested in the behaviour of the Magnetic North Pole, that point on the Earth’s surface where the lines of force of the magnetic field converge vertically. Unlike the geographic North Pole, which remains fixed, the magnetic North Pole is in constant motion, influenced by fluctuations of molten iron in the Earth’s core. This constant movement has significant implications for global navigation systems, which rely on precise knowledge of the pole’s position. For this reason, experts from NOAA and BGS work together to release periodic updates to the WMM, a mathematical model that describes the Earth’s magnetic field and determines the location of the magnetic North Pole.

An unexpected acceleration and unexpected deceleration

Over the past decades, the magnetic North Pole has taken an unexpected journey, hurtling from Canada toward Siberia at a record pace. “The current behaviour of the magnetic north is something we have never seen before,” says William Brown, BGS expert. After accelerating to 50 kilometres per year, the pole has slowed down over the past five years, settling at about 35 kilometres per year. This slowdown, the largest ever measured, is just one more surprise in the unpredictable dance of Earth’s magnetic field.
According to researchers, the motion is determined by two gigantic “magnetic lobes” that sit beneath Canada and Siberia. These lobes are hotbeds of magnetic activity and have a great influence on the Earth’s magnetic field, which in turn determines the position of the magnetic North Pole.

A new model for better navigation

The newly released WMM takes those changes into consideration and gives a better picture of the magnetic North Pole. This updated map will be crucial in order for navigation systems on ships, planes, and all types of vehicles using the compass to orient themselves with more correctness. For the first time, there is a version of the WMM from high resolution that shows an increased amount of tenfold detail than previously seen. This map, which has a resolution of about 300 km at the equator, will allow even more accurate navigation and thus minimize course errors.

The good news is that we will not have to worry about manually updating our GPS devices: updates to the WMM will be applied automatically. The history of tracking the magnetic North Pole began in 1831 when Sir James Clark Ross first detected it in northern Canada. Since then, scientists have continually refined their measurement techniques to include ground stations and orbiting satellites that accurately monitor the movement of the pole. The continuous updating of the WMM testifies to the scientific community’s interest in keeping up with Earth’s magnetic field-a fundamental component of navigation and further understanding the planet.

There are just so many problems.

The magnetic North Pole, a cardinal point of navigation and beyond, is accelerating its course toward Siberia. While fascinating, this phenomenon has raised a number of challenges and questions among scientists and different industries. But where’s the problem with the shift of the magnetic North Pole? Planes and ships making long journeys could face huge detours; this might lead to longer travel time and more fuel consumption. Military and rescue operations, which require high accuracy in navigation, could also be affected.

Mapping and georeferencing difficulties

The magnetic North Pole is a key reference point for mapping and georeferencing data. Its continuous shifting makes it necessary to constantly update maps and coordinate systems, resulting in increased costs and complexities. This problem affects various activities, such as cartography, geology, archaeology, and natural resource management. For example, oil companies that use georeferencing to locate deposits may face difficulties due to pole shifting.

In addition, the Earth’s magnetic field protects us from solar radiation and geomagnetic storms. A weakening of it or a significant change in it, such as that caused by the shift of the magnetic North Pole, could increase the vulnerability of electrical and communications infrastructure. In fact, geomagnetic storms can induce electric currents in power lines and communication networks, causing blackouts and service interruptions. A weaker magnetic field could make these events more frequent and intense, with serious consequences for modern society.

Implications for wildlife

Many animals, such as migratory birds, sea turtles and some mammals, use the Earth’s magnetic field to orient themselves during their movements. Shifting the magnetic North Pole could interfere with these natural navigation mechanisms, disorienting animals and compromising their survival. Finally, the shift of the magnetic North Pole could be a sign of deeper changes within our planet. Some scientists speculate that this phenomenon could be a precursor to a magnetic pole reversal, an event that has occurred several times in Earth’s history. A magnetic pole reversal could have unpredictable consequences for climate, life on Earth and our technologies.