Earth's magnetic North Pole
has moved so quickly that authorities have had to formally redefine the position
of the magnetic North Pole. The extreme wandering of the North Pole triggered
increasing concerns over navigation, especially in high latitudes.
Earth's magnetic field is
known to have moved and reversed in the geologic past. Earth's magnetic field
is a consequence of rotating molten iron and nickel 1,800 miles below the
surface. As the continuous flow of molten metals in the outer core varies over
time, it changes the external magnetic field.
What we have observed in the
past hundred years is that the position of the magnetic North Pole has drifted
northward. That relocation of the magnetic North Pole was transferred into
overdrive in the past few years, triggering the pole to quickly move. The
increased speed with which the magnetic North Pole has drifted driven
authorities to formally update its position. The official site of the magnetic
poles is defined by the World Magnetic Model, which acts as the foundation for
navigation, communication, GPS, etc. everywhere on the globe.
The New Location of Earth's
Magnetic North Pole
The World Magnetic Model updated their formal position of
the magnetic north. The model is usually updated every five years and was last restructured
in 2015. Though, the latest fast movement of the magnetic north derived researchers
to update the model early. In the recent past, the magnetic North Pole has shifted
34 miles a year in the direction of Russia. Just a half-century ago, the
magnetic North Pole was moving about 7 miles each year.
Earth's magnetic North Pole
is rapidly drifting from the Canadian Arctic toward Russia. The model
update guarantees the precision of work in governmental agencies around the
world. Specially, NASA, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the U.S.
Forest Service use the magnetic poles in their daily operations from mapping to
air traffic control. On a more personal level, smartphones use the magnetic
north for GPS location and compass apps.
Is Earth's Magnetic Field
About To Flip?
While the quick drift of
Earth's magnetic North Pole may produce concern over the possible flip of
magnetic poles, there is no proof that such a flip is forthcoming. Geologists
can interpret magnetic minerals in rocks around the world to disclose the
history of magnetic reversals on Earth.
Earth's
magnetic poles have flipped many times in thee past, with the most
recent reversal happening 780,000 years ago and 183 times in the past 83
million years. When Earth's magnetic poles do flip, it won't be a disastrous
"end of the world" situation. From studying fossil records, there is
no proof that a magnetic field reversal produced increased extinctions,
volcanic activity, etc.
Though, one big problem
will lie in the wide use our technology depends on the magnetic poles. A
reversal would topple navigation and communication systems around the globe. Luckily,
a pole reversal in the past usually takes thousands of years to flip. This will
give us sufficient time to develop mitigating plans. In reality, when Earth's
magnetic field does flip, who knows what planet our descendants will be living
on?
No comments