The location of Earth’s magnetic North Pole has changed

The North Pole is a region often remembered during the year-end period, after all it is considered the home of Santa Claus, one of the greatest symbols of Christmas. But it looks like the old man’s house won’t be the same anymore; at least in terms of GPS systems. experts announced that the magnetic North Pole has officially moved.

According to the statement made by the British Geological Survey (BGS) in partnership with the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Although the magnetic North Pole changes, the geographic North Pole remains in the same place. IThis means that there will be no physical changes on Earth, only in positional systems.

Every five years BGS and NOAA come together to update the World Magnetic Model (WMM), and this time they noticed the change. In fact, the magnetic North Pole has changed many times throughout Earth’s history.

This occurs due to natural changes in the movement of nickel and liquid iron in the planet’s outer core, causing changes in the magnetic field and Earth’s poles.

“WMM is the standard model used by the UK and US governments, including the US Federal Aviation Administration and the US Department of Defence, as well as internationally competent organizations such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). International Hydrographic Organization and the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office,” explains a statement by BGS.

Magnetic North Pole

According to BGS, magnetic north shows a behavior that has never been observed before. Experts suggest that there have been sudden changes in the last 20 years that have increased and decreased the speed of this movement, from 50 kilometers per year to approximately 35 kilometers per year.

The team suggests that two giant magnetic fields under Canada and Siberia cause this change. This is the largest slowdown ever observed.

The WMM update will enable more accurate location determination on a variety of devices, from GPS services on mobile phones to nuclear submarines. For example, If the old map had been used to travel from South Africa to the UK in a straight line, you would have been approximately 150 kilometers off the actual route.

“In addition to WMM2025, the 2025 update also includes the first WMM High Definition 2025, which includes improved spatial resolution of approximately 300 km at the equator compared to the standard spatial resolution of 3,300 km at the equator. Higher resolution provides greater directional accuracy through improved data fidelity,” adds the British Geological Survey.

Follow current developments in earth sciences at TecMundo. If you wish, take the opportunity to understand why planet Earth has magnetic poles. Until next time!