Posted on Jan 13, 2025
SGT Mary G.
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The North Magnetic Pole, the point where Earth's geomagnetic field is vertical, has been steadily shifting for centuries.

A historical mapping of its movement from 1640 to 2020 reveals a gradual northwest trajectory in more recent centuries, primarily toward Siberia.

This shift has significantly accelerated in the past century, with the pole rapidly approaching Russia.

The movement is influenced by changes in the dynamics of Earth's molten iron core, which generates the planet's magnetic field. Unlike fixed geographical poles, the North Magnetic Pole's position fluctuates daily within an oval-shaped locus due to geomagnetic variations.

To create maps like these, scientists use historical data from magnetic measurements taken at various locations over centuries, including records from old compass readings, volcanic rock samples, and recent satellite observations.

Image: Nature
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Posted in these groups: 6azurite4639 Geology
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LTC Stephen C.
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Edited 24 d ago
I still don’t know how they tracked it over such a time period (I did read the explanation). I never knew that magnetic north had made such substantial shifts!
SGT Mary G.
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SGT Mary G.
SGT Mary G.
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LTC Stephen C. I didn't know the trail. I do recall when i was growing up that we knew the magnetic pole was north of Canada. And I learned about a speeding up of it in late 89 in a geology course. It has certainly moved rapidly in the past 40 or so years!
The excursion trail of the first two centuries of records - from 1590 to 1620 then back again in 1720 very close to the start of the record must tell a story.
Then another tale to be told of the history to 1850 where it speeded up and went in a straight line.
What is says about the behavior of the earth's core while it was located north of Canada for more than three centuries, is interesting to ponder, since the spinning of the core creates the magnetic field.
Have to wonder about the effects from the sun, and the changes happening to it. There are good reasons a huge interest has developed in monitoring the activity of the sun, and learning more about it.
Folks who get planes and ships where they need to go have probably been making navigational changes, frequently!
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CPT Consultant
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Declination!
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SGT Mary G.
SGT Mary G.
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Land Nav! <smile>
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LTC David Brown
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Edited 23 d ago
The other thing that is constantly changing is the local magnetic declination. I read an article about this a while back.
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