The North Magnetic Pole has been steadily shifting away from the point where it was initially seen in the 1830s. Scientists believe they have discovered why it is moving.
According to the study titled "Recent North Magnetic Pole Acceleration Towards Siberia Caused by Flux Lobe Elongation," published in the journal Nature Geoscience, it is caused by the flow of molten material in Earth's interior that created a massive change in the planet's magnetic field. The molten iron in Earth's core aids in determining where the planet's magnetic field weakens.
The North Magnetic Pole is Moving
Earth's magnetic field is not static. Insider reported in 2019 that its North Magnetic Pole has been moving by an average of 30 miles yearly. In recent years, scientists detected it was moving closer and closer to Siberia at a surprising speed from Canada.
The motions of the planet's core impact the precise position of the magnetic pole in which the North Magnetic Pole changes position as its position shifts.
The North Magnetic Pole has moved so much that even the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra (NOAA)0 issued an updated World Magnetic Model that informs everything from GPS apps to the navigation systems of the US Department of Defense.
Tracking the magnetic pole is essential for European and American militaries because they rely on the WMM for navigation. More so, commercial airlines, as well as smartphone GPS apps, use it to help pilots and users pinpoint their locations and navigate.
Magnetic "Blobs" of Molten Material in Earth's Interior Affects the North Magnetic Pole
The molten iron sloshing around Earth's interior via convection currents determines the North Magnetic Pole, which is the location where the Earth's magnetic field points vertically downwards. Scientists said that the present direction of the pole's migration is the result of a "blip in the pattern" of the flow inside the Earth's interior that likely happened between 1970 and 1999, BGR reported
As a result of the alteration, the Canadian blob became stretched and lost its impact on the magnetosphere, leading the pole to accelerate toward Siberia. Researchers said that two blobs control the northern magnetic pole.
These blobs have kept the location of the North Pole in a constant state of tug of war. The northern magnetic pole has now been drawn to Siberia as the Canadian portion has elongated and become weaker.
Despite the change of location of the North Magnetic Pole, this does not change the physical location of the North Pole. Although it does have huge implications for Earth's magnetic field, which is responsible for the planet's rotation and protection against solar storms and flares.
RELATED ARTICLE: Magnetic Poles of Earth to Flip in the Coming Centuries; Details of the Looming Occurrence Revealed in New Study
Check out more news and information on Earth Science in Science Times.
