Friday, January 08, 2010

Magnetic north pole is shifting eastwards 40 miles a year

Today I read a news in Mumbai Samachar (Gujarati daily) saying Mangetic North Pole is rapidly advancing eastwards - towards Russia - at about 40 miles (68 kms) a year. Interesting!

Then I came across a 24 Dec 2009 daily news in National Geographic, which is the source of this news item. The article says following:

A rapidly shifting magnetic pole means that magnetic-field maps need to be updated more often to allow compass users to make the crucial adjustment from magnetic north to true North.

Wandering Pole

Geologists think Earth has a magnetic field because the core is made up of a solid iron center surrounded by rapidly spinning liquid metal. This creates a "dynamo" that drives our magnetic field.

(Get more facts about Earth's insides.)

Scientists had long suspected that, since the molten core is constantly moving, changes in its magnetism might be affecting the surface location of magnetic north.


It's predicted that magnetic north and south poles will be reversed, but not in near future. Well, process of magnetic pole reversal has accelerated now.

1 comment:

  1. Magnetic north pole movements; if you can check its position/movements on these dates: 10th jan. 2011 16th march.2011 27th march.2011 you will be very surprised. It doesn't drift slowly, it moves upto 3 degrees west or east in as many hours then usually back to its start point again.The magnetic pole has become very unstable;I first noted this in mid-november 2010 and have set up my engineering compass permanently to monitor any movements since then.I live on the south coast of England,
    kind regards, Kevin. note 27/03/11 movement of 3 degrees west has yet to return eastward today is 12/04/11.

    ReplyDelete

Covid Resource for Second Wave

Initial part of this blog has resources useful for all of India. Later part is dedicated to resources for Mumbai city.