Earth’s magnetic north pole is shifting closer to Russia finds new study
British scientists have reported that the Earth’s magnetic North Pole is rapidly moving towards Russia. According to Live Science report, scientists have been monitoring the North Pole for centuries, which has moved about 2250 kilometers from Canada towards Siberia. They have reported that the speed of the North Pole’s shift has increased significantly in the last few years. Between 1990 and 2005, its speed was 15 km per hour, which has now increased to 50 to 60 km per hour.
Why is the magnetic North Pole important?
The magnetic North Pole is important for many reasons, such as navigation, protection from radiation and GPS used to create a world magnetic model. However, the magnetic North Pole is different from the geographic North Pole, which remains in the same place because it is the place where all longitudinal lines meet.
What does the movement of the magnetic North Pole mean?
The shifting of this important point is tracked by scientists from the UK to the US because it allows our smartphones and other devices to navigate. “Planes, boats, submarines, you name it, all rely on this magnetic pole,” William Brown, a global geomagnetic field modeler at the British Geological Survey, said in an interview with the Times.
The south pole is moving too
The same thing is happening with Earth’s magnetic south pole, which is moving east over Antarctica. Scientists say this shift happens every 300,000 years. But the last swap of Earth’s poles happened 780,000 years ago, so experts say we’re too late.
Why are the poles moving?
Molten iron in Earth’s outer core flows in unpredictable ways, causing the magnetic poles to shift. “It’s like a giant cup of tea. It’s a hot liquid with the viscosity of water,” Brown explained. When the poles change, there’s a period when the magnetic gradient drops to zero and then increases again with the opposite polarity.
What would happen if Earth’s magnetic field disappeared?
Earth’s magnetic field plays a vital role in sustaining life and protecting technological systems. This invisible shield extends from Earth’s interior into space, forming a protective bubble and shielding the planet from the solar wind, a stream of charged particles emanating from the sun. But what would happen if this vital magnetic field disappeared? The consequences would be very serious, affecting everything from the environment to human health and technology.
