Recently, the pole’s rapid motion, driven by turbulent molten iron, has slowed to about 15 miles per year, according to the World Magnetic Model. This is about 16 kilometers per year slower than the speed in 2020.

Dr. Ciaran Beggan of the British Geological Survey told the Daily Mail: “The magnetic pole has been moving very slowly around Canada for centuries since the 16th century. Over the past twenty years it accelerated north towards Siberia, increasing in speed every year until about five years ago, when the speed suddenly dropped from 50 to 40 km per year.”

According to Beggan, this is a type of behavior they have never seen before. It makes predicting changes in the magnetic field more difficult. The South Pole, on the other hand, moves very slowly.

While these shifts may seem insignificant to our daily lives, they impact us in different ways. Magnetic compasses are crucial for modern navigation, guiding aircraft and submarines, and even supporting the compasses on our smartphones.

Since the North Pole was discovered in 1831, the magnetic field has been gradually moving towards Siberia. The World Magnetic Model, developed by the British Geological Survey in collaboration with the US National Geophysical Data Centre, mainly uses satellites from the European Space Agency.

Professor Phil Livermore of the University of Leeds suggests that fluctuations in the magnetic pole are caused by the movement of a jet stream of liquid iron in the Earth’s core. Tracking this movement could help scientists predict changes, but the process is complex because the liquid iron is deep beneath the Earth’s surface.

Frequently asked questions:

Are magnetic compasses available in the US?
Yes, magnetic compasses are readily available in the United States at specialty stores, as well as through online purchases. Does Dr. Ciaran Beggan part of the British Geological Survey?
Indeed, Ciaran Beggan is part of the British Geological Survey and is one of the researchers dedicated to studying the Arctic.