Earth's Magnetic North Pole Drifts Towards Russia, New Model Released

Scientists have announced the release of an updated model tracking the position of Earth's magnetic north pole, which is now shifting significantly closer to Siberia. This comes as the magnetic north pole's movement, driven by changes in the Earth's magnetic field, has seen unusual fluctuations in speed over recent decades.

The new model, known as the World Magnetic Model (WMM), is updated every five years to ensure the accuracy of global positioning systems (GPS), which are critical for navigation in aviation and maritime contexts. Researchers have noted that magnetic north has accelerated its drift toward Russia since the 1990s, especially experiencing a rapid increase in speed from an average of 9.3 miles per year to 34.2 miles per year before slowing down again in recent years.

The updated models include a standard version with a spatial resolution of 2,051 miles and a new high-resolution variant at 186 miles, although most public GPS devices use the standard model. Major airlines and military organizations are expected to update their navigation systems to reflect this new positioning of magnetic north.

The drift raises intriguing questions about the underlying causes of these magnetic fluctuations, with scientists acknowledging that the phenomena remain poorly understood. Future predictions indicate continuous movement, although the rate may change.