Earth's North Pole shifting faster
This will lead to the movement of Earth's magnetic north and south poles, resulting in gradual shifts and complete flips approximately every 300,000 years.
The Earth's magnetic field, inherently dynamic and subject to continuous flux, is shaped by external forces that ultimately impact its strength, leading to fluctuations over time.
This will lead to the movement of Earth's magnetic north and south poles, resulting in gradual shifts and complete flips approximately every 300,000 years.
The North Pole has shifted at a rate of roughly “15 km per year.” However, since the 1990s, this pace has accelerated, reaching about “55 km per year” towards Siberia, according to a BBC Science Focus report.
The report said that the shift of Earth's magnetic field poses potential risks to life, as it generates a protective barrier around the planet. This shield defends the Earth's surface against the onslaught of particles from the Sun's solar wind and high-energy cosmic rays from outer space.
This phenomenon is significant for navigation, including human use of compasses and the internal magnetic compasses relied upon by certain animals such as birds, fish, and sea turtles.
NASA, citing the paleomagnetic records, said Earth's magnetic poles have reversed 183 times in the last 83 million years and several hundred times over the past 160 million years. The time intervals between reversals have varied widely but average around 300,000 years. The last reversal occurred approximately 780,000 years ago.
According to NASA, the precise location of Earth's magnetic North Pole was initially determined in 1831. Since then, it has steadily drifted north-northwestward by over 600 miles (1,100 km), with its forward velocity accelerating from approximately 10 miles (16 km) per year to about 34 miles (55 km) per year.
This gradual movement affects navigation and necessitates regular adjustments. However, limited scientific evidence suggests substantial connections between Earth's shifting magnetic poles and climate.
