Scientists have discovered unusual activity in the "Verkhnego Severa" area, where the North Magnetic Pole is moving towards Russia at a speed that does not have its equal. These findings are based on data provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the USA.
The North Magnetic Pole plays an important role not only for science but also for everyday life, as it is utilized in global positioning systems (GPS) and in the orientation of submarines through the Arctic Ocean.
Dr. William Brown, coordinator of the "World Model of the Earth's Magnetic Field" at the British Geological Survey, explained that the movement of the magnetic field is caused by thermal convection occurring within our planet.
"We can see how this iron is being displaced and rotated in the heart of the planet, creating the Earth's magnetic field," said the scientist. "In the last five years, the North Magnetic Pole has significantly slowed down its movement to about 25 km per year."
The Earth's magnetic field has a complex structure, hence predicting its precise behavior is a rather challenging task. Tracking similar changes helps scientists better understand how our planet works and anticipate future changes.
Over the centuries, the North Magnetic Pole has moved through the northern territory of Canada, and at the beginning of the 21st century, its speed increased to 55 km per year. Data on the movement of the North Magnetic Pole were collected in the "World Model of the Magnetic Field," created by the British Geological Survey with the participation of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
It is known that from the 17th to the 20th century, the North Magnetic Pole shifted by approximately 10-15 km per year; however, new data indicate its unusual dynamics. The new model, to be released in December, will allow more accurate predictions of the location of the Earth's magnetic field and, consequently, the North Magnetic Pole.
