Magnetic North Pole shift triggers new World Magnetic Model

On December 17, an updated version of the World Magnetic Model (WMM) was issued by the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) and the British Geological Survey (BGS). This revised model, designed to forecast the shifts in Earth’s magnetic field over the next five years, is expected to ensure the continued accuracy of navigational systems. The update was released as part of a planned schedule, with scientists emphasising its importance for applications ranging from satellite operations to smartphone navigation, as per reports.

Earth’s Magnetic Field and Its Origins

According to the scientific community, Earth’s magnetic field originates from the motion of molten iron in its outer core, situated approximately 2,890 to 5,000 kilometers beneath the surface. The process, referred to as the geodynamo, sustains the magnetic field through the interaction of electric currents and magnetic forces. Without this mechanism, as noted by Bruce Buffett, a geophysicist from the University of California, Berkeley, the field would decay within 40,000 years. In comments to Live Science, he compared the loss of the magnetic field to the cooling of a hot object left exposed.

Tracking the Magnetic North Pole

The magnetic north pole, distinct from the geographic North Pole, experiences constant movement due to the fluid dynamics of the outer core. Recent shifts have been observed in the pole’s position, moving from the Canadian Arctic towards Siberia. Such changes are attributed to variations in the strength and structure of Earth’s magnetic field, which are being closely monitored by researchers.

Purpose of the Updated Model

The updated WMM integrates data from the European Space Agency’s Swarm mission and ground-based observatories. William Brown, a geophysicist with BGS, highlighted in an interview with Live Science that the model allows navigation tools to provide reliable directions by accounting for fluctuations in Earth’s magnetic field. Released every five years, the updates aim to maintain accuracy despite the unpredictability of magnetic shifts.

The latest version is expected to sustain navigational reliability, with most users unlikely to notice significant changes in day-to-day applications.