[Rockhounds] Scientists explain magnetic pole's wanderings

[Kreigh Tomaszewski]

European scientists think they can now describe with confidence what's
driving the drift of the North Magnetic Pole.

It's shifted in recent years away from Canada towards Siberia.

And this rapid movement has required more frequent updates to navigation
systems, including those that operate the mapping functions in smartphones.

A team, led from Leeds University, says the behaviour is explained by the
competition of two magnetic "blobs" on the edge of the Earth's outer core.

Changes in the flow of molten material in the planet's interior have
altered the strength of the above regions of negative magnetic flux.

"This change in the pattern of flow has weakened the patch under Canada and
ever so slightly increased the strength of the patch under Siberia,"
explained Dr Phil Livermore.

"This is why the North Pole has left its historic position over the
Canadian Arctic and crossed over the International Date Line. Northern
Russia is winning the 'tug of war', if you like," he told BBC News.

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-52550973