Magnetic North Pole migration affects global navigation

The Earth's magnetic North Pole is continuously migrating, having moved more than 2,250 kilometers from the Canadian Arctic toward Siberia since its first recorded location in 1831. This movement influences global magnetic field calculations, which are critical for the navigation and orientation of aircraft, ships, satellites, and various electronic devices.

To manage these shifts, scientists use the World Magnetic Model (WMM), a collaborative project between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the British Geological Survey. The model provides essential data on magnetic declination—the angle between true north and magnetic north—for both civilian and military applications.

Because the movement is not perfectly predictable, the WMM requires periodic updates to ensure navigation accuracy. The most recent version, WMM2025, was updated in December 2024 and will remain valid until the end of 2029.