Why North Pole is shifting?

     Hello all!!! We would have came across a News that North pole of the Earth is shifting. If it's so, then what will happen to compass? Let's see in this post.

Earth's Magnetic Field

     The Earth produces the magnetic field by it's own. The magnetic field is because of it's physical structure. The inner part of the Earth is called core. The layer over it is called mantle and the layer which we see is called crust.

     The core is divided into inner core and outer core. The inner core is in solid state and it is assumed to be metal. The outer core is in molten state.

     While Earth rotates the inner core and the outer core shows change in rate of rotation. This causes dynamo effect. 

     Dynamo effect is seen in bicycle's dynamo light. When the magnetic material rotates then it induces current in the nearby metal by mutual coupling.

     This can also happen in reverse manner. When there is rate of  change of current in a metal, the material will form a magnetic field. This same principle is causing the Earth to produce the magnetic field.

     The Earth has two types of north pole;

1. North pole referred to the axis of rotation of rotation of the Earth.
2. North pole produced by the magnetic field of the Earth.

Movement in Poles

     The correct reason for the shifting of poles is not found. We can see the theories which gives some assumptions about the shifting of poles.

     When the outer core and the mantle or crust shows movement in layers because of earthquakes, then this may cause the variation in location of magnetic field.

     The variation in rate of rotation of the core may also cause the shifting of the poles.

     The magnetic north pole moves 80 km per day. It moves in loop. So the average or actual movement will be 25 miles a year. In the last 150 years the magnetic north pole has moved over 1102 km. This same movement will also be seen in South pole as usual. It has also weakened the magnetic field by 10%.

     The last time pole reversal was happened 7,80,000 years ago. In 330 million years, the pole reversal has happened for 400 times. In the equator region the movement of pole will get reduced.

     Since the magnetic north pole is shifting, it affects the accuracy of the compass.

Some Facts about Earth's Magnetic Field

     The Earth's magnetic field protects Earth from harmful radiation from the Sun. Mars doesn't have liquid core, so the magnetic field is not formed. Thus the strong radiation came into atmosphere and the conditions for living gets vanished away to space.

     The Earth's magnetic field is behind the Aurora seen in sky of north pole.

     Thanks for reading. If you like it the share with your friends. Subscribe to the blog for more informative posts. Have a nice day.