Polar drift

Polar drift is a geological phenomenon caused by variations in the flow of molten iron in Earth's outer core, resulting in changes in the orientation of Earth's magnetic field, and hence the position of the magnetic north- and south poles.

The North Magnetic Pole is approximately 965 kilometres (600 mi) from the geographic north pole. The pole drifts considerably each day, and since 2007 it moves about 55 to 60 km (34 to 37 mi) per year as a result of this phenomenon.^[1]

The South Magnetic Pole is constantly shifting due to changes in the Earth's magnetic field. As of 2005 it was calculated to lie at

64°31′48″S 137°51′36″E / 64.53000°S 137.86000°E / -64.53000; 137.86000,^[2] placing it off the coast of Antarctica, between Adelie Land and Wilkes Land.

In 2015, it lay at

64°17′S 136°35′E / 64.28°S 136.59°E / -64.28; 136.59 (est).^[3] That point lies outside the Antarctic Circle and it is moving northwest by about 10 to 15 km (6 to 9 mi) per year. Its current distance from the actual Geographic South Pole is approximately 2,860 kilometres (1,780 mi).^[4] The nearest permanent science station is Dumont d'Urville Station. Wilkes Land contains a large gravitational mass concentration.

See also[]

• Geomagnetic excursion
• Geomagnetic reversal
• Polar wander

References[]

External links[]

• A map of polar drift over the past 200 years