This post was originally published on here
Most of us grow up thinking north is north, full stop.
One direction, one point at the top of the map.
But Earth, it turns out, doesn’t make things that simple.
According to Earth science experts, our planet actually has two North Poles—and one of them refuses to stay put.
That quiet drift could have real consequences for how we navigate the world, from car dashboards to smartphone maps.
Meet the Pole That Won’t Sit Still
Scott Brame of Clemson University studies what’s happening deep beneath our feet, in parts of the planet we’ll never see.
He explains that while there’s a fixed “true” North Pole tied to Earth’s rotation, there’s also a magnetic North Pole that slowly wanders.
This magnetic pole is the one your compass follows—and it’s also the reference point used by modern navigation systems.
When that magnetic pole shifts, the direction a compass points shifts with it.
If navigation systems don’t keep up, even familiar routes could become slightly off, and those small errors can add up.
Why Your Phone Cares About the Magnetic Pole
Your smartphone may feel cutting-edge, but when it comes to direction, it still depends on something ancient: Earth’s magnetic field.
Inside your phone is a tiny sensor called a magnetometer.
It measures the magnetic field around you and works out which way you’re facing.
If the magnetic North Pole moves faster than scientists expect and the global models aren’t updated in time, apps that rely on direction could start giving flawed guidance.
That might mean wrong turns, longer journeys, or in extreme cases, safety risks—especially in remote areas where there’s little room for error.
True North Versus Magnetic North
The geographic, or “true,” North Pole sits at the top of Earth’s axis of rotation.
Imagine spinning a tennis ball between your fingers—the points where the ball spins define that axis.
One end is the South Pole, the other is true north.
Magnetic north is something else entirely.
It exists because Earth behaves like a giant magnet.
For over a thousand years, explorers have used compasses—simple magnetized needles floating on cork or wood—to align themselves with that invisible magnetic force.
The catch is that magnetic north doesn’t stay in one place.
A Sudden Burst of Speed
For centuries, the magnetic North Pole drifted lazily around northern Canada, creeping along at about six to nine miles per year. That all changed in the early 1990s.
Since then, scientists have watched it accelerate dramatically, racing along at roughly 34 miles per year.
A 2020 study published in Nature Geoscience linked this sudden sprint to changes in the flow of molten iron deep in Earth’s outer core.
That churning liquid metal generates our planet’s magnetic field.
When its movement changes, the magnetic pole responds.
What triggered the shift, though, remains a mystery.
A Look Inside the Earth
Deep underground—about 3,200 miles below the surface—Earth’s inner core is solid, squeezed by pressure so intense it can’t melt.
Surrounding it is the outer core, a swirling ocean of molten iron and nickel.
Heat rising from the inner core causes that liquid metal to move, much like soup circulating in a pot on the stove.
As it flows, it creates the magnetic field that wraps around the planet.
And as that flow changes, the magnetic North Pole slowly wanders across the Arctic.
Santa’s Navigational Headache
This odd setup creates a fun seasonal puzzle.
If Santa Claus lives at the geographic North Pole—right in the icy middle of the Arctic Ocean—how does he navigate when his compass points somewhere else entirely?
Whether he’s using a classic compass or a modern smartphone, both rely on magnetic north.
To get where he’s going, Santa would need to correct for the difference between true north and magnetic north, known as magnetic declination.
How Humans Handle the Difference
With an old-school compass, the solution is manual.
You adjust for declination using charts or calculators, like those provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Smartphones handle it automatically.
They combine magnetometer readings with the World Magnetic Model, a constantly updated map of Earth’s magnetic field, to figure out the correct direction in real time.
As long as that model stays current, your phone knows which way to point.
A Quiet Shift With Global Impact
So whether it’s Santa heading home after Christmas Eve or you finding your way across town, navigation depends on a magnetic pole that never quite sits still.
Most of the time, the updates happen quietly in the background.
But if that drifting pole speeds up unexpectedly, the ripple effects could be felt worldwide.
Of course, there’s always the chance Santa doesn’t bother with compasses or apps at all. Maybe the reindeer just know the way.
This article is adapted from reporting by The Conversation, a nonprofit news organization focused on sharing expert insight.
It was written by Scott Brame, research assistant professor of Earth Science at Clemson University, with contributions from Chris Melore.
Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||»
Share on LinkedIn
