Magnetic north has never sat still. In the last hundred years or so, the direction in which our compasses steadfastly point has lumbered ever northward, driven by Earth's churning liquid outer core ...

In mid-December of 2024, scientists officially updated the World Magnetic Model (WMM), which helps keep track of our planet’s magnetic north and its chaotic and relatively unpredictable movements.

Scientists accelerated the update of a model of Earth’s fluctuating magnetic field, which is needed to keep navigational systems functioning. Many wondered what’s happening inside the planet’s core.

Now that the government shutdown is over, federal agencies have finally released an early edition of the World Magnetic Model, almost a full year before the next one was scheduled to be released, the ...

Unlike the geographic North Pole, which stays put at the top of the globe, the North Magnetic Pole moves, and it historically does this at a fairly steady rate. Lately, it’s moved at about 31 miles ...

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. Now that the government shutdown is over, federal agencies have finally released an early edition ...