Magnetic North Pole on the move

CFLarsen

Penultimate Amazing
C
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Aug 3, 2001
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We all know that the magnetic North Pole is moving, and that it's all part of the oncoming 2012 Mayan apocalyptic scenario.

Well, the first part, anyway.

But did you know just how fast it is moving?

It might surprise you...
 
Hmm.
Our planet's magnetic field reverses about once every 200,000 years on average ... The last time Earth's magnetic field flipped was 780,000 years ago, according to the geologic record of Earth's polarity.
Click to expand...
 
Interesting to see it graphically. I've heard it's moving about 25 miles each year, but still moves around in a circle (ellipse?) each day. Since I'm not lost in the woods or a Boy Scout, I'm OK with that. However, as to this leading to another flip-flop of magnetic north to the south, that's another concern. It appears we're overdue for one.

I guess people are using this as support to the theory the Mayans predicted catastophe in 2012 some 5000 years ago. Good thing they predicted it for an election year. You won't need to be a psychic to predict the running platforms that year: "I promise no new taxes and suvival after the apocalypse!"
 
Wow, I guess this is the "thing" I learned today.

Someone needs to catch it and nail it down already.
 
I just lifted Ordnance Survey sheet 57 (Stirling & The Trossachs) which happened to be lying on my bed. It says...
"Magnetic north varies with place and time.The direction for the centre of the sheet is estimated at 3 deg 48' (8 mils) west of grid north for July 2001. Annual change is about 14'( 4 mils) east. "

Any decent quality compass has a true / magnetic offset ability anyway.
Mine currently stands at 2 deg W, which is adequate for map navigation at this latitude and longitude.
 
Lanzy said:
Wow, I guess this is the "thing" I learned today.

Someone needs to catch it and nail it down already.
Click to expand...


:)

The 3rd-to-the-last-time we had a flip, the dinosauers that were birds-in- the-making flew north in the winter intead, and froze to death. Some were found with baby t-rexes still in their mouths.
 
CFLarsen said:
Sell your shares in compass companies...
Click to expand...

....and buy shares in the most world famous undersea salvage companies that will lay claim to the new sea area that shifts away from the Bermuda Triangle, and starts a new triangle somewhere's else.
 
Dr Adequate said:
If the Earth's magnetic field flipped, then everyone would need to buy a new compass.

This would in fact come as something of a boost to the industry.
Click to expand...

Don't buy, merely convert by adding (or subtracting) 180 degrees. Or just read the wrong colored end of the needle.
 
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