Earth’s magnetic field is acting up and geologists don’t know why

Nature ^ | 09 January 2019 | Alexandra Witze

[BenLurkin]

The magnetic pole is moving so quickly that it has forced the world’s geomagnetism experts into a rare move.

On 15 January, they are set to update the World Magnetic Model, which describes the planet’s magnetic field and underlies all modern navigation, from the systems that steer ships at sea to Google Maps on smartphones.

The most recent version of the model came out in 2015 and was supposed to last until 2020 — but the magnetic field is changing so rapidly that researchers have to fix the model now.

The problem lies partly with the moving pole and partly with other shifts deep within the planet. Liquid churning in Earth’s core generates most of the magnetic field, which varies over time as the deep flows change. In 2016, for instance, part of the magnetic field temporarily accelerated deep under northern South America and the eastern Pacific Ocean.

“What’s happening?”

First, that 2016 geomagnetic pulse beneath South America came at the worst possible time, just after the 2015 update to the World Magnetic Model. This meant that the magnetic field had lurched just after the latest update, in ways that planners had not anticipated.

Second, the motion of the north magnetic pole made the problem worse. The pole wanders in unpredictable ways that have fascinated explorers and scientists since James Clark Ross first measured it in 1831 in the Canadian Arctic. In the mid-1990s it picked up speed, from around 15 kilometres per year to around 55 kilometres per year. By 2001, it had entered the Arctic Ocean — where, in 2007, a team including Chulliat landed an aeroplane on the sea ice in an attempt to locate the pole.

In 2018, the pole crossed the International Date Line into the Eastern Hemisphere. It is currently making abeeline for Siberia.

[BenLurkin]

What do you make of this?

[Army Air Corps]

SUVs are to blame, obviously.

[Sgt_Schultze]

I bet some climate “scientist” will blame global warming.

[17th Miss Regt]

Whatever the actual explanation is, it’s Trump’s fault.

[lgjhn23]

“...What do you make of this?....”
It has to be Trump’s fault since there is no other reason. He’s directed the top secret death ray to move the planet.

[johnthebaptistmoore]

DAMN YOU DONALD TRUMP!

[adorno]

New game:

Where In The World Is The North Pole?

[EQAndyBuzz]

“Where In The World Is The North Pole?”

The Bronx.

[Lurkinanloomin]

Too much carbon dioxide.....

[hinckley buzzard]

A natural phenomenon no doubt, but I’m surprised. In my youth it was in central Canada. Now near Siberia? That’s a big move!

[Paladin2]

Catastrophic Global Magnetic Field Change.

[Telepathic Intruder]

It can only be because of human activity. There is no other possible explanation.

[BipolarBob]

So, does this mean Santa Claus moved?

[butlerweave]

Fracking ,yep it’s Fracking ,it’s always Fracking

[adorno]

The Bronx.

Doubtful. Santa would not have his factory in a run-down and expensive and liberal place. Imagine his cost of doing business.

[BenLurkin]

And didn’t leave a forwarding address.

[BipolarBob]

Freaky Unexplained Bearings Anomaly Roaming

[Bratch]

[Chode]

HAB theory coming to on line?