Magnetic north pole moving so fast it could disrupt phone and military maps, scientists say

Scientists have intervened to stop smartphone maps and military navigation systems being disrupted by “erratic” movement of the earth’s magnetic north pole. The area, which is where a compass’ north point is guided to, moves around unlike the geographic North Pole. In recent years it has been shifting at a rate of around 34 miles per year. Its location is used as part of the World Magnetic Model to help both civilian and more sophisticated mapping systems and its movement can therefore potentially throw users off course. The World Magnetic Model is usually updated every five years, but experts behind it have stated it has needed to be changed earlier to keep travel plans accurate. A statement said: “Due to unplanned variations in the Arctic region, scientists have released a new model to more accurately represent the change of the magnetic field between 2015 and now. This out-of-cycle update before next year’s official release of WMM2020 will ensure safe navigation for military applications, commercial airlines, search and rescue operations, and others operating around the North Pole." It added the north polar region is experiencing “erratic changes”.<br/>