SCI-TECH

Check your compass: The magnetic north pole is on the move

Seth Borenstein The Associated Press
Published Monday, February 4, 2019 4:26PM EST Last Updated Monday, February 4, 2019 10:29PM EST

Christie employee Hannah Schmidt holds a compass used by T.E. Lawrence, famously known as Lawrence of Arabia, in London, England, on Friday Sept. 22, 2006. (AP Photo/Tom Hevezi)

Text:

WASHINGTON -- North isn't quite where it used to be.

The magnetic north pole has been moving so fast that scientists on Monday released an update of where it really was, nearly a year ahead of schedule.

Earth's north magnetic pole is wandering about 34 miles (55 kilometres) a year. It crossed the international date line at the end of 2017. It's leaving the Canadian Arctic on its way to Siberia.

The shifting magnetic pole is a problem for compasses. Airplanes and boats also rely on magnetic north usually as backup navigation.

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This story has been corrected to delete an incorrect reference to magnetic north being the same as true north.

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