Scientists have released a new version of the World Magnetic Model (WMM), which helps track the constantly shifting magnetic north. The update improves navigation accuracy for technologies relying on Earth's magnetic field.
In mid-December of 2024, scientists officially updated the World Magnetic Model (WMM), a crucial tool for tracking our planet’s magnetic north and its unpredictable movements. This new model refines the location of magnetic north while enhancing navigation accuracy for technologies reliant on Earth's magnetic field.
Updated every five years, scientists confirmed that the previous model was highly accurate; however, emergency updates are sometimes necessary due to the dynamic nature of Earth's magnetism.The significance of Earth's magnetic field cannot be overstated. It acts as a protective shield against the Sun's harmful UV radiation, playing a vital role in the formation of life on our planet. Moreover, it is essential for navigation. Anyone who has ever become lost in the wilderness using only a compass understands its importance. However, Earth's magnetic north is constantly influenced by the planet's churning iron core, which generates the entire magnetic field. As a result, magnetic north is in perpetual motion, shifting approximately 680 miles towards Siberia since its discovery in 1831. Its speed can also fluctuate dramatically, ranging from 9 miles per year to 37 miles per year in a span of just six years. In recent years, the rate of movement has slowed to 22 miles per year.To keep accurate track of this ever-changing magnetic north, scientists developed the World Magnetic Model (WMM). This spherical harmonic model, updated every five years, ensures the proper functioning of navigational systems that rely on Earth's magnetic field. The WMM serves as the standard model used by the United States, the United Kingdom, and several international organizations, including NATO. In mid-December 2024, the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) and the British Geological Survey (BGS) released a new version of the WMM with improved accuracy and predictions for the next five years of magnetic north behavior. William Brown, a geophysicist from the BGS who contributed to the new model, explained to Live Science, 'The real challenge is, and the reason why we release a model every five years, it doesn't change in a regular way. It's not completely predictable. It's a really complicated, chaotic system. Typically, about five years is when the accuracy of the model starts to get to the point where it’s not as good as we would like it. So we make a better prediction with five years more information to work from, and just update the prediction going forward.'These updates will occur seamlessly in the background across navigational systems, from airlines to smartphones, ensuring these services operate correctly—although 'likely' is the operative word. Due to the unpredictable nature of Earth's geomagnetism, scientists may occasionally issue emergency updates to the WMM. For example, in 2019, changes to magnetic north exceeded the threshold for accurate navigation, prompting an update (which was primarily noticeable to those traveling near the Arctic). Regarding the 2020 update, scientists confirmed, through analyzing magnetic north's position, that the previous model was highly accurate. Arnaud Chulliat, a research scientist from UC-Boulder, told CNN, 'The forecast was very good. And so the new model confirmed that we were not very far off.' Scientists will likely not re-evaluate magnetic north's true placement until the end of 2029.
WORLD MAGNETIC MODEL MAGNETIC NORTH GEOMAGNETISM NAVIGATION SCIENCE
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