Polar drift

Polar drift is a geological phenomenon caused by variations in the flow of molten iron in Earth's outer core, resulting in changes in the orientation of Earth's magnetic field, and hence the position of the magnetic north- and south poles.

The North Magnetic Pole is approximately 965 km from the geographic north pole. The pole drifts considerably each day, and since 2007 it moves about 55 to 60 km per year as a result of this phenomenon.

The South Magnetic Pole is constantly shifting due to changes in the Earth's magnetic field. it was calculated to lie at -64.53°N, 137.86°W, placing it off the coast of Antarctica, between Adelie Land and Wilkes Land.

In 2015, it lay at -64.28°N, 136.59°W (est). That point lies outside the Antarctic Circle and it is moving northwest by about 10 to 15 km per year. Its current distance from the actual Geographic South Pole is approximately 2860 km. The nearest permanent science station is Dumont d'Urville Station. Wilkes Land contains a large gravitational mass concentration.


 * North Magnetic Pole
 * 1900: 70.5°N, -96.2°W
 * 1905: 70.7°N, -96.5°W
 * 1910: 70.8°N, -96.7°W
 * 1915: 71°N, -97°W
 * 1920: 71.3°N, -97.4°W
 * 1925: 71.8°N, -98°W
 * 1930: 72.3°N, -98.7°W
 * 1935: 72.8°N, -99.3°W
 * 1940: 73.3°N, -99.9°W
 * 1945: 73.9°N, -100.2°W
 * 1950: 74.6°N, -100.9°W
 * 1955: 75.2°N, -101.4°W
 * 1960: 75.3°N, -101°W
 * 1965: 75.6°N, -101.3°W
 * 1970: 75.9°N, -101°W
 * 1975: 76.2°N, -100.6°W
 * 1980: 76.9°N, -101.7°W
 * 1985: 77.4°N, -102.6°W
 * 1990: 78.1°N, -103.7°W
 * 1995: 79°N, -105.3°W
 * 2000: 81°N, -109.6°W
 * 2005: 83.2°N, -118.2°W
 * 2010: 85°N, -132.8°W
 * 2011: 85.4°N, -137.4°W
 * 2012: 85.7°N, -142.5°W
 * 2013: 85.9°N, -148°W
 * 2014: 86.1°N, -153.9°W
 * 2015: 86.3°N, -160°W
 * 2016: 86.4°N, -166.3°W
 * 2017: 86.5°N, -172.6°W
 * 2018: 86.5°N, -178.8°W
 * 2019: 86.4°N, 175.3°W
 * 2020: 86.4°N, 169.8°W


 * South Magnetic Pole 
 * 1998: -64.6°N, 138.5°W
 * 2004: -63.5°N, 138°W (estimated)
 * 2007: -64.497°N, 137.684°W
 * 2015: -64.28°N, 136.59°W