True North is Slipping

The magnetic North Pole drifts just under 25 miles every year. It also varies in intensity. A new report by the European Space Agency suggests it may be moving faster and also weakening.

• The magnetic field is very important to our health. It blocks harmful radiation, solar storms and cosmic rays.
• Scientist have known for awhile that the global magnetic field has weakened, 10% since the 19th century.

The new report shows our protector is weakening.

The map shows in blue where the field is weak, and in red where its strong.

According to Spaceweather.com :

The European Space Agency's report indicates that the field has weakened by about 3.5% at high latitudes over North America, while it has strengthened about 2% over Asia. The region where the field is at its weakest – the South Atlantic Anomaly – has moved steadily westward and weakened further by about 2%. These changes have occurred over the relatively brief period between 1999 and mid-2016.

With less protection, more radiation can filter through the atmosphere causing a higher danger for skin burns.

Magnetic Field History:

These changes have occurred in the past with a greater impact. At times it will flip completely with the Magnetic North heading South and vise versa. Its an unpredictable event, but it appears to take place roughly every 300 thousand years with the last switch taking place almost 800 thousand years ago.

Scientist have prove of these reversals etched in the magnetism of ancient rocks.

Will we see a huge flip soon?  All we can do is watch and wait.