Article

The magnetic north pole migration - What a Pilot should know


by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 22 February 2019 2044 -

Since the turn of the millennium 55 km per year

The Arctic magnetic pole does not move anymore. It runs, faster and faster. In recent years, even faster than expected. Therefore, geo-researchers have now had an unscheduled change to their world model and adjust their calculations, so that navigation with compass and other navigation aids such as a Pilot Plug, used by pilots around the world, continue to work.


Regular compass corrections are important

A compass has to be calibrated regularly, because the magnetic field of our Earth, on which the compass is oriented, constantly changes slightly and deviates from place to place. The corrections are especially important for captains and pilots in high latitudes. Elsewhere it does not matter so much when the compass is pointing not exactly to the north, to the point around which the earth revolves, but to the magnetic pole nearby. Ships and aircraft in the Arctic are particularly dependent on the most accurate navigational data possible.


Unscheduled publication of compass corrections

The Arctic magnetic pole, for example, is located near the geographic North Pole, and it changes its position noticeably every year. For this reason, experts must constantly adapt the model used for compass correction. Now, however, the World Magnetic Model has been temporarily revised. It is being produced by the National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC) in the USA in cooperation with the British Geological Survey (BGS) in the United Kingdom.


Official corrections so far are in a five-year cycle

Normally, the magnetic model of the Earth is revised every five years. The latest version is from 2015, so a new release of the data would have been necessary by the end of this year. But because the pole is moving so fast, the researchers found themselves forced to act faster.


By the end of 2019, there will be the next revision on the regular schedule.

Since the first positioning in 1831, the Arctic magnetic pole has already moved by 2300 kilometers - and it continues to move. Since the turn of the millennium, the speed has been around 55 kilometers per year. It is traveling from the area of the Canadian Arctic Islands across the central area of the Arctic Ocean towards Siberia.


The liquid earth core allows the magnetic pole to migrate

The reason for the migration of the magnetic North Pole lies in the interior of the earth. There, movements in the liquid part of the earth's core cause the magnetic field to form, and researchers speak of the so-called geodynamo. And these movements of molten iron and nickel vary minimally over time - causing the pole to migrate.


The next pole reversal will come

The polarity of the field has been reversed repeatedly in the past, which can be demonstrated by rock samples. Currently, its strength is weakening, which could be an indication of a so-called pole reversal. On geological scales, this event is overdue, so to speak, the last time it occurred was 780,000 years ago. The question is not whether, but when the next pole reversal will take place.


Frank Diegel, TRENZ GmbH, Germany

Join the conversation...

Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
RC
Roger Carey United Kingdom
on 19 December 2021, 15:51 UTC

Magnetic compasses don't have to be calibrated regularly because of the movement of the magnetic pole.They will always point at magentic north, wherever it is. The are compensated to account for the natural magnetic field which exist in the vessel in which they are installed, and that compensation should be checked regulalry. Navigational charts always show the amount of variation of Magnetic North from True North, and always indicate the estimated annual rate of movement, east or west of True North. That estimate would have to be revised when mag north moves faster or slower than expected, and would be applied as a chart amendment, or when the chart is reprinted.
0

Read more...

Article The difficulty of finding marine pilot-specific information on the Internet

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 4 November 2019

Who is a pilot and how do I find information about this great job on the Internet?

2

Article Marine-Pilots.com celebrates its first anniversary these days!

by Frank Diegel - published on 26 October 2020

International Marine pilot platform for information and knowledge exchange an acute necessity.

3

Opinion A year ago, pilot Capt. Dennis Sherwood died in the line of duty

by Frank Diegel - published on 30 December 2020

It has been exactly one year ago that a pilot from Sandy Hook (New York), Dennis Sherwood, died in the line of duty while attempting to board the container vessel Maersk Kensington.
What has happened since then? Has safety been improved for the pilots?

1

Article The NZMPA Good Practice Guide for Pilots 2021

published on 4 April 2022

The Good Practice Guide for Pilots 2021 describes the knowledge and skills (technical and non-technical) that the NZMPA believe all pilots should aim to achieve and maintain. It is written primarily for pilots for their own guidance and professional development, but can be used as a framework for pilot training, proficiency and assessment. It is referenced to NZ Maritime Law and Codes.

1

Article Investigation of ship maneuvering with hydrodynamic effects between ship and bank

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 12 July 2021

When a vessel navigates in confined waters, such as in a harbour or narrow channel, it is well known among experienced pilots that the ship handling is greatly affected by the hydrodynamic forces and moments acting between ship and bank or sidewall of the channel.

1

Video AMPI Marine Pilot Profiles Webinar - November 2021

published on 16 November 2021

Thanks to Jacqui Kenyon, Chevi King and Kate Delisky for joining Jeanine Drummond on this webinar to discuss their careers and pathways into marine pilotage. The audience was a great mix of experienced marine pilots and newer maritime industry participants, as well as school aged children, with people joining us from Australia and overseas. It was an opportunity to create greater awareness of the maritime industry, and the important role marine pilotage plays in protecting our port...

0

Article London Pilots issue Quick Reference Guide for PTA’s

by Port of London Authority - published on 9 September 2024

London Pilots (PLA) have issued an excellent quick reference guide for Pilot Transfer arrangements, which can be used for pilots as well as ship’s crews. Please take not of this document and if you can, try to incorporate it into your procedures.

1

Video Why Do Ships Have Rope Ladders?

published on 4 February 2024

From "Casual Navigation": In this video, we investigate the Pilot Ladder. It is a crucial piece of equipment, used for embarking and disembarking a harbor pilot at sea.(contains advertising)

0

Article Study: increasing competition in ports and the underlying pressure

published on 2 October 2021

A study of increasing competition in ports and the underlying pressure to improve port performance. This thesis is the final deliverable for the completion of the degree of Master of Science in Transport, Infrastructure and Logistics (TIL) at the faculty of Civil Engineering and Geo-sciences at the Delft University of Technology.

1

Video Rodman 41 Pilotage and Harbour Vessel

published on 6 July 2022

Rodman 41 pilot boat for the Cadiz Pilots' Corporation

0