Figure 11.11

Geographic and magnetic north. (A) The geographic North Pole (or true north) and the magnetic North Pole occur in different positions in the Northern Hemisphere. (B) Although the geographic North Pole is permanently fixed, the magnetic North Pole moves about 55 km (34 mi) per year. In the last century, the location of the magnetic North Pole has migrated over 2,000 km (1,242 mi). Here, its position is tracked from 1600 to 2011. If the magnetic North Pole continues at its present trajectory and speed, it will be in northern Russia by the end of this century.