The difference between the North Pole and the Magnetic North Pole is that the former is a geographic pole with a stationary location at 90-degrees North. This geographic North Pole, also known as true north, is the fixed northernmost point on earth from which all points lie south. The Magnetic North Pole is not based on true north, but on the magnetosphere of the planet. The Magnetic North Pole lies hundreds of miles from true north, with its exact position constantly shifting.

Roughly analogous to a magnet, the earth generates a magnetosphere through magnetic north and south poles. The magnetosphere forms a large, charged field around the earth, with pinched funnels or cusps at each pole. The Magnetic North Pole marks the point where the magnetic field feeds downwards to earth at a 90-degree angle, relative to the surface. As solar wind particles blast towards earth, most are deflected by the magnetosphere. Some solar particles, however, slip into the Magnetic North Pole cusp, creating the aurora, or Northern Lights over Canada.

As the magnetic field shifts, the exact position of the Magnetic North Pole migrates. It is moving so fast, that in 2005 the BBC reported some scientists projected the North Magnetic Pole would be over Siberia by 2055. Other scientists believe the migration recorded to date could be part of an oscillation pattern that will ultimately have the Magnetic North Pole shifting back towards Canada.

The position of the Magnetic North Pole was first calculated and recorded in 1831. By 1904 it had moved some 31 miles (50km). The Geological Survey of Canada determined its average 2001 position as being 81.3 degrees North, by 110.8 degrees West, moving northwest at a rate of about 25 miles (40km) per year.

Magnetic compasses point to the Magnetic North Pole versus true north. This isn’t of great concern for most people, but those traveling in Arctic regions must take the position of the Magnetic North Pole into consideration for an accurate calculation of true position. If possible, a better tool for navigation would be a global positioning system (GPS).