Recent studies by British scientists reveal that the Earth's magnetic North Pole is moving at an accelerating pace, shifting towards Russia. Over the past few decades, its movement has significantly increased from 15 kilometers per hour (kmph) between 1990 and 2005 to 50-60 kmph. This shift is particularly concerning for navigation systems like GPS, as the magnetic North Pole plays a critical role in guiding navigation tools, including compasses used by planes, boats, submarines, and smartphones.

The magnetic North Pole has relocated approximately 2,250 kilometers from Canada towards Siberia. If this trend continues, scientists predict it will shift by 660 kilometers within the next decade, potentially causing compasses to point east of true north by 2040.

Interestingly, the Earth's magnetic South Pole is also shifting, moving eastward over Antarctica, which indicates broader changes in Earth's geomagnetic field. This shifting of magnetic poles occurs unpredictably due to the molten iron flow in the Earth's outer core, a phenomenon that scientists liken to the movement of a "giant cup of tea."

Historically, the Earth's magnetic poles reverse every 300,000 years, but the last swap took place 780,000 years ago, meaning Earth is long overdue for a magnetic reversal. This event could lead to a temporary loss of the magnetic field, a process during which the magnetic shield would shrink to zero before reversing polarity.

The magnetic field plays a vital role in protecting life on Earth by shielding the planet from solar wind, a stream of charged particles from the Sun. If Earth's magnetic field were to disappear, the planet would be vulnerable to harmful radiation, leading to increased mutation rates in living cells, cancer in animals, and disruptions to technological systems. The potential loss of this protective shield underscores the importance of monitoring the shifting poles and understanding the consequences for both life and technology.