A lesser known feature of the planet Earth’s magnetic field has recently gained a special Canadian connection that is often overlooked in the better known science story about the magnetic north pole drifting away from Canada toward Russia. Advertisement AdvertisementAdvertisement AdvertisementSo the magnetic north pole is drifting away from Canada toward Russia. The geomagnetic pole is less actively mobile, and gets less attentionThere is also a geomagnetic north pole, different than either the geographic or the magnetic north poles. The geomagnetic north pole, therefore, is the point around which these auroras form in the high atmosphere, unaffected by the local surface drifting of the magnetic north pole. So, while the magnetic north pole is moving comparatively quickly across the Arctic Ocean, the geomagnetic pole is less actively mobile, and gets less attention.

Source: National Post January 01, 2026 17:25 UTC