Geomagnetic pole

The geomagnetic poles are antipodal points where the axis of a best-fitting dipole intersects the surface of Earth.

Owing to the motion of fluid in the Earth's outer core, the actual magnetic poles are constantly moving (secular variation).

[2] The poles also swing in an oval of around 50 miles (80 km) in diameter daily due to solar wind deflecting the magnetic field.

This is because the poles describe a great deal about the Earth's magnetic field, determining for example where auroras can be observed.

[5] The North and South Geomagnetic Poles are the antipodal points where the axis of this theoretical dipole intersects the Earth's surface.

As of 2020[update], it was located at 80°39′N 72°41′W / 80.65°N 72.68°W / 80.65; -72.68 (Geomagnetic North Pole 2020 est),[7] on Ellesmere Island, Nunavut, Canada, compared to 2015, when it was located at 80°22′N 72°37′W / 80.37°N 72.62°W / 80.37; -72.62 (Geomagnetic North Pole 2015 est), also on Ellesmere Island.

[5] The South Geomagnetic Pole is the point where the axis of this best-fitting tilted dipole intersects the Earth's surface in the southern hemisphere.