The angle of magnetic North form Earth's true North (the axis of its rotation) drifts slowly with time. See the related link below for a detailed explanation.
That all depends on WHERE on the earth you are located. The angle between the direction to the north geographic pole and the north magnetic pole is different at different places. Go to "Google.com" and search for "magnetic declination". You'll get plenty to read, and ways to determine what the angle is at your location.
That's the "magnetic declination". Since the true north pole and the magnetic north pole are located at different points on the earth, the declination is a different angle in different places on earth.
Magnetic meridian
It has nothing to do with gravity. The core of the earth is magnetic and the earth's north pole is actually magnetic north... at least for a while. Geologists are telling us that the magnetic field is breaking down. There is evidence that the earth has done that a few times in it's history. Some have even claimed that it is actually the cause of global climate change.
The north of the compass points to Earth's magnetic south pole, which is to the north.
Since the Earth's magnetic poles are not located at the geographic poles, a magnetic compass doesn't point to 'true' (geographic) north. The DIFFERENCE angle between magnetic north and true north is the magnetic variation or declination where you are. It changes for different locations.
That all depends on WHERE on the earth you are located. The angle between the direction to the north geographic pole and the north magnetic pole is different at different places. Go to "Google.com" and search for "magnetic declination". You'll get plenty to read, and ways to determine what the angle is at your location.
The sum of variation and deviation. The angle of magnetic declination, or magnetic variation, is the angle between the local magnetic field lines with which a magnetic compass needle lines up and the direction of true north, the north axis point of Earth. In the U.S., that angle varies between 0 degrees and about 20 degrees and also varies over time.The difference between "true" north and "magnetic" north is called "magnetic variation", which is often abbreviated as "mag var".The north magnetic pole is in northern Canada, but is continually (although slowly) moving. Topographical or navigational maps are generally overprinted with "mag var" lines and the amount of correction.
The sum of variation and deviation. The angle of magnetic declination, or magnetic variation, is the angle between the local magnetic field lines with which a magnetic compass needle lines up and the direction of true north, the north axis point of Earth. In the U.S., that angle varies between 0 degrees and about 20 degrees and also varies over time.The difference between "true" north and "magnetic" north is called "magnetic variation", which is often abbreviated as "mag var".The north magnetic pole is in northern Canada, but is continually (although slowly) moving. Topographical or navigational maps are generally overprinted with "mag var" lines and the amount of correction.
The sum of variation and deviation. The angle of magnetic declination, or magnetic variation, is the angle between the local magnetic field lines with which a magnetic compass needle lines up and the direction of true north, the north axis point of Earth. In the U.S., that angle varies between 0 degrees and about 20 degrees and also varies over time.The difference between "true" north and "magnetic" north is called "magnetic variation", which is often abbreviated as "mag var".The north magnetic pole is in northern Canada, but is continually (although slowly) moving. Topographical or navigational maps are generally overprinted with "mag var" lines and the amount of correction.
The angle between the geographic north and the geomagnetic north is 11.5 degrees..
That's the "magnetic declination". Since the true north pole and the magnetic north pole are located at different points on the earth, the declination is a different angle in different places on earth.
Because of magnetic anomalies in the earth's plates, the magnetic north pole moves slightly to different places.
No. Remember that like poles repel. What we call the Earth's north is actually the south pole of the Earth's magnetic field.
You must not confuse 'Magnetic North' with 'north magnetic pole', as these two things are completely different! 'Magnetic North' is a location, while 'north magnetic pole' refers to the magnetic polarity of the earth's 'Magnetic South'.'Magnetic North' is the point on the earth towards which magnetic compasses point. It is not a fixed position. It is presently (2012) in Canada and is drifting toward Siberia. It should not be confused with Grid, Geographic, or True North, which is a fixed point located at the axis about which the earth revolves. The same applies to the Magnetic South.The term, 'Magnetic North' describes a location, and has absolutely nothing to do with its magnetic polarity. The magnetic polarity of the location we call Magnetic North is actually a south pole, which is the reason it attracts the north pole of a magnet or compass needle.
The earth's magnetic field acts upon the magnetic material of the compass needle, causing it to align to the field. Thus, the compass appears to point North, which is "magnetic north". Magnetic north and "true north" are about 300 miles apart.
No. If you are talking about magnetic compasses, they are aligned with the Earth's magnetic field, which is not exactly north-south (depending where on the Earth you are located). There are, however, special compasses that make use of the Earth's rotation; those will point north-south, regardless of the magnetic field.No. If you are talking about magnetic compasses, they are aligned with the Earth's magnetic field, which is not exactly north-south (depending where on the Earth you are located). There are, however, special compasses that make use of the Earth's rotation; those will point north-south, regardless of the magnetic field.No. If you are talking about magnetic compasses, they are aligned with the Earth's magnetic field, which is not exactly north-south (depending where on the Earth you are located). There are, however, special compasses that make use of the Earth's rotation; those will point north-south, regardless of the magnetic field.No. If you are talking about magnetic compasses, they are aligned with the Earth's magnetic field, which is not exactly north-south (depending where on the Earth you are located). There are, however, special compasses that make use of the Earth's rotation; those will point north-south, regardless of the magnetic field.