pole

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Either of the geographic north and south points of the axis about which the Earth rotates. The geographic poles differ from the magnetic poles, which are the points towards which a freely suspended magnetic needle will point.

In 1985 the magnetic north pole was some 350 km/218 mi northwest of Resolute Bay, Northwest Territories, Canada. It moves northwards about 10 km/6 mi each year, although it can vary in a day about 80 km/50 mi from its average position. It is relocated every decade in order to update navigational charts.

It is thought that periodic changes in the Earth's core cause a reversal of the magnetic poles (see polar reversal, magnetic field). Many animals, including migrating birds and fish, are believed to orient themselves partly using the Earth's magnetic field. A permanent scientific base collects data at the South Pole.

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