geomagnetic pole

[¦jē·ō·mag¦ned·ik ′pōl]

(geophysics)

Either of two antipodal points marking the intersection of the earth's surface with the extended axis of a powerful bar magnet assumed to be located at the center of the earth and having a field approximating the actual magnetic field of the earth.

The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Geomagnetic Pole

a point at which the earth’s magnetic axis intersects the surface of the earth. In a first approximation, the earth’s magnetic field is described as the field of a uniformly magnetized sphere (dipole), whose magnetic axis makes an angle of approximately 11.5° with the earth’s axis of rotation. In this approximation, the geomagnetic poles are the poles of a uniformly magnetized terrestrial sphere. All geomagnetic meridians converge at the geomagnetic poles. The location of the geomagnetic poles is determined according to data on the components of the earth’s main, or permanent, magnetic field. The coordinates of the geomagnetic poles for 1970, according to refined data, were as follows: 78° 31’ N lat., 70° 01’ W long, for the northern hemisphere and 78° 31’ S lat., 109° 59’ E long, for the southern hemisphere.

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References in periodicals archive

While Jim will make, solo, for the Arctic Pole, four other groups will be heading for the Geographic, Magnetic and Geomagnetic Poles. A fifth party will head for the Northwest Passage.

735-mile ice trek to the remotest place on Earth; EXCLUSIVE THE POLE OF INACCESSIBILITY IN THE ARCTIC IS SO BLEAK NO-ONE HAS EVER SET FOOT ON IT..NOW ONE MAN PLANS A SOLO WALK, BATTLING - 40C COLD AND DODGING HUNGRY POLAR BEARS

The geomagnetic pole is the point used by scientists to identify the general location of the magnetic north.

The iceman cometh; Pupils hear of city man's Arctic trek to help raise pounds 2m for charity

A British explorer launched one of the last Arctic challenges - the first solo and unsupported expedition to the North Geomagnetic Pole - from Swindon Ice Rink yesterday.

Off to the Pole via Swindon; Last great journey for a British adventurer

And from even higher up, satellites provide a global view of the auroral oval, the ring of light circling each geomagnetic pole. In 2009 scientists at the University of Bergen in Norway presented satellite images of the aurora taken simultaneously above the Northern and Southern Hemi-spheres.

Secrets of the northern lights: after centuries spent marveling at auroras' spectacular and fearful displays, people have solved many of their mysteries

The geomagnetic pole is a mathematically pinpointed position which differs from the shifting magnetic North Pole.

Arctic David's Pole position

[2] NOAA, Wandering of the Geomagnetic poles, National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration, Accessed from: http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag/GeomagneticPoles.shtml.

Tilt compensated eCompass

Available observations of major earthquakes and motion of the geomagnetic poles are used to determine the change in the earth's obliquity.

Discovery of the Major Mechanism of Global Warming and Climate Change

He found that the motion fits snugly with observations of how the magnetic field has been changing with time, in particular, how the geomagnetic poles have been moving.

Earth's magnetic poles may wander due to ocean currents

His expedition will later in the year take him on a solo trek to the Geographic North Pole, and then supported by a team to the Magnetic and Geomagnetic poles. Mr McNeill, dubbed the Ice Warrior, said said the Arctic Pole would be the most challenging.

Polar challenge

Led by firefighter Jim McNeill, who was recently awarded the Captain Scott Sprit of Adventure Award, the seven-strong team is due to set out on the first stage later this month when it embarks on a journey to reach the Magnetic and Geomagnetic poles in one trip.

Explorers' pole-to-pole adventure