Magnetic North Moves; True North Does Not
North is one of the four cardinal directions. Magnetic north and true north are different points, and the gap changes each year.
North is the direction towards the North Pole. A compass does not point there: it points to magnetic north, which is a different place and one that moves, drifting several tens of kilometres a year and accelerating in recent decades. Navigators correct for the difference using a figure called *magnetic declination*, which changes with location and date. The magnetic poles have also reversed many times in the earth's history.
- A cardinal direction. *Facing north.*
- True north — towards the pole. *True north.*
- Magnetic north — where a compass points. *Magnetic north.*
- Declination — the difference. *Magnetic declination.*
- Northern — of the north. *Northern England.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | north | Facing north. |
| Adjective | northern | Northern lights. |
| Adverb | northward | Heading northward. |
| Compound | north-east | North-east. |
| Old English | north | North. |
- The path runs north from the village.Direction.
- A compass points to magnetic north.Navigation.
- Declination corrects the difference.Correction.
Three norths
- True north — towards the geographic North Pole, fixed
- Magnetic north — where a compass needle points, and it moves
- Grid north — the direction of the vertical lines on a map
- Declination — the angle between true and magnetic north
- Maps state the declination and the year it was measured
Old English *north*, from a Germanic root of uncertain earlier origin, possibly meaning to the left of the rising sun.
Does a compass point to the North Pole?
No. It points to magnetic north, which is a different location and moves each year.
What is magnetic declination?
The angle between true north and magnetic north at a given place and time, used to correct compass bearings.