Sounds like the basis of a story

[admin]

Earth's magnetic fields are shifting - and scientists are unsure why.

Researchers say the magnetic North Pole is 'skittering' away from Canada, towards Siberia.

The problem has got so bad, researchers around the world are scrambling to update a global model of the fields.

Called the World Magnetic Model, it underlies all modern navigation, from the systems that steer ships at sea to Google Maps on smartphones.

- - -
Scientists in recent years have predicted that Earth's magnetic field could be gearing up to 'flip' – a shift in which the magnetic south pole would become magnetic north, and vice versa.

Such an event could have catastrophic effects, wreaking havoc on the electric grid and leaving life at the surface exposed to higher amounts of solar radiation.


www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6579515/Scientists-warn-Earths-magnetic-North-Pole-begun-moving-erratically-speeds-50km-year.html

[papaof2]

Navigation is probably more dependent on GPS satellites than compasses these days. The compass on your smart phone could be "fixed" with an app ;-)

There have been several stories written about the polar flip - I'm pretty sure JDY did one.

If the magnetic pole flip generated a big EMP - perhaps at the level of the Carrington Event and telegraph lines - then it might directly affect power lines. I think my greater concern would be a lower level EMP that affected the low level electronics controlling power, water, food distribution, communications and probably 90+ percent of our daily lives... On the other hand, I'm the guy with three generations of backup power: generic gasoline powered generator, inverter generator, solar generator. I also have the piece-parts lying around to build a lawnmower engine + car alternator DC generator and lots of DC=>AC inverters - going back to a 1960's design that used a group 27 12 volt battery, a 60Hz mechanical interrupter vibrator and a big transformer; no electronics in that one that can be affected by an EMP. The output is an ugly square wave but some things work just fine on that kind of power.

[admin]

Actually (from the article)

'Although GPS is a great tool for navigation, it is limited in that it only provides your position,' geodetic scientist James Friederich from the U. S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency explained in 2014.

'Your orientation, the direction you are facing, comes from the magnetic field.'

'Our war fighters use magnetics to orient their maps.

'Your smartphone camera and various apps can use the magnetic field to help determine the direction you are facing,' he continued.

[papaof2]

Fixed orientation needs a compass "the direction you are facing" from the quote. Moving 10 feet will get a change in position and thus the heading. GPS is not the most durable system - a nuke in space could shut down multiple satellites at once. While the remaining sats might be repositioned, there might not be enough for adequate coverage.

A basic compass - magnetized needle supported by a cork in a saucer of water - works without power or any active external signal. There are, however, anomalies in the planet's magnetic field that can make a compass unreliable to useless in certain places.

Better learn to navigate by the stars - they at least stay consistent - for decades, although not for centuries ;-)

[9idrr]

How many here are aware of the fact that continental drift is such that Australia has had to readjust points for GPS? I'm safe without compass and GPS 'cause I know where North is due to moss growin' on the north side of trees.
/S/

[9idrr]

Just wonderin', in Oz does the moss grow in the south side of trees? Here're links to some articles about the recently mentioned drift.
www.iflscience.com/environment/australia-suddenly-move-north-new-years-day/
www.sciencealert.com/australia-s-about-to-move-1-5-metres-to-the-north
Anybody here gonna work this into a story?

[papaof2]

You do understand what causes Australia to drift? It's a small continent, so all those kids drifting cars and with all that horsepower trying to move the pavement under the vehicle - and the continent below that pavement - no wonder the continent is moving ;-)

[9idrr]

I'd just thought they were tryin' to get further away from GB.