South Magnetic Pole

The South Magnetic Pole is the point on the southern hemisphere where the magnetic lines are directly pointing upward. In other words, if there were a magnet inside the earth axis (from north to south), the South Magnetic pole would be at its southern end. Because the magnetic field of the Earth changes, the exact location of this pole does as well. In 2020, it was estimated to be at 64°04′S 135°53′E / 64.07°S 135.88°E / -64.07; 135.88,^[2] placing it off the coast of Antarctica. In 2015, it was at 64°17′S 136°35′E / 64.28°S 136.59°E / -64.28; 136.59.^[3] That point lies outside the Antarctic Circle. Due to polar drift, the pole is moving northwest by about 10 to 15 kilometers per year. Its current distance from the actual Geographic South Pole is approximately 2860 km.^[1] The nearest permanent science station is Dumont d'Urville Station. Wilkes Land contains a large gravitational mass concentration.

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} NOAA National Geophysical Data Center. "Wandering of the Geomagnetic Poles".
2. ↑ "Geomagnetism Frequently Asked Questions". National Geophysical Data Center. Retrieved 2022-05-02.
3. ↑ British Geological Survey - Magnetic Poles