Book 21, Question 61
Did the North and South Magnetic Poles Ever Swap Places?
Here is a surprising fact: Earth's north and south magnetic poles have swapped places before! Rocks tell us it has happened hundreds of times in the past, though at irregular times.
More fun facts
- Yes. During a pole reversal, Earth's magnetic north and south poles swap places.
- Records in rocks show 183 reversals in the last 83 million years.
- On average, reversals happen about every 300,000 years.
- The last one happened about 780,000 years ago.
- After a reversal, a compass pointing north would point toward Antarctica.
- No one knows when the next reversal will happen.
Sources: NASA Science, National Geographic
Questions kids ask
Will a pole flip happen tomorrow?
Very unlikely. Scientists say a reversal is not expected any time soon, and no one knows when the next one will be.