Thank you. Sounds like magnetic north is a rapidly changing (34mph) and I need to update some of my old maps.

Yes, the shifting of Magnetic North can have a noticeable impact on compass navigation over a person’s lifetime—especially if you rely on a compass for precise orientation. Since the North Magnetic Pole has been moving faster in recent decades—reaching speeds of up to 55 km (34.2 miles) per year in the 1990s before slowing to about 35 km (21.7 miles) per year—this shift causes the magnetic declination (the angle between magnetic north and true north) to change more quickly than usual.
For most casual compass users, such as hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, these changes are unlikely to cause significant issues unless they are navigating over long distances or in high-latitude regions where magnetic variation is more pronounced. However, for professionals such as surveyors, aviators, and maritime navigators, even small shifts in magnetic north can introduce directional errors if the navigation models aren’t updated regularly.
That’s why organizations like the British Geological Survey (BGS) and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) update the World Magnetic Model (WMM) every five years to account for these changes. If you’re using a modern GPS or navigation system, these updates are often automatically integrated, but if you’re using a traditional compass, you may need to adjust for updated magnetic declination manually.

Does this mean that the declination on maps changes?
Yes, the changing position of the North Magnetic Pole directly affects magnetic declination—the difference between true north (geographic north) and magnetic north. Since the pole is drifting, the angle of magnetic declination shown on maps needs to be updated regularly. For example, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the British Geological Survey (BGS) update the World Magnetic Model (WMM) every five years to reflect these changes, which ensures that compasses and navigation systems remain accurate.

Does it indicate that GPS’s change in accuracy as to location?
Interestingly, GPS systems rely on satellite signals, which are based on geographic coordinates (true north), not magnetic north. Therefore, the shifting magnetic pole doesn’t directly affect GPS accuracy. However, some navigation systems (such as those used in aviation and maritime settings) rely on both GPS and magnetic declination for orientation. In those cases, the shift in magnetic north requires updates to navigation software to ensure that heading information remains accurate.

How does this work with satellites?
Satellites themselves are not affected by the shifting magnetic field because they orbit based on geographic coordinates. However, the Earth’s magnetic field protects satellites from charged particles in space (such as solar winds). A weakening field during a geomagnetic reversal could increase satellite exposure to radiation, potentially leading to more electronic malfunctions and shorter satellite lifespans.

How about the Earth’s tilt wobbling?
The Earth’s axial tilt (also called obliquity) and its wobble (precession) are separate phenomena from magnetic pole movement. The axial tilt changes very slowly over thousands of years due to gravitational interactions with the Moon and the Sun. In contrast, the magnetic pole’s movement is driven by changes in the flow of molten iron in Earth’s outer core. While both processes are connected to Earth’s internal dynamics, they operate independently of each other.