The earth’s north magnetic pole is drifting from North America at such a clip that it could end up in Siberia in the next 50 years, scientists have said. Despite accelerated movement over the past century, the possibility that the earth’s fading magnetic field will collapse or that the magnetic poles will flip is remote. But the shift could mean that Alaska may no longer be able to see the high-altitude shimmering displays of colorful lights known as auroras.Scientists have long known that magnetic poles migrate and in rare cases, swap places. But exactly why this happens is a mystery. ‘‘This may be part of a normal oscillation and it will eventually migrate back toward Canada,’’ said Joseph Stoner, a paleomagnetist at Oregon State University. AFP/PTI
