Did you know that there is more than one north pole? How about that 30% of the world’s oil reserves are in the vicinity of the North Pole. If you think that’s fascinating, get ready to learn about the top of the world (or the bottom depending on your perspective). These are 25 North Pole Facts Most People Are Not Aware Of!
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Unlike the South Pole, there are actually 2 North Poles (that are commonly referenced and used)
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One is the North Magnetic Pole, which constantly shifts depending on changes deep within the Earth. This is what your compass points to
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Lately, this has been somewhere near Ellesmere Island in Canada.
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It is gradually moving towards Russia at a rate of roughly 55km (34 miles) per year
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The other pole is the Geographic North Pole which is technically defined as the point where the axis of the Earth’s rotation intersects the Earth’s surface. In other words it is the fixed point that references the top of the world.
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The truth is, however, that not even this is fixed. The Earth wobbles slightly so even the precise geographic North Pole shifts a bit
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To complicate things further there is actually a third North Pole called the Geomagnetic North Pole which is basically the average location of the Magnetic North Pole.
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia 18
Every now and then the magnetic poles flip
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The last time they flipped was 780,000 years ago
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It takes several thousand years for the poles to flip and no, it would most almost certainly not end humanity. Various technologies would have to be adjusted and their would possibly be less shielding from harmful sun rays, meaning more skin cancer. We would have plenty of warning beforehand though and in fact, the Earth’s magnetic field is already weakening which is a sign that it may gradually flip in the next few thousand years. Also, the continents will not slam into each other. Don’t listen to the conspiracy theorists.
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia 15
Back to the North Pole, you probably already know this but unlike the South Pole, there is no land. It is just an ocean with ice on the surface
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia 14
The ice is several meters thick in most places
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The nearest land is usually said to be Kaffeklubben Island off the north coast of Greenland about 700km (430 miles) away
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The nearest permanently inhabited place is Alert, Canada which is about 800 km (500 miles) from the pole
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If you are standing exactly on the Geographic North Pole then no matter which way you move, you’ll be heading south
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30% of the world’s oil reserves are in the vicinity of the North Pole
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia 9
Antarctica, along with the South Pole, is significantly colder because it is actually the highest continent. The North Pile sits on ice just above sea level so it absorbs the warmth of the ocean. It’s still pretty cold though and temperatures in summer hover right around freezing.
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia 8
Just as there are no polar bears at the South Pole, there are no penguins at the North Pole.
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia 7
Although life is sparse, polar bears, arctic foxes, and various bird species have been spotted near the pole. Typically these animals don’t wander too far past 82 degrees north due to a lack of food.
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia 6
There is an annual marathon that takes place on the arctic ice shelf
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The Arctic countries - Russia, United States, Norway, Denmark (Greenland), and Canada have spent a significant amount of time in territorial dispute. Currently, according to mutual agreements, nobody can lay claim the North Pole and its surrounding regions
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia 4
Robert Peary is generally recognized as the first person to reach the North Pole in 1909. He did it with a team of eskimos on dog sled
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Since then people have flown and quite often various navies will surface their submarines here!
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The North Pole spends half of the year in darkness and half of the year in light
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Due to climate change, the ice shelf is receding. This will potentially open the long sought after Northwest Passage to shipping and may help reduce the distance between Europe and Asia for freighters by thousands of kilometers. The only issue is that while Canada claims the water as its own, the US and Europe maintain that the waters are international and should be open to other nations.
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia SEE ALSO: 25 Deep Sea Mysteries And Oddities That Will Leave You Baffled »
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