Magnetic North Pole Moves, Closing Part of Tampa Airport

North is swinging toward Russia; airport must repaint signs
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 6, 2011 2:41 PM CST
Updated Jan 9, 2011 7:45 AM CST
Magnetic North Pole Moves, Closing Part of Tampa Airport
North is moving on us.   (Shutterstock)

Hey kids, did you know that the magnetic north pole is moving almost 40 miles a year toward Russia? Well, neither did we, but it is, and it’s screwing with, of all things, Florida air travel. Tampa International Airport has had to shut down its primary runway until Jan. 13 to repaint numerical designators and signage at each end to account for the shift, the Tampa Tribune reports. Changes in the Earth's core are responsible for the roving north, forcing the runway to change its designation on aviation charts from 18R/36L to 19R/1L. (More Tampa stories.)

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