True north is the geographic north pole, which is the point at the top of the Earth's axis. It is a fixed point and does not change. Magnetic north, on the other hand, is the direction that a compass needle points towards, due to the Earth's magnetic field. The location of magnetic north can change over time.
True north is important for navigation because it is a fixed point that can be used as a reference for directions. By knowing the direction of true north, you can determine your position and navigate accurately using a map and compass.
The Earth's magnetic field is created by the movement of molten iron in the Earth's core. This field is not uniform and can change over time. As a result, the location of magnetic north can shift and vary in different parts of the world.
The location of magnetic north can change at a rate of a few kilometers per year. However, the Earth's magnetic field has been known to reverse completely, with magnetic north becoming magnetic south and vice versa. This reversal can happen every few hundred thousand years.
Yes, true north and magnetic north can align in certain locations, such as the geographic north pole. This means that a compass needle would point directly towards true north. However, in most places, there is a difference between true north and magnetic north due to the Earth's magnetic field.