MOSCOW. Nov 12 (Interfax-AVN) - The pole shift observed in recent years has come to a halt, Russian Academy of Sciences Vice President Lev Zelyony said on Monday.
"The magnetic pole was previously vigorously moving towards Russia from Canada. All the troubles occurring today due to solar flares and magnetic storms could have made themselves felt vividly in this increasingly industrialized region. But now this movement is coming to a halt," Zelyony said at a conference on space earth monitoring at the Russian Academy of Sciences' Institute of Space Research.
In experts' estimate, the pole shift may weaken the protective properties of the ionosphere which shields the earth from space radiation. Strong space radiation is a threat to all living beings on Earth. It can also disrupt the work of engineering and transport infrastructure, disable satellites, transport and information systems, and paralyze nuclear power plants.
The magnetic pole shift can have a strong negative impact on Russia's northern regions, Zelyony said.
"Space weather is of great importance in this region and it depends on where the magnetic pole is located," he said.