Historic 'Three Norths' Alignment Departs England at Berwick-upon-Tweed

A Rare Geospatial Event Concludes in England

Today, December 13, 2025, marks a significant moment in geospatial history as the unique alignment of true north, magnetic north, and grid north is predicted to depart England. The triple alignment will cross the coastline at Berwick-upon-Tweed, England's northernmost town, and move into the North Sea. This event concludes a three-year period during which these three navigational references converged over English land, a phenomenon not observed for several centuries.

Understanding the 'Three Norths'

For accurate navigation and mapping, three distinct 'norths' are recognized:

• True North: This refers to the direction of the Earth's geographic North Pole, which is the fixed point around which the planet rotates.
• Grid North: This is the northward direction indicated by the vertical grid lines on maps, such as those produced by the Ordnance Survey (OS).
• Magnetic North: This is the direction a compass needle points, aligning with the Earth's constantly shifting magnetic field. The position of the magnetic North Pole is not static and moves continually.

The difference between magnetic north and true north is known as magnetic declination, which varies by location and over time.

Journey Across England and Beyond

The historic alignment first converged in November 2022 at Langton Matravers in Dorset, England, marking the first time all three norths had met in the country since records began in the 1600s. Since then, the alignment has slowly progressed northwards, traversing approximately 576 kilometers (358 miles) over 1127 days, at an average rate of about 511 meters per day. Its path included locations such as Poole (late 2022), Chippenham, Birmingham, and Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire (October 2024), before reaching its current departure point.

Data collected by the British Geological Survey (BGS) and calculations made by the Ordnance Survey have been instrumental in tracking this rare phenomenon. Mark Greaves, an Earth measurement expert at OS, described it as a 'one-off event that has never happened before'.

Future Trajectory and Navigational Impact

After leaving England, the triple alignment is projected to continue its journey northwards over the North Sea. It is anticipated to make landfall again in Scotland, first at Drums around the end of October 2026, then passing through Mintlaw, and finally reaching Fraserburgh by mid-December 2026, before returning to the North Sea. Due to the gradual movement of magnetic north, this specific alignment is not expected to return to England for several centuries.

Despite its historical significance, experts emphasize that this event will not significantly alter navigation practices. Experienced map and compass users routinely account for the differences between magnetic and grid north, known as magnetic declination. The three norths are expected to remain in alignment for another couple of years before magnetic north eventually separates from true north and grid north.