As the holidays approach, the North Pole gets a lot more attention. This might have something to do with the bearded guy in the red suit allegedly living up there and making toys. Santa Claus aside, there are many fascinating facts about the North Pole you may not know. And guess what—many of them involve magnetism! Here’s a look at just a few of the ways magnets and magnetism feature in the great white north. Animal Migration Although winter can be pretty desolate in the far north, many species call it home. Polar bears and walrus can be found throughout the year, while others only visit for parts of the year. Animals like snow geese, caribou, and humpback whales flock to and from the Arctic every single year. Some travel thousands of miles to reach the Arctic and with such great distances to travel, it’s simply amazing they don’t get lost. One explanation of how animals navigate deals with Earth’s magnetic field. While humans cannot sense subtle changes in magnetic forces, other animals are much more attuned to it. This might explain how animals like snow geese (who overwinter in places as far away as Mexico) can find their way back to the exact same Arctic nesting spots year after year! Aurora Borealis The Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights are one of the most spectacular phenomenons on the planet. The streams of colorful lights flicker and dance across the northern sky throughout the year and have been the subject of wonder for centuries. Vikings even believed the northern lights were the spirits of fallen warriors on their way to Valhalla. However, the real reason we’re treated to such natural beauty is because of—you guessed it—magnetism! As particles of light from the sun enter Earth’s magnetic field, they are scattered into different parts of the visible light spectrum. Remember ROYGBIV from school? The strained particles dance around the atmosphere to create the stunning Aurora Borealis. Iron Deposits Canada’s Baffin Island is one of the largest land masses on the planet. Locked in ice the majority of the year, it is a seemingly barren wilderness with a human population of only 10,000. However, many arctic animals such as foxes, caribou, and polar bears frequent the island. Another inhabitant of Baffin Island is iron—lots and lots of iron. Iron is the most ferromagnetic element around and is used for countless purposes, such as displaying magnetic fields or in ferrofluid. The Baffinland Iron Mine sits in the northwestern corner of the island, although excavation has not yet begun. Magnetic North Did you know there are actually two North Poles? That’s right! When talking the North Pole, you should always distinguish whether or not you’re referring to “true north” or “magnetic north.” The former is simply geographical and refers to the coordinate 90°N. However, magnetic north is a bit trickier. This is where Earth’s magnetic field polarizes. Think of a bar magnet, where either end is called a pole. Now think of Earth as one giant magnet. No matter what direction the magnet is facing, the magnetic pole is always the same. Currently, magnetic north lies somewhere in Canada. This might be why no one has ever found Santa’s workshop. We’ve just been looking at the wrong North Pole! Magnets and magnetism are everywhere you look—especially if you fix your gaze northward. If you’re still looking for more magnetic news, facts, and how-to’s, make sure to visit the rest of our blog this holiday season!