Magnetic Pole Shifts

[roadman65]

As many of us know both polar points ( North and South Poles) are not the magnetic poles for our gravity. Both poles are where the earth's axis and rotation meets its surface and not the points of magnetic ends.

However scientists have proven that since the earth has begun its existence,  the magnetic poles have moved some and are expected to shift again real soon.

What's even more fascinating is that someday ( as there is a theory out there) that the poles may flip. In other words, the polarity of the earth may
reverse. 

I mean anything is possible, but can a phenomenon like this effect our society in a scientific nature? Or would a total pole flip not effect anything?

[Molandfreak]

This is nothing new. Since airport runways have numbers based on magnetic headings, they change every few years.

[kphoger]

Yeah, this is not new science.  We've known that magnetic north shifts over time since Gellibrand published his findings 390 years ago, and we're now about 100 years on from when evidence of magnetic reversal first started coming to light and more than 60 years on from scientific models and time scales first being published.