What is a compass error?
Accordingly, what causes compass error?
It is caused by the Earth's magnetic field and the fact that the North Magnetic Pole is not in the same location on the Earth as the Geographic North Pole. Variation is designated East or West depending on the way the compass needle is deflected from True North. Variation changes with location.
Also Know, what is variation in compass? Variation (also known as Declination) This is the error caused by the earth's magnetic field. For a magnetic compass, the needle will point towards magnetic north rather than true north. Variation may be to east or west of true north, again depending on where you are on the earth's surface.
Also asked, what are the errors of magnetic compass?
Usually, there is a difference of several degrees. This difference, known as compass error, is made up of variation and deviation. VARIATION The true North Pole and the magnetic north pole are not located at the same spot. This variation causes a magnetic compass needle to point more or less away from true north.
What can affect the accuracy of a compass?
Like declination, local attraction will impact the compass. High voltage power lines, car bodies and flashlight batteries will impact the compass too. To lessen the impact on a magnetic compass and improve its accuracy, do these 3 steps: use the most current declination data for an area.