When turning north in the Southern Hemisphere, how will a magnetic compass behave?

When turning north in the Southern Hemisphere, the magnetic compass will lag behind the actual heading due to the magnetic dip in that region. This phenomenon occurs because the compass needle aligns itself with the Earth's magnetic field lines, which point downward at a steeper angle as one moves closer to the South Pole. When a turn is initiated toward the north, the compass needle takes time to respond to the new heading, resulting in a lag. This behavior is particularly pronounced when making a turn from an easterly or southerly heading.

For example, if you are flying west and then make a turn to the north, the compass may initially continue to indicate west or a heading farther south for a brief period before settling on the correct northward reading. Understanding this behavior is crucial for pilots, as it highlights the importance of monitoring compass readings carefully, especially during turns in the Southern Hemisphere.