Ancient ‘animal GPS system’ identified in magnetic fossils

Cambridge UK (SPX) Nov 19, 2025

The earliest evidence of an internal ‘GPS’ system in an animal has been identified by researchers, which could help explain how modern birds and fish evolved the ability to use the Earth’s magnetic field to navigate long distances.

The tiny magnetic fossils – dating from 97 million years ago – were buried in ancient seafloor sediments, left behind by a mysterious, unidentified organism.