Question 643Navigation General

The correct answer is C) Compass error and variation are equal. If a magnetic compass is not affected by any magnetic field other than the Earth's, then the only compass error present would be variation - the angle between true north and magnetic north. Since there is no deviation (error caused by local magnetic fields), the compass error and variation would be equal. The other options are incorrect because: A) Compass north will not be true north if variation is present; B) Variation and deviation are separate compass errors; and D) There will be compass error (variation) if the Earth's magnetic field is the only one affecting the compass.