Magnetic signals from the core of the earth and secular variation

Journal of Geophysical Research Solid Earth
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Abstract

An oscillating, radial magnetic dipole source was assumed to exist in the core of the earth, 100 km beneath the core-mantle boundary. As an approximation, electromagnetic propagation was assumed in the core in lieu of hydromagnetic propagation, which could not be used because of unknown internal fields.Using Debye potentials, the radial and horizontal components of the surface fields were calculated using various assumed conductivity parameters in the core and in the mantle. It is concluded that most spherical harmonic models of the earth's magnetic field do not include enough terms to describe properly the field of core sources with periods of tens of years. These short-period variations are especially important in describing the secular variation. Because of this, a proper description of the secular variation requires more spherical harmonic terms than are required for the field itself. Inadequate representation of short-period variations in spherical harmonic models may contribute to the rapid deterioration of predictive models. Alternatives to spherical harmonic analysis for secular variation should be investigated; regardless of the method used, a much greater spatial distribution of high quality secular variation data is needed.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Magnetic signals from the core of the earth and secular variation
Series title Journal of Geophysical Research Solid Earth
DOI 10.1029/JB086iB09p07957
Volume 86
Issue B9
Publication Date September 20, 2012
Year Published 1981
Language English
Publisher American Geophysical Union
Description 9 p.
First page 7957
Last page 7965
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