Earth's Magnetic Field: - Observations

Earths Magnetic Field
Introduction
Observations
Magnetic observatories
Satellites
Dedicated field campaigns
The external field
Earths structure
Source field for studies of the electrical

conductivity at crustal and mantle levels
The crustal field

The core field
Time variations
Paleomagnetic observations
Secular variations
Satellite observations
The Geodynamo
Governing equations
Approximations
Simulations
Crustal sources for the magnetic field

Remanent magnetization
Induced magnetization
Relation to past and ongoing processes
Excellent References
Treatise on Geophysics
Copyright 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights
reserved.
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e/referenceworks/9780444527486
Editor-in-Chief:GeraldSchubert
4
Volume 5: Geomagnetism
5.01 Geomagnetism in Perspective, Pages 1-31, M. Kono
SummaryPlus | Chapter | PDF (2904 K) | View Related Articles
5.02 The Present Field, Pages 33-75, N. Olsen, G. Hulot and T.J. Sabaka
5.03 Magnetospheric Contributions to the Terrestrial Magnetic Field, Pages 77-92, W. Baumjohann and R.
Nakamura
5.04 Observation and Measurement Techniques, Pages 93-146, G.M. Turner, J.L. Rasson and C.V. Reeves
5.05 Geomagnetic Secular Variation and Its Applications to the Core, Pages 147-193, A. Jackson and C.C.
Finlay
5.06 Crustal Magnetism, Pages 195-235, M.E. Purucker and K.A. Whaler
5.07 Geomagnetism, Pages 237-276, S. Constable
5.08 Magnetizations in Rocks and Minerals, Pages 277-336, D.J. Dunlop and . zdemir
5.09 Centennial- to Millennial-Scale Geomagnetic Field Variations, Pages 337-372, C. Constable
5.10 Geomagnetic Excursions, Pages 373-416, C. Laj and J.E.T. Channell
5.11 Time-Averaged Field and Paleosecular Variation, Pages 417-453, C.L. Johnson and P. McFadden
5.12 Source of Oceanic Magnetic Anomalies and the Geomagnetic Polarity Timescale, Pages 455-507, J.S.
Gee and D.V. Kent
5.13 Paleointensities, Pages 509-563, L. Tauxe and T. Yamazaki
5.14 True Polar Wander: Linking Deep and Shallow Geodynamics to Hydro- and Bio-Spheric Hypotheses,
Pages 565-589, T.D. Raub, J.L. Kirschvink and D.A.D. Evans
Volume 8: Core Dynamics

8.01 Overview, Pages 1-30, P. Olson
8.02 Energetics of the Core, Pages 31-65, F. Nimmo
8.03 Theory of the Geodynamo, Pages 67-105, P.H. Roberts
8.04 Large-Scale Flow in the Core, Pages 107-130, R. Holme
8.05 Thermal and Compositional Convection in the Outer Core, Pages 131-185, C.A. Jones
8.06 Turbulence and Small-Scale Dynamics in the Core, Pages 187-206, D.E. Loper
8.07 Rotational Dynamics of the Core, Pages 207-243, A. Tilgner
8.08 Numerical Dynamo Simulations, Pages 245-282, U.R. Christensen and J. Wicht
8.09 Magnetic Polarity Reversals in the Core, Pages 283-297, G.A. Glatzmaier and R.S. Coe
8.10 Inner-Core Dynamics, Pages 299-318, I. Sumita and M.I. Bergman
8.11 Experiments on Core Dynamics, Pages 319-343, P. Cardin and P. Olson
8.12 CoreMantle Interactions, Pages 345-358, B.A. Buffett
Magnetic Pattern of the Oceans
Magnetic Lineations. Mars
P-wave Velocity Perturbation

Mid-Mantle
Shear Wave Velocity

Perturbation. Base of Mantle
10
Importance of
Earths magnetic field is necessary for life on Earth.
The magnetic field protects us against the flow
of charged particles from the sun and acts a
kind of shield.
Some researchers believe that evolution of life
is accelerated during periods of weak magnetic
fields, because this would enhance genetic
changes mutations.
The magnetic field on the continents and their shelves
is used for prospecting after oil, gas and
mineral deposits.
The interpretation of the magnetic field on the oceans
had a major impact on the development of
11
plate tectonics.
The Geomagnetic Earth
12
Sources of the
Geomagnetic Field
13
MAGSAT (left) and

Oersted (right) Satellites
14
German CHAMP satellite
15
rsted Satellite Orbit
16
Magnetic Field Satellites
17
Spherical Harmonic Representation

of Magnetic Field
External source region
Source free region

Region of observations
Internal source
region
n = degree
V V V r n S n ( , ) r n 1S n ( , )
18
Geomagnetic Spectrum
19
Crustal Magnetic Fields
From Maus (2007) 20

n = 100
Curie Depth Antarctica

Crustal Mag
Field
Curie Depth
Crustal
Thickness
Heat Flow
21
Geomagnetic Jargong
Frontiers
Is Earth's magnetic field reversing?
Catherine Constable & Monika Korte
Earth and Planetary Science Letters 246
(2006) 116
Page 2
22
Reversals are documented in the oceanic crust 170 My back.

Reversals have taken place on the average everty 250000
year during the past 20 My.
On the average the rotation poles and the magnetic poles
coincide.
23
Variations in the magnetic field over a midocean ridge

4 3 2 1
0 1 2 3
Age
[My]
Normal
polarity
Calculated magnetic field

from the model of sea-floor
spreading
Reverse
polarity
Measured magnetic field

across a mid-ocean ridge
Lithosphere
Molten magma fills the gap, solidifies, cools below the Curie temperature
(560oC) and becomes magnetized in the direction of the prevalent magnetic field
24
The magnetization along a 42 m long core from the

Pacific at 4415 m water depth
Inklination close to zero at the

equator
The sedimentation varies between 1-5 cm/1000 r. The sediments contain small
amounts of magnetite which constitute small magnets that direct themselves into
25
the direction of the Earth magnetic field on their way through the water column
26
The GaussMatuyama (2.58 Ma) reversal record of VGPs

recorded in sediments deposited in Searles Lake, California
(Glen etal., 1999b). Note the highly complex VGP path, with
initial and final excursions in orange, multiple rapid oscillations
in black, and main reversing phase including two large swings
from high to equatorial latitudes in red.
27
Difference between rsted (2000) och Magsat

(1980) measurements
28
Tangential flow pattern in the outer core at

the CM transition
Anticyclonic patches
transporting oppositely
directed magnetic flux,
i.e. negative feedback.
29
GEO-DYNAMO
The Earths magnetic field is generated by electric currents in the
outer liquid core, which mainly consists of iron
The iron in the core moves turbulently at speeds of about 20 km/y

(i.e. 1 million times faster than the movements in the Earths mantle)
When the electrically conductive metal moves in the magnetic field,

a new magnetic field is generated which may amplify the existing
field
30
Important Constraints on
Models of the Geodynamo
Westward drift of non-dipolar field
Excursions
Frequency
Strength distribution
Reversals
Frequency
Duration
31
Aborted Reversal Simulation
32
Models of the Core Field
33
Spectra of characteristic length and timescales

in core dynamics.
MAC Magnetic, Archimedean, Coriolis waves
34
Snapshot of Magnetic Field
The field is sheared

around the tangent
cylinder to the
inner-core equator
35
Snapshots of a reversal
Three snapshots of a simulated magnetic field

at 500 years before the mid-point in the dipole reversal,
at the mid-point and at 500 years after the mid-point.
36
Dynamo Simulations.
Varying Heat Flow at CMB
37
More Snapshots
Surface
CMB
Poloidal
Toroidal
Fields
38

Earth's Magnetic Field: - Observations

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Earths Magnetic Field

The external field

Source field for studies of the electrical

The crustal field

Earths Magnetic Field

Earths Magnetic Field

Crustal sources for the magnetic field

Volume 8: Core Dynamics

Magnetic Pattern of the Oceans

Magnetic Lineations. Mars

P-wave Velocity Perturbation

Shear Wave Velocity

The Geomagnetic Earth

MAGSAT (left) and

German CHAMP satellite

rsted Satellite Orbit

Magnetic Field Satellites

Spherical Harmonic Representation

Source free region

Crustal Magnetic Fields

From Maus (2007) 20

Curie Depth Antarctica

Reversals are documented in the oceanic crust 170 My back.

Variations in the magnetic field over a midocean ridge

Calculated magnetic field

Measured magnetic field

The magnetization along a 42 m long core from the

Inklination close to zero at the

The GaussMatuyama (2.58 Ma) reversal record of VGPs

Difference between rsted (2000) och Magsat

Tangential flow pattern in the outer core at

The iron in the core moves turbulently at speeds of about 20 km/y

When the electrically conductive metal moves in the magnetic field,

Aborted Reversal Simulation

Models of the Core Field

Spectra of characteristic length and timescales

Snapshot of Magnetic Field

The field is sheared

Three snapshots of a simulated magnetic field

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