Geomagnetic observations on Tristan da Cunha, South Atlantic Ocean

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Jürgen Matzka
Nils Olsen
Cathrine Fox Maule
Lars William Pedersen
Alan M. Berarducci
Susan Macmillan

Abstract

Few geomagnetic ground observations exist of the Earth’s strongest core field anomaly, the South Atlantic Anomaly
(SAA). The geomagnetic repeat station on the island Tristan da Cunha, located half-way between South Africa
and South America at 37° 05’ S, 12° 18’ W, is therefore of crucial importance. We have conducted several sets of
repeat station measurements during magnetically quiet conditions (Kp 2o or less) in 2004. The procedures are described
and the results are compared to those from earlier campaigns and to the predictions of various global field
models. Features of the local crustal bias field and the solar quiet daily variation are discussed. We also evaluate
the benefit of continuous magnetic field recordings from Tristan da Cunha, and argue that such a data set is a very
valuable addition to geomagnetic satellite data. Recently, funds were set up to establish and operate a magnetometer
station on Tristan da Cunha during the Swarm magnetic satellite mission (2011-2014).

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How to Cite
Matzka, J., Olsen, N., Fox Maule, C., Pedersen, L. W., Berarducci, A. M. and Macmillan, S. (2009) “Geomagnetic observations on Tristan da Cunha, South Atlantic Ocean”, Annals of Geophysics, 52(1), pp. 97–105. doi: 10.4401/ag-4633.
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