Evolution of North Magnetic Poles over Time

Visualize the displacement of the magnetic poles since 1656

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Construct a range of dates with steps of 10 years:

In[1]:=

dates=DateRange

1656

2016

;

Use

GeomagneticModelData

to compute the orientation of the best dipolar fit to the magnetic field. This determines the so-called geomagnetic North and South poles, which are antipodal by construction:

In[2]:=

geomagneticNorth=GeomagneticModelData["NorthGeomagneticPole",dates];

Also compute the positions of the magnetic North and South poles, which are the locations at which the magnetic lines are vertical. In general, they will not be antipodal points:

In[3]:=

dipNorth=Quiet[GeomagneticModelData["NorthModelDipPole",dates]];

Represent the evolution in time of the North magnetic (blue) and geomagnetic (red) poles, with the current positions denoted with a bigger point:

In[4]:=

GeoGraphics{Red,Point[geomagneticNorth],Blue,Point[dipNorth],PointSize[Large],Red,Point[Last@geomagneticNorth],Blue,Point[Last@dipNorth]},

...



Out[4]=

Examine how the distance between the two types of magnetic poles changes over time:

In[5]:=

DateListPlotTranspose[{dates,MapThread[GeoDistance,{geomagneticNorth,dipNorth}]}],

...



Out[5]=

Related Symbols

GeomagneticModelData
GeoGraphics
DateRange
GeoLength
DateObject

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Contributed by: Wolfram Staff