Free core nutation and geomagnetic jerks

Variations in free core nutation (FCN) are associated with different processes in the Earth's fluid core and core-mantle coupling. The same processes are generally caused the variations in the geomagnetic field (GMF) particularly the geomagnetic jerks (GMJs), which are rapid changes in GMF secular variations. Therefore, the joint investigation of variations in FCN and GMF can elucidate the Earth's interior and dynamics. In this paper, we investigated the FCN amplitude and phase variations derived from VLBI observations. Comparison of the epochs of the changes in the FCN amplitude and phase with the epochs of the GMJs indicated that the observed extremes in the FCN amplitude and phase variations were closely related to the GMJ epochs. In particular, the FCN amplitude begins to grow one to three years after the GMJs. Thus, processes that cause GMJs are assumed as sources of FCN excitation. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.