Regional geomagnetic core field and secular variation model over the Iberian Peninsula from 2014 to 2020 based on the R-SCHA technique

The Earth's magnetic field originated in the fluid core, the so-called core field, is the dominant contribution to the geomagnetic field. Since ancient times, the core geomagnetic field has been used primarily for geographical orientation and navigation by means of compasses. Nowadays, thanks to the large amount of geomagnetic data available, core field models can be developed on a global or regional scale. Global models resolve large-scale geomagnetic field features, while regional models can resolve greater detail over a particular region. The spherical harmonic cap analysis is a widely used technique for regional-scale modelling of the geomagnetic field. In this work we have developed a regional model of the core field and its secular variation between 2014.5 and 2020.5 over the Iberian Peninsula, based on data from Swarm satellites, geomagnetic observatories and repeat stations. Its performance has been validated by comparing the fit to the available geomagnetic data using the regional model and the global models IGRF and CHAOS over the whole spatio-temporal range studied. In order to optimise the model, a detailed study of its input parameters has been carried out, showing that not all parameters have an equal influence on the modelling. This new model reproduces the input data with a root mean square error of 2.9 nT, improving the outcome of global models on this region. The results of this work will allow the Spanish Instituto Geografico Nacional to produce the magnetic cartography of Iberia and the Balearic Islands in 2020.0, which for the first time will be based on a regional core field model, replacing the polynomial variation method used in the past.

Automated summary

The Earth's magnetic field, known as the core field, is primarily generated in the fluid core and plays a dominant role in the geomagnetic field. By utilizing a large amount of geomagnetic data, global and regional core field models can be developed. In this study, a regional model of the core field over the Iberian Peninsula was developed based on data from Swarm satellites, geomagnetic observatories, and repeat stations. Its performance was validated and found to outperform global models, and the results will be used to produce magnetic cartography for Iberia and the Balearic Islands in 2020.