GUFM1 MODEL
The gufm1 model describes the magnetic field at the core–mantle boundary for the interval 1590–1990. It improves on the models of Bloxham & Jackson (1992), ufm1 and ufm2, by extending the time-span represented, and by being a single solution it removes any artifacts from the point at which the two models join in 1840. gufm1 extends to spherical harmonic degree and order 14. There are issues with data consistency and accuracy of measurements due to technology and precision at times, but it can provide a helpful context in the realms of historical research.
From the model's publication abstract:
"We present a new model of the magnetic field at the core–mantle boundary for the interval 1590–1990. The model, called gufm1, is based on a massive new compilation of historical observations of the magnetic field. The greater part of the new dataset originates from unpublished observations taken by mariners engaged in merchant and naval shipping. Considerable attention is given to both correction of data for possible mislocation (originating from poor knowledge of longitude) and to proper allocation of error in the data. We adopt a stochastic model for uncorrected positional errors that properly accounts for the nature of the noise process based on a Brownian motion model. The variability of navigational errors as a function of the duration of the voyages that we have analysed is consistent with this model. For the period before 1800, more than 83 000 individual observations of magnetic declination were recorded at more than 64 000 locations; more than 8000 new observations are for the 17th century alone. The time–dependent field model that we construct from the dataset is parametrized spatially in terms of spherical harmonics and temporally in B–splines, using a total of 36 512 parameters. The model has improved the resolution of the core field, and represents the longest continuous model of the field available. However, full exploitation of the database may demand a new modelling methodology. (Jackson et. al, 2000)"
Example of plotted data locations for different time periods from the Jackson et. al (2000) paper.Andrew Jackson, Art R. T. Jonkers and Matthew R. Walker (2000). Four centuries of geomagnetic secular variation from historical records. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A.358957–990. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2000.0569
The NOAA/NCEI declination calculator uses values from gufm1 for years from 1590 to 1900 for the IGRF calculator. A smooth transition from gufm1 to IGRF was imposed from 1890 to 1900.
For your convenience, we have the model available for download and use on this page to help expand accessibility to such an important model, with permission from the model owner, Prof. Dr. Andrew Jackson. If you are interested in using the model, this github page, may be able to get you started.
Available Downloads
Name
Format
Mbyte
Contents
gufm1
0.73
gufm1 Model spherical harmonic coefficients