OR/16/030 The geomagnetism team

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Thomson, Alan W P. 2016. Geomagnetism review 2015. British Geological Survey Internal Report, OR/16/030.                                                
An aurora over Iceland — space weather in action (Photo by Jez Everest).
Some of the Geomagnetism team staff in December 2015.

The Geomagnetism team measures, records, models and interprets variations in the Earth’s magnetic field. Our data and research help to develop our scientific understanding of geomagnetic changes in the solid Earth and in the Earth’s atmospheric and space environments, thus helping to develop our understanding of geomagnetic hazards and their impacts. We also provide geomagnetic data, products and services to industry and academia and we use our knowledge to inform the public, government and industry.

The British Geological Survey (BGS) is the main Earth science research institute for the UK and is a research centre of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).

Geomagnetism research is represented within BGS as a science team within the Earth Hazards and Observatories (EHO) science directorate. Geomagnetism sits alongside Earthquake Seismology, Volcanology, and Earth and Planetary Observation and Monitoring, as teams within EHO. EHO is part of the Geohazards programme and reports to the Director of Science and Technology and the BGS Executive.

The Geomagnetism team receives support from a range of BGS administrative and other teams, including Edinburgh Business Support and IT Systems and Network Support.

The Geomagnetism team is primarily based in Edinburgh. In 2015 the team numbered 25 staff either fully or partly engaged in Geomagnetism work.

For the purposes of continuous geomagnetic monitoring in the UK, BGS operates three magnetic observatories. These are located in Lerwick (Shetland), Eskdalemuir (Scottish Borders) and Hartland (North Devon). Two of our team members are observatory managers and are stationed at the Eskdalemuir and Hartland observatories.

We also operate magnetic observatories overseas on Ascension, on Sable Island (Canada), at Port Stanley (Falkland Islands) and at King Edward Point (South Georgia). We oversee and maintain magnetic observatory operations at Prudhoe Bay, Alaska (USA) and Fort McMurray, Alberta (Canada), in association with an industry partner.

Our observatory work and the data we collect is one part of our core function:

“Long-term geomagnetic monitoring and allied research to improve our understanding of the Earth and its geomagnetic processes, environments and hazards.”

Particular activities of the team are mathematical modelling of the geomagnetic field and its changes, monitoring and modelling of the geomagnetic hazard to technology and the provision of information, data and products for the benefit of society.

In support of our core function, the team has four primary aims.

We aim to be recognised internationally as a world leader in:

  • Measuring, recording, modelling and interpreting the Earth’s natural magnetic field and its various sources
  • Modelling and understanding the geomagnetic hazard, a component of the space weather hazard to technology and society
  • Delivering tailored geomagnetic data, products and services to academics, business and the public
  • Providing knowledge and information for all sectors of society on geomagnetism science: what it tells us about the Earth and how it can be used in practical ways