Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)
World Magnetic Model 2010
Declination contour map in mercator projection
The World Magnetic Model is the standard model used by the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.K. Ministry of Defence, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), for navigation, attitude and heading referencing systems using the geomagnetic field. It is also used widely in civilian navigation and heading systems. The model, associated software, and documentation are distributed by NGDC on behalf of NGA. The model is produced at 5-year intervals, with the current model expiring on December 31, 2014.
Dataset Citation
Cite as: NCEI Geomagnetic Modeling Team. 2009: World Magnetic Model 2010. version 3. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Accessed [date].
Complete - production of the data has been completed Historical archive - data has been stored in an offline storage facility
Data Update Frequency
As needed
Purpose
Purpose statement not available
Use Limitations
Produced by the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Not subject to copyright protection within the United States.
Dataset Citation
Cite as: NCEI Geomagnetic Modeling Team. 2009: World Magnetic Model 2010. version 3. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors
NCEI Geomagnetic Modeling Team
Publishers
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Theme keywords
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
Earth Science > Solid Earth > Geomagnetism > Magnetic Field
Earth Science > Solid Earth > Geomagnetism > Magnetic Intensity
Earth Science > Solid Earth > Geomagnetism > Magnetic Declination
Earth Science > Solid Earth > Geomagnetism > Magnetic Inclination
Data Center keywords
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NGDC > National Geophysical Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Place keywords
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
Geographic Region > Global
Use Constraints
Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Access Constraints
Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
Other Constraints
Cite as: NCEI Geomagnetic Modeling Team. 2009: World Magnetic Model 2010. version 3. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Accessed [date].
Fees
In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Lineage information for: dataset
Processor
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Processing Steps
Measurements during daytime and during periods of strong solar activity are contaminated by external current systems, which are difficult to accurately model. Therefore, only nighttime data during magnetically quiet periods were used in generating the WMM coefficients.
Some contributions to the measured magnetic field, such as the diamagnetic effect of ionospheric plasma (Lühr et al, 2003) or motional induction by tidal ocean currents (Kuvshinov and Olsen, 2005; Maus, 2007), can be accurately modeled and were corrected for prior to the generation of the WMM main field coefficients.
To account for the contributions that have not been removed in the previous steps, an extended set of model parameters is co-estimated with the WMM model coefficients. These account for smaller-wavelength internal magnetic field contributions (spherical harmonic degree larger than 12), second time derivatives (secular acceleration) and contributions from currents external to the Earth. The set of WMM coefficients plus the extended model parameters is called a parent model of the WMM. Two different parent models were produced, reflecting different modeling strategies employed by NGDC for the main field model and BGS for the secular variation model.
Source Datasets
CHAMP Satellite Data
ORSTED Satellite Data
INTERMAGNET Observatory Data
Lineage information for: repository
Processing Steps
2015-04-22T00:00:00 - NOAA created the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) by merging NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), and National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), including the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC), per the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235. NCEI launched publicly on April 22, 2015.
Last Modified: 2020-05-14
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