New Zealand Geomagnetic Database

This database documents the short-term and long-term fluctuations in the Earth's regional (New Zealand) magnetic field captured by magnetic observatories.


Magnetic Observatories record variations with time of the earth’s magnetic field at a fixed point. A magnetic field is completely described by three components, these are usually HDZ or XYZ, where H is the horizontal magnetic field strength, D is the declination or angle between the direction of the magnetic field and true north, Z is the vertical magnetic strength, and X and Y are the magnetic field strengths in the true north and east directions. It is also common to record F, the total magnetic field strength, on a separate instrument, although that can be calculated from HDZ or XYZ.


New Zealand operates magnetic observatories in Canterbury (the Eyrewell Geomagnetic Observatory that succeeded the Christchurch and Amberley observatories and is now located at West Melton) and Scott Base in Antarctica, and supports the Apia observatory in Samoa.


Eyrewell (EYR), Scott Base (SBA) and Apia (API) geomagnetic observatories are important contributors to the ~120 station INTERMAGNET global network that monitors the Earth’s magnetic field. All observatories follow INTERMAGNET requirements and standards.


The continuous part of the data collection is run by an automated system that is recording data every second. Manual measurements are conducted by a local observer for 1 hour once every week. EYR also relies on data recorded at a joined GeoNet site located at Summerhill (Canterbury).


Raw 1-second data in miniseed format is archived for all three observatories plus for the Summerhill site.


Preliminary 1-second and 1-minute data are submitted to INTERMAGNET in a standardized file format every hour.


Definitive 1-minute data for EYR, SBA and API is being submitted to INTERMAGNET annually. Before INTERMAGNET definitive data are being published an international multi-step reviewing process is being applied to ensure international standards are being met.


K-index values are calculated from data recorded at EYR and its predecessor Amberley (AML).


Historic paper records are being stored, with some of them being scanned into digital images.

Simple

Date (Creation)
1901-11-01
Purpose

GNS Science measures and monitors the magnetic field primarily as a contribution to the world scientific community but also to provide reference information for various kinds of magnetic surveys conducted.


One of the main purposes of magnetic field records is to monitor the rapid variations caused by electrical currents in the ionosphere, which are in turn due to particles and waves emitted from the sun. Strong variations, known as magnetic storms, can have serious consequences to power and communication systems, and disturb satellites.


Another purpose is to monitor the slower changes of the magnetic field, which are driven by changing dynamics within the Earth's outer core. Originally this was particularly important for ship navigation, but there are now a wide range of purposes for this data.


Observatories in New Zealand and Samoa provide the only continuous data from about a 90° arc of the Southern Hemisphere, one eighth of the globe.


GNS Science possesses a continuous reference series of geomagnetic measurements back to 1901 thereby enabling the identification of long term changes in Earth's magnetic field.
Status
On going
Point of contact
Organisation name Individual name Electronic mail address Role

GNS Science

geomag@gns.cri.nz

Point of contact
Maintenance and update frequency
Continual
Keywords

  • Geomagnetism

  • Magnetic

  • Amberley Observatory

  • Apia Observatory

  • Eyrewell Magnetic Observatory

  • New Zealand

  • Samoa

  • Scott Base

  • Antarctica

  • Magnetic

  • Christchurch Magnetic Observatory

  • Geomagnetic

  • Geomag

  • magnetometer

  • network

  • space weather
Use constraints
Copyright
Other constraints

The data is made available through INTERMAGNET - the global network of observatories, monitoring the Earth's magnetic field. The data is provided for your own internal use only; it is not for commercial use, sale or distribution to third parties without the written permission of GNS Science. Publications making use of the data should include an acknowledgment statement as specified by INTERMAGNET.


GNS Science has made all reasonable endeavours to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the datasets but gives no warranties and makes no representations (express or implied) as to its accuracy, completeness or fitness for purpose, or title. GNS Science accepts no liability on account of errors in any of the information and each user must rely on its own inquiries. GNS Science excludes liability for any loss, damage or expense, direct or indirect and however caused, whether through negligence or otherwise resulting from any person, company or organisation's use of, or reliance on, these data. In no circumstances will GNS Science be liable for consequential, indirect, special or punitive damages. Use of the product will be deemed to be acceptance of these terms.
Classification
Unclassified
Language
English
Topic category
  • Geoscientific information
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Begin date
1902-01-01
Distribution format
Name Version

IAGA2002

2002
Distributor contact
Organisation name Individual name Electronic mail address Role

GNS Science

datamanagement@gns.cri.nz

Point of contact
OnLine resource
Protocol Linkage Name

WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link

 		https://www.gns.cri.nz/data-and-resources/new-zealand-geomagnetic-database/

New Zealand Geomagnetic Database
OnLine resource
Protocol Linkage Name

WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link

 		https://intermagnet.org/new_data_download.html

INTERMAGNET data
Hierarchy level
Dataset
Statement

There was a succession of 3 observatories in or near Christchurch: the first was established in the Botanic Gardens (1901-1958; paper records), the second at Amberley (1916-1977; paper records), and the third at Eyrewell (1978-1995; paper records). In 1994 digital equipment was installed at Eyrewell allowing it to become an INTERMAGNET observatory.


Magnetic measurements began at Scott Base for the International Geophysical Year in 1957. GNS has paper records from 1957-1994. Scott Base became an INTERMAGNET observatory in 1996.


Magnetic measurements in Apia began in 1902. GNS has paper records from 1907-1994. In 1998 the installation of a digital system allowed Apia to become an INTERMAGNET observatory.


Real-time data is now sent to INTERMAGNET Geomagnetic Information Nodes within 72 hours of recording.

Metadata

File identifier
56c42b24-b93d-46d1-8e7a-4e0a1051881f XML
Metadata language
English
Character set
UTF8
Hierarchy level
Dataset
Hierarchy level name

Dataset
Date stamp
2024-09-19T00:09:13.512687Z
Metadata standard name

ISO 19115:2003/19139
Metadata standard version

1.0
Metadata author
Organisation name Individual name Electronic mail address Role

GNS Science

datamanagement@gns.cri.nz

Point of contact
 
 

Overviews

overview
Absolute magnetic hut located in Christchurch Botanical Gardens circa 1910-1926

Spatial extent

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Keywords


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