Electromagnetic induction in New Zealand: analogue model and field results

Abstract

The behaviour of electric and magnetic variations over North Island (New Zealand) is studied with the aid of a laboratory analogue model. The source field frequencies used in the analogue modelling simulate naturally occurring geomagnetic variations of 5–120 min periods. In-phase and quadrature magnetic and electric fields for a selection of traverses for the modelled region of North Island are presented. Since North Island is of a relatively narrow cross-section, the field responses, even for inland locations, are expected to show strongly the effects of the surrounding ocean. The irregular coastlines, as well as the strait between North and South Islands, lead to coastal and inland field anomalies due to induced currents being deflected and channelled to produce localized current densities. The comparison of model results with field station measurements obtained earlier individually by Ingham and by Midha for sites in the northeastern, central, and southern (near Cook Strait) regions of North Island demonstrates the large role the ocean has in the observed field responses. Differences in the model and field results at some sites are expected and should reflect the effects of the local geology and the conductive substructure related to the complex tectonics of the region not simulated in the model.