Test of IGRF (1980) main field and secular variation in Europe

Abstract

The IGRF-models for the main field and the secular variation (IGRF 1980 and IGRF-SV 1980–1985) have been compared with geomagnetic ground based data for epoch 1980.5 in the GDR, and also with the secular variation at 34 European observatories. The results for the main magnetic field were much better than for IGRF 1965. With a level-error of ∼ 45 nT, the IGRF 1980 included ∼ 75% of the magnetic crust field. The structure of the IGRF-field is similar to that of other regional reference fields. The IGRF-SV for 1965, 1975 and 1980–1985 have been compared with analytical SV-models, based on low-degree polynomial approximations. It is shown that the main features of SV in Europe are represented correctly. The mean differences between observatory data and IGRF-SV 1980–1985 are 1.5′/a for declination, and 7 nT/a for total intensity.