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Geomagnetic and seismological data collected from Scott Base, Cape Evans (Ross Island) and Lake Vanda

Entry ID: K102_1959_2012_NZ_1

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Summary

Abstract: Geomagnetic and seismological measurements were established in Antarctica in 1957 as part of the International Geophysical Year and have continued until present. Geomagnetic data have been recorded continuously but for a gap in the data from 1959 until 1963. Since 1963, the components of the earth’s magnetic field (H, D & Z) and the large variations in this field associated with the arriving ... charged particles which produce magnetic storms and aurora, have in principle been recorded continuously, with the quality improving as various upgrades were done. The instruments are still located at Scott Base. Because the surface volcanic rocks at Scott Base are strongly magnetised, two other sites are used for repeat measurements of the earth's magnetic field - Cape Evans (first measured by Scott’s expedition in 1911) and Lake Vanda (first measured in 1974). The magnetic field is remeasured at these sites approximately every five years. Three component recordings of geomagnetic field variations are made, analysed and transmitted to international databases and individual researchers as appropriate. Seismological data have been recorded since 1957 at Scott Base and since 1986 near Vanda Station in the Dry Valleys (VNDA) .The VNDA program was taken over by the USGS (run out of Albuquerque) in 2002 when US and international institutions linked the Dry Valley seismographs into an international telemetered global seismograph network and analysis system. Three component seismological recordings of ground motion are made and analysed for teleseismic events and the location of earthquakes around the globe. This research project forms part of a global networks of observatory seismographs and magnetometers which provide i) information for the study of earthquakes and earth structure and ii) information on the variation of the earth's geomagnetic field on global and regional scales. A 3 component broadband seismometer (SBA) is still located at Scott Base. It forms a vital part of the global network and in the case of seismological or earthquake studies, the Scott Base seismographs are particularly important as the station lies close to the azimuth of the plate boundary and major active tectonic features through New Zealand. The instrument is operated throughout the year and maintained every year.

2011/2012 We recorded the magnetic field at the Weir site by Lake Vanda, but the site at Astro A is now inaccessible and probably underwater, because the lake level has risen. We established a backup site called C Granite, slightly north-east of Weir, and on the same side of the Onyx River as the refuge huts. The preliminary results indicate that the vertical component, and the total strength of the field are continuing to decline as the South Magnetic Pole moves north. Final results can only be calculated when we have a longer period of magnetic data from the Scott Base observatory, to correct our results for annual changes.

Related URL

Link: GET DATA

Description: The data has been made publically available via INTERMAGNET

Geographic Coverage

(Click for Interactive Map)

Spatial coordinates

N: -77.85

S: -77.85

E: 166.75

W: 166.75

N: -77.52

S: -77.52

E: 161.83

W: 161.83

N: -77.63

S: -77.63

E: 166.4

W: 166.4

Temporal Coverage

Start Date: 1958-01-01

Location Keywords

CONTINENT > ANTARCTICA

CONTINENT > ANTARCTICA > SCOTT BASE

Science Keywords

SOLID EARTH > GEOMAGNETISM > MAGNETIC FIELD > MAGNETIC DECLINATION

SOLID EARTH > GEOMAGNETISM > MAGNETIC FIELD

ISO Topic Category

GEOSCIENTIFIC INFORMATION

Platform

GROUND STATIONS

Instrument

MAGNETOMETERS

SEISMOGRAPHS

SEISMOMETERS

Quality INTERMAGNET data are available as magnetograms or as digital data files at the provided GET DATA URL link.

Preliminary data can be downloaded via your browser. These data are generally available for the day previous to the current one. For some of the more remoter observatories data are not available for several days.

Definitive data in INTERMAGNET ...

Data Set Progress

IN WORK

Data Center

Antarctica New Zealand, New Zealand Antarctic Institute, New Zealand

Data Center URL: http://www.antarcticanz.govt.nz/

Data Center Personnel
Name: SHULAMIT GORDON Phone: +64 3 358 0200 Fax: +64 3 358 0211 Email: s.gordon at antarcticanz.govt.nz Contact Address: Antarctica New Zealand Private Bag 4745 City: Christchurch Country: New Zealand

Personnel

TONY HURST

Role: INVESTIGATOR

Phone: +64 4 570 4813

Fax: +64 4 570 4600

Email: T.Hurst at gns.cri.nz

Contact Address:

Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences

PO Box 30368

City: Lower Hutt

Postal Code: 5040

Country: NEW ZEALAND

CEISHA POIROT

Role: DIF AUTHOR

Phone: +64 3 358 0200

Fax: +64 3 358 0211

Email: c.poirot at antarcticanz.govt.nz

Contact Address:

Antarctica New Zealand

Private Bag 4745

City: Christchurch

Country: New Zealand

SHULAMIT GORDON

Role: DIF AUTHOR

Phone: +64 3 358 0200

Fax: +64 3 358 0211

Email: s.gordon at antarcticanz.govt.nz

Contact Address:

Antarctica New Zealand

Private Bag 4745

City: Christchurch

Country: New Zealand

Creation and Review Dates

DIF Creation Date: 2009-06-22

Last DIF Revision Date: 2012-06-08

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