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Modelling polarity transitions with radial dipole sources: Geomagnetic field behavior at northern mid‐latitudes
Author(s) -
Kaiser Alen D.,
Verosub Kenneth L.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/gl012i011p00777
Subject(s) - earth's magnetic field , polarity (international relations) , geophysics , dipole , geology , geomagnetic secular variation , geomagnetic pole , latitude , dynamo , mantle (geology) , physics , magnetic field , geodesy , chemistry , geomagnetic storm , biochemistry , quantum mechanics , cell
The behavior of the geomagnetic field during polarity transitions has been studied by modelling Parker‐Levy cyclonic convection cells with radial dipole sources located at the core/mantle boundary. The polarity transitions are generated by inverting the dipoles in an ever‐increasing spherical cap. Initial results for observation sites at northern mid‐latitudes demonstrate the dependence of the observed behavior of the geomagnetic field on the location of the center of the spherical cap. Although the modelling reproduces certain features of earlier models, it also accounts for observed phenomena not predicted by the other models. By initiating the reversal at 70°S, 30°W, we obtain a good fit to the available data for the Brunhes‐Matuyama transition as observed at northern‐latitude sites.