Relocation of the north magnetic dip pole

Abstract

An analysis of data gathered between May 13 and May 18, 1984, gives a new position for the north magnetic dip pole of 77.0°N, 102.3°W. The pole has moved an average of 11.6 km per year approximately northwest during the past decade. Data used in the analysis consisted of absolute observations of the magnetic declination, inclination, and total intensity for seven sites in the vicinity of the pole. Variometer data from King Christian Island were used in conjunction with the absolute observations to calculate mean values for the quietest 6 h interval during the survey period. Additional data from Resolute Bay observatory allowed further reduction of the observations to representative annual mean values, centred at 1983.9, from which the pole position was determined using the novel method of spherical cap harmonic analysis.