Synchrony between dipole and quadrupole during magnetic field reversals and excursions

Abstract

In contrast to reversals, excursions of the geomagnetic field can occur at lower convection intensities in the Earth’s core. Since in such geodynamo regimes the behavior of the magnetic field is still quasi regular, a reduction of the dipole field during an excursion may indicate a global failure of the dynamo process. As a consequence, it is possible that during the excursion, not only the dipole component, but also the higher harmonics of the field decrease. This hypothesis is tested in a three-dimensional (3D) dynamo model.