International geomagnetic reference field

From Glossary of Meteorology



International Geomagnetic Reference Field

(Abbreviated IGRF.) A geomagnetic field defined by a mathematical formula and believed to be the best analytical description of the complete geomagnetic field.

This formula includes a series of spherical harmonic terms, each of which has a coefficient that determines the strength of that term. Since the geomagnetic field changes with time, these coefficients are upgraded every five years by a committee of the International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy. The IGRF is thought to represent the geomagnetic field due to deep earth processes. It does not include wavelengths shorter than a few thousand kilometers since these are thought to be due to crustal magnetization rather than deep earth processes. Accordingly the value of the geomagnetic field measured at a location may differ somewhat from that given by the IGRF.


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