Study of total magnetic field intensity variation (F) at Maitri, Antarctica variations over 1922-1996

Abstract

The total geomagnetic field intensity (F) was recorded at the Indian Antarctic Station, Maitri (MAI), during Jan 1996, using a Proton Precession Magnetometer (PPM). The PPM data was compared with the variations in intensity of the three orthogonal components of the geomagnetic field X, Y and recorded by using a Fluxgate Magnetometer (FM). The F values as expected, showed a matching trend with the Z component during magnetically quiet conditions. During magnetically disturbed conditions however, a sizeable contribution from the other two components X and Y, was also observed. A remarkable observation was that the total field at Maitri, when compared to the value at this geographic location from previous records had declined by 9000 nT over the period .1922-1996.