A Profile of the Geomagnetic Model User and Abuser

Abstract

Numerical models of the Earth's magnetic field, most commonly in the form of a set of spherical harmonic coefficients, have found applications in fields as disparate as biology, exploration geophysics, land surveying, drilling engineering, navigation, and the study of the Earth's deep interior. A survey, including statistical summaries of these applications are presented. The implications of model abuse will be discussed.