The earliest measurements of the Earth's magnetic field were of declination. By 1600 these measurements were widespread, but widespread measurements of dip are available only after 1700, and of intensity only after 1832. Global models of the Earth's magnetic field for these very early times must therefore be augmented by indirect measurements of dip and intensity using paleomagnetic methods.
Suppose that the declination is known everywhere and a potential field
B′ (=ΔΨ′) has been found that matches it. Then the ratio of the horizontal intensity of this field to the true value is found to be constant along the lines of constant Ψ′. Thus one measurement of horizontal intensity on each line is sufficient to determine the horizontal field, and hence the complete field, uniquely.
Contours of Ψ′ encircle the dip-poles, and so, for example, it would be sufficient to measure horizontal intensity along a single line joining the dip-poles to provide good global coverage.
The quantity of paleomagnetic information needed for the horizontal intensity is quite small. The Earth's field at present has only two dip-poles, and measurements at some 10 sites spaced approximately evenly in latitude, and approximately 50y apart in time, should be adequate.
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