UK Geomagnetic Observatory One-Minute Values Since 1979

Digital one-minute mean values of geomagnetic field elements recorded at Lerwick, Eskdalemuir, and Hartland observatories. Data spans from 1979 to the present day, collected by the British Geological Survey. Most data are definitive, though recent and early years are provisional.

Use Cases

• Analyze rates of change in the geomagnetic field using long-term one-minute value sequences.
• Calibrate or validate the BGS Global Geomagnetic Model with definitive observatory data.
• Provide reference data for exploration geophysicists engaged in oil exploration surveys.

Strengths

• Data collection spans over 40 years, from 1979 to the present day.
• Covers three distinct UK observatories: Lerwick, Eskdalemuir, and Hartland.
• Provides one-minute temporal resolution for detailed geomagnetic analysis.

Limitations

• Recent data (last 2-3 years) and data from 1979-1982 are provisional and subject to future correction.
• Available file format is HTML, which is non-standard for numerical data analysis and requires parsing.
• Specific column structure, row count, and data volume are unknown from the provided input.

Provenance

Source

British Geological Survey (BGS)

Collection Method

Recorded by geomagnetic observatory instruments.

Time Range

1979 to present day

Freshness

Updated to the present day, with a metadata last update timestamp of 2026-03-11.

Geography

United Kingdom (Lerwick, Eskdalemuir, and Hartland observatories)