Fifth‐generation lithospheric magnetic field model from CHAMP satellite measurements

Abstract

Six years of low‐orbit CHAMP satellite magnetic measurements have provided an exceptionally high‐quality data resource for lithospheric magnetic field modeling and interpretation. Here we describe the fifth‐generation satellite‐only magnetic field model MF5. The model extends to spherical harmonic degree 100. As a result of careful data selection, extensive corrections, filtering, and line leveling, the model has low noise levels, even if evaluated at the Earth's surface. The model is particularly suited for inferring large‐scale structure and composition of the lithosphere. It is also meant to serve as the long‐wavelength part of continental‐ and global‐scale marine and aeromagnetic anomaly maps.