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This page contains links to resources providing general background information on geomagnetism and paleomagnetism. It is currently under construction and if you have comments or suggestions, please email them to Nicola Richmond.
Choose from:
Background Information - Earth and Rock Magnetisation
- Gallery of electromagnetic personalities, including 42 scientists such as Coulomb, Faraday, Kelvin and Tesla.
- The Great Magnet, the Earth by David P. Stern. A non-mathematical historical overview of the Earth's magnetism, written for the 400th anniversary of William Gilbert's book "De Magnete," covered in some detail. Also discusses electromagnetism, solar magnetism, dynamo theory, ocean floor magnetization, and magnetospheres of Earth and planets. Includes a long review "A Millennium of Geomagnetism," several detailed articles on teaching magnetism in high schools (including classroom demonstrations) and translations to Spanish, German and French. (also some Polish). Has a large section of questions from users, with answers.
- Hitchhiker's Guide to Magnetism, written by Bruce Moskowitz for the Environmental Magnetism Workshop held in 1991. A detailed introduction to rock magnetism, including classes of magnetic materials, magnetic anisotropy, domain theory, types of remanence and more.
- Lectures in Paleomagentism by Lisa Tauxe. Lecture notes from the graduate class "Rock and Paleomganetism" taught at Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
- Resources list at the Centre for Enviromental Magnetism and Paleomagnetism, Lancaster University. Includes links to information on paleomagnetics, the magnetic polarity time scale and the atlas of magnetic minerals under the microscope.
- The Exploration of the Earth's Magnetosphere by David P. Stern. A non-mathematical overview of research on the magnetic space environment around Earth, about 80 files, illustrated, includes Spanish version (MIntro.html) and one in French (incomplete), glossary, timeline, Q and A from users, teacher guidance, a history overview and articles "Birth of a Radiation Belt" and "Secrets of the Polar Aurora." Stresses history, also conceptual understanding and some basics such as electrons, ions and their motion in space, plasmas and energy.
- A Beginners Guide to the Earth's Magnetosphere. An introduction to the magnetosphere writen by Stanley Cowley.
- Geomagnetic tutorials, including the "Conductivity of the Ionosphere" by Stefan Maus and "Magnetospheric Currents at Quiet Times" by Robert L. McPherron.