Scientific Theme: Advanced Modeling and Observing Systems

Scientific Theme: Geodynamics
ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR NGDC05.3:
The two primary reference models for magnetic navigation and pointing are
the World Magnetic Model and the International Geomagnetic Reference
Field. The CIRES geomagnetism team is strongly involved in producing and
supporting both of these models. This requires a detailed monitoring of the
time variations of the geomagnetic field. These time variations are captured
in scientific main field models, which are updated every year.
CIRES scientists working at NGDC produce and support a main magnetic
field model called POtsdam Magnetic Model of the Earth (POMME), in
collaboration with the CHAMP satellite team at GeoForschungsZentrum
Potsdam. The time variations of the geomagnetic field, as measured by the
CHAMP satellite from 2000.5 to 2007.5, are represented as a second degree
Taylor series expansion in time around the model epoch 2004.0. The first
time derivative (secular variation) and the second time derivative (secular
acceleration) are displayed in the figure to the right. With this Taylor series
expansion, the geomagnetic field can be predicted forward in time for
periods up to a few years. Further details and images can be found at
http://geomag.org/models/pomme4.html.
Secular variation (top) and secular acceleration (bottom)
of the geomagnetic field as given by POMME-4 model
MILESTONE NGDC05.4:
Produce bathymetric-topographic digital elevation models sufficient for tsunami propagation, run
up and inundation prediction for 19 priority regions, defined by the U.S. tsunami community.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR NGDC05.4:
CIRES researchers developed 21 high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) for select tsunami-threatened
U.S. coastal regions. These combined bathymetric–topographic DEMs are used to support tsunami forecasting and
modeling efforts at the NOAA Center for Tsunami Research, Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL).
The DEMs are part of the tsunami forecast system SIFT (Short-term Inundation Forecasting for Tsunamis) currently
being developed by PMEL for the NOAA Tsunami Warning Centers, and are used in the MOST (Method of
Splitting Tsunami) model developed by PMEL to simulate tsunami generation, propagation, and inundation.
Bathymetric, topographic, and shoreline data used in DEM compilation are obtained from various sources, including
NGDC, NOAA‘s National Ocean Service (NOS), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (USACE), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and other federal, state, and local
government agencies, academic institutions, and private companies. DEMs are referenced to the vertical tidal datum
of Mean High Water (MHW) and horizontal datum of World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84). Geographic cell
sizes for the DEMs range from 1/3 arc-second (~10 meters) to 3 arc-seconds (~90 meters). This project is a priority
for NOAA; it has been presented to Congressional staffers, and featured on the NOAA website.
Perspective view of the 1 arc-second Puerto Rico DEM. Elevations range from -6612 meters (purple) to 1330
meters (dark red).
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