Background Information on 
Geomagnetic Field Monitoring and Space Weather Forecasting

The Geomagnetic Hazards program of the Geological Survey of Canada, Natural Resources Canada, is responsible for the permanent monitoring and forecasting of the geomagnetic field and its impact in Canada.  This involves operation of the Canadian magnetic observatories, production of magnetic field models and charts, operation of the Canadian Space Weather Forecast Centre, and research on forecasting and the effects of geomagnetic disturbances.  

The first magnetic observatory in Canada was established in 1839 at a site that is now in the middle of the city of Toronto. Data from the Toronto observatory were used in the discovery that magnetic activity follows the 11 year solar cycle.  The Meanook observatory in Alberta was established in 1916 and a number of observatories were established in the 1950s.  Since then the observatory network has grown to 13 observatories with locations spanning the country from east to west and extending from the sub-auroral region in the south of Canada, through the auroral zone to the polar cap in the north.  Data from the Canadian observatories are used in the production of the international standard indices of magnetic activity such as AE and Kp.  The observatory group is also an active participant in INTERMAGNET.

The Canadian Geomagnetic Reference Field (CGRF) is derived from the magnetic observatory data, repeat station measurements and airborne and satellite magnetic survey data.  The CGRF is used to produce magnetic charts for Canada and to supply declination information for use on Canadian maps and charts.  Information about magnetic declination for specific sites is continually in demand and declination calculations can now be made through our web site.  The Canadian magnetic field data are also used in compiling the International Geomagnetic Reference Field (IGRF) which has space applications including its use in many magnetospheric magnetic field models such as the Tsyganenko models and for mapping spacecraft anomalies related to the South Atlantic Anomaly. 

Forecasts of geomagnetic activity began in Canada in 1974 by the Geomagnetism Division of the Earth Physics Branch of the federal Department of Energy, Mines and Resources. In those early days, the forecasts were long-term for up to 27 days in advance.  Primary users included geophysical exploration companies, for scheduling aeromagnetic surveys and ground magnetic surveys. In 1976 regular short-term forecasts were introduced.  Since then the production and delivery of forecasts has evolved considerably with separate forecasts now being produced for sub-auroral, auroral, and polar regions and made available via the web page, by ftp, and through an automated voice message system. Since the 1980s exchange of data has been facilitated through membership in the International Space Environment Service (ISES)  and the Ottawa Forecast Centre is now one of ten ISES regional warning centres around the world. 

Knowing that a geomagnetic disturbance is coming is of limited value without understanding the effects it can have and how to correct for them.  The Geomagnetic Hazards group works closely with industry to investigate how geomagnetic disturbances affect their systems.  Canadian power systems and pipelines, because of their location close to the auroral zone, are exposed to large electric fields during geomagnetic disturbances.  The Geomagnetic Hazards group is a pioneer in modelling the geomagnetic induction in power systems and pipelines and this modelling work has been called on by industry for help in designing cathodic protection systems for new pipelines and for simulation of geomagnetically induced currents in power systems.  The geomagnetic field from Canada also maps out to geostationary orbits and ground magnetic field measurements are used as an indicator of elevated particle levels that may affect satellite operation.

Information on the above work is available through the following web sites:

Geomagnetic Field Monitoring:	www.geolab.nrcan.gc.ca

Space Weather Forecasting:		www.spaceweather.gc.ca

For further information contact:

David Boteler
email:  dboteler@nrcan.gc.ca
tel:	613-837-2035
fax:	613-824-9803