About

The mission of the U.S. Geological Survey's Geomagnetism Program is to monitor the Earth's magnetic field. Using ground-based observatories, the Program provides continuous records of magnetic field variations covering long timescales; disseminates magnetic data to various governmental, academic, and private institutions; and conducts research into the nature of geomagnetic variations.

For centuries, the compass has been used for orientation and navigation, with the north-seeking tendency of its magnetized needle responding to Earth's magnetic field. Magnetic maps and charts need to be updated every few years, an on-going project that requires the collection of magnetic data as the field is complicated in shape and changes over time.

In response to the rapidly evolving science of geomagnetism and the ever more stringent demands of the scientific community, Program staff are constantly upgrading and modernizing the observatory network. Geomagnetism is headquartered with the USGS Geologic Hazards Team in Golden, Colorado, which also includes staff supported by the Earthquake Hazards and Landslide Hazards Programs.