[Geomag-data] USGS Adjusted Geomagnetic Data update for 01-September-2020

[Rigler, Erin (Josh) Joshua]

The USGS Geomagnetism Program's Adjusted Data (aka "Provisional" by INTERMAGNET) provides near real time absolutely calibrated and geographically oriented geomagnetic observations. These calibration parameters are updated on the first of each month in order to satisfy geomagnetic observatory standards for accuracy and quality control. Updates are deployed at midnight UTC, and may result in noticeable baseline shifts for observatories whose sensor response characteristics may have changed substantially since the last such update, or in rare cases, whose actual sensor has been altered or replaced since the last update. To view the results of this month's update, go to:

https://geomag.usgs.gov/plots/?timeRangeType=custom&endTime=2020-09-01T00:30:00.000Z&startTime=2020-08-31T23:30:00.000Z&type=adjusted

There are several noteworthy issues to report in this notice:

  *   Honolulu (HON) had been experiencing significant drift in its fluxgate sensor for several months, mostly the vertical (Z) axis. Efforts to fix this remotely appear to have succeeded, so HON's Adjusted Data feed has been re-enabled.
  *   Newport (NEW)'s total field (F) sensor has been unable to return good data since mid-July, which in turn impacts 3-axis fluxgate calibrations. There remains a small probability that this may be fixed via software, but otherwise NEW will remain offline until personnel can safely replace equipment.
  *   Deadhorse (DED) continues to remain offline because no calibration measurements have been made for approximately 5 months due to lack of industry partner support at the site due to COVID19-related changes in operations.
  *   Shumagin (SHU) experienced a large (M7.8) earthquake on July 21st, and almost a month of aftershocks. The shaking disrupted the sensor mechanically, causing uncalibrated offsets. Aftershocks appear to have subsided, and USGS Geomagnetism Program personnel taken initial measurements to re-calibrate the sensor. SHU's Adjusted Data feed has been re-enabled, but customers are advised that seismic activity may still cause occasional offsets.

  *   Finally, this month's calibration coefficients for Stennis (BSL) were initially mis-configured, leading to a large DC offset upon deployment. This was discovered immediately, but the fix could not be applied and deployed until 04:00:00 UTC.

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