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Tyler 2005
Tyler, R.H. (2005). A simple formula for estimating the magnetic fields generated by tsunami flow. Geophysical Research Letters 32: doi: 10.1029/2005GL022429. issn: 0094-8276.

Ocean flow is known to generate magnetic fields which reach land and satellite observatories with detectable amplitudes. But because the expected signal-to-noise ratio is poor, one must typically know in advance of the data analyses much about the expected behavior in order to identify these small oceanic contributions. We show that in the case of ocean flow associated with tsunamis, a very simple formula (relating both amplitudes and phase) allows the expected magnetic fields to be directly related to the sea surface displacement. Using sea surface data from Jason 1, the formula gives maximum magnetic amplitudes of about 2 nT for the recent Dec. 26, 2004 tsunami which occurred near the magnetic equator. But near the magnetic poles, the maximum amplitudes reach about 20 nT per meter sea surface displacement. Determining the feasibility for extraction of tsunami generated magnetic signals is of interest in designing early-warning systems and for remotely tracking tsunami development.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Exploration Geophysics, Magnetic and electrical methods, Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism, Dynamo, theories and simulations, Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism, Geomagnetic induction, Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism, Satellite magnetics, main field, crustal field, external field
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
http://www.agu.org/journals/gl/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
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