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World Magnetic Model 2015 version 2

browse graphicDeclination contour map in mercator projection
The World Magnetic Model is the standard model used by the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.K. Ministry of Defence, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), for navigation, attitude and heading referencing systems using the geomagnetic field. It is also used widely in civilian navigation and heading systems. The model is produced at 5-year intervals, with the current model expiring on December 31, 2019. The current model WMM2015v2 is produced jointly by the NGDC and the British Geological Survey (BGS). The model, associated software, and documentation are distributed by NGDC on behalf of US National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and by BGS on behalf of UK Defence Geographic Centre.
  • Cite as: Chulliat, A.; W. Brown. P; Alken; S. Macmillan; M. Nair; C. Beggan; A. Woods; B. Hamilton; B. Meyer; R. Redmon. 2019: World Magnetic Model 2015 version 2. 2. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/10.25921/xhr3-0t19. Accessed [date].
  • Please refer to Credit tab for full citation information.
gov.noaa.ngdc:WMM2015v2
XML
Download Data
  • WMM2015COFv2.zip (download)
    World Magnetic Model (WMM2015v2) coefficient file with test values and instructions.
  • WMM2015v2_Windows.zip (download)
    World Magnetic Model (WMM2015v2) with the new C software and executables for Windows environment.
  • WMM2015v2_Linux.tar.zip (download)
    World Magnetic Model (WMM2015v2) with new C software and executables for Linux environment.
  • WMM2015v2LegacyFortran.zip (download)
    World Magnetic Model (WMM2015v2) with Fortran source code and executables for Windows and Linux environments.
  • WMM2015v2LegacyC.zip (download)
    World Magnetic Model (WMM2015v2) with C source code and executables for Windows and Linux environments.
  • WMM2015v2GUI.zip (download)
    World Magnetic Model (WMM2015v2) with Stand-alone Graphical User Interface (GUI) for Windows and C source code.
Distribution Formats
  • WMM2015COFv2.zip (Version:1)
    • File Specification: World Magnetic Model (WMM2015v2) coefficient file with test values and instructions.
  • WMM2015v2_Windows.zip (Version:1)
    • File Specification: World Magnetic Model (WMM2015v2) with the new C software and executables for Windows environment.
  • WMM2015v2_Linux.tar.zip (Version:1)
    • File Specification: World Magnetic Model (WMM2015v2) with new C software and executables for Linux environment.
  • WMM2015v2LegacyFortran.zip (Version:1)
    • File Specification: World Magnetic Model (WMM2015v2) with Fortran source code and executables for Windows and Linux environments.
  • WMM2015v2LegacyC.zip (Version:1)
    • File Specification: World Magnetic Model (WMM2015v2) with C source code and executables for Windows and Linux environments.
  • WMM2015v2GUI.zip (Version:1)
    • File Specification: World Magnetic Model (WMM2015v2) with Stand-alone Graphical User Interface (GUI) for Windows and C source code.
Ordering Instructions Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
Distributor NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact NCEI Geomagnetic Modeling Team
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
geomag.models@noaa.gov
Time Period 2015-01-01 to 2019-12-31
Spatial Reference System urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4326
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West:-180
East:180
South:-90
North:90
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2019-02-04
Edition 2
Data Presentation Form mapDigital
Dataset Progress Status Complete - production of the data has been completed
Historical archive - data has been stored in an offline storage facility
Data Update Frequency As needed - Associated WMM2015v2 software may be updated as improvements are created.
Purpose Purpose statement not available
Use Limitations
  • Produced by the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Not subject to copyright protection within the United States.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: Chulliat, A.; W. Brown. P; Alken; S. Macmillan; M. Nair; C. Beggan; A. Woods; B. Hamilton; B. Meyer; R. Redmon. 2019: World Magnetic Model 2015 version 2. 2. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/10.25921/xhr3-0t19. Accessed [date].
  • Cite as: Chulliat, A., W. Brown, P. Alken, S. Macmillan, M. Nair, C. Beggan, A. Woods, B. Hamilton, B. Meyer and R. Redmon, 2019, Out-of-Cycle Update of the US/UK World Magnetic Model for 2015-2020: Technical Note, National Centers for Environmental Information, NOAA. doi: 10.25921/xhr3-0t19 [access date].
Cited Authors
  • Chulliat, A.
  • W. Brown
  • P. Alken
  • S. Macmillan
  • M. Nair
  • C. Beggan
  • A. Woods
  • B. Hamilton
  • B. Meyer
  • R. Redmon
Originators
  • NCEI Geomagnetic Modeling Team
Publishers
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Theme keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • Earth Science > Solid Earth > Geomagnetism > Magnetic Field
  • Earth Science > Solid Earth > Geomagnetism > Magnetic Intensity
  • Earth Science > Solid Earth > Geomagnetism > Magnetic Declination
  • Earth Science > Solid Earth > Geomagnetism > Magnetic Inclination
Data Center keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NGDC > National Geophysical Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Place keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Geographic Region > Global
Use Constraints
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
  • Cite as: Chulliat, A., W. Brown, P. Alken, S. Macmillan, M. Nair, C. Beggan, A. Woods, B. Hamilton, B. Meyer and R. Redmon, 2019, Out-of-Cycle Update of the US/UK World Magnetic Model for 2015-2020: Technical Note, National Centers for Environmental Information, NOAA. doi: 10.25921/xhr3-0t19 [access date].
Access Constraints
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
Other Constraints Cite as: Chulliat, A.; W. Brown. P; Alken; S. Macmillan; M. Nair; C. Beggan; A. Woods; B. Hamilton; B. Meyer; R. Redmon. 2019: World Magnetic Model 2015 version 2. 2. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/10.25921/xhr3-0t19. Accessed [date].
Fees
  • WMM2015 and associated softwares are all free and publically available.
Lineage information for:dataset
Processor
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Processing Steps
  • Measurements during daytime and during periods of strong solar activity are contaminated by external current systems, which are difficult to accurately model. Therefore, only nighttime data during magnetically quiet periods were used in generating the WMM coefficients.
  • Some contributions to the measured magnetic field, such as the diamagnetic effect of ionospheric plasma (Lühr et al, 2003) or motional induction by tidal ocean currents (Kuvshinov and Olsen, 2005; Maus, 2007), can be accurately modeled and were corrected for prior to the generation of the WMM main field coefficients.
  • To account for the contributions that have not been removed in the previous steps, an extended set of model parameters is co-estimated with the WMM model coefficients. These account for smaller-wavelength internal magnetic field contributions (spherical harmonic degree larger than 12), second time derivatives (secular acceleration) and contributions from currents external to the Earth. The set of WMM coefficients plus the extended model parameters is called a parent model of the WMM. Two different parent models were produced, reflecting different modeling strategies employed by NGDC for the main field model and BGS for the secular variation model.
Source Datasets
  • Swarm Satellite Data
  • ORSTED Satellite Data
  • CHAMP Satellite Data
  • INTERMAGNET Observatory Data
Lineage information for:repository
Processing Steps
  • 2015-04-22T00:00:00 -NOAA created the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) by merging NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), and National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), including the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC), per the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235. NCEI launched publicly on April 22, 2015.
Last Modified: 2020-05-14
For questions about the information on this page, please email:ncei.info@noaa.gov