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The main magnetic field of Earth, as observed at the surface, changes continuously with time. Changes of very short duration compared with geologic processes are called secular variation. Observations of declination made in London since 1540, for example, show that the direction of the field at that site has nearly completed a full cycle with a peak-to-peak amplitude of 30°. Οther components of the field have been observed for a shorter length of time, but they also are exhibiting similar rapid change. The characteristics of the secular variation are often represented by superimposing maps of the rate of change of ...(100 of 14820 words)