The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV), in collaboration with the Italian Military Geographic Institute (IGM), has recently published the updated Magnetic Card of Italy, an essential tool for geophysical research and air, sea and land navigation.
The Card consists of four maps and is the result of a campaign of manual and instrumental measurements which recorded the spatial and temporal variations of the Earth’s magnetic field in 72 points previously selected by the Italian Magnetic Network.
Domenico Di Mauro, INGV researcher and co-author of the Card explained that “recording the magnetic field and its evolution over time provides important information for geophysical research,” adding that “updated magnetic declination information provide essential data for the air, sea and land navigation sector, crucial for correcting orientation when magnetic devices are used, such as compasses.”
“INGV has always played a key role in coordinating and actively participating in the measurement of the Earth’s magnetic field in Italy through the monitoring of its temporal evolution, the study of its spatial variations and the management of Geomagnetic Observatories,” added INGV researcher Guido Dominici, co-author of the Card.
“The publication of the Magnetic Card represents for us a result of great scientific importance, as well as testimony to the Institute’s constant commitment to research and monitoring the Earth’s magnetic field,” concluded Di Mauro.To receive the paper version of the Magnetic Card of Italy, please contact the Military Geographic Institute, while the digital version is available here.
