A representation function for a distribution of points on the unit sphere-with applications to analyses of the distribution of virtual geomagnetic poles

DOI PDF Web Site Web Site Web Site 1 Citations 23 References

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • A representation function for a distribution of points on the unit sphere--with aplications to analysies of the distribution of virtual geomagnetic poles
  • representation function for a distribution of points on the unit sphere with aplications to analysies of the distribution of virtual geomagnetic poles
  • A representation function for a distribution of points on the unit sphere—with applications to analyses of the distribution of virtual geomagnetic poles

Search this article

Abstract

An arbitrary point distribution consisting of a finite number of points on a unit sphere may be completely and uniquely represented by an analytic function in the form of a spherical harmonic expansion. The applications of this representation function are illustrated in an analysis of the symmetries in the virtual geomagnetic pole (VGP) distribution of the polarity reversal records of the past 10 million years. We find that the longitudinal confinements in the VGP distribution are (a) persistent only in the equatorially symmetric part (of the non-zonal symmetries) of the VGP distribution and (b) strong along the east coast of the North American continent and weak along the longitudes of East Asia-Australia. We also find that the equatorially symmetric patterns in the VGP distribution appear to extend preferentially into the Pacific Ocean and are relatively depleted in the longitude band associated with Africa.

Journal

  • Earth, Planets and Space

    Earth, Planets and Space 55 (7), 395-404, 2003

    Society of Geomagnetism and Earth, Planetary and Space Sciences, The Seismological Society of Japan, The Volcanological Society of Japan , The Geodetic Society of Japan , The Japanese Society for Planetary Sciences

Citations (1)*help

See more

References(23)*help

See more

Keywords

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top