dip pole

views updated May 08 2018

dip pole A point, usually on the Earth's surface, where the magnetic vector is vertical, i.e. the inclination is 90°. A positive (downward) inclination is a positive (north) dip pole, and a negative (upward) inclination is a negative (south) dip pole. Many dip poles exist and these are not the same as the two geomagnetic poles.

dip pole

views updated May 18 2018

dip pole Either of two imaginary points on the Earth's surface where the direction of the Earth's magnetic field is vertical (downwards at the North Pole, upwards at the South Pole).

dip pole

views updated May 18 2018

dip pole A point, usually on the Earth's surface, where the magnetic vector is vertical (i.e. the inclination is 90°). A positive (downward) inclination is a positive (north) dip pole, and a negative (upward) inclination is a negative (south) dip pole. Many dip poles exist and these are not the same as the two geomagnetic poles.