Everyone knows there are magnetic fields all over the earth. It is how your compass works. For the first time a map Earth’s entire magnetic field has been made.

The first global map of magnetic peculiarities - or anomalies - on Earth has been assembled by an international team of researchers.

Magnetic anomalies are caused by differences in the magnetisation of the rocks in the Earth’s crust.

The magnetic signature of the Earth’s crust has been measured for many decades by a multitude of groups; but now, for the first time, the data has been combined to give a truly worldwide view of the phenomenon.

It would be interesting if some enterprising avian researcher would combine this magnetic information with migration charts of migratory birds. Birds are well known for their magnetoreception, it would be interesting to see if there is a correlation to magnetic “landmarks” and migratory paths.

More information on the project can be seen at the project home - World Digital Magnetic Anomaly Map