VA138

This magnetic inclinometer is a specialized instrument designed to measure the angle of the Earth’s magnetic field relative to the horizontal plane. This angle, known as magnetic inclination or magnetic dip, is a fundamental element in understanding the planet’s magnetic field. Unlike a compass, which measures the horizontal component (declination), the inclinometer measures the vertical component, indicating how steeply the magnetic field lines dive into or rise from the Earth’s surface.

The core operating principle relies on a magnetized needle, free to pivot in the vertical plane. This needle aligns itself with the direction of the local magnetic field lines. At the magnetic equator, the field lines are parallel to the Earth’s surface, resulting in an inclination of 0°. As one moves towards the magnetic poles, the angle increases, reaching 90° directly at the poles, where the field lines point straight down or up.

Historically, this instrument was vital for early navigation and geomagnetic studies. Today, its applications are diverse. It is crucial in the oil and gas industry for orienting drill strings in directional drilling. In aerospace and marine navigation, it supplements other systems for determining attitude. Geophysicists use it in field surveys to map magnetic anomalies for mineral exploration or archaeological investigations.

In essence, the magnetic inclinometer is a key tool for directly probing the vertical dimension of the geomagnetic field, providing critical data that bridges navigation, geophysics, and industrial operations. Its measurements offer a simple yet powerful insight into the forces generated by the Earth’s core.