Scientists Mine 16th Century Ship Logs for Geophysical Research

Explore the fascinating intersection of history and geophysics in this 24-minute AGU podcast episode. Discover how scientists mined 16th-century ship logs to create the first-ever magnetic field map spanning four centuries. Learn about the challenges of transforming historical measurements into cutting-edge scientific data, as recounted by the historian who spearheaded the project. Delve into topics such as Earth's magnetic field, the intricacies of handling ship logs, the role of geophysicists, and the creation of a global field map. Gain insights into the Age of Sail navigation techniques and enjoy a touch of maritime culture with sea shanties. Produced by Jenessa Duncombe and mixed by Kayla Surrey, this episode offers a unique blend of scientific discovery and historical exploration.