API
Geomagnetic observatory Apia, Western Samoa
Operated by:
with support from:
- Institut für Geophysik, ETH Zürich, Switzerland, A. Jackson;
- GNS Science, Te Pü Ao, T. Petersen, T. Hurst, D. Whitaker;
- Geomagnetism Program, U.S. Geological Survey, C. Finn, A. Berarducci;
- Charles University in Prague, J. Velímský;
- J. Riddick
Reconstruction and upgrade of API was partly supported by cooperative agreement G12AC20421 (2012-2013) between USGS and ETH Zurich (A. Jackson).
Location
- 171°46'51.6" W, 13°48'54" S (Google Maps)
- local contact: Lameko Talia (Lameko.Talia@mnre.gov.ws), +685 20855
- address: Apia Observatory, Meteorology Division, Ministry of Natural Resources & Environment (MNRE), P.O. Box 3020, Apia, Samoa
Equipment
- Mingeo 020 declinometer/inclinometer (Zeiss Theo 020 + DMI Model G FGM)
- Gemsys GSM-90F1 Overhauser magnetometer
- DMI FGM-FGE triaxial suspended fluxgate variometer
Data access
- Local data access (password protected)
- Data display (VAR only, FullHD screen recommended)
- Intermagnet (VAR within 24 h)
Milestones
- 2011/11 New instrumentation and variometer enclosures installed (Berarducci, USGS, Whitaker, GNS)
- 2012/12 Storm damage
- 2014/01 Damage to absolute roof hut
- 2014/02 Temporary repair to roof (Jackson, ETH)
- 2014/03 repair of heating in variometer hut (Whitaker, GNS)
- 2014/05 Extensive upgrades to absolute hut (Berarducci, USGS), pillar measurements and tracing the noise source (Berarducci, USGS and Petersen, GNS)
Training provided to local observers
ETH Zurich has enabled training to be provided to the local observers as follows:
- 2012 Me Sale
- 2014 Tessa Tafua, Katie Pogi, Paseko
Presentations and posters
ETH Zurich has funded the following participations:
- 2012, IAGA XVth Geomagnetic Observatory Workshop (Me Sale), History of the Samoa Observatory
- 2014, IAGA XVth Geomagnetic Observatory Workshop, Hyderabad (Tessa Tafua), Performance monitoring of a new installation at APIA observatory
- 2016, IAGA XVIth Geomagnetic Observatory Workshop, Dourbes (Katia Pogi), Apia's upgraded observatory
Local links





