Approach to Assessment of the Relative Informational Efficiency of Intermagnet Magnetic Observatories

The IAGA-2002 1-min geomagnetic time series published by the International Real-time Magnetic Observatory Network (INTERMAGNET) are considered. Their completeness and anomalies are analyzed. The concept of the relative informational efficiency index is introduced. Theory elements are developed for its qualitative and quantitative assessment. Time series of geomagnetic data published by INTERMAGNET for 2014–2017 are used to find the range for the determination of this index and its basic statistical characteristics. An approach to the classification of INTERMAGNET magnetic observatories by the relative informational efficiency index is proposed. The nature of the geospatial distribution of the appropriate classes of magnetic observatories is investigated.