The journal was originally founded under the name Terrestrial Magnetism by the American Geophysical Union's president Louis Agricola Bauer in 1896.[2][3] It was entitled Terrestrial Magnetism and Atmospheric Electricity from 1899–1948.[4] In 1980, three specialized sections were established: A: Space Physics, B: Solid Earth, and C: Oceans.[5] Subsequently, further sections have been added: D: Atmospheres in 1984,[5] E: Planets in 1991,[6] F: Earth Surface in 2003,[7] and G: Biogeosciences in 2005.[7]