Investigation of the Geomagnetically Induced Current Index Levels in the Mediterranean Region During the Strongest Magnetic Storms of Solar Cycle 24

Abstract

Geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) constitute an integral part of space weather research and are a subject of ever‐growing attention for countries located in the low and middle latitudes. A series of recent studies highlights the importance of considering GIC risks for the Mediterranean region. Here, we exploit data from the HellENIc GeoMagnetic Array, which is deployed in Greece, complemented by magnetic observatories in the Mediterranean region (Italy, France, Spain, Algeria, and Turkey), to calculate values of the GIC index, that is, a proxy of the geoelectric field calculated entirely from geomagnetic field variations. We perform our analysis for the most intense magnetic storms (Dst < −150 nT) of solar cycle 24. Our results show that GIC index increases are well correlated with storm sudden commencements. However, the GIC indices do not exceed “low” activity levels despite the increases in their values, at all magnetic stations/observatories under study during the selected storm events.

On the Impact of Geospace Weather on the Occurrence of M7.8/M7.5 Earthquakes on 6 February 2023 (Turkey), Possibly Associated with the Geomagnetic Storm of 7 November 2022

“…Many years of statistical searching in this direction have led to a mathematical model [8] that considers a hypothesis of electromagnetic earthquakes being triggered by a sharp rise of telluric currents in the lithosphere, including crust faults, due to the interaction of solar flare X-ray radiation with the ionosphere-atmosphere-lithosphere system. Recently, the authors of [24] have investigated the level of the geomagnetically induced current index (GIC) in the Mediterranean region during the strongest magnetic storms of solar cycle 24 (2008-2019). The GIC index is a proxy of the geoelectric field, calculated entirely from geomagnetic field variations.…”

Geoelectric Field Estimations During Geomagnetic Storm in North China From SinoProbe Magnetotelluric Impedances

“…It has been well established that the main phase of a geomagnetic storm, associated with ring‐current intensifications, is the primary cause of large GICs and hence a risk factor for electrical power networks and other major infrastructure. However, at middle latitudes, magnetospheric shocks due to large‐scale interplanetary pressure pulses give rise to storm sudden commencement (SSC) determined as the first response in the D st index, which have been regard as a potential driver for large GICs (Boutsi et al., 2023; Espinosa et al., 2019; Kappenman, 2003; Zhang et al., 2015). For the geomagnetic storm on 17 March 2015, the SSC started at 04:45 UT along with the sudden increase to 62 nT of the SYM‐H index (Figure 1), an index displaying ring current strength like the D st index but with 1‐min resolution (Wanliss & Showalter, 2006).…”

Investigation of Dynamical Complexity in Swarm-Derived Geomagnetic Activity Indices Using Information Theory

“…The most intense period of solar cycle 24, in terms of geomagnetic storms activity, was the year 2015, during which the strongest storm of this solar cycle, i.e., the St. Patrick's Day storm, occurred. A discussion of space weather effects on the ground related to the St. Patrick's Day storm is given in Balasis et al [33], Tozzi et al [34] and Boutsi et al [35]. Several authors have examined the same storm event using Swarm time series and applying information theory approaches (e.g.…”