Supermagnetic Storms: Hazard to Society

Abstract

Magnetic storms are an important component of space weather effects on Earth. Superintense magnetic storms (defined here as those with Dst < À500 nT, where Dst stands for the disturbance storm time index that measures the strength of the magnetic storm), although relatively rare, can be hazardous to technological systems in space as well as on the ground. Such storms can cause life-threatening power outages, satellite damage, communication failures, and navigational problems. The data for such magnetic storms during the last 50 years is rather scarce. Research on historical geomagnetic storms can help to create a good database for intense and superintense magnetic storms. The superintense storm of 1-2 September 1859 is analyzed in the light of new knowledge of interplanetary and solar causes of storms gained from the space-age observations. We will discuss the results in the context of some recent intense storms and also the occurrence probability of such superstorms.

Comment on “Modeling Extreme “Carrington‐Type” Space Weather Events Using Three‐Dimensional Global MHD Simulations” by C. M. Ngwira, A. Pulkkinen, M. M. Kuznetsova, and A. Glocer”

“…If we take an average solar wind density of ~5 cm −3 and a maximum compression ratio of ~4 as experimentally (Kennel, Edmiston, et al, ; Kennel, Scarf, et al, ; Tsurutani et al, ) and theoretically (Kennel, Edmiston, & Hada, ) shown for interplanetary space, we get a downstream sheath density of ~20 cm −3 . That taken with the Tsurutani et al () and Lakhina et al () derived solar wind speed of ~1,850 km s −1 at 1 AU gives a ram pressure of 114 nPa. This ram pressure can produce a Sudden Impulse (SI + ) of ~160 nT less ground induction effects (Araki et al, ; Siscoe et al, ; Tsurutani & Lakhina, ).…”

Geomagnetic storms: historical perspective to modern view

“…If such an interplanetary CME (ICME) with intense southward interplanetary magnetic fields collide with the Earth's magnetosphere, it will cause an SMS (Tsurutani et al 1992;Echer and Gonzalez 2008a). It is believed that the Carrington magnetic storm, the most intense magnetic storm (Dst = −1760 nT) in recorded history, was caused by an ICME that collided with the Earth on September 1-2, 1859 Lakhina et al 2012). The Carrington storm caused auroras to be visible down to ±23° magnetic latitude, at Hawaii and Santiago, Chile (Kimball 1960).…”

“…The auroral reports based on newspapers and personal correspondences with Sydney Chapman (Kimball 1960; Loomis 1861), and recently obtained (space age) knowledge of interplanetary causes of intense storms were applied to determine the probable causes of this super magnetic storm event. Here, we will briefly review the main characteristics of this storm Lakhina et al 2005Lakhina et al , 2012. Figure 1 shows the deduced horizontal component magnetogram of September 1-2, 1859 from the Colaba Observatory recordings.…”

“…However, if a Carrington-type storm (or a greater intensity one) were to occur now, it could cause much more damage to society than in 1859 when the telegraph was the latest technology of the time. Therefore, it is crucial to have knowledge about the occurrence of extreme events, and their causes in order to assess their possible impacts on society Cliver and Svalgaard 2004;Vasyliunas 2011;Lakhina et al 2012;Hapgood 2012;Riley 2012;Cliver and Dietrich 2013;Cid et al 2014). …”

Temporal and Spatial Evolutions of a Large Sunspot Group and Great Auroral Storms Around the Carrington Event in 1859

“…The large sunspot group (Group 520 in Carrington, Group 143 in Schwabe, and Group 219 in Secchi) caused a series of ICMEs, and a subsequent series of magnetic storms and auroral displays between 28 August and 4 September 1859 (Green & Boardsen, ; Hayakawa, Ebihara, Hand, et al, ; Kimball, ; Lakhina et al, ; Lakhina & Tsurutani, ).…”