Risk Assessment of the Ground Magnetic Response to the March and April 2023 Geomagnetic Storms Using Geomagnetically Induced Currents Indices

Abstract We analyzed the solar origin and ground response during the severe geomagnetic storms (GSs) of 23–24 March (GS1) and 23–24 April 2023 (GS2) using Geomagnetically Induced Currents Indices (GIC indices) computed from geomagnetic field data. The GSs were initiated by erupting filaments and ass...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Space Weather
Main Authors: Paul O. Amaechi, Honore Messanga, Frank O. Grodji, Andrew Akala, Irina Despirak, Chigomezyo M. Ngwira, Elijah Oyeyemi, Christine Amory‐Mazaudier
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025
Subjects:
geomagnetically induced currents (GICs)
space weather
substorm
geomagnetic storms
Meteorology. Climatology
QC851-999
Astrophysics
QB460-466
Abisko
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1029/2024SW004324
https://doaj.org/article/841ae570fd554521a4f381b5d99dc364
Description
Summary:Abstract We analyzed the solar origin and ground response during the severe geomagnetic storms (GSs) of 23–24 March (GS1) and 23–24 April 2023 (GS2) using Geomagnetically Induced Currents Indices (GIC indices) computed from geomagnetic field data. The GSs were initiated by erupting filaments and associated slow (fast) halo coronal mass ejections on 20 March (21 April) 2023. GS1 was also influenced by coronal hole high speed streams (CR HSSs) while substorm onsets drove the most intense GICX (GICY) of 86 (70) in Abisko, Sweden. GS2 was marked by strong negative Bz in a sheath and magnetic cloud with larger GIC indices of 84 (69) driven by magnetic pulsations, as evident at Abisko. This posed a moderate risk to power networks in Sweden. The threat however, reached only a low/moderate risk level in Boulder during the Sudden Impulse (SI)/main phase of GS1. For GS2, a low risk level was attained in Vernadsky and Eyrewell. As expected, at low latitude, GIC indices constituted a very low risk to ground infrastructures during both storms. The results also revealed longitudinal features with larger GIC indices in Boulder (Vernadsky) during the GS1 (GS2), and a North South Asymmetry characterized by a higher risk level in the northern (southern) hemisphere at the American longitude. Additionally, this study provides evidence that the equatorial electrojet can enhance GIC indices at the magnetic equator in the presence of sufficiently strong dH/dt. Finally, we relate GIC indices at high latitudes to the CR HSS on 23 March, and a magnetic cloud during the recovery phase on 24 April 2023.

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