Search

A variety of magnetosphere‐ionosphere current systems and waves have been linked to geomagnetic disturbance (GMD) and geomagnetically induced currents (GIC). However, since many location‐specific factors control GMD and GIC intensity, it is often unclear what mechanisms generate the largest GMD and GIC in different locations. We address this challenge through analysis of multi‐satellite measurements and globally distributed magnetometer and GIC measurements. We find embedded within the magnetic cloud of the 23–24 April 2023 coronal mass ejection (CME) storm there was a global scale density pulse lasting for 10–20 min with compression ratio of ∼10 ${\sim} 10$. It caused substantial dayside displacements of the bow shock and magnetopause, changes of 6RE $6{R}_{E}$ and 1.3−2RE $1.3-2{R}_{E}$, respectively, which in turn caused large amplitude GMD in the magnetosphere and on the ground across a wide local time range. At the time this global GMD was observed, GIC measured in New Zealand, Finland, Canada, and the United States were observed. The GIC were comparable (within factors of 2–2.5) to the largest ever recorded during ≥ ${\ge} $14 year monitoring intervals in New Zealand and Finland and represented ∼ ${\sim} $2‐year maxima in the United States during a period with several Kp≥ ${\ge} $7 geomagnetic storms. Additionally, the GIC measurements in the USA and other mid‐latitude locations exhibited wave‐like fluctuations with 1–2 min period. This work suggests that large density pulses in CME should be considered an important driver of large amplitude, global GMD and among the largest GIC at mid‐latitude locations, and that sampling intervals ≤10s ${\le} 10s$ are required to capture these GMD/GIC. Plain Language Summary: We explore how disturbances in the Earth's magnetic field, known as geomagnetic disturbances (GMD), and the resulting geomagnetically induced currents (GIC) in power systems are influenced by different electrical currents and waves in near‐Earth space. One challenge is the lack of easily accessible data on GIC over long periods, which makes it hard to figure out what factors are most responsible for changes in GIC in different places. Also, there is limited research combining data from satellites with data collected on the ground to figure out exactly how GMD and GIC are generated. To tackle these issues, we looked at data collected by multiple satellites in different parts of near‐Earth space along with data from ground magnetometers and GIC measurements distributed around the world. Our results suggest that density pulses from coronal mass ejections, a particular type of structure in the solar wind, are important in causing significant disturbances in the Earth's magnetic field globally and contribute to some of the largest GIC seen in the mid‐latitude region of United States. We emphasize the importance of taking measurements with high sampling rates (≤10s) $(\le 10s)$ to accurately capture these disturbances and the resulting GIC. Key Points: A density pulse embedded in a coronal mass ejection drives global geomagnetic disturbances (GMD) and geomagnetically induced currents (GIC)Measured GIC's comparable to or exceed reference values in several regions, including 58.1 A in the mid‐latitude region of United StatesLarge‐amplitude density pulses are an important driver of GIC and GMD for mid‐latitude regions with large populations [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Past studies found that large‐amplitude geomagnetically induced current (GIC) related to magnetospheric Ultra Low Frequency (ULF) waves tend to be associated with periods >120 s at magnetic latitudes >60°, with comparatively (a) smaller GIC amplitudes at lower latitudes and shorter wave periods and (b) fewer reports of waves associated with GIC at lower latitudes. ULF wave periods generally decrease with decreasing latitude; thus, we examine whether these trends might be due, in part, to the undersampling of ULF wave fields in commonly available measurements with 60 s sampling intervals. We use geomagnetic field (B), geoelectric field (E), and GIC measurements with 0.5–10 s sampling intervals during the 29–31 October 2003 geomagnetic storm to show that waves with periods <∼120 s were present during times with the largest amplitude E and GIC variations. These waves contributed to roughly half the maximum E and GIC values, including during times with the maximum GIC values reported over a 14‐year monitoring interval in New Zealand. The undersampling of wave periods <120 s in 60 s measurements can preclude identification of the cause of the GIC during some time intervals. These results indicate (a) ULF waves with periods ≤120 s are an important contributor to large amplitude GIC variations, (b) the use of 0.1–1.0 Hz sampling rates reveals their contributions to B, E, and GIC, and (c) these waves' contributions are likely strongest at magnetic latitudes <60° where ULF waves often have periods <120 s. Plain Language Summary: Geomagnetic field variation can induce geoelectric fields in the Earth that interfere with the operation of grounded electric power transmission systems. There are many sources of geomagnetic field variation, including plasma waves in the near‐Earth space environment. Past studies have found that wave periods between 120 and 600 s in high latitude regions led to the largest electrical currents in power systems. The waves responsible for driving these electrical currents have periods that decrease with decreasing latitude. We examine whether these trends may be partly due to the wide use of measurements with sampling rates that cannot resolve wave periods below 120 s. We use measurements sampled every 0.5–10 s during a major geomagnetic storm to show that wave periods shorter than 120 s can drive large amplitude geoelectric field and electrical current variations. These results suggest (a) waves with periods <120 s are an important contributor to electrical currents in power systems, (b) the use of sampling intervals of 1–10 s reveals their contributions, and (c) these waves' contributions are likely strongest at middle and low latitude regions where wave periods are often <120 s. Key Points: Waves with periods <∼2 min occur at magnetic latitudes <60° throughout the 29–31 October 2003 stormThe waves drive or contribute significantly to geomagnetically induced currents that are comparable to 14‐year peak values0.1–1.0 Hz sampling rates are required to determine wave contributions to currents at magnetic latitudes <60° [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measurements from six longitudinally separated magnetic observatories, all located close to the 53° mid-latitude contour, are analysed. We focus on the large geomagnetic disturbance that occurred during 7 and 8 September 2017. Combined with available geomagnetically induced current (GIC) data from two substations, each located near to a magnetic observatory, we investigate the magnetospheric drivers of the largest events. We analyse solar wind parameters combined with auroral electrojet indices to investigate the driving mechanisms. Six magnetic field disturbance events were observed at mid-latitudes with dH/dt > 60 nT/min. Co-located GIC measurements identified transformer currents >15 A during three of the events. The initial event was caused by a solar wind pressure pulse causing largest effects on the dayside, consistent with the rapid compression of the dayside geomagnetic field. Four of the events were caused by substorms. Variations in the Magnetic Local Time of the maximum effect of each substorm-driven event were apparent, with magnetic midnight, morning-side, and dusk-side events all occurring. The six events occurred over a period of almost 24 h, during which the solar wind remained elevated at >700 km s−1, indicating an extended time scale for potential GIC problems in electrical power networks following a sudden storm commencement. This work demonstrates the challenge of understanding the causes of ground-level magnetic field changes (and hence GIC magnitudes) for the global power industry. It also demonstrates the importance of magnetic local time and differing inner magnetospheric processes when considering the global hazard posed by GIC to power grids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High time resolution (1–5 s) magnetometer, geomagnetically induced current (GIC), and mains harmonic distortion data from the Halfway Bush substation in Dunedin, New Zealand, are analyzed. A recently developed technique using very low frequency (VLF) radio wave data provides high‐resolution measurements of mains harmonic distortion levels. Three case studies are investigated, each involving high rates of change of local geomagnetic field, but with different timescales of magnetospheric driver mechanisms, and different substation transformer configurations. Two cases of enhanced GIC during substorm events are analyzed, and one case of a storm sudden commencement. Time delays between magnetic field fluctuations and induced transformer currents are found to be ~100 s for substorm events, but only ~20 s for the storm sudden commencement containing higher‐frequency variations. Boxcar averaging of the magnetic field fluctuations using running windows of ±2 min leads to spectral power profiles similar to those of GIC profiles, with reduced power at frequencies >0.003 Hz (periods <5 min). Substantially lower mains harmonic distortion levels were observed after the removal of the single phase bank transformer, HWB T4, from the high‐voltage configuration at Halfway Bush. No systematic time delay was found between GIC variations and mains harmonic distortion levels. The power spectra of magnetic field fluctuations and GIC variations during the sudden storm commencement with no harmonic distortion showed low levels of low‐frequency power (<0.003 Hz, periods >5 min). This low‐frequency component of the magnetic field power spectrum appears necessary for mains harmonic distortion to occur. Key Points: High time resolution magnetic field, geomagnetically induced currents, and mains harmonic distortion data are analyzed for three case eventsObserved delays of 20–128 s between magnetic field and induced currents, but no delay between induced current and harmonic distortionEnhanced spectral power in induced current at frequencies <0.003 Hz (period >5 min) are required to produce harmonic distortion [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large geomagnetic storms are a known space weather hazard to power transmission networks due to the effects of geomagnetically induced currents (GICs). However, research in this area has been hampered by a lack of GIC observations. Previous studies have noted that New Zealand is unusually fortunate in having a comparatively dense, high quality, set of GIC measurements, spanning >60 transformers in >20 substations. However, due to operational reasons these observations are clustered in the mid and lower South Island. In this paper we analyze space weather‐induced GIC impact patterns over the entire country by using a different set of sensors that monitor levels of harmonic distortion, with even and odd harmonics measured separately. GICs lead to half cycle transformer saturation and is one of the few ways in which even harmonics are produced in a well‐run power transmission network. We make use of harmonic distortion measurements at 377 circuit breakers made at 126 separate locations. Focusing on the intense geomagnetic storm activity during 6–9 September 2017, we show how the even harmonic distortion observations provide a useful new picture of GIC‐stressed transformers. These observations demonstrate how GIC effects can be monitored by using even harmonic distortion in locations where no GIC measurements are present (e.g., the most of the North Island). We understand that harmonic distortion measurements are fairly common in electrical networks and could provide a new tool for space weather researchers. Key Points: Harmonic distortion measurements made at 126 locations in New Zealand are used to locate stressed transformers during geomagnetic stormsGeomagnetically induced current effects on transformers can be identified through commonly measured even harmonic distortion dataEven harmonic distortion is observed in unexpectedly low latitude locations during the 6–9 September 2017 geomagnetic storm period [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]