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Electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves are believed to play an important role in the dynamics of the inner magnetosphere, including the ring current, the radiation belts and potentially, the cold plasma. In this work, we investigate their occurrence in the magnetosphere and the geomagnetic and solar wind conditions which lead to their excitation. We use an automated detection algorithm of EMIC waves observed by Van Allen Probes over the entire mission duration between 2012 and 2019. Consistent with earlier studies, we find that the H+ band occurrence maximizes in the dayside magnetosphere during enhancements of solar wind dynamic pressure. Both the H+ and He+ band are also generated along the duskside magnetosphere during disturbed geomagnetic conditions. In addition, to H+ and He+ bands commonly surveyed, we investigate the occurrence of H+ waves above and below 0.5 H+ gyrofrequency, as well as wave occurrence in the N+ and O++ bands. Most H+ waves are observed in the band below 0.5fH+. We find several events in the N+ band, indicative of their very low occurrence. The O++ band is observed during disturbed geomagnetic conditions and high solar wind dynamic pressure at low L‐shells. Its radial localization coincides with the O++ torus. This study provides a comprehensive picture of EMIC wave distribution and insight into ion composition in the inner magnetosphere during variable geomagnetic conditions. Plain Language Summary: Electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves are a type of plasma wave that occurs in the Earth's magnetosphere, typically in the frequency range of 0.1–5 Hz. These waves are generated by the interaction of magnetospheric ions and guided along the ambient magnetic field lines. EMIC waves are thought to significantly influence the dynamics of the Earth's most energetic particle populations, such as the ring current and the outer radiation belt, by inducing particle precipitation into the atmosphere. They can appear in multiple spectral bands, which are crucial for determining the energy of resonant particle interactions and identifying the presence of minor ions like He++, O++, and N+ in the magnetosphere. This study analyzes the distribution of EMIC wave activity using several years of data from the Van Allen Probes spacecraft, offering a detailed overview of the EMIC wave environment and providing insights into ion composition under varying geomagnetic conditions, which is essential for global magnetospheric modeling. Key Points: Most H+ waves are observed in the band below 0.5fH+O++ band is observed during disturbed conditions, radially coincident with cold O++ ion density enhancements previously observed by DE 1N+ band occurrence is low, less than 0.01% [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geoelectric fields produced by time‐varying magnetic fields during geomagnetic storms can result in potentially damaging geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) in long conductors at the Earth's surface. GICs can pose a significant risk to the integrity of grounded electrical infrastructure, particularly high‐voltage transformers. In this study, an inferred GIC is calculated using an augmented differential magnetometer measurement (DMM) technique on a 500 kV transmission line in central Alberta and is validated using a proximal transformer neutral‐to‐ground (TNG) current measurement by AltaLink L.P. using a Hall probe at a transformer substation. This research outlines a custom‐built and innovative DMM design by which both DMM sensors deployed around a power line measure the background geomagnetic disturbance (GMD) field and the magnetic field generated locally by the GIC. We show how this modified approach provides two independent estimates for GIC derived using only ΔBy or ΔBz, the magnetic field components perpendicular to the line carrying GIC. Results for a geomagnetic storm on 12 Oct 2021 show contemporaneous peaks in the TNG current and the DMM‐inferred GIC. The two data sets have similar waveforms and are within the same order of magnitude. The background GMD is reconstructed using DMM and shows excellent correlation to the measured GMD at the permanent Canadian Array for Real‐time Investigations of Magnetic Activity magnetic station at Ministik Lake, approximately 48.5 km away. Based on the results presented here, we verify the added utility value of DMM for temporary deployments for assessing GIC risk in electrical power grids. Plain Language Summary: During geomagnetic storms, changes in the Earth's magnetic field can result in geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) that travel through conductive structures at the Earth's surface, such as power lines. GICs are near‐DC currents that can be harmful to electrical infrastructure. In this study, we built and tested an augmented differential magnetometer measurement (DMM) setup where sensors placed around the high‐voltage power line could measure the natural magnetic field disturbances and the magnetic field fluctuations caused by GICs. Using the differential measurement in the components of the magnetic field perpendicular to the power line, two estimates for GIC were calculated during the geomagnetic storm on 12 October 2021, on a 500 kV transmission line in Alberta, Canada, and then compared to the Hall probe GIC data from a nearby AltaLink transformer substation. The results show that the inferred GICs from the DMM matched well with the Hall probe current measurements in waveform and amplitude. Also, the background magnetic disturbance measured by the DMM closely matched the background magnetic field measured at a permanent magnetic station about 48.5 km away. Based on these findings, we conclude that DMM could be useful for temporary deployments to assess GIC risk in electrical power grids. Key Points: An alternative configuration for the differential magnetometer measurement (DMM) method for monitoring geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) is presentedThis augmented DMM technique provides two independent component‐wise measurements of GICsThe inferred GIC is compared and validated against transformer neutral‐to‐ground current data from Alberta's electrical power grid [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sequence of events associated with the triggering of energy release during substorm expansion phase onset is still not well‐understood. Oberhagemann and Mann (2020b, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019gl085271) proposed a new substorm onset mechanism, where the transition toward parallel proton pressure anisotropy during tail stretching in the late growth phase could trigger a pressure anisotropic ballooning instability. Here we examine the evolution of energetic proton parallel pressure anisotropy at geosynchronous altitudes, seeking evidence in support of the proposed substorm onset mechanism. We use the Geostationary Operational Environment Satellite (GOES) proton flux and magnetometer data combined with substorm onset indicators derived from ground‐based magnetometers. Superposed epoch analysis of substorm onset times for 2014 using the isolated substorm list (Ohtani & Gjerloev, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020ja027902) clearly shows signatures of energetic proton parallel pressure anisotropy immediately before substorm onset, potentially supportive of the Oberhagemann and Mann theory. Plain Language Summary: Substorms are disturbances in the nightside region of the geospace associated with the rapid release of stored magnetic energy. In the ionosphere, the signatures of this energy release are the spectacular dancing lights known as aurorae (northern and southern lights). The processes that lead to energy storage are well‐known. However, there are competing theories on what triggers the release of this significant amount of energy at substorm onset. According to a new substorm onset theory proposed by Oberhagemann and Mann, when the magnetic field stretches in the nightside during the energy storage, the pressure becomes more parallel to the magnetic field, leading to a ballooning instability at substorm onset. Here, we look for observational support for the association of such pressure profile at geosynchronous altitudes with substorm onset to examine the proposed model. Superposed epoch analysis of isolated substorms in 2014 shows increasing energetic proton parallel pressure anisotropy at the onset, providing evidence to support the Oberhagemann and Mann theory. Key Points: Oberhagemann and Mann theory proposes that proton parallel temperature anisotropy triggers ballooning instability leading to substorm onsetWe use pitch angle resolved energetic proton fluxes at geosynchronous altitudes seeking observational evidence in support of the modelSuperposed epoch analysis of isolated substorms shows signatures of increasing energetic proton parallel anisotropy which peaks near onset [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between auroral, ground, and plasma sheet signatures in the late growth phase is crucial for understanding the sequence of events during a substorm expansion phase onset. Here we show conjugate ground‐auroral‐satellite observations of a substorm that occurred on 18 September 2021, between 04:45 and 05:00 UT, where four auroral activations were detected in the all‐sky imagers. An initial activation showed the brightening of an equatorward arc within the cutoff of the 630 nm emissions, indicating activity on closed field lines well inside the open‐closed field line boundary (OCFLB). During a second activation, auroral beads were observed on a brightening arc, equatorward and within the OCFLB, followed by the transformation from small‐scale to large‐scale vortices. The tail current sheet was highly disturbed during the auroral vortex evolution, including pressure and magnetic disturbances, an apparent broadening of a previously thin current sheet, and a breakdown of the frozen‐in condition. Our observations clearly show late growth phase dynamics, including arc brightenings, the formation of auroral beads, and auroral vortex development, can occur well in advance of fast Earthward flows in the tail. Indeed, it is only during that later activity that auroral breakup and strong Earthward flows, which we associate with magnetic reconnection further down the tail, are observed together with strong magnetic bays on the ground. The sequence of events is consistent with an inside‐to‐outside model at substorm expansion phase onset, most likely via a shear‐flow ballooning instability in the transition region from dipole to tail‐like fields in the near‐Earth plasma sheet. Plain Language Summary: Substorm onset is associated with the explosive release of stored magnetic energy, which can be visualized as auroral activity in the ionosphere, magnetic‐field disturbances in the ground‐based magnetometers, and plasma sheet disturbances in the magnetosphere. Even though the processes that lead to energy storage are well known, the exact sequence of events and the triggering factors that lead to the release of this stored energy are poorly understood. In this study, we show conjugate auroral‐ground‐satellite observations of a substorm event that occurred on 18 September 2021. Four auroral activations were observed in the all‐sky imagers, all of which can be associated with plasma sheet disturbances observed in the satellites. Our observations show an initial activation and bead‐like structures on a brightening arc, followed by the formation and expansion of vortex‐like auroral forms, all of which can be associated with magnetic field and pressure fluctuations in the near‐Earth nightside magnetosphere on closed field lines. Auroral breakup and strong magnetic bays on the ground are only observed after the arrival of fast Earthward flows in the magnetosphere. Overall, this paper identifies disturbances in the near‐Earth plasma environment which are the counterparts to the evolving auroral forms seen leading up to the substorm expansion phase onset. Key Points: Plasma sheet dynamical counterparts are reported for an evolving sequence of late growth phase auroral formsPlasma sheet current disruption and ion kinetic scale perturbations occur in advance of fast Earthward flows and magnetic reconnectionOne‐to‐one correspondence between plasma sheet disturbances and auroral forms implies ballooning instability in advance of auroral breakup [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On 7 January 2014, a solar storm erupted, which eventually compressed the Earth's magnetosphere leading to the generation of chorus waves. These waves enhanced local wave‐particle interactions and led to the precipitation of electrons from 10 s eV to 100 s keV. This paper shows observations of a low energy cutoff in the precipitation spectrum from Van Allen Probe B Helium Oxygen Proton Electron measurements. This low energy cutoff is well replicated by the predicted loss calculated from pitch angle diffusion coefficients from wave and plasma observations on Probe B. To our knowledge, this is the first time a single spacecraft has been used to demonstrate an accurate theoretical prediction for chorus wave‐induced precipitation and its low energy cutoff. The specific properties of the precipitating soft electron spectrum have implications for ionospheric activity, with the lowest energies mainly contributing to thermospheric and ionospheric upwelling, which influences satellite drag and ionospheric outflow. Plain Language Summary: On 7 January 2014, a large storm erupted from the Sun. This storm encountered the Earth and compressed the magnetosphere a few days later. The compression of the magnetosphere led to the creation of chorus waves, a wave‐type known to interact only with electrons with specific energies. In this case, the waves interacted with electrons in the magnetosphere's outer radiation belt. They caused the loss of electrons from 10 s eV to 100 s keV into the ionosphere and upper atmosphere. This paper uses theory to determine which energies we expect will interact with the observed chorus wave. We use the Helium Oxygen Proton Electron instrument from the Van Allen Probes to see if our predictions are correct. We care about these processes because the loss of these electrons can affect ionospheric activity. Key Points: Upper band chorus waves can have a minimum resonant energy in the 10 s eV energy rangeChanges in the minimum resonant energy can change the cut off for what lower energy particles will be lostThe lower energy cut off can be observed in the Van Allen Probes Helium Oxygen Proton Electron data [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]