Relationships between Geomagnetic Induced Currents and Field Aligned Currents

Abstract:

Geomagnetic Induced Currents (GICs) appear in the ground due to time varying magnetic fields that occur during periods of enhanced geomagnetic activity. The resultant time varying electric fields at Earth’s surface drive very low frequency, currents through electricity supply transformers which reduces transforming capacity. In extreme cases, electricity supply grids can collapse as multiple transformers are affected. GICs have larger magnitudes at auroral latitudes and should be related to the field aligned current (FAC) and auroral ionosphere currents systems. At ground locations under the regions between upward and downward FACs, the GIC related fields show a direct relationship with the time derivative of the FACs. This allows a conversion factor between FAC and GIC magnitudes. Examples of the relationship between FAC and GIC related fields are presented using data derived from the Active Magnetosphere and Planetary Electrodynamics Response Experiment (AMPERE) and SuperMAG.