Work

A Novel Approach for Geoelectric Field Response Scaling Factors Used in Geomagnetic Storm Hazard Assessments

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: In this work, we describe an approach to characterize the ground response to geomagnetic storm drivers and recalculate the scaling factors that are used in the North American Reliability Corporation (NERC) TPL‐007 geomagnetic disturbance (GMD) standard based on magnetotelluric (MT) survey measurements. The new ground response scaling factors indicate a significantly wider range of ground responses from the one‐dimensional model responses used in the original NERC GMD standards framework. Further, the region Mid‐West area west of the great lakes and North‐East around New England and areas along the Appalachian Mountains appear to be particularly exposed to the geoelectric field hazard under extreme space weather conditions. A more complete validation of MT data in geomagnetically induced currents applications is warranted before usage of the presented results as a basis for possible updates to the NERC GMD standard.

Source: Space Weather

DOI: 10.1029/2025sw004382

Authors: A. Pulkkinen, P. W. Schuck, E. Bernabeu, R. Weigel, R. Arritt

Institutions: Goddard Space Flight Center, Heliophysics Science Division, George Mason University, Electric Power Research Institute

Language: English

Topic: Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics

Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,000