Space Weather: Induced Electric and Magnetic Fields in a Non-Uniformly Conducting Earth: Coastal Effects

Dartmouth College, Hanover NH

Investigators

Abstract

This proposal focuses on increasing our understanding of Geomagnetically Induced Currents (GICs) near conductivity gradients associated with coastlines. The effort will address the instrumental biases of ground magnetometers due to these gradient structures. The PIs invoke a novel pseudo-current source technique to allow analysis beyond the reach of past finite element methods. Their new method for calculating the electric and magnetic fields at the Earth's surface during space storms, called the "method of auxiliary sources" (MAS), will be investigated, developed, and applied, thus meeting the goals of the NSWP. MAS allows a more sophisticated treatment of laterally non-uniform ground conductivity structures, such as ocean-continent boundaries. The proposed research could provide an important link in the space weather chain by coupling the ionosphere to the ground.