Description

Geomagnetically induced currents (GIC), affecting the normal operation of long technological conductor systems, are a manifestation at ground level of space weather. During space weather events (or geomagnetic storms) Earth's near space current systems experience large spatiotemporal variations reflected also in the variations of the Earth’s geomagnetic field. These variations induce currents (GIC) in conductors operated at the surface of Earth. Electric transmission grids and buried pipelines are common examples of such conductor systems. GIC can cause problems such as increased corrosion rate of pipeline steel and damaged high-voltage power transformers. Although this article discusses only the GIC aspect of the ground level of space weather, geomagnetic storms can also affect, for example, geophysical exploration surveys and oil and gas drilling operations. Aurora australis observed by Discovery, May 1991. ... A geomagnetic storm is a temporary disturbance of the Earths magnetosphere. ... The magnetosphere shields the surface of the Earth from the charged particles of the solar wind. ...

The Earth’s geomagnetic field varies over a wide range of timescales. The longer-term variations, typically those occurring over decades to millennia, are predominantly the result of dynamo action in the Earth’s core. However, geomagnetic variations on timescales of seconds to years also occur, due to dynamic processes in the ionosphere, magnetosphere and heliosphere. These changes are ultimately tied to variations associated with the solar activity (or sunspot) cycle and are manifestations of ‘Space Weather’. Relationship of the atmosphere and ionosphere The ionosphere is the part of the atmosphere that is ionized by solar radiation. ... A magnetosphere is the region around an astronomical object in which phenomena are dominated or organized by its magnetic field. ... The heliosphere is a bubble in space produced by the solar wind. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Schwabe-Wolf cycle. ... Aurora australis observed by Discovery, May 1991. ...