Synthesizing Ground Magnetic Disturbance Using Dipole-Aligned Loop Elementary Currents and Biot-Savart Relationship

Scientific Investigations Report 2021-5123
Prepared in cooperation with National Center for Atmospheric Research High Altitude Observatory
By:  and 

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Abstract

This report presents a method for constructing a simplified numerical description of the electric current distributions in the ionosphere and gap region based on dipole-aligned loop elementary currents (DALECs). A theoretical basis for DALECs is presented, along with a prototypical algorithm for constructing an elementary numerical DALEC. The algorithm is verified and validated by combining DALECs with an efficient Biot-Savart solver in order to estimate magnetic disturbance on the Earth’s surface. We examine (1) simple scenarios with known solutions and (2) hemispherical magnetic disturbance fields obtained from a state-of-the-art global geospace circulation model.

Suggested Citation

Rigler, E.J., and Wiltberger, M., 2022, Synthesizing ground magnetic disturbance using dipole-aligned loop elementary currents and Biot-Savart relationship: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2021–5123, 17 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20215123.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Physics and Mathematical Theory
  • Algorithms and Practical Considerations
  • Verification and Validation
  • Broader Context and Future Work
  • References Cited
  • Appendix
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Synthesizing ground magnetic disturbance using dipole-aligned loop elementary currents and Biot-Savart relationship
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2021-5123
DOI 10.3133/sir20215123
Year Published 2022
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston VA
Contributing office(s) Geologic Hazards Science Center
Description Report: vi, 17 p.; Appendix
Online Only (Y/N) Y
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