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Characterization of Transient Induced Current Events in Ground Magnetometer Data
  • Brett A. McCuen,
  • Mark B. Moldwin,
  • Mark J. Engebretson
Brett A. McCuen
University of Michigan

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Mark B. Moldwin
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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Mark J. Engebretson
Department of Physics, Augsburg University
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Abstract

We present a characterization of large amplitude, short-timescale geomagnetic disturbances that we refer to as transient induced current (TIC) events. TIC events are defined as one or more short-timescale (< 60 seconds) dB/dt signature with magnitude ≥ 6 nT/s. We identified 40 TIC events that occurred at six stations of the Magnetometer Array for Cusp and Cleft Studies throughout 2015 and we demonstrate the existence of large-amplitude dB/dt with timescale less than 10 seconds in nine of the events. The association of these events to sudden commencements is weaker than expected, rather the events are more likely to occur in relation to substorm onsets. However, 15% of TIC events show no direct association to geomagnetic storms, substorms or nighttime magnetic impulse events. Our findings suggest that the TICs have different properties than typical geomagnetically induced currents and may be hazardous to conductive components of the Internet of Things network.