Analysis of the Geoelectric Field in Sweden Over Solar Cycles 23 and 24: Spatial and Temporal Variability During Strong GIC Events

Geomagnetic storms can produce large perturbations on the Earth magnetic field. Through complex magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling, the geoelectric field (E) and geomagnetic field (B) are highly perturbed. The E is the physical driver of geomagnetically induced currents. However, a statistical study of the E in Sweden has never been done before. We combined geomagnetic data from the International Monitor for Auroral Geomagnetic Effects network in Northern Europe with a 3-D structure of Earth's electrical conductivity in Sweden as the input of a 1-D model to compute the E between 2000 and 2018. Northwestern Sweden presents statistically larger E magnitudes due to larger |dB/dt| variations in the north than in the south of Sweden and relative lower conductivity in the west compared to central and eastern Sweden. In contrast, the 15 strongest daily maximum |E| events present more frequently a maximum magnitude in central Sweden (62.25 degrees N) and their relative strengths are not the same for all latitudes. These results highlight the different regional response to geomagnetic storms, which can be related to ground conductivity variability and the complex magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling mechanisms. Solar storms represent a major threat to Earth's technology and therefore affect society and the economy. Historically, the main effects were related to electric power grid failures leaving many people without electricity for several hours. In order to prevent this from happening again, it is necessary to understand the temporal and spatial variability of the Earth's electric field in regions where electric power grids are placed. This study combines ground measurements of the magnetic fields in Finland and Estonia and ground conductivity maps in Sweden to estimate the ground electric fields in Sweden. A statistical analysis from 2000 to 2018 shows that the probability to find stronger daily maximum electric field magnitude (|E|) is higher in northwestern Sweden. However, the 15 strongest |E| events were found in the central region of Sweden. Furthermore, 80% of the electric power grid failure reports in Sweden during the period, correspond to events where the strongest daily maximum |E| were observed at 62.25 degrees N. This implies that a better understanding of the local geoelectric field and driving processes are required. The daily maximum geoelectric field magnitude is statistically larger in northwestern Sweden than in central and southern SwedenThe 15 strongest daily maximum geoelectric field events were more frequent in central Sweden than in northern SwedenThe 15 strongest events at each latitude are different, so the geoelectric field presents an important regional variability