Mapping a Carrington storm
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Abstract
A map is presented of median 1-min-resolution peak geoelectric-field strength across the United States as would be induced by magnetic storms as intense as the 2 September 1859 Carrington storm. The map is constructed from two data sets: Magnetometer time series from 22 ground-based observatories recording 40 magnetic storms, and surface impedance tensors derived from magnetotelluric measurements acquired at 1616 survey sites across the contiguous United States. Carrington-class storm geoelectric fields are likely to be very strong in the United States East and Midwest; > 5.00 V/km at many places. In Virginia, strengths would likely range from 30.30 V/km, with a 68% confidence interval of [19.44,47.20] V/km, to as low as 0.05 [0.03,0.07] V/km. Comparison of model geopotentials with those measured on 30 long lines, indicates errors of about 18%. A Carrington-class storm would likely induce geoelectric fields with strengths 55% greater than for the 13–14 March 1989 storm.
Suggested Citation
Love, J.J., Lucas, G.M., Kelbert, A., Rigler, E.J., Bedrosian, P.A., and Schnepf, N.R., 2025, Mapping a Carrington storm: Geophysical Research Letters, v. 52, no. 19, e2025GL116835, 12 p., https://doi.org/10.1029/2025GL116835.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Mapping a Carrington storm |
| Series title | Geophysical Research Letters |
| DOI | 10.1029/2025GL116835 |
| Volume | 52 |
| Issue | 19 |
| Publication Date | October 07, 2025 |
| Year Published | 2025 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | American Geophysical Union |
| Contributing office(s) | Geologic Hazards Science Center - Seismology / Geomagnetism |
| Description | e2025GL116835, 12 p. |
| Country | United States |
| Other Geospatial | contiguous United States |