Topical Issue "Geomagnetic Storms and Substorm: a Geomagnetically Induced Current perspective", deadline 31 October 2020

The Journal of Space Weather and Space Climate (JSWSC) opens a Topical Issue on "Geomagnetic Storms and Substorm: a Geomagnetically Induced Current perspective" to appear in 2020/2021.

This Topical Issue intents to collect contributions on Geomagnetically Induced Currents (GICs) during high solar activity (e.g. geomagnetic storms, sub-storms and storm sudden commencements). It aims to: increase the global knowledge about the magnetosphere-ionosphere processes, driven by space weather events, responsible for creating GICs; understand the role played by ionospheric turbulence and ground conductivity in amplifying GICs; improve the forecasting of GICs.

This Topical Issue arises from the 16th European Space Weather Week held in Liège, Belgium, in November 2019, primarily from the Session 1 entitled “Geomagnetic Storms: a Geomagnetically Induced Current perspective”. However, it is not reserved to papers presented during this session and is open for all submissions within the scope.

During geomagnetic storms and substorms, the principal magnetospheric currents and the connected ionospheric currents intensify causing rapid changes of the ground geomagnetic field. These variations penetrate into the conductive subsurface generating an electric field which drives Geomagnetically Induced Currents (GICs) in large technological infrastructure. The latter can disrupt the optimal operation of power grids as well as damaging oil/gas pipelines. The aims of this topical issue are to highlight the significant improvements in the global knowledge on the following important open questions about GICs: (1) what are the magnetosphere-ionosphere processes driven by space weather events responsible for driving extreme GICs, (2) what are the roles played by ionospheric turbulence, ground conductivity and the features of the affected power networks in amplifying GICs, and (3) what are the main parameters/proxies/indices that could be used to forecast the build-up of intense GICs? This topical issue invites manuscripts about recent progress and current understanding of the physical processes of GICs, their associated impact on technologies as well as the innovative use of mathematical methods that could provide new perspectives on GIC related research and possible mitigation methods (e.g., transformer and network design, or optimisation of cathodic protection for pipelines).

Manuscripts must be submitted via the JSWSC online submission tool. Guidelines for submission of papers are found on the JSWSC web site under the tab "Instruction for Authors"

Deadline: 31 October 2020.

All manuscripts will be peer reviewed according to the quality standards of international scientific journals. The type of contributions must fit the style of JSWSC. All manuscripts should contain enough new insight, present the results against a properly referenced background of existing work, and present adequate evidence that supports the conclusions. Accepted papers are published in electronic format only, and are freely available to everyone via the JSWSC website. JSWSC offers the possibility to include electronic material, such as animations, movies, codes and data.

Topical Editor in Chief (T-EiC):
Mirko Piersanti (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ), INFN – University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy

Topical Editors:
Ciaran D. Beggan (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ), British Geological Survey, Edinburgh, UK
Andrew Dimmock (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ), Swedish Institute of Space Physics, Uppsala, Sweden
Roberta Tozzi (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ), Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia – Rome, Italy

For questions regarding this Topical Issue, please, contact the T-EiC. For questions concerning the submission process the Editorial Office (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) should be contacted.