Comparison of equivalent current systems for the substorm event of 8 March 2008 derived from the global PPMLR-MHD model and the KRM algorithm

Abstract

Geomagnetic perturbation is an important aspect to determine the capability of a 3-D MHD model in predicting space weather. Taking the substorm event of 8 March 2008 as an example, we compare the equivalent current systems (ECS) in the ionosphere derived from the global PPMLR-MHD simulation model and the ground-based magnetic field observations using the KRM inversion algorithm. The evolution of ECS is utilized to give a global view of the temporal and spatial development of the magnetic fields on the ground. The PPMLR-MHD model has generally reproduced the main characters of the large-scale magnetic field variation on the ground. The magnetic latitude and local time distribution of the ECS is in reasonably agreement with the inversion results during the disturbed period. We hopefully consider the ECS to be a promising numerical forecast product of the global geomagnetic variation from an global 3-D MHD model in the future. Copyright 2011 by the American Geophysical Union.