Super storms

Abstract

"Super storms" are defined to be the largest 2% of geomagnetic storms from 1932 through 1995, selected using ground-based magnetic indices. These storms are significant not only because they are prolonged periods of extremely high magnetic activity but also because data taken during super storms in the space era show other anomalous features, such as abnormally high energy input to the auroral regions from precipitating particles, and/or the creation of additional, trapped radiation belts in the inner magnetosphere. Super storms are most likely to occur on the downslope from solar maximum and near the equinoxes. One half of the super storms have multiple SSCs that reactivate magnetospheric currents and prolong magnetic activity. AE "spikes" occur during some of the super storms. The relationship between super storms and the locations of trapped radiation populations is briefly examined. The auroral energy input to the inner magnetosphere during recent super storms is calculated and presented.