Interplanetary magnetic field–geomagnetic field coupling and vertical variance index

Abstract

The solar wind impacting at the geomagnetopause contains transient variations in the embedded interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). These disturbances are mirrored in the horizontal geomagnetic field measured at the Huancayo and Ascension Island stations. This investigation attempts to relate the microtemporal fluctuations in the IMF with the horizontal component of the geomagnetic field by means of a newly developed daily vertical variance index, which permits the quantification of such pulsations. A linear relationship is established between the disturbances observed in the interplanetary and terrestrial fields on a daily basis.