Theoretical magnetograms based on quantitative simulation of a magnetospheric substorm

Abstract

Using substorm currents derived from the Rice computer simulation of the substorm event of September 19, 1976, we have computed theoretical magnetograms as a function of universal time for various stations. A theoretical Dst has also been computed. Our computed magnetograms were obtained by integrating the Biot‐Savart law over a maze of approximately 2700 wires and bands that carry the ring currents, the Birkeland currents, and the horizontal ionospheric currents. Ground currents and dynamo currents were neglected. Computed contributions to the magnetic field perturbation from eleven different kinds of currents are displayed (e.g., ring currents, northern hemisphere Birkeland currents). On the basis of comparison of theoretical results with corresponding observations, we make the following remarks. First, overall agreement of theory and data is generally satisfactory, especially for stations at high and mid‐magnetic latitudes. Second, model results suggest that the ground magnetic field perturbations arise from very complicated combinations of different kinds of currents and that the magnetic field disturbances due to different but related currents often cancel each other, despite the fact that complicated inhomogeneous conductivities in our model prevent rigorous application of Fukushima's theorem. Third, both the theoretical and observed Dst decrease during the expansion phase of the substorm, but data indicate that Dst relaxes back toward its initial value within about an hour after the peak of the substorm. This effect exists qualitatively in the computer simulation if we sharply reduce the assumed polar cap potential drop and conductivity at the end of the substorm. Fourth, the dawn‐dusk asymmetry in the horizontal component of magnetic field disturbance at low latitudes in a substorm is essentially due to a net downward Birkeland current at noon, net upward current at midnight, and generally antisunward flowing electrojets; it is not due to a physical partial ring current injected into the duskside of the inner magnetosphere.