Energetics of Shock-triggered Supersubstorms (SML < ?2500 nT)

Abstract The solar wind energy input and dissipation in the magnetospheric–ionospheric systems of 17 supersubstorms (SSSs: SML < ?2500 nT) triggered by interplanetary shocks during cycles 23 24 are studied detail. SSS events had durations ranging from ?42 minutes to ?6 hr, intensities ?2522 nT ?4143 nT. Shock compression greatly strengthens upstream magnetic field southward component ( B s ), thus, through reconnection at Earth’s dayside magnetopause, enhances into magnetosphere ionosphere studied. additional supplements ?1.5 hr precursor (growth-phase) both supply necessary for high-intensity, long-duration events. Some is immediately deposited magnetosphere/ionosphere system, some stored magnetosphere/magnetotail system. During events, major part dissipated Joule heating (?30%), with substantially less auroral precipitation (?3%) ring current (?2%). remainder probably lost down magnetotail. It found that comparable nightside heating, giving a picture global magnetospheric/ionospheric not simply nightside-sector substorm effect. Several cases shown where an only occurs storm, essentially equating two phenomena these cases.