DOES THE RECOVERY TIME DEPEND ON THE INTENSITY OF THE
GEOMAGNETIC STORM?
J. Aguado - Space Research Group - Space Weather, Departamento de Fisica, Universidad de
Alcala
E. Saiz - Space Research Group - Space Weather, Departamento de Fisica, Universidad de
Alcala
C. Cid - Space Research Group - Space Weather, Departamento de Fisica, Universidad de Alcala
Y. Cerrato - Space Research Group - Space Weather, Departamento de Fisica, Universidad de
Alcala
E-mail for contact: [email protected]
Abstract
After the decrease in Dst index related to the enhancement in the energy content of the ring
current, which takes place during the main phase of a geomagnetic storm, different decay
processes take place returning the ring current to its quiet state. In the theoretical modeling of
this recovery phase, these losses processes are enclosed in a recovery characteristic time,
which is usually considered either as a constant or as a function of solar wind parameters such
as dusk-ward electric field or dynamic pressure. An influence of the intensity of the storm on
the recovery time has been suggested. Superposed epoch analysis undertaken to the recovery
phase of intense geomagnetic storms over 40 years has revealed a dependence of the recovery
time with the intensity of the storm.