Geoelectric Fields

Geomagnetic field variations produce geoelectric fields that can affect the operation of technological networks at the Earth’s surface, including power systems, pipelines, phone cables and railway circuits. To assess the geomagnetic hazard to this technology, it is necessary to model the geomagnetically induced currents (GIC) produced in these systems during geomagnetic disturbances. This requires use of geomagnetic data with appropriate Earth conductivity models to calculate the geoelectric fields that drive GIC.