Geomagnetically Induction effects related to impulsive Space Weather events at low latitudes

During the International Equatorial Electrojet Year (IEEY), from 1992 to 1994, variations of the North-South (Ex) and East-West (Ey) components of the geoelectric field and the horizontal northward (H), eastward (D) and vertical downward (Z) components of the geomagnetic field were recorded along a meridian chain of ten stations across the geomagnetic dip-equator in West Africa (about 5°W longitude).The Geomagnetically Induced Current (GIC) in response to impulsive space weather events was estimated based on two different approaches. The first approach consisted of using the observed geoelectric field variations associated with the February 17, 1993 geomagnetic storm and the April 4, 1993 solar flare to calculate the related GICs. In the second approach, the components of the geoelectric field (Exc and Eyc) were estimated from the geomagnetic field variations during the February 17, 1993 geomagnetic storm, from which an estimate of the potential GICs was inferred. The estimated geoelectric field (Exc and Eyc) and GICs in the second approach were compared with the results of the first approach.