Disturbances in Geospace – The Storm–Substorm Relationship, Geophysical Monograph 142

Published by the American Geophysical Union as part of the Geophysical Monograph Series, Volume 142.

Advancing our knowledge of the Sun-Earth connection and our capabilities to predict conditions in near-Earth geospace has captured the attention of geospace, solar and other scientists, prompting initiatives in many countries. These advances rely heavily on our understanding of the coupling processes between the solar wind and magnetosphere, such as geomagnetic storms and substorms. In this regard, the science of the storm-substorm relationship is not an end in itself, but a critical step in unveiling the Sun-Earth connection.
Sidney Chapman (1889-1970) was a pioneer in the study of the influence of the Sun on geospace. In fact, it was he who first coined the term "substorms" to describe the many intense disturbances that occur during a magnetic storm. Chapman also provided us with a comprehensive view of the relationship between storms and substorms. Since Chapman's initial work, our understanding has undergone vast changes. The classical notion of substorms as building blocks of storms has evolved, allowing us to note complex synergies between storms, substorms, and convection enhancements in the magnetosphere.