Geomagnetic disturbances analysis using discrete wavelets

Abstract

To assess long–term trends and periodicities in geomagnetic storms, the discrete wavelet transform, using the Daubechies function, was applied. Among a variety of techniques, which are available for analyzing variability, wavelet analysis has emerged in the last decade as a useful statistical tool for this purpose. The number of geomagnetic storms from 1957 to 2004 was used for the present analysis. The wavelet analysis has been applied to storms with different intensities. For identify geomagnetic storms, the equatorial index, Dst, has been used. The long–term trend during the analyzed period is not a uniform, with minimum around the years 1965 and 2000, and a maximum around 1990. Different periodicities have been detected. Their behavior is not regular along the analyzed period, they have different intensity values. Possible causes for the observed variability are discussed.