Finite element method modelling of induced geoelectric field (IGF) and its application to Jiaodong Peninsula of China

Abstract Based on finite element method, we develop a model of the induced geoelectric field (IGF) occurring in land-sea boundary regions during large geomagnetic field disturbances. The model is used first to study the effects of the changes in the lithospheric conductivity, ionospheric current, and ocean depth on the distribution of IGF in a typical land-sea boundary region. The results show that the changes in the lithospheric conductivity and ionospheric current (frequency, magnitude and direction) have major effects and ocean depth has minor effect on IGF in coastal areas. Then by incorporating a realistic 3-D conductivity variation of Jiaodong Peninsula (JDP) in China obtained from measured data, the model is used to simulate the IGF variation in JDP covering its land-sea boundaries for east–west and north–south ionospheric currents. The results show a new aspect that extremely large IGF development on the land side of the coastal bay areas perpendicular to the current compared to plane coastal areas. The results can stimulate detailed investigations of IGF (and GIC, geomagnetically induced current) in coastal areas.