A Physics‐Informed Neural Network Approach to the Gannon Storm

Abstract Extreme geomagnetic storms, such as the May 2024 Gannon event, pose significant risks to technological infrastructure, requiring robust forecasting models. Here, we apply Physics‐Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) to the Burton equation to model the storm's ring current dynamics by studying the temporal evolution of the SuperMAG SMR index during the Gannon storm. By solving the inverse problem, we determine optimal parameters for multiple solar wind‐magnetosphere coupling functions while enforcing physical consistency. We use an ensemble PINN approach with Random Fourier Features to capture high‐frequency fluctuations in the index and quantify epistemic uncertainties. Our comparative analysis reveals that physically motivated merging functions best describe the main phase energy injection, whereas electric field proxies maximize the global fit. These findings demonstrate that PINNs effectively automate model discovery and validate physical hypotheses crucial for the development of next‐generation for operational space weather forecasting tools.

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Publication Details

Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
Published
2026-04-06
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1029/2025gl121605
Primary Topic
Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

A Physics‐Informed Neural Network Approach to the Gannon Storm

Mirko Piersanti, Manuel Lacal, G. Consolini, E. Camporeale
Geophysical Research Letters
Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics
article

A Physics‐Informed Neural Network Approach to the Gannon Storm

Mirko Piersanti, Manuel Lacal, G. Consolini, E. Camporeale
article en

Abstract

Abstract Extreme geomagnetic storms, such as the May 2024 Gannon event, pose significant risks to technological infrastructure, requiring robust forecasting models. Here, we apply Physics‐Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) to the Burton equation to model the storm's ring current dynamics by studying the temporal evolution of the SuperMAG SMR index during the Gannon storm. By solving the inverse problem, we determine optimal parameters for multiple solar wind‐magnetosphere coupling functions while enforcing physical consistency. We use an ensemble PINN approach with Random Fourier Features to capture high‐frequency fluctuations in the index and quantify epistemic uncertainties. Our comparative analysis reveals that physically motivated merging functions best describe the main phase energy injection, whereas electric field proxies maximize the global fit. These findings demonstrate that PINNs effectively automate model discovery and validate physical hypotheses crucial for the development of next‐generation for operational space weather forecasting tools.

Geophysical Research LettersVol. 53(7)
Queen Mary University of London (GB), University of Trento (IT), University of L'Aquila (IT), Institute for Space Astrophysics and Planetology (IT), Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (US), Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Roma I (IT)
Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Openalex Percentile: Top 26%
Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics
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