Statistical Study of Geomagnetic Storms during Year 1996-2007

A geomagnetic storm is a global disturbance in Earth’s magnetic field usually occurred due to abnormal conditions in the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) and solar wind plasma emissions caused by various solar phenomenon. A study of 220 geomagnetic storms associated with disturbance storm time (Dst) decreases of more than -50 nT to -300 nT, observed during 1996-2007, the span of solar cycle 23. We have analyzed and studied them statistically. We find yearly occurrences of geomagnetic storm are strongly correlated with 11-year sunspot cycle, but no significant correlation between the maximum and minimum phase of solar cycle-23 have been found. It is also found that solar cycle-23 is remarkable for occurrence of Intense geomagnetic storm during its declining phase. The detailed results are discussed in this paper.