Strong variations of cosmic ray intensity during thunderstorms and associated pulsations of the geomagnetic field

TL;DR

This study investigates the correlation between cosmic ray intensity variations during thunderstorms and pulsations in the geomagnetic field, using underground magnetometers and an air shower array in the Baksan Valley.

Contribution

It provides new observational evidence linking cosmic ray fluctuations with geomagnetic pulsations during thunderstorms.

Findings

Cosmic ray intensity varies significantly during thunderstorms.

Clear geomagnetic pulsations are observed in some cases.

The correlation between cosmic rays and geomagnetic activity is demonstrated.

Abstract

Strong variations of the intensity of secondary cosmic rays during thunderstorms are found to be accompanied in some cases by very clear pulsations of the geomagnetic field. The experiment is carried out in the Baksan Valley, North Caucasus, the Carpet air shower array being used as a particle detector. Magnetic field measurements are made with high-precision magnetometers located deep underground in the tunnel of the Baksan Neutrino Observatory, several kilometers apart from the air shower array.