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Jeffrey J. Love

I am a Research Geophysicist in the Geomagnetism Program of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). My research has encompassed a variety of subjects related to the Earth’s magnetic field.

These days, I work in collaboration with colleagues on three subjects: 1. Using geomagnetic monitoring data and magnetotelluric survey data to evaluate geoelectric hazards of concern to the electric-power grid industry. 2. Statistical analysis of the rare occurrences of extremely intense magnetic storms. 3. Analysis of historical records of past space-weather events and their impacts.

Research theme: Geomagnetic Hazards

Magnetic storms; Solar-terrestrial interaction; Magnetotellurics; Induced geoelectric fields; Space climatology; Geophysical monitoring; Rare, extreme, historical geophysical events; Earthquake prediction; Hypothesis testing; Time series analysis; Statistical analysis

Professional Experience

  • USGS, Golden, CO, Research Geophysicist, Advisor for Geomagnetic Research, 2006 - Present

  • Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, Universite Paris Diderot, France, Visiting Professor, September 2015

  • Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, Universite Paris Diderot, France, Visiting Research Scientist, October 2012

  • USGS, Golden, CO, Supervisory Research Geophysicist, Geomagnetism Group Leader, 20

Education and Certifications

  • Harvard University, Geophysics, Ph.D. 1993

  • University of California, Berkeley, Physics and Applied Mathematics, A.B. 1985

Affiliations and Memberships*

  • Space Weather Operations Response and Mitigation (SWORM) of the National Science and Technology Council, 2015 - Present

  • Electromagnetic Pulse Research and Development (EMPRAD) of the National Science

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 18
Pink and greenish yellow lights in the night sky

August 25, 2018 Magnetic Disturbance

Space Weather Events of August 25, 2018
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Geomagnetism Program
August 25, 2018 Magnetic Disturbance

August 25, 2018 Magnetic Disturbance

Space Weather Events of August 25, 2018
Learn More
Pink and greenish yellow lights in the night sky

June 23, 2015 Magnetic Disturbance

Space Weather Events of June 23, 2015
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Geomagnetism Program
June 23, 2015 Magnetic Disturbance

June 23, 2015 Magnetic Disturbance

Space Weather Events of June 23, 2015
Learn More
Pink and greenish yellow lights in the night sky

March 17, 2015 Magnetic Disturbance

Space Weather Events of March 17, 2015
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Geomagnetism Program
March 17, 2015 Magnetic Disturbance

March 17, 2015 Magnetic Disturbance

Space Weather Events of March 17, 2015
Learn More
Pink and greenish yellow lights in the night sky

September 12, 2014 Magnetic Disturbance

Space Weather Events of September 12, 2014
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Geomagnetism Program
September 12, 2014 Magnetic Disturbance

September 12, 2014 Magnetic Disturbance

Space Weather Events of September 12, 2014
Learn More
Pink and greenish yellow lights in the night sky

February 19, 2014 Magnetic Disturbance

Space Weather Events of February 19, 2014
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Geomagnetism Program
February 19, 2014 Magnetic Disturbance

February 19, 2014 Magnetic Disturbance

Space Weather Events of February 19, 2014
Learn More
Pink and greenish yellow lights in the night sky

October 1, 2012 Magnetic Disturbance

Space Weather Events of October 1, 2012
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Geomagnetism Program
October 1, 2012 Magnetic Disturbance

October 1, 2012 Magnetic Disturbance

Space Weather Events of October 1, 2012
Learn More

Voltages measured on long grounded electrically conducting lines in North American during several magnetic storms, 1891-1940 Voltages measured on long grounded electrically conducting lines in North American during several magnetic storms, 1891-1940

Presented is a list of voltages (electric potential differences) measured during magnetic storms on grounded long lines in the United States and Canada between 1891 and 1940. The sources for the list are published papers, technical documents, and newspapers. Each entry consists of the maximum voltage measured for each storm on a specified line connecting two ground points, nominally...
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Geomagnetism Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

North American electricity power-grid and communication-network anomalies for several magnetic storms North American electricity power-grid and communication-network anomalies for several magnetic storms

Anomaly lists are presented documenting operational interference to electricity power grids and communication networks in the United States and Canada during magnetic storms. Four of the anomaly lists apply for magnetic storms that occurred in March 1989, August 1972, March 1940, and for various storms 1946-2000; yet another list consists of statistical values summarizing geomagnetically...
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Geomagnetism Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

Estimated peak geoelectric field strengths during a Carrington-class magnetic storm Estimated peak geoelectric field strengths during a Carrington-class magnetic storm

This dataset presents modeled estimates of peak one-minute-resolution geoelectric-field strengths at 1,616 survey sites across the contiguous United States during a hypothetical Carrington-class magnetic storm. The values are derived using magnetometer time series and magnetotelluric impedance tensors. Each entry includes a most-likely value and a 68% confidence interval.
By
Earthquake Hazards Program, Community for Data Integration (CDI), Geologic Hazards Science Center

The International Geomagnetic Reference Field, 2005 The International Geomagnetic Reference Field, 2005

This is a set of five world charts showing the declination, inclination, horizontal intensity, vertical component, and total intensity of the Earth's magnetic field at mean sea level at the beginning of 2005. The charts are based on the International Geomagnetic Reference Field (IGRF) main model for 2005 and secular change model for 2005-2010. The IGRF is referenced to the World Geodetic...
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Geomagnetism Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center
No results found.
Filter Total Items: 93

U.S. Geological Survey geomagnetic variometer data: Capitalizing on seismic infrastructure U.S. Geological Survey geomagnetic variometer data: Capitalizing on seismic infrastructure

The U.S. Geological Survey’s Geomagnetism Program is collaborating with the Earthquake Hazards Program and Global Seismographic Network Program to densify magnetic field observations. This collaboration focuses on the installation of magnetometers, or magnetic variometers, at existing seismic stations. Along with improving the density of space weather observations for hazard monitoring...
Authors
Adam T. Ringler, Andrew Holcomb, E. Joshua Rigler, Spencer Wilbur, C. Balch, Corey Beutel, Brendan Ryan Geels, J. Guerra, A. Horton, Edward Kromer, Kristen A. Lewis, Jeffrey J. Love, Yolando Root, Claudia Kristina Rossavik, N. Shavers, John Spritzer, Tyler Storm, Alexandra Nicole Wernle, David C. Wilson
By
Geologic Hazards Science Center

The impact of the May 1921 superstorm on American telecommunication systems The impact of the May 1921 superstorm on American telecommunication systems

A compilation is presented of impacts (interference and damage) realized on long-line telegraph and telephone systems across North America during the 13-16 May 1921 magnetic storm. Impacts occurred primarily during local nighttime, after the third of four sudden commencements, and during the storm’s most-prominent main phase. Impacts are attributed to rapid and high-amplitude geomagnetic...
Authors
Jeffrey J. Love, Greg M. Lucas, Anna Kelbert, Neesha R. Schnepf, Paul A. Bedrosian, Sara K. McBride
By
Geologic Hazards Science Center

What is the lowest latitude of discrete aurorae during superstorms? What is the lowest latitude of discrete aurorae during superstorms?

From a survey of published accounts of visual sightings of aurorae, a compilation is presented of the lowest identified geomagnetic latitude at which discrete aurorae were seen at local zenith during magnetic storms having intensities with maximum − Dst > 200 nT. The compilation includes data for the superstorms of 2 September 1859, 4 February 1872, and 15 May 1921. A statistical model...
Authors
Jeffrey J. Love, Ian R. Mann, Timo Qvick, Kalevi Mursula
By
Geologic Hazards Science Center

Correction to “The March 1940 superstorm: Geoelectromagnetic hazards and impacts on American communication and power systems” Correction to “The March 1940 superstorm: Geoelectromagnetic hazards and impacts on American communication and power systems”

In Love et al. (2023), 5 estimated geopotentials on long lines for the March 1989 storm are incorrect. This was the result of incorrect calculation of line integrals. This error affects the two paragraphs of Section 11 and Figure 10 of that paper. The most significant impact of this error is that we overestimated the average ratio of the geopotentials measured the long lines during the...
Authors
Jeffrey J. Love, E. Joshua Rigler, Michael D. Hartinger, Greg M. Lucas, Anna Kelbert, Paul A. Bedrosian
By
Geologic Hazards Science Center

The solar cycle, geology, and geoelectric hazards for power grids The solar cycle, geology, and geoelectric hazards for power grids

When sunspots are large and numerous, intense magnetic storms are likely to occur on the Earth. Magnetic storms can generate electric fields in the Earth, and these fields can, in turn, interfere with electric power transmission grids that are grounded at the Earth’s surface. Across the contiguous United States, geoelectric hazards are highest in the Upper Midwest and in the East. These...
Authors
Jeffrey J. Love, Steven Sobieszczyk, E. Joshua Rigler, Anna Kelbert, Kristen A. Lewis
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Geomagnetism Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

Challenging ring-current models of the Carrington storm Challenging ring-current models of the Carrington storm

A detailed analysis is made of horizontal-component geomagnetic-disturbance data acquired at the Colaba observatory in India recording the Carrington magnetic storm of September 1859. Prior to attaining its maximum absolute value, disturbance at Colaba increased with an e-folding timescale of 0.46 hr (28 min). Following its maximum, absolute disturbance at Colaba decreased as a trend...
Authors
Jeffrey J. Love, Kalevi Mursula
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Geomagnetism Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center
What a Solar Superstorm Could Mean for the US

What a Solar Superstorm Could Mean for the US

If a geomagnetic storm as large as the famed “Carrington Event” of 1859 were to occur today, it could adversely affect telecommunications and electric...

Read Article
Preparing the Nation for Intense Space Weather

Preparing the Nation for Intense Space Weather

While major geomagnetic storms are rare, with only a few recorded per century, there is significant potential for large-scale impacts when they do...

Read Article
Getting Down to Earth with Space Hazards

Getting Down to Earth with Space Hazards

Magnetic storms can interfere with the operation of electric power grids and damage grid infrastructure. They can also disrupt directional drilling...

Read Article
Aurora Borealis Painting Pays Tribute to Civil War’s End

Aurora Borealis Painting Pays Tribute to Civil War’s End

USGS explores the meaning behind Frederic Edwin Church's 1865 painting, “Aurora Borealis.”

Read Article

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 18
Pink and greenish yellow lights in the night sky

August 25, 2018 Magnetic Disturbance

Space Weather Events of August 25, 2018
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Geomagnetism Program
August 25, 2018 Magnetic Disturbance

August 25, 2018 Magnetic Disturbance

Space Weather Events of August 25, 2018
Learn More
Pink and greenish yellow lights in the night sky

June 23, 2015 Magnetic Disturbance

Space Weather Events of June 23, 2015
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Geomagnetism Program
June 23, 2015 Magnetic Disturbance

June 23, 2015 Magnetic Disturbance

Space Weather Events of June 23, 2015
Learn More
Pink and greenish yellow lights in the night sky

March 17, 2015 Magnetic Disturbance

Space Weather Events of March 17, 2015
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Geomagnetism Program
March 17, 2015 Magnetic Disturbance

March 17, 2015 Magnetic Disturbance

Space Weather Events of March 17, 2015
Learn More
Pink and greenish yellow lights in the night sky

September 12, 2014 Magnetic Disturbance

Space Weather Events of September 12, 2014
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Geomagnetism Program
September 12, 2014 Magnetic Disturbance

September 12, 2014 Magnetic Disturbance

Space Weather Events of September 12, 2014
Learn More
Pink and greenish yellow lights in the night sky

February 19, 2014 Magnetic Disturbance

Space Weather Events of February 19, 2014
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Geomagnetism Program
February 19, 2014 Magnetic Disturbance

February 19, 2014 Magnetic Disturbance

Space Weather Events of February 19, 2014
Learn More
Pink and greenish yellow lights in the night sky

October 1, 2012 Magnetic Disturbance

Space Weather Events of October 1, 2012
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Geomagnetism Program
October 1, 2012 Magnetic Disturbance

October 1, 2012 Magnetic Disturbance

Space Weather Events of October 1, 2012
Learn More

Voltages measured on long grounded electrically conducting lines in North American during several magnetic storms, 1891-1940 Voltages measured on long grounded electrically conducting lines in North American during several magnetic storms, 1891-1940

Presented is a list of voltages (electric potential differences) measured during magnetic storms on grounded long lines in the United States and Canada between 1891 and 1940. The sources for the list are published papers, technical documents, and newspapers. Each entry consists of the maximum voltage measured for each storm on a specified line connecting two ground points, nominally...
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Geomagnetism Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

North American electricity power-grid and communication-network anomalies for several magnetic storms North American electricity power-grid and communication-network anomalies for several magnetic storms

Anomaly lists are presented documenting operational interference to electricity power grids and communication networks in the United States and Canada during magnetic storms. Four of the anomaly lists apply for magnetic storms that occurred in March 1989, August 1972, March 1940, and for various storms 1946-2000; yet another list consists of statistical values summarizing geomagnetically...
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Geomagnetism Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

Estimated peak geoelectric field strengths during a Carrington-class magnetic storm Estimated peak geoelectric field strengths during a Carrington-class magnetic storm

This dataset presents modeled estimates of peak one-minute-resolution geoelectric-field strengths at 1,616 survey sites across the contiguous United States during a hypothetical Carrington-class magnetic storm. The values are derived using magnetometer time series and magnetotelluric impedance tensors. Each entry includes a most-likely value and a 68% confidence interval.
By
Earthquake Hazards Program, Community for Data Integration (CDI), Geologic Hazards Science Center

The International Geomagnetic Reference Field, 2005 The International Geomagnetic Reference Field, 2005

This is a set of five world charts showing the declination, inclination, horizontal intensity, vertical component, and total intensity of the Earth's magnetic field at mean sea level at the beginning of 2005. The charts are based on the International Geomagnetic Reference Field (IGRF) main model for 2005 and secular change model for 2005-2010. The IGRF is referenced to the World Geodetic...
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Geomagnetism Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center
No results found.
Filter Total Items: 93

U.S. Geological Survey geomagnetic variometer data: Capitalizing on seismic infrastructure U.S. Geological Survey geomagnetic variometer data: Capitalizing on seismic infrastructure

The U.S. Geological Survey’s Geomagnetism Program is collaborating with the Earthquake Hazards Program and Global Seismographic Network Program to densify magnetic field observations. This collaboration focuses on the installation of magnetometers, or magnetic variometers, at existing seismic stations. Along with improving the density of space weather observations for hazard monitoring...
Authors
Adam T. Ringler, Andrew Holcomb, E. Joshua Rigler, Spencer Wilbur, C. Balch, Corey Beutel, Brendan Ryan Geels, J. Guerra, A. Horton, Edward Kromer, Kristen A. Lewis, Jeffrey J. Love, Yolando Root, Claudia Kristina Rossavik, N. Shavers, John Spritzer, Tyler Storm, Alexandra Nicole Wernle, David C. Wilson
By
Geologic Hazards Science Center

The impact of the May 1921 superstorm on American telecommunication systems The impact of the May 1921 superstorm on American telecommunication systems

A compilation is presented of impacts (interference and damage) realized on long-line telegraph and telephone systems across North America during the 13-16 May 1921 magnetic storm. Impacts occurred primarily during local nighttime, after the third of four sudden commencements, and during the storm’s most-prominent main phase. Impacts are attributed to rapid and high-amplitude geomagnetic...
Authors
Jeffrey J. Love, Greg M. Lucas, Anna Kelbert, Neesha R. Schnepf, Paul A. Bedrosian, Sara K. McBride
By
Geologic Hazards Science Center

What is the lowest latitude of discrete aurorae during superstorms? What is the lowest latitude of discrete aurorae during superstorms?

From a survey of published accounts of visual sightings of aurorae, a compilation is presented of the lowest identified geomagnetic latitude at which discrete aurorae were seen at local zenith during magnetic storms having intensities with maximum − Dst > 200 nT. The compilation includes data for the superstorms of 2 September 1859, 4 February 1872, and 15 May 1921. A statistical model...
Authors
Jeffrey J. Love, Ian R. Mann, Timo Qvick, Kalevi Mursula
By
Geologic Hazards Science Center

Correction to “The March 1940 superstorm: Geoelectromagnetic hazards and impacts on American communication and power systems” Correction to “The March 1940 superstorm: Geoelectromagnetic hazards and impacts on American communication and power systems”

In Love et al. (2023), 5 estimated geopotentials on long lines for the March 1989 storm are incorrect. This was the result of incorrect calculation of line integrals. This error affects the two paragraphs of Section 11 and Figure 10 of that paper. The most significant impact of this error is that we overestimated the average ratio of the geopotentials measured the long lines during the...
Authors
Jeffrey J. Love, E. Joshua Rigler, Michael D. Hartinger, Greg M. Lucas, Anna Kelbert, Paul A. Bedrosian
By
Geologic Hazards Science Center

The solar cycle, geology, and geoelectric hazards for power grids The solar cycle, geology, and geoelectric hazards for power grids

When sunspots are large and numerous, intense magnetic storms are likely to occur on the Earth. Magnetic storms can generate electric fields in the Earth, and these fields can, in turn, interfere with electric power transmission grids that are grounded at the Earth’s surface. Across the contiguous United States, geoelectric hazards are highest in the Upper Midwest and in the East. These...
Authors
Jeffrey J. Love, Steven Sobieszczyk, E. Joshua Rigler, Anna Kelbert, Kristen A. Lewis
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Geomagnetism Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center

Challenging ring-current models of the Carrington storm Challenging ring-current models of the Carrington storm

A detailed analysis is made of horizontal-component geomagnetic-disturbance data acquired at the Colaba observatory in India recording the Carrington magnetic storm of September 1859. Prior to attaining its maximum absolute value, disturbance at Colaba increased with an e-folding timescale of 0.46 hr (28 min). Following its maximum, absolute disturbance at Colaba decreased as a trend...
Authors
Jeffrey J. Love, Kalevi Mursula
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Geomagnetism Program, Geologic Hazards Science Center
What a Solar Superstorm Could Mean for the US

What a Solar Superstorm Could Mean for the US

If a geomagnetic storm as large as the famed “Carrington Event” of 1859 were to occur today, it could adversely affect telecommunications and electric...

Read Article
Preparing the Nation for Intense Space Weather

Preparing the Nation for Intense Space Weather

While major geomagnetic storms are rare, with only a few recorded per century, there is significant potential for large-scale impacts when they do...

Read Article
Getting Down to Earth with Space Hazards

Getting Down to Earth with Space Hazards

Magnetic storms can interfere with the operation of electric power grids and damage grid infrastructure. They can also disrupt directional drilling...

Read Article
Aurora Borealis Painting Pays Tribute to Civil War’s End

Aurora Borealis Painting Pays Tribute to Civil War’s End

USGS explores the meaning behind Frederic Edwin Church's 1865 painting, “Aurora Borealis.”

Read Article

*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government

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