Understanding the Complex Morphology of a Coronal Mass Ejection. III: How to Create a Severe Geomagnetic Storm

Abstract

On April 21, 2023, a complex filament eruption produced an Earth-directed coronal mass ejection (CME) that triggered the first severe geomagnetic storm of solar cycle 25. The primary objective of this work is to understand the physical origin of the severe impact of this CME on Earth. We explore the CME's complex morphology by simulating the eruption using the thermodynamic magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model CORHEL-CME. We model the pre-eruptive structure as two intertwined magnetic flux ropes and validate the early evolution of the event by comparing synthetic observables generated from the model with extreme-ultraviolet and white-light observations. We then compare the simulated CME structure with in situ measurements. From our analysis, we conclude that the CME merged with a stream interaction region (SIR) before reaching Earth. This interaction compressed the CME sheath, producing a sustained negative $B_n$ component that, together with the associated enhancement in solar wind density and velocity, triggered the geomagnetic storm. The internal configuration of the magnetic flux rope, which also maintained a sustained southward component during its propagation toward Earth, intensified the storm to severe levels. This model-data comparison underscores the power of using MHD simulations, when validated by multi-viewpoint observations, to reveal hidden dynamical processes and improve the understanding and prediction of space weather impacts.