The Solar Origin of an Intense Geomagnetic Storm on 1 December 2023: Successive Slipping and Eruption of Multiple Magnetic Flux Ropes

Abstract

The solar eruption that occurred on 28 November 2023 (SOL2023-11-28) triggered an intense geomagnetic storm on 1 December 2023. The associated terrestrial auroras manifested at the most southern latitudes in the northern hemisphere observed in the past two decades. In order to explore the profound geoeffectiveness of this event, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of its solar origin to offer potential factors contributing to its impact. Magnetic flux ropes (MFRs) are twisted magnetic structures recognized as significant contributors to coronal mass ejections (CMEs), thereby impacting space weather greatly. In this event, we identified multiple MFRs in the solar active region and observed distinct slipping processes of the three MFRs: MFR1, MFR2, and MFR3. All three MFRs exhibit slipping motions at a speed of 40 – 137 km s⁻¹, extending beyond their original locations. Notably, the slipping of MFR2 extends to \(\sim 30\text{ Mm}\) and initiates the eruption of MFR3. Ultimately, MFR1’s eruption results in an M3.4-class flare and a CME, while MFR2 and MFR3 collectively produce an M9.8-class flare and another halo CME. This study shows the slipping process in a multi-MFR system, showing how one MFR’s slipping can trigger the eruption of another MFR. We propose that the CME–CME interactions caused by multiple MFR eruptions may contribute to the significant geoeffectiveness.