Effects of the May 10, 2024 Solar Storm on the South Atlantic Anomaly: A Case Study in Bolivia

We analyzed the strongest geomagnetic storm of the past two decades, which occurred on May 10, 2024, focusing on plasma data from spacecraft, Earth's magnetic field variations recorded at the Villa Remedios Magnetic Observatory, and neutron data from the 12-NM64 monitor, both located in La Paz, Bolivia. Situated within the South Atlantic Magnetic Anomaly (SAA), this region offers a unique perspective on geomagnetic disturbances, emphasizing the relevance of localized studies. The Villa Remedios Magnetic Observatory recorded a Dst drop of -560 nT, significantly larger than the -412 nT reported by the Kyoto station, underscoring pronounced regional variations likely amplified by SAA's influence. Concurrently, the neutron monitor at Chacaltaya registered a Forbush decrease on May 10, linked to coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and solar flares that occurred on May 8. This decrease was followed by a prolonged 13-day recovery, mirroring patterns observed in the Dst index. The combined data highlight the intricate interplay between solar activity and its terrestrial impacts, revealing significant correlations among CMEs, solar wind velocity, proton and electron fluxes, and geomagnetic disturbances. What did we learn from this geomagnetic storm? The importance of considering the geographical location and magnetic environment when analyzing such phenomena.