Study of evolution and geo-effectiveness of coronal mass ejection–coronal mass ejection interactions using magnetohydrodynamic simulations with SWASTi framework

Abstract

The geo-effectiveness of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) is a critical area of study in space weather, particularly in the lesser-explored domain of CME–CME interactions and their geomagnetic consequences. This study leverages the Space Weather Adaptive SimulaTion framework to perform 3D MHD simulation of a range of CME–CME interaction scenarios within realistic solar wind conditions. The focus is on the dynamics of the initial magnetic flux, speed, density, and tilt of CMEs, and their individual and combined impacts on the disturbance storm time (Dst) index. Additionally, the kinematic, magnetic, and structural impacts on the leading CME, as well as the mixing of both CMEs, are analyzed. Time-series in situ studies are conducted through virtual spacecraft positioned along three different longitudes at 1 au. Our findings reveal that CME–CME interactions are nonuniform along different longitudes, due to the inhomogeneous ambient solar wind conditions. A significant increase in the momentum and kinetic energy of the leading CME is observed due to collisions with the trailing CME, along with the formation of reverse shocks in cases of strong interaction. These reverse shocks lead to complex wave patterns inside CME2, which can prolong the storm recovery phase. Furthermore, we observe that the minimum Dst value decreases with an increase in the initial density, tilt, and speed of the trailing CME.