World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!
Award Badge
Earth Science
Brazil
2026

D-Index & Metrics

Earth Science

D-Index
70
Citations
21458
World Ranking
959
National Ranking
3

Physics

D-Index
70
Citations
22444
World Ranking
3659
National Ranking
8

Research.com Recognitions

  • 2026 - Research.com Earth Science in Brazil Leader Award
  • 2025 - Research.com Earth Science in Brazil Leader Award
  • 2023 - Research.com Earth Science in Brazil Leader Award
  • 2022 - Research.com Earth Science in Brazil Leader Award

Overview

Walter D. Gonzalez is affiliated with the National Institute for Space Research in Brazil and specializes in the field of Physics and Astronomy with a focus on subfields such as Astronomy and Astrophysics, Molecular Biology, Nuclear and High Energy Physics, Geophysics, and Psychiatry and Mental Health.

The scientist's primary research topics include:

  • Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics
  • Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics
  • Geomagnetism and Paleomagnetism Studies
  • Astro and Planetary Science
  • Earthquake Detection and Analysis
  • Epilepsy research and treatment
  • Pharmacological Effects and Toxicity Studies

Walter D. Gonzalez has contributed to various publication venues, with frequent appearances in:

  • Journal of Geophysical Research Space Physics
  • Nature Communications
  • The Astrophysical Journal
  • Geophysical Research Letters
  • Advances in Space Research

Notable recent papers include:

  • "Magnetotail reconnection onset caused by electron kinetics with a strong external driver," published in 2020 in Nature Communications
  • "Global-scale magnetosphere convection driven by dayside magnetic reconnection," published in 2024 in Nature Communications
  • "Direct observation of turbulent magnetic reconnection in the solar wind," published in 2022 in Nature Astronomy
  • "Physical Implication of Two Types of Reconnection Electron Diffusion Regions With and Without Ion-Coupling in the Magnetotail Current Sheet," published in 2020 in Geophysical Research Letters
  • "Geoeffectiveness of Interplanetary Alfvén Waves. I. Magnetopause Magnetic Reconnection and Directly Driven Substorms," published in 2023 in The Astrophysical Journal

Frequent co-authors in Walter D. Gonzalez's work include:

  • Chi Wang
  • Lei Dai
  • Yong Ren
  • San Lu
  • Rongsheng Wang

Best Publications

  • What is a geomagnetic storm

    W. D. Gonzalez;J. A. Joselyn;Y. Kamide;H. W. Kroehl

  • Interplanetary origin of geomagnetic storms

    Walter D. Gonzalez;Bruce T. Tsurutani;Alicia L. Clúa de Gonzalez

  • Corotating solar wind streams and recurrent geomagnetic activity: A review

    Bruce T. Tsurutani;Bruce T. Tsurutani;Walter D. Gonzalez;Alicia L. C. Gonzalez;Fernando L. Guarnieri

  • Origin of interplanetary southward magnetic fields responsible for major magnetic storms near solar maximum (1978–1979)

    Bruce T. Tsurutani;Walter D. Gonzalez;Frances Tang;Syun I. Akasofu

  • Criteria of interplanetary parameters causing intense magnetic storms (Dst < −100 nT)

    Walter D. Gonzalez;Bruce T. Tsurutani

  • Dayside global ionospheric response to the major interplanetary events of October 29–30, 2003 “Halloween Storms”

    A. J. Mannucci;B. T. Tsurutani;B. A. Iijima;A. Komjathy

  • The extreme magnetic storm of 1–2 September 1859

    B. T. Tsurutani;W. D. Gonzalez;G. S. Lakhina;S. Alex

  • Interplanetary origin of geomagnetic activity in the declining phase of the solar cycle

    Bruce T. Tsurutani;Walter D. Gonzalez;Alicia L. C. Gonzalez;Frances Tang

  • Global dayside ionospheric uplift and enhancement associated with interplanetary electric fields

    Bruce Tsurutani;Anthony Mannucci;Byron Iijima;Mangalathayil Ali Abdu

  • The Interplanetary Causes of Magnetic Storms: A Review

    Bruce T. Tsurutani;Walter D. Gonzalez

  • A quantitative model for the potential resulting from reconnection with an arbitrary interplanetary magnetic field

    W. D. Gonzalez;F. S. Mozer

  • The cause of high-intensity long-duration continuous AE activity (HILDCAAs): Interplanetary Alfvén wave trains

    Bruce T. Tsurutani;Walter D. Gonzalez

  • Current understanding of magnetic storms: storm-substorm relationships

    Y. Kamide;W. Baumjohann;I. A. Daglis;W. D. Gonzalez

  • The association of coronal mass ejections with their effects near the Earth

    R Schwenn;A Dal Lago;Emilia Huttunen;W D Gonzalez

  • Decay of the Dst field of geomagnetic disturbance after substorm onset and its implication to storm-substorm relation

    T. Iyemori;D. R. K. Rao

  • Two-step development of geomagnetic storms

    Y. Kamide;N. Yokoyama;W. Gonzalez;B. T. Tsurutani

  • Solar wind-magnetosphere coupling during intense magnetic storms (1978-1979)

    Walter D. Gonzalez;Bruce T. Tsurutani;Alicia L. C. Gonzalez;Edward J. Smith

  • Interplanetary conditions causing intense geomagnetic storms (Dst ≤ −100 nT) during solar cycle 23 (1996–2006)

    E. Echer;W. D. Gonzalez;B. T. Tsurutani;A. L. C. Gonzalez

  • Great magnetic storms

    Bruce T. Tsurutani;Walter D. Gonzalez;Frances Tang;Yen Te Lee

  • Prompt penetration electric fields (PPEFs) and their ionospheric effects during the great magnetic storm of 30-31 October 2003

    B. T. Tsurutani;B. T. Tsurutani;O. P. Verkhoglyadova;O. P. Verkhoglyadova;A. J. Mannucci;A. Saito

Frequent Co-Authors

Bruce T. Tsurutani
Bruce T. Tsurutani California Institute of Technology
Janet U. Kozyra
Janet U. Kozyra University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
Yohsuke Kamide
Yohsuke Kamide Nagoya University
Anthony J. Mannucci
Anthony J. Mannucci California Institute of Technology
J. H. A. Sobral
J. H. A. Sobral National Institute for Space Research
David G. Sibeck
David G. Sibeck Goddard Space Flight Center
M.A. Abdu
M.A. Abdu National Institute for Space Research
Robert L. McPherron
Robert L. McPherron University of California, Los Angeles
Wolfgang Baumjohann
Wolfgang Baumjohann Austrian Academy of Sciences
F. S. Mozer
F. S. Mozer University of California, Berkeley

If you think any of the details on this page are incorrect, let us know.

Report an issue

We appreciate your kind effort to assist us to improve this page, it would be helpful providing us with as much detail as possible in the text box below:

Related Online Degrees & Career Pathways

For those interested in expanding their knowledge beyond Earth Science, several related online degrees offer diverse career pathways. Many older adults find value in pursuing flexible education options, and researching degrees for older adults highlights programs designed with this demographic in mind, providing a chance to reskill or enrich personal growth.

If you're drawn to environmental data management or information systems, exploring mlis ala accredited programs is a valuable step. These programs equip students for careers in library and information science, where managing scientific and geospatial data is increasingly important.

Understanding "what is library science" can open doors to specialized roles supporting scientific research and knowledge preservation. This field combines technology and research skills, crucial for advancing Earth Science studies and facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration.

Additionally, for those interested in visual documentation and environmental awareness, studying online photography degrees provides creative career options. Graduates can focus on scientific photography, conservation imaging, or media roles to help communicate Earth Science insights effectively.

Best Scientists Citing Walter D. Gonzalez

Trending Scientists

Recently Published Articles