Multiple ionospheric perturbations during the Saint Patrick's Day storm 2015 in the European‐African sector. Issue 11 (10th November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Borries, Claudia; Mahrous, Ayman M.; Ellahouny, Nada M.; Badeke, Ronny
• Is Part Of: Journal of geophysical research. Volume 121:Issue 11(2016:Nov.)
• Page Start: 11, 333
• Page End: 11, 345
• Publication Date: 2016-11-10
• Subjects: ionosphere -- storm -- prompt penetration electric field -- TID -- TEC; Magnetospheric physics -- Periodicals; Space environment -- Periodicals; Cosmic physics -- Periodicals; Planets -- Atmospheres -- Periodicals; Heliosphere (Astrophysics) -- Periodicals; Geophysics -- Periodicals; 523.01
• DOI: 10.1002/2016JA023178
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-9380

Abstract

Abstract: Strong ionospheric perturbations were generated by the intense geomagnetic storm on 17 March 2015. In this article, we are studying perturbations in the European‐African sector observed in the total electron content (TEC). Focal points are wavelike phenomena considered as large‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (LSTIDs). In the European‐African sector, the storm produced three different types of LSTIDs: (1) a concurrent TEC perturbation at all latitudes simultaneously; (2) one LSTID propagating toward the equator, having very large wave parameters (wavelength: ≈3600 km, period: ≈120 min, and speed: ≈500 m/s); and (3) several LSTIDs propagating toward the equator with typical wave parameters (wavelength: ≈2100 km, period: ≈60 min, and speed ≈600 m/s). The third type of LSTIDs is considered to be exited as most LSTIDs either due to variations in the Joule heating or variations in the Lorentz force, whereas the first two perturbation types are rather unusual in their appearance. They occurred during the partial recovery phase when the geomagnetic perturbations were minor and the interplanetary magnetic field turned northward. A westward prompt penetration electric field is considered to excite the first perturbation signature, which indicates a sudden TEC depletion. For the second LSTID type, variations in the Lorentz force because of perturbed electric fields and a minor particle precipitation effect are extracted as possible excitation mechanisms. Key Points: Large‐scale traveling ionospheric perturbations (LSTIDs) and prompt penetration electric field (PPEF) during St. Patrick's Day storm Plasma depletion during westward convection electric field Joule heating, equatorward winds, and total electron content increase during eastward convection electric field