A simulation study of the equatorial ionospheric response to the October 2013 geomagnetic storm
Abstract
The ionospheric observation from ionosonde at Sao Luis (2.5S, 44.2W; 7S dip latitude) around the magnetic equator showed that the nighttime ionospheric F2 peak height (hmF2) was uplifted by more than 150 km during the October 2013 geomagnetic storm. The changes of hmF2 at the magnetic equator were generally attributed to the variations of vertical drift associated with zonal electric field. In this paper, the Thermosphere Ionosphere Electrodynamics General Circulation Model (TIEGCM) simulation results are utilized to explore the possible physical mechanisms responsible for the observed increase of hmF2 at Sao Luis. The TIEGCM reproduced the changes of F2 peak electron density (NmF2) and its height (hmF2) during the main and recovery phases of the October 2013 storm. A series of controlled simulations revealed that, besides the enhancement of vertical plasma drift, the convergence of horizontal neutral winds and thermospheric expansion also contributed significantly to the profound increase of nighttime hmF2 observed at Sao Luis on 2 October. Moreover, the changes of neutral winds and neutral temperature in the equatorial region are associated with the interference of storm time travelling atmospheric disturbances originating from high latitudes.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2017
- Bibcode:
- 2017AGUFMSA34A..06L
- Keywords:
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- 3369 Thermospheric dynamics;
- ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES;
- 2427 Ionosphere/atmosphere interactions;
- IONOSPHERE;
- 2437 Ionospheric dynamics;
- IONOSPHERE;
- 2481 Topside ionosphere;
- IONOSPHERE