Statistical studies of ULF pulsations using GPS TEC

Many ULF wave properties have been historically deduced from ground-based magnetometer measurements. However, ULF waves with sufficiently small-scale size have no or little detectable signatures with this method of observation. Thus, to study such waves, one is required to utilize other types of instrumentation. In this study we focus on GPS observations of ULF pulsations. The main motivation behind this work is the theoretical developments and modeling studies on ionospheric alterations due to ULF waves (e.g. [Waters and Cox, 2009]). In addition, increasingly extensive spatial coverage and greater temporal resolution of TEC observations make this diagnostic technique more appealing. Possible detection of ULF wave signature using GPS TEC has been previously reported [Skone 2008, Murr, et al. 2010]. Here, we present a statistical study on both small-scale and large-scale ULF waves using GPS TEC measurements. The results of this statistical analysis will allow us to determine the applicability of GPS TEC as a regular monitoring means to study the spatial and temporal development of the waves and to infer much more definitive information regarding the wave-particle interactions driving the waves.