The Earth’s passage of the April 11, 1997 coronal ejecta: geomagnetic field fluctuations at high and low latitude during northward interplanetary magnetic field conditions

An analysis of the low frequency geomagnetic field fluctuations at an Antarctic (Terra Nova Bay) and a low latitude (L’Aquila, Italy) station during the Earth’s passage of a coronal ejecta on April 11, 1997 shows that major solar wind pressure variations were followed at both stations by a high fluctuation level. During northward interplanetary magnetic field conditions and when Terra Nova Bay is close to the local geomagnetic noon, coherent fluctuations, at the same frequency (3.6 mHz) and with polarization characteristics indicating an antisunward propagation, were observed simultaneously at the two stations. An analysis of simultaneous measurements from geosynchronous satellites shows evidence for pulsations at approximately the same frequencies also in the magnetospheric field. The observed waves might then be interpreted as oscillation modes, triggered by an external stimulation, extending to a major portion of the Earth’s magnetosphere.     

The ionospheric response to the cme event of 6–11January 1997

An active aurora was observed at Eureka, Canada (88.9° N magnetic) following the arrivalat the magnetopause of the shock front resulting from the solar Coronal Mass Ejection of 6January 1997. This onset at 02:20 UT on 10 January marked the beginning of an aurora whichcontinued until at least 15:00 UT on 11 January, as viewed from both Eureka and the CANOPUSsite at Ft Smith (67.8° N magnetic). There were enhanced OI 630 nm polar F-region emissionsthroughout this period, with the IMF B_z controlling their form. When B_z was positive, there were continuous polar arcs; when B_zturned negative there were F-layer patches on open field lines. While the strong H_β observed over Ft Smith (240 R) in addition to the extended 630 nm emissions and theirpersistence over two days suggested a red aurora of global proportions, it apparently did notextend to latitudes below 60°. There was a moderate magnetic storm associated with the aurora,but the D_st index reached only −81 nT on 10 January.     

Effects of 6 January 1997 space weather related processes in the low latitude thermosphere–ionosphere system

OI 630.0 nm dayglow data from Mt. Abu, India, along with ground based ionosonde data, were scrutinized for the 6–12 January 1997 space weather related event. The OI 630.0 nm dayglow intensities registered an enhancement by a factor of 2–2.5 on 11 January, in the morning hours, as compared to 9 and 12 January, i.e. one day later than when auroral activities were noted at unusual latitudes and on the day when the magnetosphere was compressed to <6R_E. The ionosonde data did not show any such dramatic increase in the F-region electron densities for the same period. Various plausible mechanisms that could cause the observed enhancement in the dayglow without altering the F-region of the ionosphere are discussed in the context of the actual measurements.     

The recovery phase of the superstrong magnetic storm of July 15–17, 2000: Substorms and ULF pulsations

The geomagnetic observations, performed at the global network of ground-based observatories during the recovery phase of the superstrong magnetic storm of July 15–17, 2000 (Bastille Day Event, Dst = ?301 nT), have been analyzed. It has been indicated that magnetic activity did not cease at the beginning of the storm recovery phase but abruptly shifted to polar latitudes. Polar cap substorms were accompanied by the development of intense geomagnetic pulsations in the morning sector of auroral latitudes. In this case oscillations at frequencies of 1–2 and 3–4 mHz were observed at geomagnetic latitudes higher and lower than ～62°, respectively. It has been detected that the spectra of variations in the solar wind dynamic pressure and the amplitude spectra of geomagnetic pulsations on the Earth’s surface were similar. Wave activity unexpectedly appeared in the evening sector of auroral latitudes after the development of near-midnight polar substorms. It has been established that the generation of Pc5 pulsations (in this case at frequencies of 3–4 mHz) was spatially asymmetric about noon during the late stage of the recovery phase of the discussed storm as took place during the recovery phase of the superstrong storms of October and November 2003. Intense oscillations were generated in the morning sector at the auroral latitudes and in the postnoon sector at the subauroral and middle latitudes. The cause of such an asymmetry, typical of the recovery phase of superstrong magnetic storms, remains unknown.     

Dynamics of solar protons in the Earth’s magnetosphere during magnetic storms in November 2004–January 2005

The processes of penetration, trapping, and acceleration of solar protons in the Earth’s magneto-sphere during magnetic storms in November 2004 and January 2005 are studied based on the energetic particle measurements on the CORONAS-F and SERVIS-1 satellites. Acceleration of protons by 1–2 orders of magnitude was observed after trapping of solar protons with an energy of 1–15 MeV during the recovery phase of the magnetic storm of November 7–8, 2004. This acceleration was accompanied by an earthward shift of the particle flux maximum for several days, during which the series of magnetic storms continued. The process of relativistic electron acceleration proceeded simultaneously and according to a similar scenario including acceleration of protons. At the end of this period, the intensification was terminated by the process of precipitation, and a new proton belt split with the formation of two maximums at L ～ 2 and 3. In the January 2005 series of moderate storms, solar protons were trapped at L = 3.7 during the storm of January 17–18. However, during the magnetic storm of January 21, these particles fell in the zone of quasi-trapping, or precipitated into the atmosphere, or died in the magnetosheath. At the same time, the belts that were formed in November at L ～ 2 and 3 remained unchanged. Transformations of the proton (and electron) belts during strong magnetic storms change the intensity and structure of belts for a long time. Thus, the consequences of changes during the July 2004 storm did not disappear until November disturbances.     

Strong earthquake activity all over the world and strong-moderate earthquake activity within and near China(April,1997～May,1997)

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On the relationship between magnetic clouds and the great geomagnetic storms associated with the period 1995–2006

The fact that magnetic clouds are one of the main sources causing geomagnetic storms is a well-established fact. One of the issues is to establish those features of magnetic clouds determinant in the intensity of the Dst corresponding to geomagnetic storms. We examine measurements of geoeffective magnetic clouds during the period 1995–2006 providing geomagnetic storms with Dst indexes lower than ?100 nT. These involve 46 geomagnetic storm events. After establishing the different characteristics of the magnetic clouds (plasma velocity, maximum magnetic intensity, etc.) we show some results about the correlations found among them and the storms intensity, finding that maximum magnetic field magnitude is a determinant factor to establish the importance of magnetic clouds in generating geomagnetic storms, having a correlation as good as the electric convective field.     

Comparison of model electron densities and temperatures with Millstone Hill observations during undisturbed periods and the geomagnetic storms of 16–23 March and 6–12 April 1990

Measurements of F-region electron density and temperature at Millstone Hill are compared with results from the IZMIRAN time-dependent mathematical model of the Earths ionosphere and plasmasphere during the periods 16–23 March and 6–12 April 1990. Each of these two periods included geomagnetically quiet intervals followed by major storms. Satisfactory agreement between the model and the data is obtained during the quiet intervals, provided that the recombination rate of O⁺(⁴S) ions was decreased by a factor of 1.5 at all altitudes during the nighttime periods 17–18 March, 19–20 March, 6–8 April and 8–9 April in order to increase the NmF2 at night better to match observations. Good model/data agreement is also obtained during the storm periods when vibrationally excited N₂ brings about factor-of-2-4 reductions in daytime NmF2. Model calculations are carried out using different expressions for the O⁺ – O collision frequency for momentum transfer, and the best agreement between the electron-density measurements and the model results is obtained when the CEDAR interim standard formula for the O⁺ – O collision frequency is used. Deviations from the Boltzmann distribution for the first five vibrational levels of NI were calculated. The calculated distribution is highly non-Boltzmann at vibrational levels j > 2, and the Boltzmann distribution assumption results in the increase of 10–30% in calculated NmF2 during the storm-time periods. During the March storm at solar maximum the model results obtained using the EUVAC solar flux model agree a little better with the observations in comparison with the EUV94 solar flux model. For the April storm period of moderate solar activity the EUV94X model results agree better with the observations in comparison to the EUVAC model.     

High-latitude ionosphere during magnetic storms of October 26, 2003–November 1, 2003: Tomographic reconstructions and numerical modeling

The height-latitude distributions of the electron density in the European Arctic sector of the subauroral and high-latitude ionosphere have been reconstructed based on the data of satellite radio tomography. The reconstructions have been compared with the results of the numerical modeling obtained using the UAM global numerical model and the IRI-2001 empirical ionospheric model. The goal of the paper was to find the degree of adequacy of these models to the observational data during geomagnetic disturbances. The UAM theoretical model adequately reproduces the dynamics of the main ionospheric trough, in particular, the position of its equatorward wall, and to a certain degree better describes the behavior of the high-latitude ion-osphere than the IRI empirical model. The discrepancies are observed in the regions of increased electron density poleward of the trough. To eliminate such disagreements, it was proposed to correct the model input distributions of precipitating high-energy electron fluxes with an energy of about 0.5 keV; i.e., the inverse problem of determining these distributions has been solved for extremely strong geomagnetic disturbances.     

Ionospheric disturbances during the severe magnetic storm of November 7–10, 2004

Results of the study of the behavior of the F ₂ region and topside ionosphere during the magnetic storm on November 7–10, 2004, which was a superposition of two sequent Severe magnetic disturbances (Kp = 9–) are presented. The observations were conducted by the incoherent scatter radar at Kharkov. Considerable effects of a negative ionospheric disturbance are registered, including a decrease in the electron density in the F ₂-layer maximum by a factor of 6–7 and of the total electron content up to a height of 1000 km by a factor of 2, a lifting up of the ionospheric F ₂ layer by 300 km at night and by 150–180 km in the daytime, unusual nighttime heating of the plasma with an increase of the ion and electron temperatures up to 2000 and 3000 K, respectively, and a decrease in the relative density of hydrogen ions N(H⁺)/N _e by a factor of up to 3.5 because of the emptying of the magnetic flux tube passing over Kharkov. The effects usually observed in the high-latitude ionosphere, including the coherent echoes, are detected during the main phase of the storm. The results obtained manifest a shift of the large-scale structures of the high-latitude ionosphere (the auroral oval, main ionospheric trough, hot zone, etc.) down to latitudes close to the latitude of the Kharkov radar.     

Assessment of the possibility of using E. A. Ponomarev’s magnetospheric substorm model to analyze geomagnetic disturbances during the magnetic storms of December 14 and 15, 2006

Spatial distributions of pressure and fluxes of precipitating magnetospheric plasma particles were constructed for the strong magnetic storm of December 14 and 15, 2006. The calculations were performed using a model developed by E.A. Ponomarev. Geotail and ACE satellite data were used to specify realistic initial and boundary conditions. The model results were compared with the spatial distribution of the field of geomagnetic disturbances recorded by ground-based magnetic observatories during the storm. The results show that the model (in its current form) provides good agreement between latitudinal displacements of electron precipitations and auroral electrojets but fails to reflect their longitudinal structure. The model fails to yield the strong westward electrojet observed by all auroral zone observatories during the main phase of the magnetic storm.     

Variations in the critical frequency of the ionospheric F-region during magnetic storms in 2008–2012 at auroral latitudes

Fifty-one magnetic storms occurred during the last solar half-cycle of transition from the epoch minimum to the epoch maximum are considered. Ionospheric (foF2) and magnetic (X component) data from Sodankyla observatory, Finland, were used for the analysis, as well as values of the ΣKp indices of magnetic activity. The dependence of variations in the critical frequency foF2 was studied before, during, and after each storm. It has been revealed that a major effect (ME) takes place for all of the storms analyzed. It consists in the following: the first maximum in foF2 values occurs several days before the onset of the active phase of a storm, then foF2 attains its minimum during the active phase, and the second maximum occurred after the active phase. Five principals, the most frequent types of variation in foF2 during a storm, have been revealed. However, special cases (30%) in which an ME exists but shifts rightward several days along the time axis are observable. Ionospheric “memory” (inertia) from 8–9 h to 2 days has been revealed. It has been ascertained that the occurrence of the first ME maximum can be considered a magnetic storm precursor. Such a precursor potentially can be used for forecasting the beginning of magnetic storm development, which is important for space weather problems.     

Comparison of the sector and conventional spherical harmonic analyses of the solar magnetic field on the photosphere,source surface,and in the Earth’s orbit on July 10–20, 2004

The results of a spherical harmonic analysis and a sector spherical harmonic analysis of the solar magnetic field on the photosphere, source surface, and in the Earth’s orbit on July 10–20, 2004, were compared. It was found that the field values according to a sector harmonic analysis are an order of magnitude as large as the same values according to a spherical harmonic analysis and differ in the configuration. A twocomponent magnetic field structure was revealed: short-range sources are better described by a sector spherical harmonic analysis; long-range sources are better described by a spherical harmonic analysis. This is caused by the different depths of the occurrence of sources below the photosphere.     

Ionospheric effects caused by the series of geomagnetic storms of September 9–14, 2005

This study presents the ionospheric effects caused by the series of geomagnetic storms of September 9–14, 2005. The behavior of different ionospheric parameters over the Yakutsk, Irkutsk, Millstone Hill and Arecibo stations during the considered period have been numerically calculated, using a global self-consistent model of the thermosphere, ionosphere, and protonosphere (GSM TIP) developed at WD IZMI-RAN. The model calculations of disturbances of the ionospheric parameters during storms qualitatively agree with the experimental data at these midlatitude stations. We suggest that the causes of the quantitative differences between the model calculations and the observational data were the use of the 3-hour Kp index of geomagnetic activity and the dipole approximation of geomagnetic field in GSM TIP, with additional contributions from the effects of solar flares which are not considered in GSM TIP.     

Daytime geomagnetic disturbances at high latitudes during a strong magnetic storm of June 21–23, 2015: The storm initial phase

The high-latitude geomagnetic effects of an unusually long initial phase of the largest magnetic storm (SymH ~–220 nT) in cycle 24 of the solar activity are considered. Three interplanetary shocks characterized by considerable solar wind density jumps (up to 50–60 cm^–3) at a low solar wind velocity (350–400 km/s) approached the Earth’s magnetosphere during the storm initial phase. The first two dynamic impacts did not result in the development of a magnetic storm, since the IMF Bz remained positive for a long time after these shocks, but they caused daytime polar substorms (magnetic bays) near the boundary between the closed and open magnetosphere. The magnetic field vector diagrams at high latitudes and the behaviour of high-latitude long-period geomagnetic pulsations (ipcl and vlp) made it possible to specify the dynamics of this boundary position. The spatiotemporal features of daytime polar substorms (the dayside polar electrojet, PE) caused by sudden changes in the solar wind dynamic pressure are discussed in detail, and the singularities of ionospheric convection in the polar cap are considered. It has been shown that the main phase of this two-stage storm started rapidly developing only when the third most intense shock approached the Earth against a background of large negative IMF Bz values (to–39 nT). It was concluded that the dynamics of convective vortices and the related restructing of the field-aligned currents can result in spatiotemporal fluctuations in the closing ionospheric currents that are registered on the Earth’s surface as bay-like magnetic disturbances.     

Role of magnetospheric convection and precipitation in the formation of the “dusk effect” during the main phase of a magnetic storm

This paper studies the role of magnetospheric factors, such as convection and energetic electron precipitation during the formation of positive disturbances in the total electron content under the conditions of the summer evening ionosphere. à numerical model of the ionosphere and plasmasphere, where time variations in the magnetospheric convection velocity and electron precipitation parameters correspond to the main phase of a magnetic storm, has been used for this purpose. It has been indicated that the total electron content sharply increases (the “dusk effect”) in the eastern and western sectors at approximately the same geomagnetic latitudes corresponding to the subauroral zone provided that a sudden storm commencement is registered in the morning hours. local time. This peak of the total electron content is formed as a result of joint reconstruction of the magnetospheric convection pattern and energetic electron precipitation during the main phase of a storm. In this case, magnetospheric convection plays the main role, raising the F2 layer by 40–80 km into the region with a lower recombination rate.     

Influence of geomagnetic storms of September 26–30, 2011, on the ionosphere and HF radiowave propagation. II. radiowave propagation

A study of HF wave propagation in the three-dimensional inhomogeneous ionosphere has been carried out in an approximation of geometrical optics. The three-dimensional medium of radio wave propagation is considered to be inhomogeneous, absorbing, and anisotropic due to the influence of the geomagnetic field. The parameters of the medium are described by the results of calculations on the basis of the Global Self-Consistent Model of the Thermosphere, Ionosphere, and Protonosphere (GSM TIP). The propagation of radio waves in the equatorial, middle-, and high-latitude ionosphere was studied. Comparisons of the ray trajectories, integral attenuation, deviations of the projection of radio wave trajectories onto the Earth’s surface from the great-circle arc, and the behavior of the angle between the wave phase and wave energy directions, as well as the angle between the direction of propagation and the external magnetic field obtained for quiet and disturbed conditions, have been performed. We consider a geomagnetic storm that occurred in 2011, with the main storm phase occurring on September 26, and the day after geomagnetic disturbances, September 29, as disturbed conditions in the ionosphere.     

Emplacement and inflation of natrocarbonatitic lava flows during the March–April 2006 eruption of Oldoinyo Lengai,Tanzania

The most voluminous eruption of natrocarbonatite lava hitherto recorded on Earth occurred at Oldoinyo Lengai in March–April 2006. The lava flows produced in this eruption range from blocky 'a'a type to smooth-surfaced inflated pahoehoe. We measured lava inflation features (i.e. one tumulus and three pressure ridges) that formed in the various pahoehoe flows emplaced in this event. The inflation features within the main crater of Oldoinyo Lengai are relatively small-scale, measuring 1-5 m in width, 2.5–24.4 m in length and with inflation clefts less than 0.4 m deep. Their small sizes are in contrast to a tumulus that formed on the northwestern slope of the volcano (situated ~1140 m below the crater floor). The tumulus is roughly circular, measures 17.5 × 16.0 m, and is cut by a 4.4 m deep axial inflation cleft exposing two separate flow units. We measured the elastic properties (i.e. shear- and bulk moduli) of natrocarbonatitic crust and find that these are similar to those reported for basaltic crust, and that there is no direct correlation between magmastatic head and pressure required to form tumuli. All inflated flows in the 2006 event were confined by lateral barriers (main crater, erosional channel or erosional gully) suggesting that the two most important factors for endogenous growth in natrocarbonatitic lava flows are (1) lateral barriers that prevent widening of the flow, and (2) influx of new material beneath the viscoelastic and brittle crust.     

Study of the earthquake of the January 23, 1880, in San Cristóbal,Cuba and the Guane fault

All available data on the January 23, 1880, earthquake near San Cristobal, Western Cuba, are compiled and presented here. The earthquake reached a maximum intensity of eight degrees (MSK) and caused three fatalities. It was accompanied by 65 aftershocks and was felt as far away as the Florida Keys. Twentieth century specialists has associated this event, in its day the strongest recorded (Ms = 6.2) in the region, with the Pinar fault. The Pinar fault is well expressed topographically as the boundary between the Guaniguanico Range in the north and an alluvial plain to the south. Most of the major damage caused by the earthquake was located on the alluvial plain, which in consequence has been considered the epicenter area. In the study presented here, the data compiled from the first reports of Father Benito Vines Martorell, S.J., and Pedro Salteraín y Legarra, indicate that the seismic structure was located in the alluvial plain, and that it was the Guane fault, and not the Pinar fault, that was responsible for the earthquake. The Guane fault, found below the alluvial sediments, extends NE-SW for over 110 km. Its eastern extreme, near San José de las Lajas (La Habana), is linked to another active fault which represents a seismoactive knot responsible for the earthquake of March 9, 1995 (I = 5 degrees, MSK). Seismic events of the Western Cuban region are related to the transpressive interaction of the North American and Caribbean Plates, damped by oceanic structures.