Auroral Infrasonic Waves and Poleward Expansions of Auroral Substorms at Inuvik, N.W.T., Canada

Summary Observations at Inuvik (70.4° dipole latitude) have shown that supersonic motions of auroral arcs that sweep across the zenith from south to north during poleward expansions of auroral substorms do not generate observable auroral infrasonic waves. This is in contrast to the fact that equator-ward supersonic motions of similar auroral arcs do produce large amplitude infrasonic bow waves. These results imply an asymmetry in the basic generation mechanism of infrasound within the auroral electrojet arcs.