Geographical distribution and simultaneity of occurrence of F-lacunae

Observation of ionograms recorded at about fifteen high latitude stations shows there the same morphological types of F-lacunae (disappearance of echoes from the F1, the F2 or the complete F-layer) as in Terre Adélie. The phenomenon is aestival and diurnal everywhere, but the shape of occurrence histograms varies from one station to another. A statistical study shows that the occurrence in the various stations (of the same hemisphere) is correlated, all the more as the considered stations have similar invariant latitudes. Occurrence is correlated with the daily index of magnetic activity A_p, a correlation which is maximum at about 75° invariant latitude and decreases on both sides. A study of particular events shows a clear relation between lacunae occurrence and the position and moving of the cleft (as deduced empirically from the K_p index), results which can be interpreted in terms of a previously described model.