Geomagnetic conjugacy of plasma bubbles extending to mid-latitudes during a geomagnetic storm on March 1, 2013

Abstract

This study, for the first time, reports the geomagnetically conjugate structure of a plasma bubble extending to the mid-latitudes and the asymmetrical structure of the decay of the plasma bubble during a geomagnetic storm. We investigated the temporal and spatial variations of plasma bubbles in the Asian sector during a geomagnetic storm on March 1, 2013, using Global Navigation Satellite System-total electron content data with high spatiotemporal resolutions. The first important point of our data analysis results is that the plasma bubble extended from the equator to the mid-latitudes with geomagnetic conjugacy along the magnetic field lines. The total electron content data showed that the plasma bubbles appeared in the equatorial regions near 150° E after sunset during the main phase of the geomagnetic storm. From ionosonde data over both Japan and Australia, they suggest that a large eastward electric field existed in the Asian sector. Finally, the plasma bubbles extended up to the mid-latitudes (~ 43° geomagnetic latitude) in both hemispheres, maintaining geomagnetic conjugacy. The second point is that the mid-latitude plasma bubble disappeared 1–2 h earlier in the northern hemisphere than in the southern hemisphere at close to midnight. In the northern hemisphere, the ionospheric virtual height decreased near midnight, followed by a rapid decrease in the total electron content and a rapid increase in the ionospheric virtual height. These results imply that the mid-latitude plasma bubble disappeared as the background plasma density decreased after midnight due to the recombination resulting from the descent of the F layer. Therefore, we can conclude that mid-latitude plasma bubbles can be asymmetric between the northern and southern hemispheres because of the rapid decay of plasma bubbles in one of the hemispheres. Graphical Abstract

First Detection of Midlatitude Plasma Bubble by SuperDARN During a Geomagnetic Storm on May 27 and 28, 2017

“…Previous studies reported that equatorial plasma bubbles reach low and midlatitudes during geomagnetic storms (e.g., Aa et al., 2018; Cherniak & Zakharenkova, 2016; de Paula et al., 2019; Li et al., 2018; Ma & Maruyama, 2006; Ramsingh et al., 2015; Sori, Otsuka, et al., 2022; Tulasi Ram et al., 2008; Zakharenkova & Cherniak, 2020). These studies pointed out that the enhanced eastward electric field due to the penetration of convection electric field associated with geomagnetic storms can play important roles in a generation of equatorial plasma bubbles reaching midlatitudes.…”

“…During large geomagnetic storms, plasma bubbles may be observed at midlatitudes as they extend to higher altitudes and latitudes by larger eastward‐penetrating electric fields. Recently, many studies have reported that plasma bubbles reach midlatitudes during geomagnetic storms (Aa et al., 2018; Cherniak & Zakharenkova, 2016; Li et al., 2018; Ma & Maruyama, 2006; Sori, Otsuka, et al., 2022; Zakharenkova & Cherniak, 2020). Aa et al.…”

“…Plasma bubbles contain plasma density irregularities (Booker & Wells, 1938; Woodman & La Hoz, 1976) and have field‐aligned structures connecting the Northern and Southern Hemispheres (Martinis & Mendillo, 2007; Otsuka et al., 2002; Tsunoda, 1980a). There are many studies conducted on plasma bubbles using ionosondes (Abdu et al., 2003), all‐sky imagers (Otsuka et al., 2002; Martinis & Mendillo, 2007), VHF radars (Ajith et al., 2015; de Paula et al., 2019; Saito et al., 2008; Tulasi Ram et al., 2008, 2017; Woodman & La Hoz, 1976), and global navigation satellite system (GNSS) networks (Cherniak & Zakharenkova, 2016; Li et al., 2018; Ma & Maruyama, 2006; Otsuka et al., 2021; Sori, Shinbori, et al., 2022; Sori, Otsuka, et al., 2022; Valladares et al., 2004).…”

Ionospheric Super Bubbles Near Sunset and Sunrise During the 26–28 February 2023 Geomagnetic Storm

“…However, under certain conditions, EPBs could be observed extending to middle latitudes that were usually termed as super EPBs. For example, the strengthened eastward equatorial electric field during geomagnetic storms could enhance PRE and trigger the generation of super bubbles via leading to larger growth rate of the R‐T instability (e.g., Aa et al., 2018; Katamzi et al., 2017; Li et al., 2018; Ma & Maruyama, 2006; Sori et al., 2022). The unseasonal super EPBs observed after the Tonga Volcano eruption were mainly attributed to a strong seeding source provided by the significant perturbation waves linked with the volcanic eruption (e.g., Aa et al., 2022; Sun, Ajith, et al., 2022).…”

Dependence of Ionospheric Responses on Solar Wind Dynamic Pressure During Geomagnetic Storms Using Global Long‐Term GNSS‐TEC Data

“…Hu et al (2017) showed that the poleward and equatorward boundaries of the auroral oval in the nightside sector shifted equatorward with a decrease in the north-south (Bz) component of the IMF and an increase in the solar wind dynamic pressure. Some studies have reported that equatorial plasma bubbles extend to mid-latitudes during geomagnetic storms (southward IMF condition) (Aa et al, 2018;Cherniak & Zakharenkova, 2016;Li et al, 2018;Ma & Maruyama, 2006;Sori et al, 2021Sori et al, , 2022Zakharenkova & Cherniak, 2020), indicating that storm-time plasma bubbles extend to higher latitudes compared with geomagnetically quiet times.…”