Following a brief history and progress of ionospheric research, this paper presents a brief review of the recent developments in the understanding of two major phenomena in low and mid latitude ionosphere—the equator...Following a brief history and progress of ionospheric research, this paper presents a brief review of the recent developments in the understanding of two major phenomena in low and mid latitude ionosphere—the equatorial ionization anomaly(EIA) and involved equatorial plasma fountain(EPF) and ionospheric irregularities. Unlike the easy-to-understand misinterpretations, the EPF involves field perpendicular E×B plasma drift and field-aligned plasma diffusion acting together and plasma flowing in the direction of the resultant at all points along the field lines at all altitudes. The EIA is formed mainly from the removal of plasma from around the equator by the upward E×B drift creating the trough and consequently the crests with small accumulation of plasma at the crests when the crests are within ~±20° magnetic latitudes and no accumulation when they are beyond ~±25° magnetic latitudes. The strong EIA under magnetically active conditions arises from the simultaneous impulsive action of eastward prompt penetration electric field and equatorward neutral wind. Intense ionospheric irregularities develop in the post-sunset bottom-side equatorial ionosphere when it rises to high altitudes, and evolve nonlinearly into the topside. Pre-reversal enhancement(PRE) of the vertical upward E×B drift and its fluctuations amplified during PRE provide the driving force and seed, with neutral wind and gravity waves being the primary sources. At low solar activity especially in summer when fast varying PRE is absent, the slow varying gravity waves including large scale waves(LSW)seem to act as both driver and seed for weak irregularities. At mid latitudes, the irregularities are weak and associated with medium scale traveling ionospheric disturbances(MSTIDs). A low latitude minimum in the occurrence of the irregularities at March equinox predicted by theoretical models is identified. The minimum occurs on the poleward side of the EIA crest and shifts equatorward from ~25° magnetic latitudes at high solar activity to below 17° at low solar activity.展开更多
The measurements of ionospheric TEC (total electron content) are conducted at a low latitude Indian station Surat (21.16°N, 72.78°E Geog.), which lies under the northern crest of the equatorial anomaly in In...The measurements of ionospheric TEC (total electron content) are conducted at a low latitude Indian station Surat (21.16°N, 72.78°E Geog.), which lies under the northern crest of the equatorial anomaly in Indian region. The data obtained are for a period of five years from low to high solar activity (2010- 2014) using GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver. In this study, we report the diurnal and seasonal variation of GPS-TEC, dependence of GPS-TEC with solar activity, geomagnetic condition and EEJ strength. From the seasonal analysis, it is found that greater values of the GPS-TEC are observed during equinox season followed by winter and summer. The appearance (in the year 2011 and 2014) and disappearance (in the year 2010 and 2012) of “winter anomaly” have been observed at the station. From the correlation of GPS-TEC with different solar indices, i.e. solar EUV flux, F10.7 cm solar radio flux and Zurich sunspot number (SSN), it is concluded that the solar index EUV flux is a better controller of GPS-TEC, compared to F10.7 cm and SSN. Further, it is observed that there is no effect of rising solar activity on correlation. Moreover, the percentage variability of GPS-TEC and the standard deviation of GPS-TEC obtained for quiet and disturbed days show that dependence of GPS-TEC on geomagnetic condition is seasonal. Also, there is a positive correlation observed between GPS-TEC and EEJ strength.展开更多
Total Electron Content(TEC)and electron density enhancement were observed on the day before 17 March 2015 great storm in the China Region.Observations from ground-and space-based instruments are used to investigate th...Total Electron Content(TEC)and electron density enhancement were observed on the day before 17 March 2015 great storm in the China Region.Observations from ground-and space-based instruments are used to investigate the temporal and spatial evolution of the pre-storm enhancement.TEC enhancement was observed from 24°N to 30°N after 10:00 UT at 105°E,110°E and 115°E longitudes on March 16.The maximum magnitude of TEC enhancement was more than 10 TECU and the maximal relative TEC enhancement exceeded 30%.Compared with geomagnetic quiet days,the electron density of Equatorial Ionization Anomaly(EIA)northern peak from Swarm A/C satellites on March 16 was larger and at higher latitudes.NmF2 enhanced during 11:30—21:00 UT at Shaoyang Station and increased by 200%at~16:00 UT.However,TEC and electron density enhancement were not accompanied by a significant change of hmF2.Most research has excluded some potential mechanisms as the main driving factors for storm-time density enhancements by establishing observational constraints.In this paper,we observed pre-storm enhancement in electron density at different altitudes and Equatorial Electrojet(EEJ)strength results derived from ground magnetometers observations suggest an enhanced eastward electric field from the E region probably played a significant role in this event.展开更多
The responses of Equatorial Ionosphere Anomaly（EIA） to the storm occurred on 17 March 2015 were studied using Global Ionosphere Map（GIM）. The variations of Total Electron Content（TEC）, latitudinal TEC gradients ...The responses of Equatorial Ionosphere Anomaly（EIA） to the storm occurred on 17 March 2015 were studied using Global Ionosphere Map（GIM）. The variations of Total Electron Content（TEC）, latitudinal TEC gradients and the rate of latitudinal TEC gradients in EIA regions were investigated in 75？E, 110？E and-60？E longitudinal sectors. The results from the GIM data showed that the distributions of the latitudinal gradient of TEC became monotonous in three longitudes on 18 March（the first day of the recovery phase）, but the variations were different. On 18 March, the magnitudes of latitudinal gradients decreased in spatial and temporal in 75？E and 110？E, which means the EIA was suppressed during the recovery phase of the storm, especially in 110？E. The magnitudes of latitudinal TEC gradients showed an obvious increase in spatial and temporal in-60？E. The SAMI2 reproduced the suppression of EIA with a disturbance dynamo electric field, which indicated that the physical process controlled the behaviors of the plasma during the recovery phase of the storm.展开更多
赤道电离异常(Equatorial Ionization Anomaly,EIA)是低纬电离层中的一个重要现象.本文基于IGS台网提供的2001-2008年期间的电离层总电子含量(Total Electron Content,TEC)数据,分析了120°E区的EIA强度和磁南北半球不对称性在磁平...赤道电离异常(Equatorial Ionization Anomaly,EIA)是低纬电离层中的一个重要现象.本文基于IGS台网提供的2001-2008年期间的电离层总电子含量(Total Electron Content,TEC)数据,分析了120°E区的EIA强度和磁南北半球不对称性在磁平静时期的变化特征,包括对地方时、季节和太阳活动的依赖.本文结果表明,(1)EIA强度表现出显著的随地方时和季节的变化特征.EIA强度在0200LT和2000LT附近分别出现一个极值,且2000LT附近的EIA强度更大;EIA强度通常在春/秋季较大,在夏/冬季较小,且冬季要大于夏季.(2)EIA南北半球不对称也表现出随地方时和季节变化特征.EIA半球不对称在0200LT和2000-2200LT附近分别出现一个极值;EIA半球不对称的季节变化特征还依赖于太阳活动,太阳活动高年期间,EIA半球不对称通常在春/秋季更显著;太阳活动低年期间,EIA半球不对称通常在冬季更显著.(3)EIA强度和半球不对称性的逐日变化和月变化表现出对太阳活动存在一定的依赖,但依赖性并不显著.2000LT(0200LT)附近的EIA强度的月变化与太阳活动整体呈正(负)相关,而2200LT(0200LT)附近的EIA半球不对称的月变化与太阳活动整体呈负(负)相关.(4)影响EIA强度变化的主要因素可归于纬圈电场和中性风场;影响EIA半球不对称变化的主要因素可归因为子午中性风场.展开更多
On 21 June 2020,an annular solar eclipse will traverse the low latitudes from Africa to Southeast Asia.The highest latitude of the maximum eclipse obscuration is approximately 30°.This low-latitude solar eclipse ...On 21 June 2020,an annular solar eclipse will traverse the low latitudes from Africa to Southeast Asia.The highest latitude of the maximum eclipse obscuration is approximately 30°.This low-latitude solar eclipse provides a unique and unprecedented opportunity to explore the impact of the eclipse on the low-latitude ionosphere–thermosphere(I–T)system,especially in the equatorial ionization anomaly region.In this study,we describe a quantitative prediction of the impact of this upcoming solar eclipse on the I–T system by using Thermosphere–Ionosphere–Electrodynamics General Circulation Model simulations.A prominent total electron content(TEC)enhancement of around 2 TEC units occurs in the equatorial ionization anomaly region even when this region is still in the shadow of the eclipse.This TEC enhancement lasts for nearly 4.5 hours,long after the solar eclipse has ended.Further model control simulations indicate that the TEC increase is mainly caused by the eclipse-induced transequatorial plasma transport associated with northward neutral wind perturbations,which result from eclipse-induced pressure gradient changes.The results illustrate that the effect of the solar eclipse on the I–T system is not transient and linear but should be considered a dynamically and energetically coupled system.展开更多
Detailed information about the crustal structure is essential for better understanding the occurrence and mechanisms of earthquakes and volcanoes.Here we present a study of the upper crustal P-wave velocity structure ...Detailed information about the crustal structure is essential for better understanding the occurrence and mechanisms of earthquakes and volcanoes.Here we present a study of the upper crustal P-wave velocity structure of two seismically and volcanically active areas in northern Iran using the two-dimensional Pg travel time tomography method.The imaging results suggest low velocities in the upper crust beneath the Damavand and Sahand-Sabalan volcanic areas in the central and western parts of northern Iran,respectively.The upper crustal low velocities in these two areas roughly coincide with previously imaged low Pn velocity anomalies,suggesting that the Late Cenozoic volcanic activity was probably caused by the upwelling of hot materials from the mantle.The image feature of the Pg velocity structure beneath the Sahand-Sabalan volcanic area further indicates that the hot materials stored in the upper crust beneath Sahand may be larger in size than those stored beneath Sabalan.Comparison of the Pg velocity images with the earthquake distribution in north Iran suggests that earthquakes mainly occur at moderately low velocity or low to high velocity boundary areas instead of significantly low or high velocity regions.The anisotropy results show that the Pg wave fast direction is consistent with the GPS direction at high Pg velocity areas and the fast direction is inconsistent with the GPS direction but consistent with the strike direction of faults at low velocity areas.Our new upper crustal structural images provide the basic observation for better understanding of the regional seismicity and volcanism,and link the surface geological phenomena to deep crustal and mantle processes associated with the active tectonics in northern Iran.展开更多
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (41621063, 41774161)the Open Research Project of Large Research Infrastructures of CAS-"Study on the interaction between low/mid-latitude atmosphere and ionosphere based on the Chinese Meridian Project"
文摘Following a brief history and progress of ionospheric research, this paper presents a brief review of the recent developments in the understanding of two major phenomena in low and mid latitude ionosphere—the equatorial ionization anomaly(EIA) and involved equatorial plasma fountain(EPF) and ionospheric irregularities. Unlike the easy-to-understand misinterpretations, the EPF involves field perpendicular E×B plasma drift and field-aligned plasma diffusion acting together and plasma flowing in the direction of the resultant at all points along the field lines at all altitudes. The EIA is formed mainly from the removal of plasma from around the equator by the upward E×B drift creating the trough and consequently the crests with small accumulation of plasma at the crests when the crests are within ~±20° magnetic latitudes and no accumulation when they are beyond ~±25° magnetic latitudes. The strong EIA under magnetically active conditions arises from the simultaneous impulsive action of eastward prompt penetration electric field and equatorward neutral wind. Intense ionospheric irregularities develop in the post-sunset bottom-side equatorial ionosphere when it rises to high altitudes, and evolve nonlinearly into the topside. Pre-reversal enhancement(PRE) of the vertical upward E×B drift and its fluctuations amplified during PRE provide the driving force and seed, with neutral wind and gravity waves being the primary sources. At low solar activity especially in summer when fast varying PRE is absent, the slow varying gravity waves including large scale waves(LSW)seem to act as both driver and seed for weak irregularities. At mid latitudes, the irregularities are weak and associated with medium scale traveling ionospheric disturbances(MSTIDs). A low latitude minimum in the occurrence of the irregularities at March equinox predicted by theoretical models is identified. The minimum occurs on the poleward side of the EIA crest and shifts equatorward from ~25° magnetic latitudes at high solar activity to below 17° at low solar activity.
文摘The measurements of ionospheric TEC (total electron content) are conducted at a low latitude Indian station Surat (21.16°N, 72.78°E Geog.), which lies under the northern crest of the equatorial anomaly in Indian region. The data obtained are for a period of five years from low to high solar activity (2010- 2014) using GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver. In this study, we report the diurnal and seasonal variation of GPS-TEC, dependence of GPS-TEC with solar activity, geomagnetic condition and EEJ strength. From the seasonal analysis, it is found that greater values of the GPS-TEC are observed during equinox season followed by winter and summer. The appearance (in the year 2011 and 2014) and disappearance (in the year 2010 and 2012) of “winter anomaly” have been observed at the station. From the correlation of GPS-TEC with different solar indices, i.e. solar EUV flux, F10.7 cm solar radio flux and Zurich sunspot number (SSN), it is concluded that the solar index EUV flux is a better controller of GPS-TEC, compared to F10.7 cm and SSN. Further, it is observed that there is no effect of rising solar activity on correlation. Moreover, the percentage variability of GPS-TEC and the standard deviation of GPS-TEC obtained for quiet and disturbed days show that dependence of GPS-TEC on geomagnetic condition is seasonal. Also, there is a positive correlation observed between GPS-TEC and EEJ strength.
基金the Special Fund of the Hubei Luojia Laboratory(Grant No.220100011)the National Key R&D Program of China(Grant No.2022YFF0503700)+1 种基金the Dragon-5 Cooperation 2020-2024(Project No.59236)the International Space Science Institute(ISSI)in Bern and Beijing through ISSI International Team Project#511(Multi-Scale Magnetosphere-Ionosphere-Thermosphere Interaction).
基金Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(No.B230201012)National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.42104009)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(No.2022M720988)。
文摘Total Electron Content(TEC)and electron density enhancement were observed on the day before 17 March 2015 great storm in the China Region.Observations from ground-and space-based instruments are used to investigate the temporal and spatial evolution of the pre-storm enhancement.TEC enhancement was observed from 24°N to 30°N after 10:00 UT at 105°E,110°E and 115°E longitudes on March 16.The maximum magnitude of TEC enhancement was more than 10 TECU and the maximal relative TEC enhancement exceeded 30%.Compared with geomagnetic quiet days,the electron density of Equatorial Ionization Anomaly(EIA)northern peak from Swarm A/C satellites on March 16 was larger and at higher latitudes.NmF2 enhanced during 11:30—21:00 UT at Shaoyang Station and increased by 200%at~16:00 UT.However,TEC and electron density enhancement were not accompanied by a significant change of hmF2.Most research has excluded some potential mechanisms as the main driving factors for storm-time density enhancements by establishing observational constraints.In this paper,we observed pre-storm enhancement in electron density at different altitudes and Equatorial Electrojet(EEJ)strength results derived from ground magnetometers observations suggest an enhanced eastward electric field from the E region probably played a significant role in this event.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(41474134,41474135)
文摘The responses of Equatorial Ionosphere Anomaly（EIA） to the storm occurred on 17 March 2015 were studied using Global Ionosphere Map（GIM）. The variations of Total Electron Content（TEC）, latitudinal TEC gradients and the rate of latitudinal TEC gradients in EIA regions were investigated in 75？E, 110？E and-60？E longitudinal sectors. The results from the GIM data showed that the distributions of the latitudinal gradient of TEC became monotonous in three longitudes on 18 March（the first day of the recovery phase）, but the variations were different. On 18 March, the magnitudes of latitudinal gradients decreased in spatial and temporal in 75？E and 110？E, which means the EIA was suppressed during the recovery phase of the storm, especially in 110？E. The magnitudes of latitudinal TEC gradients showed an obvious increase in spatial and temporal in-60？E. The SAMI2 reproduced the suppression of EIA with a disturbance dynamo electric field, which indicated that the physical process controlled the behaviors of the plasma during the recovery phase of the storm.
文摘赤道电离异常(Equatorial Ionization Anomaly,EIA)是低纬电离层中的一个重要现象.本文基于IGS台网提供的2001-2008年期间的电离层总电子含量(Total Electron Content,TEC)数据,分析了120°E区的EIA强度和磁南北半球不对称性在磁平静时期的变化特征,包括对地方时、季节和太阳活动的依赖.本文结果表明,(1)EIA强度表现出显著的随地方时和季节的变化特征.EIA强度在0200LT和2000LT附近分别出现一个极值,且2000LT附近的EIA强度更大;EIA强度通常在春/秋季较大,在夏/冬季较小,且冬季要大于夏季.(2)EIA南北半球不对称也表现出随地方时和季节变化特征.EIA半球不对称在0200LT和2000-2200LT附近分别出现一个极值;EIA半球不对称的季节变化特征还依赖于太阳活动,太阳活动高年期间,EIA半球不对称通常在春/秋季更显著;太阳活动低年期间,EIA半球不对称通常在冬季更显著.(3)EIA强度和半球不对称性的逐日变化和月变化表现出对太阳活动存在一定的依赖,但依赖性并不显著.2000LT(0200LT)附近的EIA强度的月变化与太阳活动整体呈正(负)相关,而2200LT(0200LT)附近的EIA半球不对称的月变化与太阳活动整体呈负(负)相关.(4)影响EIA强度变化的主要因素可归于纬圈电场和中性风场;影响EIA半球不对称变化的主要因素可归因为子午中性风场.
基金supported by the B-type Strategic Priority Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (XDB41000000)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41831070, 41974181)+5 种基金the Open Research Project of Large Research Infrastructures of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, “Study of the interaction between low- and mid-latitude atmosphere and ionosphere based on the Chinese Meridian Project.”supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41904138)the National Postdoctoral Program for Innovative Talents (BX20180286)the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2018M642525)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central UniversitiesThe National Center for Atmospheric Research is sponsored by the National Science Foundation。
文摘On 21 June 2020,an annular solar eclipse will traverse the low latitudes from Africa to Southeast Asia.The highest latitude of the maximum eclipse obscuration is approximately 30°.This low-latitude solar eclipse provides a unique and unprecedented opportunity to explore the impact of the eclipse on the low-latitude ionosphere–thermosphere(I–T)system,especially in the equatorial ionization anomaly region.In this study,we describe a quantitative prediction of the impact of this upcoming solar eclipse on the I–T system by using Thermosphere–Ionosphere–Electrodynamics General Circulation Model simulations.A prominent total electron content(TEC)enhancement of around 2 TEC units occurs in the equatorial ionization anomaly region even when this region is still in the shadow of the eclipse.This TEC enhancement lasts for nearly 4.5 hours,long after the solar eclipse has ended.Further model control simulations indicate that the TEC increase is mainly caused by the eclipse-induced transequatorial plasma transport associated with northward neutral wind perturbations,which result from eclipse-induced pressure gradient changes.The results illustrate that the effect of the solar eclipse on the I–T system is not transient and linear but should be considered a dynamically and energetically coupled system.
基金supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program(B) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(Grant No.XDB03010800)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos.41225016,41304065 & 41674066)
文摘Detailed information about the crustal structure is essential for better understanding the occurrence and mechanisms of earthquakes and volcanoes.Here we present a study of the upper crustal P-wave velocity structure of two seismically and volcanically active areas in northern Iran using the two-dimensional Pg travel time tomography method.The imaging results suggest low velocities in the upper crust beneath the Damavand and Sahand-Sabalan volcanic areas in the central and western parts of northern Iran,respectively.The upper crustal low velocities in these two areas roughly coincide with previously imaged low Pn velocity anomalies,suggesting that the Late Cenozoic volcanic activity was probably caused by the upwelling of hot materials from the mantle.The image feature of the Pg velocity structure beneath the Sahand-Sabalan volcanic area further indicates that the hot materials stored in the upper crust beneath Sahand may be larger in size than those stored beneath Sabalan.Comparison of the Pg velocity images with the earthquake distribution in north Iran suggests that earthquakes mainly occur at moderately low velocity or low to high velocity boundary areas instead of significantly low or high velocity regions.The anisotropy results show that the Pg wave fast direction is consistent with the GPS direction at high Pg velocity areas and the fast direction is inconsistent with the GPS direction but consistent with the strike direction of faults at low velocity areas.Our new upper crustal structural images provide the basic observation for better understanding of the regional seismicity and volcanism,and link the surface geological phenomena to deep crustal and mantle processes associated with the active tectonics in northern Iran.
