A model of mid-latitude E-region plasma convergence inside a planetary wave cyclonic vortex

Recently, Shalimov et al. (1999) proposed a new mechanism for large-scale accumulation of long-lived metallic ions in the mid-latitude ionosphere driven by planetary waves in the lower thermosphere. In this mechanism, the combined action of frictional and horizontal magnetic field forces at...

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Main Authors: S. Shalimov, C. Haldoupis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2002-08-01
Series:Annales Geophysicae
Online Access:https://www.ann-geophys.net/20/1193/2002/angeo-20-1193-2002.pdf
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author S. Shalimov
S. Shalimov
S. Shalimov
C. Haldoupis
author_facet S. Shalimov
S. Shalimov
S. Shalimov
C. Haldoupis
author_sort S. Shalimov
collection DOAJ
description Recently, Shalimov et al. (1999) proposed a new mechanism for large-scale accumulation of long-lived metallic ions in the mid-latitude ionosphere driven by planetary waves in the lower thermosphere. In this mechanism, the combined action of frictional and horizontal magnetic field forces at E-region altitudes causes the plasma to converge and accumulate in large areas of positive neutral wind vorticity within a propagating planetary wave. The present paper provides a theoretical formulation for this mechanism by modelling both horizontal and vertical plasma transport effects within a planetary wave vortex, of cyclonic neutral wind. Non-steady-state numerical solutions of the ion continuity equation show that the proposed accumulation process can enhance the ionization significantly inside the planetary wave vortex but its efficiency depends strongly on altitude, whereas on the other hand, it can be complicated by vertical plasma motions. The latter, which are driven by the same planetary wave wind field under the action of the vertical Lorentz force and meridional wind forcing along the magnetic field lines, can lead to either plasma compressions or depletions, depending on the prevailing wind direction. We conclude that, for shorter times, vertical plasma transport may act constructively to the horizontal gathering process to produce considerable E-region plasma accumulation over large sectors of a planetary wave vortex of cyclonic winds.<br><br><b>Key words. </b>Ionosphere (ionosphere-atmosphere interactions; mid-latitude ionosphere; sporadic E-layers) – Meteorology and atmospheric dynamics (waves and tides)
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spelling doaj.art-386c4854c0ea44669747789e646eeb182022-12-21T22:47:31ZengCopernicus PublicationsAnnales Geophysicae0992-76891432-05762002-08-01201193120110.5194/angeo-20-1193-2002A model of mid-latitude E-region plasma convergence inside a planetary wave cyclonic vortexS. Shalimov0S. Shalimov1S. Shalimov2C. Haldoupis3permanently at the Institute of Physics of the Earth, Moscow, RussiaPhysics Department, University of Crete, Iraklion, Crete, 710 03, GreeceCorrespondence to: C. Haldoupis (chald@physics.uoc.gr)Physics Department, University of Crete, Iraklion, Crete, 710 03, GreeceRecently, Shalimov et al. (1999) proposed a new mechanism for large-scale accumulation of long-lived metallic ions in the mid-latitude ionosphere driven by planetary waves in the lower thermosphere. In this mechanism, the combined action of frictional and horizontal magnetic field forces at E-region altitudes causes the plasma to converge and accumulate in large areas of positive neutral wind vorticity within a propagating planetary wave. The present paper provides a theoretical formulation for this mechanism by modelling both horizontal and vertical plasma transport effects within a planetary wave vortex, of cyclonic neutral wind. Non-steady-state numerical solutions of the ion continuity equation show that the proposed accumulation process can enhance the ionization significantly inside the planetary wave vortex but its efficiency depends strongly on altitude, whereas on the other hand, it can be complicated by vertical plasma motions. The latter, which are driven by the same planetary wave wind field under the action of the vertical Lorentz force and meridional wind forcing along the magnetic field lines, can lead to either plasma compressions or depletions, depending on the prevailing wind direction. We conclude that, for shorter times, vertical plasma transport may act constructively to the horizontal gathering process to produce considerable E-region plasma accumulation over large sectors of a planetary wave vortex of cyclonic winds.<br><br><b>Key words. </b>Ionosphere (ionosphere-atmosphere interactions; mid-latitude ionosphere; sporadic E-layers) – Meteorology and atmospheric dynamics (waves and tides)https://www.ann-geophys.net/20/1193/2002/angeo-20-1193-2002.pdf
spellingShingle S. Shalimov
S. Shalimov
S. Shalimov
C. Haldoupis
A model of mid-latitude E-region plasma convergence inside a planetary wave cyclonic vortex
Annales Geophysicae
title A model of mid-latitude E-region plasma convergence inside a planetary wave cyclonic vortex
title_full A model of mid-latitude E-region plasma convergence inside a planetary wave cyclonic vortex
title_fullStr A model of mid-latitude E-region plasma convergence inside a planetary wave cyclonic vortex
title_full_unstemmed A model of mid-latitude E-region plasma convergence inside a planetary wave cyclonic vortex
title_short A model of mid-latitude E-region plasma convergence inside a planetary wave cyclonic vortex
title_sort model of mid latitude e region plasma convergence inside a planetary wave cyclonic vortex
url https://www.ann-geophys.net/20/1193/2002/angeo-20-1193-2002.pdf
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