Numerical Simulations of Metallic Ion Density Perturbations in Sporadic E Layers Caused by Gravity Waves
Abstract Tidal signatures in sporadic E (Es) layer have been confirmed by observations and simulations. However, the effect of gravity waves (GWs) on the Es layer formation process has not yet been fully understood. In this paper, the modulation of Es layers by GWs is examined through numerical simu...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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American Geophysical Union (AGU)
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Earth and Space Science |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1029/2023EA003030 |
| _version_ | 1797658112926154752 |
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| author | Lihui Qiu Yosuke Yamazaki Tao Yu Erich Becker Yasunobu Miyoshi Yifan Qi Tarique A. Siddiqui Claudia Stolle Wuhu Feng John M. C. Plane Yu Liang Huixin Liu |
| author_facet | Lihui Qiu Yosuke Yamazaki Tao Yu Erich Becker Yasunobu Miyoshi Yifan Qi Tarique A. Siddiqui Claudia Stolle Wuhu Feng John M. C. Plane Yu Liang Huixin Liu |
| author_sort | Lihui Qiu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Tidal signatures in sporadic E (Es) layer have been confirmed by observations and simulations. However, the effect of gravity waves (GWs) on the Es layer formation process has not yet been fully understood. In this paper, the modulation of Es layers by GWs is examined through numerical simulations, in which a physics‐based model of Es layer is forced by neutral winds from the High Altitude Mechanistic General Circulation Model that can resolve GWs with horizontal wavelengths longer than 156 km (λh > 156 km). Comparison of the simulation results with and without the GWs (1,350 km > λh > 156 km) forcing reveals that the inclusion of GWs leads to short‐period (1.2–3 hr) density perturbations in Es layers, which are also seen in ground‐based ionosonde observations. At a given time, the metallic ion density at altitudes between 120 and 150 km can either increase (by up to ∼+600%) or reduce (by up to −90%) in response to GW forcing. The relative density perturbations are smaller (by up to 60%) between 90 and 120 km altitude. It is also found that the GW effect on the metallic ion density relates to the longitude, which is mostly explained by the geographical distribution of GWs activity in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere region. The longitudinal variation of the background geomagnetic field plays only a secondary role. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T17:54:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9422f006003f467eb4599945a8c59cfa |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2333-5084 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T17:54:15Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | American Geophysical Union (AGU) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Earth and Space Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-9422f006003f467eb4599945a8c59cfa2023-10-17T21:16:18ZengAmerican Geophysical Union (AGU)Earth and Space Science2333-50842023-08-01108n/an/a10.1029/2023EA003030Numerical Simulations of Metallic Ion Density Perturbations in Sporadic E Layers Caused by Gravity WavesLihui Qiu0Yosuke Yamazaki1Tao Yu2Erich Becker3Yasunobu Miyoshi4Yifan Qi5Tarique A. Siddiqui6Claudia Stolle7Wuhu Feng8John M. C. Plane9Yu Liang10Huixin Liu11Institute of Geophysics & Geomatics China University of Geosciences Wuhan ChinaLeibniz Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the University of Rostock Kühlungsborn GermanyInstitute of Geophysics & Geomatics China University of Geosciences Wuhan ChinaNorthwest Research Associates Inc. Boulder CO USADepartment of Earth and Planetary Sciences Kyushu University Fukuoka JapanInstitute of Geophysics & Geomatics China University of Geosciences Wuhan ChinaLeibniz Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the University of Rostock Kühlungsborn GermanyLeibniz Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the University of Rostock Kühlungsborn GermanyNational Centre for Atmospheric Science University of Leeds Leeds UKSchool of Chemistry University of Leeds Leeds UKInstitute of Geophysics & Geomatics China University of Geosciences Wuhan ChinaDepartment of Earth and Planetary Sciences Kyushu University Fukuoka JapanAbstract Tidal signatures in sporadic E (Es) layer have been confirmed by observations and simulations. However, the effect of gravity waves (GWs) on the Es layer formation process has not yet been fully understood. In this paper, the modulation of Es layers by GWs is examined through numerical simulations, in which a physics‐based model of Es layer is forced by neutral winds from the High Altitude Mechanistic General Circulation Model that can resolve GWs with horizontal wavelengths longer than 156 km (λh > 156 km). Comparison of the simulation results with and without the GWs (1,350 km > λh > 156 km) forcing reveals that the inclusion of GWs leads to short‐period (1.2–3 hr) density perturbations in Es layers, which are also seen in ground‐based ionosonde observations. At a given time, the metallic ion density at altitudes between 120 and 150 km can either increase (by up to ∼+600%) or reduce (by up to −90%) in response to GW forcing. The relative density perturbations are smaller (by up to 60%) between 90 and 120 km altitude. It is also found that the GW effect on the metallic ion density relates to the longitude, which is mostly explained by the geographical distribution of GWs activity in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere region. The longitudinal variation of the background geomagnetic field plays only a secondary role.https://doi.org/10.1029/2023EA003030ionospheresporadic E layerswind sheargravity waves |
| spellingShingle | Lihui Qiu Yosuke Yamazaki Tao Yu Erich Becker Yasunobu Miyoshi Yifan Qi Tarique A. Siddiqui Claudia Stolle Wuhu Feng John M. C. Plane Yu Liang Huixin Liu Numerical Simulations of Metallic Ion Density Perturbations in Sporadic E Layers Caused by Gravity Waves Earth and Space Science ionosphere sporadic E layers wind shear gravity waves |
| title | Numerical Simulations of Metallic Ion Density Perturbations in Sporadic E Layers Caused by Gravity Waves |
| title_full | Numerical Simulations of Metallic Ion Density Perturbations in Sporadic E Layers Caused by Gravity Waves |
| title_fullStr | Numerical Simulations of Metallic Ion Density Perturbations in Sporadic E Layers Caused by Gravity Waves |
| title_full_unstemmed | Numerical Simulations of Metallic Ion Density Perturbations in Sporadic E Layers Caused by Gravity Waves |
| title_short | Numerical Simulations of Metallic Ion Density Perturbations in Sporadic E Layers Caused by Gravity Waves |
| title_sort | numerical simulations of metallic ion density perturbations in sporadic e layers caused by gravity waves |
| topic | ionosphere sporadic E layers wind shear gravity waves |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1029/2023EA003030 |
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