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Extreme Poleward Expanding Super Plasma Bubbles Over Asia-Pacific Region Triggered by Tonga Volcano Eruption During the Recovery-Phase of Geomagnetic Storm

  • P. K. Rajesh
  • , C. C.H. Lin
  • , J. T. Lin
  • , C. Y. Lin
  • , J. Y. Liu
  • , T. Matsuo
  • , C. Y. Huang
  • , M. Y. Chou
  • , J. Yue
  • , M. Nishioka
  • , H. Jin
  • , J. M. Choi
  • , Shih-Ping Chen
  • , Marty Chou
  • , H. F. Tsai

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The Tonga volcano eruption of 15 January 2022 unleashed a variety of atmospheric perturbations, coinciding with the recovery-phase of a geomagnetic storm. The ensuing thermospheric variations created rare display of extreme poleward-expanding conjugate plasma bubbles seen in the rate of total electron content index over 100–150°E, reaching ∼40°N geographic latitude. This is associated with fluctuations in FORMOSAT-7/COSMIC-2 (F7/C2) ion-density measurements and spread-F in ionograms. Preceding to this, an unusually strong pre-reversal enhancement (PRE) occurred in the global ionospheric specification (GIS) electron density profiles derived from F7/C2 observations. The GIS also revealed a decrease of equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) crest density due to the storm impact. Reduced E-region conductivity by volcano-induced waves and enhanced F-region wind, further accelerated by reduced ion-drag over the EIA, apparently intensified the PRE. Accompanied with the strong PRE, volcano-induced seed perturbations triggered the super plasma bubble activity.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere2022GL099798
JournalGeophysical Research Letters
Volume49
Issue number15
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022 Aug 16

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Geophysics
  • General Earth and Planetary Sciences

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