African and American Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA) Responses to 2013 SSW Event

Abstract

AbstractThis study investigates the responses of the African and American Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA) regions to 2013 Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW) event. The Total Electron Content (TEC) data obtained from chains of Global Positioning System receivers within ±40° geomagnetic latitudes in the African and American sectors were used to construct the EIA structures for both longitudinal sectors. The responses of the EIA structures, constructed from the TEC, ΔTEC, and ionospheric irregularities data to the 2013 SSW event were investigated. During the SSW peak phase, EIA structures in both longitudinal sectors responded significantly, with the pole‐ward flow of plasma from the equator to higher crests' locations (strengthening of the EIA). Furthermore, a clear asymmetry in plasma distribution in the northern and southern crests of the EIA was observed. Generally, for the entire data span, TEC enhancements and ionospheric irregularities occurrences during SSW were more in the American sector than the African sector. The geomagnetic activity of 17 January 2013 caused negative TEC response in the African sector and positive TEC response in the American sector. Moderate storm‐induced TEC enhancements were generally lower than SSW‐induced TEC enhancements. Furthermore, solar flux‐induced TEC of 10 January 2013 was lesser than the SSW‐induced TEC of 15–16 January 2013.