Changes in the ionospheric F2-layer at a place near the Sq-current focus during geomagnetic storms

Abstract

In this paper hourly data of maximum electron density and total electron content in a unit column up to the level of peak electron density of the F2-layer at Puerto Rico (magnetic dip 52.5°N) in the American sector are studied to find their DS and D st variations and to compare them with those of the horizontal component of the Earth's magnetic field for 93 SC type geomagnetic storms which occurred during the period September 1957–March 1962. These variations are obtained separately for positive and negative F2-storms and then averaged for all the types. It is found that the positive F2-storms are in a way connected with the equatorial type of DS variation of the H-field and the negative F2-storms with the high-latitude type DS variation of the H-field. The D st variation of the H-field is practically of the same character for both positive and negative F2-storms. These findings combined with those of others indicate that it is the DS current in the ionosphere that cause the observed changes in the F2-layer through electromagnetic movements; diffusion along the field lines and changes in the loss-rates of electrons may also contribute to the nett effects. A statistical survey shows that while there are equal chances for positive F2-storms in Summer and Winter at Puerto Rico, there is a much larger number of negative F2-storms in Summer than in Winter. At a southern conjugate place, there is a much larger number of positive F2-storms in Winter, but equal number of negative F2-storms in Summer and Winter. More than half the total number of the F2-storms are found to be similar types (33 per cent positive, 23 per cent negative) from the consideration of the F2-changes during individual magnetic storms at the conjugate places. These are discussed in the concluding section of the paper.