Equatorward moving arcs and substorm onset

Abstract

Key observations of phenomena during the growth phase of a substorm are being reviewed with particular attention to the equatorward motion of the hydrogen and electron arcs. The dynamic role of the electron, the so‐called growth phase arc, is analyzed. It is part of a current system of type II that is instrumental in changing the dominantly equatorward convection from the polar cap into a sunward convection along the auroral oval. A quantitative model of the arc and associated current system allows determining the energy required for the flow change. It is suggested that high‐β plasma outflow from the central current sheet of the tail creates the current generator. Assessment of the energy supplied in this process proves its sufficiency for driving the arc system. The equatorward motion of the arcs is interpreted as a manifestation of the shrinkage of the near‐Earth transition region (NETR) between the dipolar magnetosphere and the highly stretched tail. This shrinkage is caused by returning magnetic flux to the dayside magnetosphere as partial replacement of the flux eroded by frontside reconnection. As the erosion of the NETR is proceeding, more and more magnetic flux is demanded from the central current sheet of the near‐Earth tail until highly accelerated plasma outflow causes the current sheet to collapse. Propagation of the collapse along the tail triggers reconnection and initiates the substorm.