F Region Electric Field Effects on the Intermediate Layer Dynamics During the Evening Prereversal Enhancement at Equatorial Region Over Brazil

Abstract

AbstractUsing ionograms from the Brazilian equatorial site of São Luís (SL, 2° S; 44° W, I = −3.8°), the relationship between the uplift of the intermediate layers (ILs) at sunset and the prereversal enhancement of the zonal electric field (PRE) is investigated. The ILs were studied during the solar maximum (2003) and minimum activity (2009) periods. The presence of the ILs during the PRE occurrence time was very low during both years. In 2003, six ILs’ events were observed, being four of them in the summer solstice and one in the March equinox. In 2009, only a single event was registered and occurred during the December month. The results show that depending on the height at which the ILs are located, their upward movement at sunset can be in some way related to the normal F layer rise at sunset due to the PRE. The initial altitude at which such ascending ILs were observed was higher than their normal height near sunset. Additionally, the eastward prompt penetration electric fields (PPEFs) during weak magnetic storms can also contribute to the IL’s rise. An interesting case of uplift of a sporadic‐E layer from ∼120 to 290 km probably due to the PPEF is also investigated.