Generation of different long-period geomagnetic pulsations during a sudden impulse

Abstract

The space–time characteristics of geomagnetic pulsations during a sudden impulse on August 4, 2010 have been analyzed using ground-based and satellite observations. It has been indicated that two types of geomagnetic pulsations with different spatial extensions, oscillation frequencies, and generations were observed at that time. It has been found that geomagnetic pulsations with identical oscillation frequencies (∼4.5 mHz) at different latitudes were observed, with a maximal amplitude in the dusk sector. Oscillations with close frequencies were registered in the solar wind in the IMF B z component. Higher-frequency (7–10 mHz) pulsations dependent on latitude were registered on the dawn side. It is assumed that geomagnetic pulsations with frequencies of ∼4.5 mHz were caused by oscillations penetrating from the interplanetary medium, and higher-frequency pulsations were Alfven resonance oscillations generated during the compression of the magnetosphere. An asymmetric oscillation amplitude distribution relative to noon was caused by the IMF orthospiral orientation in this event.