Influence of geomagnetic disturbances on atmospheric electric field (Ez) variations at high and middle latitudes

Abstract

The variations of the vertical atmospheric electric field (Ez) represent the state of the global atmospheric electric circuit, which is controlled by the world thunderstorm activity and by magnetosphere–ionosphere disturbances as well. Here we present a synthesis of our main results of the effects of the geomagnetic disturbances on the Ez variations, measured at the Earth′s surface at high and middle latitudes, which were previously published by Kleimenova et al. (2008, 2010). We studied the high latitude geomagnetic substorm effects on the Ez variations on the base of the continue Ez registrations at the polar station Hornsund (Spitsbergen). This station can map into the polar cap, auroral oval or near the border between these structures in dependence on the local time and the level of the geomagnetic activity. The high-latitude Ez variations associated with the substorm activity have been established. It was found that the Ez deviations were positive (Ez values increase) in the local morning and negative ones (Ez values decrease) in the local evening. We speculate that the direction of the Ez excursion depends on the station location relative to the positive or negative vortex of the polar ionospheric plasma convection.The Ez variations at the mid-latitude station Świder (near Warsaw) have been studied during 14 magnetic storms. To avoid the meteorological influences on the Ez measurements we used only the Ez data, obtained under the “fair weather” conditions. For the first time the main phase effect of all mentioned above magnetic storms was established in the mid-latitude atmospheric electricity variations. The strong daytime Ez negative excursions (Ez value decreases) were found in association with the simultaneous night-side magnetospheric substorm developing during the studied magnetic storms. The considered Ez deviations could be results an interplanetary electric field penetration into the magnetosphere. Another plausible reason could be related to the common ionosphere conductivity increasing due to substorm energetic electron precipitation, modifying the high-latitude ionospheric part of the global atmospheric electric circuit.