Study on the variation characteristics of ionospheric F2 layer in Qinghai-Tibet plateau and surrounding areas

Abstract

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) region is the largest plateau in China and the highest altitude in the world, with a unique geographical environment. Based on the observation data of the 24th solar cycle from six sites on the QTP and its surrounding areas, the multi-station joint detection method is adopted to analyze the temporal variation and spatial distribution characteristics of the critical frequency of the F2 layer(foF2) and the bottom height of the F2 layer (h'F2). The results indicate that the critical frequency of the ionospheric F layer in the QTP is controlled by solar illumination conditions, and conforms to the ionospheric variation law of middle and low latitudes. The height of the F layer has significant regional characteristics, and the F layer height variation in Kunming and Chongqing is particularly drastic, and the average height of the F layer in Chongqing is significantly higher than that in Kunming, which is at a lower latitude, and Lhasa, which is at the same latitude as Chongqing. This phenomenon may be attributed to the unique geographical environment of the QTP, which has an influential effect on the motion of the lower atmosphere, and through the coupling mechanism between the lower and upper atmosphere, has a substantial impact on the F2 layer. The research findings of this article are of great interest to the study of the coupling mechanism between the upper and lower atmosphere.