Seeding and layering of equatorial spread F by gravity waves

Journal Article · Mon Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1990 · Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA095iA10p17253· OSTI ID:5132545

Hysell, D L; Kelley, M C; Swartz, W E ^[1]; Woodman, R F ^[2]

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1. Cornell University, Ithaca, NY (United States)
2. Inst. Geofisico del Peru, Lima (Peru)

Studies dating back more than 15 years have presented evidence that atmospheric gravity waves play a role in initiating nighttime equatorial F region instabilities. This paper analyzes a spectabular spread F event that for the first time demonstrates a layering which, the authors argue, is controlled by a gravity wave effect. The 50-km vertical wavelength of a gravity wave which they have found is related theoretically to a plasma layering irregularity that originated at low altitudes and then was convected, intact, to higher altitudes. Gravity waves also seem to have determined bottomside intermediate scale undulations, although this fact is not as clear in the data. The neutral wind dynamo effect yields wave number conditions on the gravity wave's ability to modulate the Rayleigh-Taylor instaiblity process. Finally, after evaluating the gravity wave dispersion relation and spatial resonance conditions, we estimate the properties of the seeding wave.

• OSTI ID: 5132545
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States) Vol. 95:A10; ISSN 0148-0227; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640201* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
DISPERSION RELATIONS
DYNAMICS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
F REGION
GRAVITY WAVES
INSTABILITY
IONOSPHERE
LAYERS
MECHANICS
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
PLASMA DENSITY
PLASMA DRIFT
RAYLEIGH-TAYLOR INSTABILITY
SPREAD F
WIND