Cause of plasma-sheet thinning during magnetospheric substorms

Journal Article · Sat Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1980 · Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL007i003p00177· OSTI ID:5391040

Hill, T W; Reiff, P H

We propose that the thinning of the plasma sheet during magnetospheric substorms is caused by an earthward gradient of the rate of magnetic merging (field annihilation) in the tail current sheet, which is in turn caused by the velocity-dependent access of plasma mantle particles to the current sheet. A simple model calculation based on this effect predicts a thinning time constant of the order of 1 hour, consistent with observations. The mechanism is also consistent with the observed correlation between plasma-sheet thinning and southward-directed magnetic field components in the solar wind.

• Research Organization: Space Physics and Astronomy Department, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77001
• OSTI ID: 5391040
• Journal Information: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 7:3; ISSN GPRLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640203* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
GEOMAGNETIC FIELD
INSTABILITY
INTERPLANETARY MAGNETIC FIELDS
IONOSPHERE
LOSS CONE
MAGNETIC BAYS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC STORMS
MAGNETOPAUSE
MAGNETOSPHERE
MAGNETOTAIL
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA SHEET
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR WIND