Ring coupling model: Implications for substorm onsets

Journal Article · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983 · Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL010i008p00761· OSTI ID:5470345

Crooker, N U; Siscoe, G L

In the ring coupling model the criterion for substorm onset is the narrowing of the auroral oval to some critical limit. The auroral oval is taken to be the annulus bounded by Rings 1 and 2, corresponding to the locations of the Iijima-Potemra Regions 1 and 2 Birkeland currents. It is shown that this criterion is met following both southward and northward turnings of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). The behavior of the rings in response to typical variations in the north-south component of the IMF produces a variety of observed substorm sequence patterns. The energy source for substorms in the model is the solar wind energy stored in the magnetotail, whereas the energy for geomagnetic storms comes directly from the solar wind. The model is consistent with the half-wave rectifier response of the magnetosphere to the IMF.

• Research Organization: Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90024
• OSTI ID: 5470345
• Journal Information: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 10:8; ISSN GPRLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640203* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
AURORAL OVAL
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
INTERPLANETARY MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC BAYS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC STORMS
MAGNETOSPHERE
MAGNETOTAIL
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR WIND