Open AccessThe effect of non‐storm time substorms on the ring current dynamics
Author(s) -
Jang EunJin,
Yue Chao,
Zong QiuGang,
Fu SuiYan,
Fu HaoBo
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
earth and planetary physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2096-3955
DOI - 10.26464/epp2021032
Subject(s) - substorm , ring current , geomagnetic storm , magnetosphere , current (fluid) , storm , physics , earth's magnetic field , atmospheric sciences , geophysics , flux (metallurgy) , environmental science , meteorology , plasma , magnetic field , materials science , nuclear physics , quantum mechanics , thermodynamics , metallurgy
During geomagnetically active times such as geomagnetic storms, large amounts of energy can be released into the Earth’s magnetosphere and change the ring current intensity. Previous studies showed that significant enhancement of the ring current was related to geomagnetic storms, while few studies have examined substorm effects on ring current dynamics. In this study, we examine the ring current variation during non‐storm time ( SYM‐H > −50 nT) substorms, especially during super‐substorms ( AE > 1000 nT). We perform a statistical analysis of ring current plasma pressure and number flux of various ion species under different substorm conditions, based on Van Allen Probe observations. The plasma pressure and ion fluxes of the ring current increased dramatically during super‐substorms, while little change was observed for substorms with AE < 1000 nT. The results shown in this study indicate that a non‐storm time super‐substorm may also have a significant contribution to the ring current.