Earthquakes and global electrical circuit

Based on recent experimental and theoretical model results, the role of earthquakes and processes of their preparation as electricity sources in the global electric circuit (GEC) is discussed. In addition to the traditional elements of the GEC, such as thunderstorm currents, ionosphere currents, fair weather currents, and telluric currents, hypothetical seismogenic currents flowing between the faults and the ionosphere are considered. The ionization sources for these currents are presumably the radiation of radioactive gases and the ionization by the electric field of so-called “positive holes” created by the compression of tectonic plates, whereas transportation of electric charges between the Earth and the ionosphere occurs under the action of electric fields and turbulent diffusion (for heavy charged species). Seismogenic currents deliver electric charges into the ionosphere, which give rise to electric fields in it and in the magnetically conjugated region. The drift of magnetized plasma in the ionosphere F2-region and plasmasphere plasma under the action of these fields causes disturbances in the electron density and total electron content (TEC) of the ionosphere, which are observed by GPS satellites before strong earthquakes. The typical features of these disturbances (magnitudes, dimensions, stability, nighttime predominance of the relative TEC disturbances, geomagnetic conjugacy) are well reproduced in theoretical model calculations based on the solution of the equation for the electric ionosphere potential with specified seismogenic electric current at the lower boundary of the ionosphere if this current is strong enough (comparable with thunderstorm currents). The feasibility of such seismogenic currents is discussed. It is argued that the TEC disturbances observed before strong earthquakes cannot be explained by neutral atmosphere disturbances. These TEC disturbances can be treated as ionospheric earthquake precursors created by seismogenic GEC disturbances.     

Simulation of seismo-ionospheric effects initiated by internal gravity waves

Experimental studies have repeatedly demonstrated that, a few days before a strong earthquake, local increases (sometimes decreases) in the electron density in the ionosphere over the epicentral area emerge. Simulations with the help of the GSM TIP (global self-consistent model “Thermosphere-Ionosphere-Protonosphere”) and UAM (Upper Atmosphere Model) models show that account of local disturbances of the zonal electric fields makes it possible to reproduce the morphology of ionospheric disturbances. However, these model experiments do not explain the formation of such ionospheric features over the epicentral area of the impending earthquake. In this paper, we propose a mechanism for the formation of ionospheric disturbances before strong earthquakes due to propagation and dissipation of small-scale internal gravity waves (IGWs) in the upper atmosphere. Using the GSM TIP model, we calculated the ionospheric parameters with account of small-scale IGWs in the near-epicenter area. It is shown that disturbances in the TEC (total electron content) predicted by calculations are in satisfactory agreement with observations from GPS (Global Position System) satellites before the strong mid-latitude earthquake in Greece on January 8, 2006.     

Specific features of ionospheric total electron content variations in the periods of preparation of the earthquakes on March 11, 2011 (Japan) and October 23, 2011 (Turkey)

The main morphological features of variations of the total electron content (TEC) of the ionosphere before the earthquakes on March 11, 2011 (Japan) and October 23, 2011 (Turkey) are examined. The revealed features are compared to those of ionospheric TEC disturbances observed prior to several other large seismic events, as well as to those included in a list of the most frequently observed ionospheric TEC disturbances interpreted as possible ionospheric precursors of earthquakes. It is shown that, in the periods of preparation of the earthquakes under consideration, on March 8–11 and October 20–23, abnormal ionospheric TEC disturbances were observed as long-lived structures in a near-epicentral region and in the region magnetically conjugated to it.     

Disturbances of the upper atmosphere and ionosphere caused by acoustic-gravity wave sources in the lower atmosphere

The results of observations of acoustic-gravity waves in the troposphere and the ionosphere at middle latitudes during periods of passage of the solar terminator are presented. Tropospheric observations were performed using a lidar. The frequency characteristics of variations of the tropospheric parameters are determined based on observations of the intensity of the scattered lidar signal. The characteristics of variations of the total electron content (TEC) in the atmosphere are determined from data collected by GPS navigation satellites. An analysis of the observational data showed that the spectrum of variations of the atmospheric and ionospheric parameters is indicative of acoustic-gravity waves (AGW) propagating from the lower atmosphere. Modeling studies of the vertical propagation of AGW from the Earth’s surface showed that such waves quickly (within ~15 min) reach altitudes of the upper atmosphere (~300 km). The refraction and dissipation of waves in the upper atmosphere produces perturbations of the background state of the atmosphere and gives rise to the waveguide propagation of infrasonic wave components. The observed manifestations of TEC disturbances caused by AGW propagating from the lower atmosphere can be explained by the diurnal variation of the altitude of the ionosphere and the waveguide propagation of infrasonic waves.     

Frequency characteristics of the troposphere and ionosphere variations in periods of solar terminator passage

An analysis of the results of lidar observations in the lower atmosphere and observations of the total electron content in the ionosphere (TEC) in Kaliningrad (53°N, 22°E) during the period of solar terminator passage is presented. The observations at troposphere altitudes were performed with a two-wavelength atmospheric lidar (532 and 1064 nm). The ionospheric TEC was determined using signals from GLO-NASS navigation satellites. The observations in the lower atmosphere were performed in February and March 2012, starting ～1 h before sunrise and ending ～1–2 h after sunrise, whereas ionospheric observations were performed continuously throughout the day. Analysis of the spectrum of the observed parameters showed that, during solar terminator passage, the lower atmosphere and ionosphere parameters vary with periods of 4–6 min. Variations of the parameters in the atmosphere with these periods are associated with the propagation of acoustic-gravity waves (AGW). Analysis of the experimental results shows that AGW arise in the lower atmosphere and propagate vertically to ionospheric altitudes. It is assumed that AGW with these periods can be efficiently excited in the lower atmosphere and play an important role in the dynamic interactions between the lower and upper atmosphere.     

Variations in the total electron content of the ionosphere during preparation of earthquakes

The morphological features in the deviations of the total electron content (TEC) of the ionosphere from the background undisturbed state as possible precursors of the earthquake of January 12, 2010 (21:53 UT (16:53 LT), 18.46° N, 72.5° W, 7.0 M) in Haiti are analyzed. To identify these features, global and regional differential TEC maps based on global 2-h TEC maps provided by NASA in the IONEX format were plotted. For the considered earthquake, long-lived disturbances, presumably of seismic origin, were localized in the near-epicenter area and were accompanied by similar effects in the magnetoconjugate region. Both decreases and increases in the local TEC over the period from 22 UT of January 10 to 08 UT of January 12, 2010 were observed. The horizontal dimensions of the anomalies were ∼40° in longitude and ∼20° in latitude, with the magnitude of TEC disturbances reaching ∼40% relative to the background near the epicenter and more than 50% in the magnetoconjugate area. No significant geomagnetic disturbances within January 1–12, 2010 were observed, i.e., the detected TEC anomalies were manifestations of interplay between processes in the lithosphere-atmosphere-ionosphere system.     

非球对称电离层掩星数据反演

电离层掩星数据的传统反演方法是电离层球对称假设下的Abel变换反演方法,但是实际的电离层电子密度分布不是球对称的,电离层的非球对称分布给电离层电子密度反演带来误差.发展了一种新的非球对称电离层掩星反演方法,利用国际参考电离层模型提供的三维电离层电子密度分布先验信息来修正掩星总电子含量 ,再通过球对称假设下的Abel变换反演出电离层电子密度.利用新方法反演了星座气象、电离层和气候观察系统掩星实测数据,并将得到的反演结果与电离层探测器资料进行了比较.结果表明,新方法能够较好地反演出电离层电子密度. 关键词： 电离层掩星 电子密度 国际参考电离层模型     

Dynamical Characteristics of Traveling Wave Packets of Total Electron Content Disturbances

Using the COPHASE method and the GPS interferometry method for travelling ionospheric disturbances, we analyze in detail the spatio-temporal properties of travelling wave packets (TWP) of total electron content (TEC) disturbances. The analysis is performed on the example of a clearest TWP manifestation observed in California, USA, in October 18, 2001, using the GLOBDET technique, developed at the Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics of the Siberian Branch of RAS for global detection and monitoring of natural and technogenic ionospheric disturbances on the basis of TEC variations retrieved from the global network of GPS receivers. In the time domain, TWPs are quasi-periodic TEC oscillations of duration about 1 h, period of 10–20 min, and amplitude exceeding that of the background TEC fluctuations by at least one order of magnitude. The velocity and direction of TWP motion are similar to those of mid-latitude mesoscale travelling ionospheric disturbances, as obtained earlier from the analysis of phase parameters of HF radio signals and the signals of geostationary satellites and discrete space radio sources.     

Japan megathrust earthquake on March 11, 2011: GPS-TEC evidence for ionospheric disturbances

Two-dimensional distributions of the vertical total electron content in the ionosphere above the Japan under-sea mega-earthquake on March 11, 2011 are reconstructed using high-temporal-resolution (2-min) data from the Japan GPS network. A diverging ionospheric perturbation with multicomponent spectral composition is identified emerging after the main shock. The disturbances in the ionospheric electron concentration caused by acoustic gravity waves generated by the earthquake-related processes. The initial phase of this disturbance can be used as a marker in the tsunami early warning systems. The surface energy of the earthquake estimated from the amplitude of the ionospheric disturbance is close to the estimate based on the seismic data. Other disturbances (ionospheric responses to the Rayleigh and tsunami waves, a solitary ionospheric pulse) are also analyzed. Physical interpretation of the identified ionospheric disturbances is presented.     

Modeling of variations of the peak F2 layer electron density and total electron content during the recovery period after the magnetic storm of April 15–20, 2002

The results of numerical modeling by using the global upper atmosphere model of the Earth (UAM) for reproducing the peak F2 layer electron density (N _m F2) and total electron content (TEC) during recovery period after the magnetic storm of the April 15–20, 2002 are discussed. According to the simulations, the time it takes to reach a stationary regime of N _m F2 and TEC diurnal variations is 24 hours, much shorter then the plasmasphere refilling time. The results are compared with the predictions of the IRI-2007 empirical model and GPS data on the TEC and found in good quantitative agreement for the latitudinal variations of N _m F2 and TEC for daytime conditions in the southern hemisphere. The worst agreement occurs in the region of the main ionospheric trough.     

Magnetogravity waves in the ionosphere under conditions of finite conductivity

We obtain dispersion relations for magnetogravity waves in the ionosphere with allowance for the combined influence of magnetic field, gravity, and finite conductivity within the framework of the hydrodynamic approximation. The required conditions are fulfilled in the ionosphere at altitudes over or about 250 km. The auroral electrojet is considered as a source of magnetogravity waves which are frequently observed as traveling ionospheric disturbances. The contribution of magnetogravity waves to the ionospheric disturbances is determined on the basis of analyzing the data from the vertical sounding of the ionospheric F₂ layer and the geomagnetic disturbances along the chosen magnetic meridian and on its sides. The features of the obtained dynamic spectra of magnetogravity waves agree with the characteristic frequencies and velocities determined by the calculated dispersion curves. As a result, we confirm the fact that magnetogravity waves stipulate some traveling ionospheric disturbances and can be used for diagnostics of the ionospheric parameters.     

On the spectrum of large-scale inhomogeneities of the upper ionosphere

The possibility of measuring the large-scale turbulence structure of the upper ionosphere by vertical and oblique short-wave (SW) radio-sounding techniques is considered. General expressions have been derived for the phase fluctuation spectrum of a short-wave signal reflected at the ionospheric layer with an arbitrary regular permittivity profile and given spectrum of inhomogeneities. We have analyzed a number of particular cases which are most typical of phase measurements in the vertical and oblique SW radio-sounding of the randomly inhomogeneous ionosphere. It is shown that when these methods are used the phase fluctuation spectra of reflected signals may critically depend on the form of the ionospheric electron density profiles. The correct interpretation of the measurement data requires use of stations of synchronous vertical and oblique sounding to obtain proper ionograms and calculate the current spectra of a regular permittivity distribution of the ionosphere. Specific difficulties in interpreting the phase measurements of ionospheric inhomogeneity spectra by vertical and oblique radio-sounding methods are mentioned.Radiophysical Research Institute, Nizhny Novgorod. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 38, No. 7, pp. 653–659, July, 1995.     

Use of total electron content maps for analysis of spatial-temporal structures of the ionosphere

The main aspects of a methodology for determining the total electron content (TEC) of the ionosphere from GPS observations and the principles of using two-frequency measurements of satellite signal delays in navigation systems are presented. The method developed and used at the Western Department of Pushkov Institute of Terrestrial Magnetism, Ionosphere, and Radio Waves Propagation, RAS enables to determine the absolute values of the TEC and monitor the diurnal behavior of this quantity for individual monitoring stations. The methodology for obtaining information on the spatial distribution of TEC maps of the ionosphere on the basis of an algorithm for multi-station processing of GPS observations. Using a set of algorithms and programs, regional TEC maps with a spatial resolution of 1° and a time resolution of 15 min-1 h are regularly drawn. This precision allows using TEC maps for studying the structure and dynamics of the ionosphere during different geophysical events. The results of studies of the response of the ionosphere to the solar eclipse on November 3, 2005 and the geomagnetic storms on January 22, 2012.     

Observations of Acoustic Gravity Waves during the Solar Eclipse of March 20, 2015 in Kaliningrad

Results of observations of atmospheric and ionospheric parameters during the solar eclipse of March 20, 2015 have been described. The observations have been conducted by lidar sensing in the lower atmosphere and analysis of the total electron content (TEC) in the ionosphere in Kaliningrad. Observations at the troposphere altitudes have been conducted using an atmospheric lidar. Ionospheric parameter TEC has been determined according to observations of navigation satellite signals. The spectral analysis of the monitored parameters during the solar eclipse has shown that, in the lower atmosphere and the ionosphere in a period range of 2–20 min, internal gravity waves (IGWs) and infrasonic waves are excited. During the main phase of the eclipse, the major contribution to variations in the parameters of the medium comes from infrasonic vibrations. Changes in the variations in the atmospheric and ionospheric parameters with IGW periods are observed only in the initial and final phases of the eclipse.     

Oblique chirp sounding of the modified ionosphere. Experiment and simulation

We present the results of experimental studies of the influence of artificial ionospheric disturbances on HF signals used for oblique sounding of the disturbed volume. The measurements have been performed by a chirp ionosonde over the path Yoshkar-Ola-“Sura”-niznhy Novgorod with length 234 km. We found the 2F2 mode to disappear (attenuation up to 20 dB) when the ionosphere is influenced by a vertical powerful radiation in the ordinary mode with long (15 min each) heating and pause intervals. Modeling of the observed effect was carried out. The calculations agree well with experimental data if the traveling ionospheric disturbances (TID) with vertical and horizontal scales l_z∼20 km and l_x∼50 km, respectively, and the relative disturbance of the electron density δN∼0.2–0.3 are amplified (generated) during the ionosphere heating. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 42, No. 4, pp. 303–313, April 1999.     

Plasma and electromagnetic effects in the ionosphere related to the dynamics of charged aerosols in the lower atmosphere

The paper presents a physical model of the electrodynamic effect on the ionosphere of natural and artificial processes that occur in the near-Earth atmospheric layer and are accompanied by the transfer of charged aerosols in the atmosphere. These processes include the preparation of earthquakes and typhoons, dust storms, and nuclear accidents. The model is based experimentally on satellite and ground-based records of plasma and electromagnetic perturbations, measurements of the injection of soil gases into the atmosphere, and atmospheric radioactivity data. The ionosphere is subject to actions of the conduction electric current flowing in the atmosphere-ionosphere circuit. Its source is an extraneous current formed by vertical turbulent transfer of charged aerosols and their interaction with atmospheric ions during the injection of radioactive substances and modification of atmospheric conductivity. Changes in the electric field of the ionosphere induce the development of plasma and electromagnetic phenomena. The model suggested relates ionospheric and electromagnetic perturbations to the dynamics of charged aerosols in the lower atmosphere.     

Atmospheric Turbulence and Internal Gravity Waves Examined by the Method of Artificial Periodic Irregularities

A method for studying the Earth’s ionosphere at altitudes of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere based on creating artificial periodic irregularities in the ionospheric plasma by means of powerful radio waves is breafly described. Methods for determining the temperature and density of the neutral component and the velocity of vertical and turbulent motions by measuring the characteristics of the signal backscattered by the irregularities are described. The results of experiments performed on a SURA heating facility aimed at a comprehensive investigation of the natural processes occurring in the Earth’s lower ionosphere due to the propagation of atmospheric waves and turbulent phenomena are examined. Based on measurements of the amplitude and phase of the signal scattered by periodic irregularities, the most important characteristics of the neutral and plasma components of the Earth’s atmosphere at altitudes of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere are determined. Further research on the subject is discussed.     

Ionospheric vertical total electron content prediction model in low-latitude regions based on long short-term memory neural network

Ionosphere delay is one of the main sources of noise affecting global navigation satellite systems, operation of radio detection and ranging systems and very-long-baseline-interferometry. One of the most important and common methods to reduce this phase delay is to establish accurate nowcasting and forecasting ionospheric total electron content models. For forecasting models, compared to mid-to-high latitudes, at low latitudes, an active ionosphere leads to extreme differences between long-term prediction models and the actual state of the ionosphere. To solve the problem of low accuracy for long-term prediction models at low latitudes, this article provides a low-latitude, long-term ionospheric prediction model based on a multi-input-multi-output, long-short-term memory neural network. To verify the feasibility of the model, we first made predictions of the vertical total electron content data 24 and 48 hours in advance for each day of July 2020 and then compared both the predictions corresponding to a given day, for all days. Furthermore, in the model modification part, we selected historical data from June 2020 for the validation set, determined a large offset from the results that were predicted to be active, and used the ratio of the mean absolute error of the detected results to that of the predicted results as a correction coefficient to modify our multi-input-multi-output long short-term memory model. The average root mean square error of the 24-hour-advance predictions of our modified model was 4.4 TECU, which was lower and better than 5.1 TECU of the multi-input-multi-output, long short-term memory model and 5.9 TECU of the IRI-2016 model.     

Study of variation in slab thickness of ionospheric F-region during earthquake by wavelet analysis

The present work deals with the anomalies in ionospheric slab thickness of F-region associated with strong seismic activity. In this regard we have considered ionosonde data of Critical frequency of F2 layer (foF2) and Ionospheric Total Electron Content (ITEC) observed for Athens [38°N, 24°E] and Rome [42°N, 13°E] stations. We have considered three cases of earthquake occurring on December 20, 2007, June 08, 2008 and April 06, 2009 and analyzed the ionosonde data of foF2 and ITEC for slab thickness of F-region of the ionosphere in one-hour interval time series record by filtering the geomagnetic disturbances. The result of the study shows that some unusual perturbations were observed in slab thickness of F-region for some days before the main seismic event. It may be due to the generation of seismogenic electric field above the surface of the earth well before the seismic event. This anomalous behavior of perturbations may be used as earthquake precursor.     

Evolution of wave disturbances in the upper ionosphere. Part II

A theoretical analysis of the vertical propagation of large-scale wave disturbances in the F region and outer ionosphere is presented. The analysis has included all the major factors influencing the dynamics of the ionospheric plasma under mid-latitude conditions. It is shown that the disturbances propagating downward in a strongly inhomogeneous medium rise in intensity up to the heights of the F₂-layer maximum and are damped then in the lower layers of the ionosphere. This mechanism can be considered a source responsible for the inhomogeneous structure of the upper ionosphere. State University, Irkutsk, Russia. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 41, No. 9, pp. 1086–1092, September, 1998.