Acoustic-gravity waves in the Earths ionosphere

• Taking into account the existence of charged particles in the Earths ionosphere the propagation of acoustic-gravity waves is investigated. The influence of the Coriolis force is also taken into account. The weakly ionized ionospheric D, E, and F-layers are considered. The existence of a cut-off frequency at 2 Omega(0) (Omega(0) is the value of the angular velocity of the Earths rotation) is noted. It is shown that the linear waves are damped because of the Pedersen conductivity. When the acoustic-gravity waves are excited by external events (volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, lightning strikes, etc.) their amplitudes grow until self-organization of these waves into nonlinear vortex solitary structures is admitted. Taking into account the interaction of the induced ionospheric current with the geomagnetic field the governing nonlinear equations are deduced. The formation of dipole vortex solitary structures of low-frequency internal gravity waves is shown for the stable stratified ionosphere. The dynamic energy equation for such nonlinear structures is obtained. It is shown that nonlinear solitary vortical structures damp due to joule losses.

Keyword

Conductive ionosphere

Acoustic-gravity waves

Vortex motion

Pedersen and Hall conductivities

NATURAL SCIENCES

NATURVETENSKAP

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)