Modeling the varying location of field line resonances during geomagnetic storms

Elsden, T. , Yeoman, T.K., Wharton, S. J., Rae, I. J., Sandhu, J. K., Walach, M.‐T., James, M. K. and Wright, D. M. (2022) Modeling the varying location of field line resonances during geomagnetic storms. Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 127(1), e2021JA029. (doi: 10.1029/2021ja029804)

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Abstract

Previous observational studies have shown that the natural Alfvén frequencies of geomagnetic field lines vary significantly over the course of a geomagnetic storm, decreasing by up to 50% from their quiet time values outside the plasmasphere. This was recently demonstrated statistically using ground magnetometer observations across 132 geomagnetic storm events (Wharton et al., 2020). This then brings into question where field line resonances (FLRs) will form in storm-time conditions relative to quiet times. With storm-time radiation belt dynamics depending heavily upon wave-particle interactions, understanding how FLR locations change over the course of a storm will have important implications for this area. Using 3D magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations, we investigate how changes in the Alfvén frequency continuum of the Earth's dayside magnetosphere over the course of a geomagnetic storm affect the fast-Alfvén wave coupling. By setting the model Alfvén frequencies consistent with the observations, and permitting a modest change in the plasmapause/magnetopause locations consistent with storm-time behavior, we show that FLR locations can change substantially during storms. The combined effects of higher fast waveguide frequencies and lower Alfvén frequencies during storm main phases, act together to move the FLR locations radially inwards compared to quiet times. FLRs outside of the plasmasphere are moved radially inward by 1.7 Earth radii for the cases considered.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:T. Elsden was supported by a Leverhulme Trust Early Career Fellowship (ECF-2019-155), the University of Leicester and the University of Glasgow. I. J. Rae was supported by NERC Grants NE/P017185/1 and NE/V002554/2 and STFC Grant ST/V006320/1. T. K. Yeoman and M. K. James were supported by STFC Grant ST/S000429/1. J. K. Sandhu was supported by NERC Grants NE/P017185/2 and NE/V002554/2. M-T Walach was supported by NERC Grant NE/T000937/1.
Keywords:Space and Planetary Science, Geophysics
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Elsden, Dr Thomas
Authors: Elsden, T., Yeoman, T.K., Wharton, S. J., Rae, I. J., Sandhu, J. K., Walach, M.‐T., James, M. K., and Wright, D. M.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Mathematics and Statistics > Mathematics
Journal Name:Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Publisher:Wiley
ISSN:2169-9402
ISSN (Online):2169-9402
Published Online:06 January 2022
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2022 American Geophysical Union.
First Published:First published in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics 127(1): e2021JA029
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
316787ECF TransferThomas ElsdenLeverhulme Trust (LEVERHUL)ECF-2019-155M&S - Mathematics