ULF Wave Driven Radial Diffusion During Geomagnetic Storms: A statistical analysis of Van Allen Probes observations

Jasmine Sandhu*, Jonathan Rae, J. R. Wygant, A. W. Breneman, S. Tian, Clare Watt, R. B. Horne, L. G. Ozeke, M. Georgiou, M.-T. Walach

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

34 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

The impact of radial diffusion in storm time radiation belt dynamics is well‐debated. In this study we quantify the changes and variability in radial diffusion coefficients during geomagnetic storms. A statistical analysis of Van Allen Probes data (2012 − 2019) is conducted to obtain measurements of the magnetic and electric power spectral densities for Ultra Low Frequency (ULF) waves, and corresponding radial diffusion coefficients. The results show global wave power enhancements occur during the storm main phase, and continue into the recovery phase. Local time asymmetries show sources of wave power are both external solar wind driving and internal sources from coupling with ring current ions and substorms. Wave power enhancements are also observed at low L values (L < 4). The accessibility of wave power to low L is attributed to a depression of the Alfvén continuum. The increased wave power drives enhancements in both the magnetic and electric field diffusion coefficients by more than an order of magnitude. Significant variability in diffusion coefficients is observed, with values ranging over several orders of magnitude. A comparison to the Kp parameterised empirical model of Ozeke et al. (2014) is conducted and indicates important differences during storm times. Although the electric field diffusion coefficient is relatively well described by the empirical model, the magnetic field diffusion coefficient is approximately ∼ 10 times larger than predicted. We discuss how differences could be attributed to dataset limitations and assumptions. Alternative storm‐time radial diffusion coefficients are provided as a function of L* and storm phase.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere2020JA029024
Number of pages20
JournalJournal of Geophysical Research - Space Physics
Volume126
Issue number4
Early online date7 Apr 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2021

Keywords

  • ULF waves
  • Radial Diffusion
  • Outer Radiation Belt
  • Van Allen Probes
  • Geomagnetic Storms

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