Modeling the Development of Plasmasphere Ducts and Irregularities With SAMI3/WACCM-X

We show that atmospheric gravity waves can generate plasma ducts and irregularities in the plasmasphere using the coupled SAMI3/WACCM-X model. We find the equatorial electron density is irregular as a function of longitude which is consistent with CRRES measurements (Clilverd et al., 2007, https://doi.org/10.1029/2007ja012416). We also find that plasma ducts can be generated for L-shells in the range 1.5–3.0 with lifetimes of ∼ 0.5 hr; this is in line with observations of ducted VLF wave propagation with lifetimes of 0.5–2.0 hr (Clilverd et al., 2008, https://doi.org/10.1029/2007ja012602; Singh et al., 1998, https://doi.org/10.1016/s1364-6826(98)00001-7).