Contribution of EMIC and Chorus Waves to the Formation of the Three‐Belt of Ultra‐Relativistic Electrons
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: The Earth's radiation belts are usually composed of an inner and an outer zone. Previous studies have reported a third belt of ultra‐relativistic electrons, but the mechanism requires to be further clarified. Here we report a very interesting feature of MeV electrons during two storms in October 2018. During the October 7 storm the electrons in the region were quickly scattered by EMIC waves, leading to a storage ring left between . Over the following days, due to the chorus‐driven acceleration, electron fluxes significantly increased in the region , consequently allowing for a three‐belt structure. During the October 13 storm the electrons in the region were swept away by EMIC waves, leaving a narrow outer radiation belt confined within the region for several days. Numerical calculations demonstrate that the EMIC‐driven loss and chorus‐induced acceleration can account for the formation and evolution of the third‐belt morphology.
DOI: 10.1029/2024ja033380
Authors: Chang Yang, Jiaxu Yue, Hongming Yang, Zhaoguo He, Fuliang Xiao, Sai Zhang, Yihua He, Si Liu, Qinghua Zhou, Zhonglei Gao, Yuyue Jin, Hui Zhao, Archie James Johnston
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4405346431