Work

Mesospheric and Lower Thermospheric Responses to the May 2024 Geomagnetic Storm in the Antarctic Peninsula

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: We analyze the response of mean winds and semidiurnal tides (SDTs) in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT; ∼70–110 km altitude) to the May 2024 geomagnetic super storm, based on meteor radar (MR) observations from King Sejong Station (KSS; geographic: 62.22°S, 58.78°W; geomagnetic: 53.27°S, 10.88°E) in the Antarctic Peninsula. During the recovery phase of the storm, we observe significant intensifications in both westward and equatorward winds. The SDT amplitude exhibits a marked reduction immediately following the main phase, falling below the 1st percentile of May‐time values derived from 18 years (2007–2024) of long‐term MR observations at KSS. In addition, an enhancement of short‐period oscillations with 3–8 hr periods is accompanied by the decrease in SDT amplitude. As possible generation mechanisms for these oscillations, we discuss the effect of Joule heating with similar periodicities and nonlinear wave interactions during the storm.

Source: Geophysical Research Letters

DOI: 10.1029/2025gl120646