Summary
A statistical investigation of the world-wide electric current-systems corresponding to s.c's has been carried out. The storm-time variationDst and the disturbance diurnal variationDs of s.c's are derived separately from the results of the average local-time variations in the magnetic field at different latitudes.
A conspicuousDs current-system is found in the inner polar regions, and a concentrated current-flow is also confirmed along the geomagnetic equator resembling the current-system of an enhancedSq-field. The inner polar region currents flow towards the meridian at about 9h local-time and are supposed to complete their path along the outer auroral zone in opposite directions in the forenoon and afternoon hemispheres. It is of interest that the pattern of this atmospheric electric current-system is very similar to that caused by an electric doublet centred on the highiy conducting region near the pole.
Some observed facts concerning the statistical nature of s.c's can be explained by these current-systems.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Newton, H. W.: Mon. Not. R. Astr. Soc. Geophys. Suppl., 5, 159 (1948).
Ferraro, V. C. A., Parkinson, W. C. &Unthank, H. W.: J. Geophys. Res., 56, 177 (1951).
Ferraro, V. C. A.: ibid., 59, 309 (1954).
Watson, R. A. &McIntosh, D. H.: Nature, 165, 1018 (1950).
McIntosh, D. H.: J. Atm. Terr. Phys., 1, 223 (1951).
Ishikawa, G. &Kadena, M.: Rep. Ionos. Res. Japan, 5, 144 (1951).
Ferraro, V. C. A. &Unthank, H. W.: Geofisica pura e appl., 20, 3 (1951).
Sugiura, M.: J. Geophys. Res., 58, 558 (1953).
Yumura, T.: Mem. Kakioka Mag. Obs., 7, 27 (1954).
Forbush, S. E. &Vestine, E. H.: J. Geophys. Res., 60, 299 (1955).
Nagata, T.: Rep. Ionos. Res. Japan, 6, 13 (1952).
Vestine, E. H., Laporte, L., Lange, I. &Scott, W. E.: D.T.M. Carnegie Inst. Publication, 580, 171 (1947).
Vestine, E. H., Laporte, L., Lange, I. &Scott, W. E.: ibid., 580, 129 (1947).
Nagata, T.: J. Geophys. Res., 55, 127 (1950).
Fukushima, N.: J. Fac. Sci. Tokyo Univ., Ser. II, vol. VIII, part V, 378 (1953).
Rikitake, T.: Bull. Earthquake Res. Inst., 28, 219 (1950).
Rikitake, T., Yokoyama, I. &Hishiyama, Y.: ibid., 30, 207 (1952).
Rikitake, T., Yokoyama, I. &Hishiyama, Y.: ibid., 31, 19 (1953).
Magnetograms and Hourly Values, Publications of U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey (annually).
Nagata, T.: Rep. Ionos. Res. Japan, 5, 134 (1951).
Chapman, S. &Bartels, J.:Geomagnetism, Oxford Univ. Press, Vol. 1, 296 (1940).
Chapman, S. &Ferraro, V. C. A.: Terr. Mag., 36, 77, 171 (1931).
Chapman, S. &Ferraro, V. C. A.: ibid., 37, 142 (1932).
Ferraro, V. C. A.: J. Geophys. Res., 57, 15 (1952).
Martyn, D. F.: Nature, 167, 92 (1951).
Nagata, T. &Fukushima, N.: Rep. Ionos. Res. Japan, 6, 85 (1952).
Rikitake, T.: ibid., 2, 57 (1948).
Fukushima, N.: J. Geomagn. Geolec., 2, 113 (1950).
Fukushima, N.: J. Fac. Sci. Tokyo Univ., Ser. II, vol. VIII, part V, (1953).
Fukushima, N. &Oguchi, T.: Rep. Ionos. Res. Japan., 7, 137 (1953).
Matsushita, S.: J. Geomagn. Geolec., 5, 109 (1953).
Vestine, E. H.: J. Geophys. Res., 59, 93 (1954).
New Soviet Researches,Exploration and Discoveries in the Central Arctic, Izv. Akad. Nauk, Ser. Geog., 5, 3 (1954).
Alfvèn, H.: Tellus, 7, 50 (1955).
Jacobs, J. A. &Obayashi, T.: Canadian Journal of Physics, in press (1956).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Jacobs, J.A., Obayashi, T. The average electric current system for the sudden commencements of magnetic storms. Geofisica Pura e Applicata 34, 21–35 (1956). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02122814
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02122814