Research Article
Variability of Ionospheric Total Electron Content Over Morocco During the Godzilla Sand and Dust Storm of June 2020
Uluma Edward*
,
Chali Idosa Uga,
Athwart Davis Odhiambo,
Binod Adhikari,
Sujan Prasad Gautam,
Ndinya Boniface,
Omondi George,
Ashutosh Giri,
Dessalegn Teferi,
Negasa Belay,
Ashok Silwal
Issue:
Volume 12, Issue 1, March 2024
Pages:
1-16
Received:
2 May 2024
Accepted:
22 May 2024
Published:
15 July 2024
Abstract: During sand and dust storm (SDS) events, atmospheric suspension and transport of sand and dust brings a reasonable amount of electrification in the atmosphere which plays a very important role in the atmosphere-ionosphere coupling. The Godzilla SDS began on 5th June 2020 in Algeria following a decrease in pressure and spread to other areas across the Sahara between 6th and 28th June 2020. Using SDS data from Copernicus Sentinel-5P satellite mission and Vertical Total Electron Content (VTEC) data from four GNSS receiver stations: IFR1 (Ifrane Seismic), MELI (Melilla), TETN (Tetouan) and OUCA (Ouca) over Morocco, we investigate the possible ionospheric TEC variability over the four GNSS receiver stations during the Godzilla SDS event which was tracked using the Sentinel-5P Satellite mission. Solar wind parameters: Horizontal component of Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF-Bz), interplanetary Electric Field (IEF-Ey) and solar wind speed (V) and geomagnetic indices: Disturbance Storm Time (Dst) and Planetary K (Kp) indices were examined and showed very minimal geomagnetic influence during the period. We observed major ionospheric disturbances over the four Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver stations on 16th, 17th, 18th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd 25th and 26th June 2020: the period with the Sentinel-5P Aerosol Index (SAI) of more than 4 as recorded by the Sentinel-5P Satellite engine. The daily VTEC values over the four GNSS receiver stations recorded continuous electron density perturbations during these days. Apart from the ionospheric TEC perturbations, significant enhancements and decreases in daily maximum VTEC values over the four GNSS receiver stations were also noted. These were attributed to the changes in the atmospheric electric fields generated by the SDS event. The VTEC plots for each day exhibited similar trends, hence exhibited the same ionospheric dynamics. VTEC depletions of depths 3 to 6 TECU over all the four GNSS receiver stations were noted on 12th, 14th, 17th, 20th and 25th June 2020. Nighttime VTEC enhancements were also noted and majorly occurred between 20:00 and 21:00 UT on 9th, 13th, 15th, 17th, 19th, 20th and 21st June 2020. This was attributed to the development of the electron avalanche processes including dust and electron absorption or losses and the active conversion to electron dissociative attachment leading to electron excitation. In conclusion, the Godzilla SDS of June 2020 led to the electron density perturbations over Morocco.
Abstract: During sand and dust storm (SDS) events, atmospheric suspension and transport of sand and dust brings a reasonable amount of electrification in the atmosphere which plays a very important role in the atmosphere-ionosphere coupling. The Godzilla SDS began on 5th June 2020 in Algeria following a decrease in pressure and spread to other areas across t...
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