The main ionospheric trough in the East Asian region: Observation and modeling

Research results concerning the main ionospheric trough (MIT) in the afternoon sector are present. Data are used from the meridional chain of stations located in the East Asian region. The analysis of ionospheric storms with different intensities reveals that the depletion in the F2 layer ionization in the afternoon/evening sector can be observed in the subauroral latitudes in the storm recovery phase predominantly during equinoxes and is associated with the formation of the MIT equatorward wall. Model calculations of the evening trough show that its location coincides with the belt of westward drift in the geomagnetic latitudes 55–65° at 13–17 MLT. Hence the simulated results support the assumption that the narrow and deep trough in the afternoon sector is formed by the westward drift with high velocities (∼700 m/s). the drift transports the low-density plasma from the night side. The eastward drift with high velocities (∼1000–1200 m/s) transports the low-density plasma from the night to morning side forming a trough in the morning sector.