Evidence for two types of dipolarization in the earth's magnetotail

There is a long history in the study of current-disruptions/dipolarizations (CDDs) in the Earth's magnetotail. A recent trend for this topic is the focus on very transient (~1-2 min) positive pulses of the Bz component in the magnetotail coined as dipolarization fronts (DFs). We reviewed several salient features of CDDs reported previously and compare them with those of DFs. We find several major differences between them. First, their temporal profiles differ significantly-DFs have pulse-like form while CDDs have the sustained dipolarization lasting for many minutes. Second, CDDs are typically associated with initial large magnetic fluctuations having the characteristics of turbulence while DFs are not. Third, DFs typically propagate Earthward while CDDs spread tailward. Fourth, DFs are mainly spatial structures acting as discontinuities to separate the regions ahead and behind them with a north-south oriented thin current sheet. On the other hand, CDDs are mainly temporal manifestations of a local dynamic process that reduces the east-west cross-tail current near the neutral sheet. There is indication that CDDs in the near-Earth region (within the downstream distance of ~15 RE) occur prior to substorm onset and DFs are typically found in the midtail region after substorm onsets. These differences justify renaming DFs as dipolarization pulses so that the fronts of CDDs can be distinguished from dipolarization pulses without the confusion brought about by the present terminology.