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Daily variations of geomagnetic HD and Z-field at equatorial latitudes

Earth, Planets and Space volume 52, pages 237–243 (2000)Cite this article

Abstract

With the establishment of the new geomagnetic field observations in the Ocean Hemisphere Network Project (OHP) in Japan, minutes values of geomagnetic components, H D and Z have been recorded. The hourly mean values were used to study the variations in these three components at these new equatorial electrojet regions. The results of the analysis carried out revealed that the amplitude of d H has diurnal variation which peaks during the day at about local noon in all the three equatorial electrojet regions. This diurnal variation in H with Sq (H) enhancement in all the three regions are attributed to the enhanced dynamo action at these regions. Diurnal variation as observed in D indicates that the equatorial electrojet current system has both east-west and north-south components. The pronounced magnitude of Z variation as observed in Kiritimati is attributed mainly to sea induction. Also some abnormal features were observed on 23rd of January at Huancayo, in the components. Seasonal variations with more pronounced equinoctial maximum were observed in H than in Z. D component showed no consistent seasonal variation in all the regions. The equinoctial maximum is due to enhanced equatorial electron density at equinox. More research work, if carried out in these new regions will be useful in making more new contributions to the field of the dynamics of the equatorial electrojet region.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth and Planetary Physics, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan

    F. N. Okeke & Y. Hamano

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  1. F. N. Okeke
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  2. Y. Hamano
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Correspondence to F. N. Okeke.

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Okeke, F.N., Hamano, Y. Daily variations of geomagnetic HD and Z-field at equatorial latitudes. Earth Planet Sp 52, 237–243 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03351632

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03351632

Keywords

  • Diurnal Variation
  • Daily Variation
  • Equatorial Electrojet
  • Dynamo Action
  • Equatorial Latitude