The Quasi-Periodic Nighttime Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances on 13 May 2024 During the Recovery Phase of a SuperStorm

Abstract

On 10–14 May 2024, one of the most powerful geomagnetic storms occurred, with the Dst less than −400 nT. Quasi-periodic nighttime traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs) observed during the recovery phase on 13 May are explored using the detrended total electron content (dTEC) and the neutral wind measurements from Fabry-Perot interferometers (FPI) at Millstone station. At middle latitudes, the strong westward plasma drifts drove an obvious nighttime ionospheric trough at 52° magnetic latitude. Equatorward of this middle-latitude trough, quasi-periodic TIDs in dTEC were found, with a period of 1 hr and phase speeds ranging from 305.6 to 649.3 m/s. Based on the AE index, the periodic energy deposition during substorms might be responsible for the quasi-periodic oscillations of TIDs. Fortunately, FPI-measured horizontal winds at Millstone showed a quasi-periodic oscillation as well, indicating their potential key role.