A statistical analysis of sporadic E layer occurrence in the midlatitude China region

• Published in: Journal of geophysical research. Space physics 2017-03, Vol.122 (3), p.3617-3631
• Main Authors: Zhou, Chen, Tang, Qiong, Song, Xiaoxiao, Qing, Haiyin, Liu, Yi, Wang, Xiang, Gu, Xudong, Ni, Binbin, Zhao, Zhengyu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Atmospheric waves; Atmospherics; Daytime; E region; Geomagnetic activity; Geomagnetism; Ionospheric sounding; Irregularities; Latitude; Magnetic fields; midlatitude ionosphere; Night; Planetary waves; Seasons; Sounding; Sporadic E layer; Stations; Statistical analysis; Summer; Tidal waves
• ISSN: 2169-9380; 2169-9402
• DOI: 10.1002/2016JA023135

A statistical analysis of sporadic E layer recorded from September 2011 to September 2015 at four Chinese ionospheric sounding stations of Mohe (122.37°E, 53.50°N), Beijing (116.25°E, 40.25°N), Wuhan (114.61°E, 30.53°N), and Hainan (109.13°E, 19.52°N) is presented to investigate the characteristics of sporadic E layer at the middle latitudes over China. The occurrence of the sporadic E layer in midlatitude China region shows strong dependence on local time and season, consistent with previous studies. The occurrence of the midlatitude sporadic E layer is prominent at local daytime in summer season. The results also reveal that the postsunset sporadic E layer is statistically pronounced in midlatitude China region, possibly related to the nighttime midlatitude E region irregularities. The midlatitude sporadic E layer is modulated by atmospheric tidal waves and planetary waves at different latitudes. The occurrence of the midlatitude sporadic E layer also tends to increase with the level of geomagnetic activity on the basis of both the statistical analysis and case study. Key Points The occurrence of ES in midlatitude China region shows strong dependence on local time and season The midlatitude ES is modulated by atmospheric waves ES show dependence on the geomagnetic activity