Dartmouth Events

Abstract: ULF waves are recognized as playing an important role in the dynamics of energetic electrons in the Earth’s radiation belts through the action of ULF wave radial diffusion. However, since the drift frequency of energetic particles is controlled by particle energy and is independent of mass (neglecting any relativistic correction) a similar diffusive transport via ULF wave energization is also possible for energetic ions. In this talk I will investigate the role of ULF waves in the diffusive transport of both ions and electrons in the Earth’s inner magnetosphere. In particular, the correlation between ULF wave power and the response of the ring current, characterized by Dst, will be investigated to demonstrate the relation between ULF wave power and enhancements in the ring current.  Further, ULF wave power and the response of the radiation belts will be investigated during two types of geomagnetic storms, those driven by coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and those driven by co-rotating interaction regions (CIRs). Using SAMPEX and a modeled response of the outer radiation belt, I will demonstrate that the outer radiation belt has a repeatable and reproducible response, which depends on the initial structure of the radiation belts and storm driver, either CIRs or CMEs.