Observation of Travelling Ionospheric Disturbances over Morocco during the Godzilla Sand and Dust Storm of 15th to 26th June 2020 Using GNSS
Published: 2024-06-08
Page: 18-39
Issue: 2024 - Volume 6 [Issue 1]
Uluma Edward
*
Department of Physics, Masinde Muliro University of Science & Technology, Kakamega, Kenya.
Chali Idosa Uga
Department of Space Science, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Alabama, USA and Department of Physics, Jimma University, Jimma, Oromia, Ethiopia.
Solomon Otoo Lomotey
Department of Smart Technologies, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, Somanya, Eastern Region, Ghana.
Athwart Davis Odhiambo
Department of Physics, Masinde Muliro University of Science & Technology, Kakamega, Kenya.
Fashae Joshua Bankole
Physics Programme, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria.
Kouassi Nguessan
Département de Physique, Université Nangui Abrogoua, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
Muniafu Wilberforce
Department of Physics, Masinde Muliro University of Science & Technology, Kakamega, Kenya.
Boniface Ndinya
Department of Physics, Masinde Muliro University of Science & Technology, Kakamega, Kenya.
Omondi George
Department of Physics and Materials Science, Maseno University, Maseno, Kenya.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Using Vertical Total Electron Content (VTEC) data from four GNSS receiver stations: IFR1 (Ifrane Seismic), MELI (Melilla), TETN (Tetouan) and OUCA (Ouca) in Morocco, we investigate the Godzilla sand and dust storm (SDS) event of June 2020 as a source of energetics for generation of travelling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs). Godzilla SDS event began on 5th June 2020 in Algeria following a decrease in pressure and spread to other areas across the Sahara between 6th and 28th June 2020. It was tracked using the Sentinel-5P Satellite mission. Solar wind parameters: Horizontal component of interplanetary magnetic field (IMF Bz), Y-component of interplanetary electric field (IE-Ey), and solar wind speed (Vz) and geomagnetic indices: disturbance storm time (Dst) and planetary K (kp) indices were examined and showed very minimal geomagnetic influence during the period. The study showed that TEC exhibited wave-like structures having distinct troughs and peaks over IFR1-MELI-TETN and OUCA-IFR1-TETN arrays which were clear indicators of generation of TIDs. The arrays and de-trended TEC plots showed that the TIDs propagated poleward. Neutral winds were seen to play a very important role in the propagation of the atmospheric gravity waves (AGWs) which are manifestations of TIDs.
Keywords: Vertical total electron content, sand and dust storm, travelling ionospheric disturbances, atmospheric gravity waves