The height and thickness of the F-layer are found to vary intensely with time and from one day to the next. At time of the equinox transition, by the end of March, a net change of the nightly height-time variation is observed. The regime of a single height peak phase before 22 March changes to up to three main F-layer height phases after 30 March, each associated to a dominant mechanism.
The influence of the magnetic activity is identified by the increase in the second peak amplitude. After the 21 April magnetic-equinox period, the height-time morphology becomes more irregular suggesting meridional wind abatement. The initiation, the growth and the maintenance of ESF are explored in relation to these nightly variations. The Rayleigh-Taylor instability is clearly identified as main precursor phenomenon.
This is followed by the P-type F-layer peak spread structures, the whole with no specific dependence on the magnetic activity and on the F-layer phases, in contrast to further I and F-type Inside and Frequency spread ESFs. We discuss our results in the light of recent advanced experiments in Peru and the pacific. Articles Volume 26, issue 7.
Article Metrics Related articles. This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3. Adohi , P. Vila , C. Amory-Mazaudier , and M. How to cite. Adohi, B. BibTeX EndNote.
