[P-EM12] Coupling Processes in the Atmosphere-Ionosphere System

[PEM12-06] The Characteristics and dynamics of Equatorial Plasma Bubbles (EPBs) observed by Equatorial Atmosphere Radar (EAR) during solar cycle 24

*Ajith Kaippallimyalil Kuriakose¹, Tatsuhiro Yokoyama¹, Mamoru Yamamoto¹ (1.Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere, Kyoto University)

Keywords:Equatorial Plasma Bubbles, Ionospheric irregularities, Equatorial Atmosphere Radar

Equatorial Plasma Bubble (EPB) irregularities negatively impact trans-ionospheric radio wave propagation and satellite-based communication and navigation systems. To enhance the performance of these systems, it is essential to understand the day-to-day variability and making deterministic predictions of these irregularities. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of Equatorial Plasma Bubble characteristics using 10 years of observations from the Equatorial Atmosphere Radar (EAR) in Indonesia (0.2°S, 100.3°E) spanning Solar Cycle 24 (2010–2019). We investigate the climatological behavior of EPB parameters, including drift velocity, onset time, onset altitude and rise velocity to quantify their variability across solar activity phases (maximum, declining, and minimum), seasons, and geomagnetic conditions. Statistical analysis reveals a strong solar cycle dependence on the EPB occurrence peak during solar maximum years and decreasing during solar minimum years. Seasonal variability shows higher EPB activity during equinoxes linked to post-sunset vertical drift enhancements. Zonal drift velocity and vertical rise velocity of EPBs shows a clear local time and solar activity dependence. This work establishes the long-term EPB climatology and onset and drift characteristics of EPBs for the Indonesian sector using EAR observations. These results, derived from 10 years of data set, provide important input parameters for the the development of accurate EPB forecasting models to mitigate the disruptive impacts of EPBs on the communication and navigation systems.