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ZHANG Shun-Rong, COSTER Anthea J, Ercha AA, THAYYIL Jayachandran P, ZHANG Yongliang. Coupled Evolution of Storm-Enhanced Density, Tongue of Ionization, and Polar Ionospheric Hole during the 10 May 2024 Superstorm. Chinese Journal of Space Science, 2026, 46(5): 1-14 doi: 10.11728/cjss2026.05.2026-0019
Citation: ZHANG Shun-Rong, COSTER Anthea J, Ercha AA, THAYYIL Jayachandran P, ZHANG Yongliang. Coupled Evolution of Storm-Enhanced Density, Tongue of Ionization, and Polar Ionospheric Hole during the 10 May 2024 Superstorm. Chinese Journal of Space Science, 2026, 46(5): 1-14 doi: 10.11728/cjss2026.05.2026-0019
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Coupled Evolution of Storm-Enhanced Density, Tongue of Ionization, and Polar Ionospheric Hole during the 10 May 2024 Superstorm

doi: 10.11728/cjss2026.05.2026-0019 cstr: 32142.14.cjss.2026-0019
  • 1.

    Haystack Observatory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Westford, MA 01886

  • 2.

    Physics Department, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB E3B 5A3

  • 3.

    Applied Physics Lab, Johns Hopkins University, Laurel, MD 20723

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  • Author Bio:

    Dr. Shun-Rong Zhang, the first author and corresponding author, is a Principal Research Scientist at MIT Haystack Observatory. He has been actively involved in a diverse range of ionosphere and upper atmosphere research, encompassing geospace storm effects, variability, climatology, long-term changes, and the associated coupling processes in ionosphere-thermosphere-magnetosphere and atmospheric systems. E-mail: shunrong@mit.edu

  • Available Online: 2026-06-16
    Abstract
  • This study investigates the concurrent evolution of subauroral storm-enhanced density (SED), the polar Tongue Of Ionization (TOI), and the Polar Ionospheric Hole (PIH) during the 10 May 2024 geomagnetic superstorm. Using global GNSS Total Electron Content (TEC) and TIMED/GUVI thermospheric O/N2 ratio measurements, we focus on the interplay between ionized and neutral density structures at polar latitudes. Our observation exhibited the following scenario that highlights the new understanding of peculiar O/N2 influences on TOI and plasma patches during this storm. (i) With the arrival of the ICME shock and subsequent Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) Bz southward turning, Prompt Penetration Electric Field (PPEF) drove Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA) crests moving poleward, causing a mid-latitude density enhancement. At midlatitude, the poleward Subauroral Polarization Stream (SAPS) provided significantly intensified sunward flow, while PPEF generated poleward flow, thus the two ion drift components led to the buildup of high electron density, forming the SED base and plume. (ii) At noon, the SED plume was entrained into the anti-sunward flow channel toward the polar cap. (iii) An unusual dayside PIH was formed as the neutral gas with a depleted O/N2 ratio began circulating in the morning sector toward afternoon. This presumed neutral circulation was primarily driven by the increased ion drag associated with significant storm-time auroral electric fields. (iv) Fresh TOI plasma is moving into the polar cap and rotating eastward, with some portion continuing antisunward convecting. Successively following the TOI eastward convection, the PIH also rotates eastward. (v) PIH and TOI continued to be depleted, with TOI being segmented, as the entire polar cap was soaked by the substantially suppressed O/N2 air. The TOI and PIH remained eastward convicting for several hours, including a 2-hour interval of larger positive IMF By.

     

    • The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests.
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