Effect of seismic activities on ion temperature in the F2 region of the ionosphere

Abstract

Ionospheric anomalies related to the seismic events have been analyzed in the present paper. The ionospheric ion temperature data recorded by RPA payload aboard the Indian SROSS-C2 satellite are used for the period from January 1995 to December 1996. Earthquake events recorded in the region of interest by USGS were used to define the ionospheric ion temperature anomalies associated with the earthquake preparation, occurrence and relaxation. Ionospheric ion temperature data were analyzed in such a way that the anomalies due to other phenomena will not be masked over the temperature anomalies due to earthquakes. Ion temperature enhancements in the ionosphere were observed during earthquake events and few pre-post days to the events. The seismogenic vertical electric field propagation up to ionospheric height induces the Joule heating that may cause the ion temperature enhancement.