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Abstract The global 3‐dimensional structure of the concentric traveling ionospheric disturbances (CTIDs) triggered by 2022 Tonga volcano was reconstructed by using the 3‐dimensional computerized ionospheric tomography (3DCIT) technique and extensive global navigation satellite system (GNSS) observations. This study provides the first estimation of the CTIDs vertical wavelengths, ∼736 km, which was much larger than the gravity wave (GW) vertical wavelength, 240–400 km, estimated using ICON neutral wind observations. Notable trend with the variation of azimuth was also found in horizontal speeds at 200 and 500 km altitudes and differences between them. These results imply that (a) the global propagation of Lamb waves determined the arrival time of local ionospheric disturbances, and (b) the arriving Lamb waves caused vertical atmospheric perturbations that are not typical of GWs, resulting in local thermospheric horizontal wave propagation which is faster than the Lamb wave propagation at lower altitudes.
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Ionospheric Lamb Waves With Conical Phase Fronts Following the 2022 Tonga Eruption Unveiled by BeiDou GEO Observations
Abstract Prior observational uncertainties have hindered the clear understanding of the link between tropospheric Lamb waves and ionospheric disturbances. In this study, we precisely extracted ionospheric Lamb waves originating from the epicenter of the 15 January 2022 Tonga eruption, propagating upward in a conical structure. This was achieved by using line‐of‐sight observations from the BeiDou geostationary satellites, which eliminated the spatiotemporal ambiguity introduced by the relative motion of Global Positioning System satellites, enabling the clear extraction of the Lamb signal in the ionosphere. The observed L0 mode speed (∼323 m/s) and period (∼30 min) were consistent with those of the tropospheric Lamb wave. It suggested that the ionospheric Lamb wave is likely driven by the surface Lamb wave, leading to a conical wave‐front that extends in altitude. This study highlights the significant role of Lamb waves in transmitting energy from epicenters through Earth's atmosphere and plasma systems.
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- PAR ID:
- 10612078
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Geophysical Research Letters
- Volume:
- 52
- Issue:
- 10
- ISSN:
- 0094-8276
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
-
Accepted Manuscript
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.1029/2025gl114976
