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Abstract We report the first simultaneous observations of total electron content (TEC), radio signal scintillation, and precise point positioning (PPP) variation associated with Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement (STEVE) emissions during a 26 March 2008 storm‐time substorm. Despite that the mid‐latitude trough TEC decreases during the substorm overall, interestingly, we found an unexpected TEC enhancement (by ∼2 TECU) during STEVE. Enhancement of vertical TEC and phase scintillation was highly localized to STEVE within a thin latitudinal band of 1°. As STEVE shifted equatorward, TEC enhancement was found at and slightly poleward of the optical emission. PPP exhibited enhanced variation across a 3° latitudinal range around STEVE and indicated increased GNSS positioning error. We suggest that TEC enhancement during STEVE creates local TEC structures in the ionosphere that degrade Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) signals and PPP performance. The TEC enhancement may be created by particle precipitation, Pedersen drift across STEVE, neutral wind, or plasma instability. 

Abstract Despite routine detection of coseismic acoustic‐gravity waves (AGWs) in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) total electron content (TEC) observations, models of the earthquake‐atmosphere‐ionosphere dynamics, essential for validating data‐driven studies, remain limited. We present the results of three‐dimensional numerical simulations encompassing the entire coupling from Earth's interior to the ionosphere during the 7.8 2016 Kaikoura earthquake. Incorporating the impact of data/model uncertainties in estimating the ionospheric state, the results show a good agreement between observed and simulated slant TEC (sTEC) signals, assessed through a set of metrics. The signals exhibit intricate waveforms, resulting from the integrated nature of TEC and phase cancellation effects, emphasizing the significance of direct signal comparisons along realistic line‐of‐sight paths. By comparing simulation results initialized with kinematic and dynamic source models, the study demonstrates the quantifiable sensitivity of sTEC to AGW source specifications, pointing to their utility in the analysis of coupled dynamics.