The equatorial electrojet as detected from the abnormal electric current distribution above Huancayo, Peru, and elsewhere

Abstract

The abnormally large range of the daily variation of the horizontal (or north) component of magnetic force over Huancayo in Peru indicates the daily rise and decline of a concentrated eastward electric current above that station, superposed on the normal current distribution responsible for the daily magnetic variation Sq. The name electrojet is suggested for this concentrated current. New investigations indicate the occurrence of the electrojet also over Africa and India. To determine the height, intensity, width and return current flow of the electrojet, it is necessary to determine the abnormality in the daily range of the vertical (and perhaps also of the east) force, at stations north and south of the electrojet. It is suggested that the Bombay and Manila daily Z variations already confirm the existence of the abnormality also in this element. Illustrative calculations are given that will be helpful in interpreting the proposed new data. © 1951 Springer-Verlag.