ALFVEN SOLITONS IN THE EARTHS IONOSPHERE AND MAGNETOSPHERE

Nonlinear equations of the Kadomtsev-Petviashvili type are derived for Alfven and magnetosonic waves propagating at a small angle to the Ear th's magnetic field. This represents a generalization of the derivativ e nonlinear Schrodinger equation to the two-dimensional case. The theo ry is applied to explain the observations of stable Alfven-like solito ns by means of the Aureol 3 satellite during the Russian seismic impac t experiments. It may also be useful for theoretical interpretations o f the chevron structures of the ''pearls'' that are occasionally obser ved in the Earth's magnetosphere.