Large-scale stratification of the ionosphere during earthquake preparation

Modulation of ionospheric plasma density by acoustic waves (AW) is investig ated. A rigorous electrodynamic model of the interaction of acoustic waves, generated by the lithospheric displacements during the seismic event prepa ration, with the cold dense ionospheric plasma in the presence of a magneti c field is constructed in conjunction with the actual height variations of the plasma particles' mobility and conductivity tensors in the ionosphere. A mechanism of creation of ionospheric inhomogeneities with different scale s and with various degree of disturbance DeltaN/N-0=10(-4)-10(-5) (N-0 is t he concentration of plasma electrons (ions) in background ionospheric plasm a) is presented. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights res erved.