Rapid changes in LLBL thickness

Hapgood, M. and Lockwood, M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7397-2172 (1995) Rapid changes in LLBL thickness. Geophysical Research Letters, 22 (1). pp. 77-80. ISSN 0094-8276 doi: 10.1029/94GL02835

Abstract/Summary

We employ data from two spacecraft, at the dawn flank of the magnetopause, to investigate fluctuations in the thickness of the low-latitude boundary layer (LLBL). We show the LLBL is considerably thinner shortly after the detection of a flux transfer event than it was during the event. These data are shown to be consistent with the theory of transient increases in the open LLBL thickness caused by a pulse of enhanced reconnection at the magnetopause.