Unexpected VLF Bursty-Patches Above 5 kHz: A Review of Long-Duration VLF Series Observed at Kannuslehto, Northern Finland

Abstract

AbstractUnexpected short patches of natural VLF emissions at f > 5 kHz have been observed at the ground station of Kannuslehto (KAN, L ~ 5.5) in Northern Finland. In contrast with usual VLF emissions (e.g., chorus, hiss, and quasiperiodic emissions) these high-frequency bursty-patches are observed at frequencies higher than half of the equatorial electron gyro-frequency of the L shell of KAN. Moreover, most of these waves reached frequencies above the local equatorial electron gyrofrequency at L = 5.5. Thus, they cannot be attributed to the classical theory of electron-cyclotron interaction. We present a review of VLF bursty-patches at KAN during winters 2011–2021. These emissions have rarely been observed as they are usually hidden by sferics originating from lightning discharges. Therefore, a special numeric filtering technique was used to reduce noise from sferics. VLF bursty-patches typically occur as sequences of short right-hand polarized bursts separated by a few minutes and lasting several hours. Here, we discuss the spectral structure of long-lasting bursty-patches (6 + hours) and the properties of individual patches. We established two categories: (1) “triggered-like” hiss-like bursts at f ~ 4–7 kHz with a very abrupt onset and detected under quiet geomagnetic conditions, and (2) “dash-like” emissions at f > 6 kHz that resemble narrowband hiss and observed under moderate activity. Even though VLF bursty-patches in winters 2011–2021 were observed under weak or slightly disturbed magnetic activity, their annual cyclical occurrence was similar to variations in solar activity. The nature of these VLF patches has not been established yet, but they appear to be generated at L shells lower than that of KAN. Their exact generation region and propagation behavior remain unknown, with further theoretical and experimental research being required.