Nonlinear numerical simulation of equatorial spread-F — Effects of winds and electric fields

Recent investigations by means of linear theory revealed the importance of the vertical winds on Rayleigh-Taylor (R-T) instability in the bottomside F-region along with other driving agencies like the zonal electric field and winds. In the present paper, the nonlinear effects of vertical winds and zonal electric fields on the R-T instability are investigated. The results reveal that in the presence of downward wind or/and eastward electric field the evolutionary process of R-T even beyond 350 km altitude where their effects are considered to be less important according to linear theory.