High-latitude GPS TEC changes associated with a sudden magnetospheric compression

Using ionospheric total electron content (TEC) measured by Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers of the Canadian High Arctic Ionospheric Network (CHAIN) we provide clear evidence for a systematic and propagating temporary TEC enhancement produced by compression of the magnetosphere due to a sudden increase in solar wind dynamic pressure. The magnetospheric compression is evident in THEMIS/GOES satellite data. Application of a GPS triangulation technique revealed that the TEC changes propagated with a speed of 3–6 km/s in the antisunward direction near noon and ∼8 km/s in the sunward direction in the pre‐noon lower latitude sector. Characteristics of these TEC changes along with riometer absorption measurements seems to indicate that the TEC change is due to electron density enhancement in the F region and is possibly due to particle precipitation associated with sudden magnetospheric compression. Key Points Propagating TEC change due to magnetospheric compression Related to travelling convection vortex GPS triangulation technique