The effect of the lower ionosphere on hydromagnetic modes in the plasmasphere

Abstract Dimensionless resonant frequencies of hydromagnetic modes have been calculated for a simple model plasmasphere including a lower ionosphere. Results for the Alfven mode are broadly consistent with those obtained by Hughes and Southwood [1976]. It is further concluded that the lower ionosphere, despite its strong damping effect for part of the day, does not provide much dissipative coupling between adjacent magnetic field shells in the Alfven mode. The fast mode is found to be only slightly damped for horizontal wavelengths of global extent.