Abstract:
This study investigates the intense geomagnetic storm that occurred on January 19, 2026, with a Dst index of −218 nT and a SYM-H index of approximately −223 nT. By integrating multi-source observations, including GNSS TEC, three-dimensional ionospheric tomography, GOLD airglow measurements, and Swarm satellite data, together with a neutral wind model, we systematically analyze the evolution of large-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (LSTIDs) and a super equatorial plasma bubble (EPB) over the Americas-Atlantic sector. Unlike many geomagnetic storms dominated by a sustained southward interplanetary magnetic field, this event was primarily driven by a sudden enhancement in solar wind speed and strong solar wind dynamic pressure over a short period. The results show that, during the storm main phase, pronounced LSTIDs propagated rapidly from high to low latitudes over North America, lasting for approximately 4 hours, with the main disturbances concentrated at altitudes of 250–450 km. Meanwhile, a super EPB developed from the eastern Atlantic to the west coast of Africa, extending latitudinally to magnetic latitudes of ±30° and reaching an apex height of approximately
2500 km. Within the bubble, the electron density decreased sharply by 1–2.5 orders of magnitude. The comprehensive analysis suggests that gravity waves excited by high-latitude Joule heating and particle precipitation drove the propagation of LSTIDs toward middle and low latitudes. In contrast, the prompt penetration electric field induced by solar wind dynamic pressure pulses enhanced plasma drift, promoted Rayleigh-Taylor instability, and ultimately triggered the super EPB. This study reveals the evolutionary characteristics of multiple types of ionospheric disturbances over the Americas–Atlantic sector during an intense geomagnetic storm, providing a valuable reference for satellite navigation error assessment, ionospheric disturbance monitoring, and space weather warning.