Multi-Dimension and Multi-Channel Seismic-Ionospheric Coupling: Case Study of Mw 8.8 Concepcion Quake on 27 February 2010

GPS radio occultation (RO) technology can fully describe the subtle structure of the ionosphere. This paper discusses the dynamic abnormity observed by the RO data from the Constellation Observing System for Meteorology Ionosphere and Climate (FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC) before the great earthquake case in Concepcion, Chile (27 February 2010, Mw 8.8). Traditional ground-based GPS monitoring was considered as the external conditions and references to the excitation response. Using kriging interpolation, the global Nmf2 map (GNM) was first constructed to study the ionosphere deviation from the normal state. Successively, the ionosphere abnormality in the F2 region (Nmf2), vertical structure (RO profiles), and multiple heights (electron density) of traveling are unfolded. The Nmf2 disturbances in the possibility of seismic influences were excluded from non-seismic noise factors, including the external input (e.g., space weather activity, 15 February) and meteorological events (e.g., lower atmospheric forcing in quiet periods). However, the results show that there were apparent local Nmf2 perturbations for up to 5 h in the epicenter area on 21 and 25 February. The disturbances of the RO profiles and the interaction of other layers of the ionosphere implied the fluctuation signals of prominent long-wavelength fluctuations >50 km in the F layer. The ionospheric fluctuates wildly, and these wave signals considered as the trace of gravity wave propagating upward are mainly distributed at the elevation of 200–300 km. The simultaneous reaction of GNSS TEC further evidenced the potential possibility of acoustic gravity by the COSMIC RO profiles, reflecting the compounding couplings of seismo-ionosphere effects. In terms of the presentation of VLF radiation noise and the aerosol ion clusters, the electromagnetic and chemical channels have been previously completed by DEMETER and Terra/Aqua satellites. These findings implied the great potential of the FORMOSAT-7/COSMIC-2 system (now in the testing phase), with ~5000 soundings to investigate the subtle atmospheric stratification.