plasmapause

Earth's magnetosphere and plasmasphere

plasmapause, portion of the magnetosphere that rotates with the Earth at about four Earth radii (approximately 26,000 km, or 16,000 miles); beyond this region there is a rapid decrease in electron concentrations, and their circulation pattern is quite different. Under very quiet solar conditions, the plasmapause may extend to nearly seven Earth radii, and with very disturbed conditions it contracts to about three Earth radii.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.
Citation Information
Article Title: plasmapause
Website Name: Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher: Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published: 09 September 2019
Access Date: February 22, 2025