On detection of super equatorial plasma bubbles in the American sector during the 10–11 October 2024 geomagnetic storm

Multi‐instrument analysis of ground‐based and satellite observations (GNSS, ionosondes, magnetometers, Swarm, GOLD) revealed the formation of giant equatorial plasma bubbles (super‐EPBs) in the American sector during the 10–11 October 2024 geomagnetic storm. Development of spectacular depletions, stretching between 30°N and 50°S (∼40°MLAT) across American continents with estimated apex altitudes of ∼3,500–4,000 km, was linked to storm‐induced prompt penetration electric fields. Sudden southward turning of interplanetary magnetic field Bz component occurred at ∼22:40 UT, 10 October 2024, when the dusk sector reached western South America. Following a strong uplift of the ionosphere over Jicamarca/Peru by more than 400 km, the super‐EPBs developed in this region, rapidly reaching midlatitudes. In the equatorial region, super‐EPBs were confined to 65°–75°W longitudes. This fortunate localization gives a rare chance to trace super‐EPB evolution near‐entirely, from equatorial to middle latitudes in both hemispheres, due to extensive ground‐based GNSS coverage. This allows us to unveil the complexity of super‐EPB evolution with storm's progress: (a) Initial formation of post‐sunset super‐EPBs as field‐oriented, inverted C‐shape structures near 65°–75°W, (b) westward drift of outmost parts of these structures across midlatitudes from their original location, (c) formation of fresh post‐midnight EPBs over the same locations as post‐sunset EPBs, persisting until early morning. Ionosondes in North America midlatitudes (∼42°MLAT) registered rare observations of Spread‐F associated with storm‐induced EPBs. Strong amplitude scintillations were observed from sunset to sunrise. Super‐EPBs bringing ionospheric irregularities and scintillations to unexpectedly high latitudes represent a perplexing phenomenon connecting physical processes across equatorial, middle and high latitudes during geomagnetic disturbances.