Statistical Analysis of Large-scale EUV Waves Observed by STEREO/EUVI

Original · EN

We present a statistical analysis of 60 strong large-scale EUV wave events that occurred during January 2007 to February 2011 with the STEREO twin spacecraft regarding their kinematical evolution and wave pulse characteristics. For the start velocity, we obtain for the arithmetic mean 312±115 km s⁻¹ (within a range of 100-630 km s⁻¹). For the mean (linear) velocity, the arithmetic mean is 254±76 km s⁻¹ (within a range of 130-470 km s⁻¹). 52 % of all waves under study show a distinct deceleration during their propagation (a≤-50 m s⁻²), the other 48 % are consistent with a constant speed within the uncertainties (-50≤ a≤50 m s⁻²). The start velocity and the acceleration show a strong anticorrelation with c≈-0.8, i.e initially faster events undergo stronger deceleration than slower events. The (smooth) transition between constant propagation for slow events and deceleration in faster events occurs at an EUV wave start velocity of v≈230 km s⁻¹, which corresponds well to the fast-mode speed in the quiet corona. These findings provide strong evidence that the EUV waves under study are indeed large-amplitude fast-mode MHD waves. This interpretation is further supported by the correlations obtained between the peak velocity and the peak amplitude, impulsiveness, and build-up time of the disturbance. We obtained the following association rates of EUV wave events to other solar phenomena: 95 % are associated with a coronal mass ejection (CME), 74 % to a solar flare, 15 % to interplanetary type II bursts, and 22 % to coronal type II bursts. These findings are consistent with the interpretation that the associated CMEs are the EUV waves' driving agent.