Current systems in the Earth's magnetosphere: A Review of U.S. Progress for the 1975–1978 IUGG Quadrennial Report

Electric currents play a fundamental role in a variety of magnetospheric phenomena and a system of large‐scale currents defines the shape of the magnetosphere itself. Currents are believed to drive a variety of complicated plasma instabilities, both in the near‐earth auroral region and in distant magnetospheric regions. The purpose of this report is to identify and summarize the significant contributions to the understanding of electric currents during the years 1975–1978. Although this is intended to be a report of US achievements, the contributions of researchers from other countries are frequently cited, because they are tightly interwoven with research done in this country.