Magnetostatic equilibrium and current systems in the Earth’s magnetosphere Original Research Article

Experimental observations of the plasma pressure distribution in the magnetosphere including the latest data from INTERBALL/Tail probe are summarized. Generation of transverse and field-aligned currents due to the magnetospheric plasma pressure gradients is analyzed. Formation of the inner magnetospheric current systems and their configuration are discussed. Arrangement of the observed plasma pressure profile is analyzed with allowance for the turbulent plasma transport and self-organized criticaliry in the magnetosphere.