Abstract Extreme conditions during storms profoundly alter the evolution of equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs), yet the key dynamics remains poorly understood. We document the rapid expansion, contraction, and decay of super EPBs in South America during the 12 November 2025 storm with Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) Bz/By magnitude exceeding ∼50 nT. These EPBs expanded to ∼37° magnetic latitude with pronounced hemispheric and longitudinal asymmetries and westward tilt. Notably, the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) crests retracted into an X‐pattern during suppression. We suggest that eastward prompt penetration electric fields (PPEF) driven by strong IMF Bz caused the rapid expansion, while fast equatorward winds (peaking at 488 m/s vs. typically ∼<100 m/s) together with westward PPEF triggered EIA merging and EPB decay. The entire EPB lifecycle unfolded within 3 hrs, considerably faster than previously reported events. Our findings reveal storm‐time mechanisms shaping the low‐latitude ionosphere under extreme conditions and advance understanding crucial for space weather prediction.
Zou et al. (Sun,) studied this question.