  In this paper an attempt is made to verify the hypothesis on the role of
geomagnetic disturbances as a factor determining the intensity of traveling
ionospheric disturbances (TIDs). To improve the statistical validity of the
data, we have used the based on the new GLOBDET technology method involving a
global spatial averaging of disturbance spectra of the total electron content
(TEC). To characterize the TID intensity quantitatively, we suggest that a new
global index of the degree of disturbance should be used, which is equal to the
mean value of the rms variations in TEC within the selected range of spectral
periods (of 20-60 min in the present case). It was found that power spectra of
daytime TEC variations in the range of 20-60 min periods under quiet conditions
have a power-law form, with the slope index k = -2.5. With an increase of the
level of magnetic disturbance, there is an increase in total intensity of TIDs,
with a concurrent kink of the spectrum caused by an increase in oscillation
intensity in the range of 20-60 min. It was found that an increase in the level
of geomagnetic activity is accompanied by an increase in total intensity of
TEC; however, it correlates not with the absolute level of Dst, but with the
value of the time derivative of Dst (a maximum correlation coefficient reaches
-0.94). The delay of the TID response of the order of 2 hours is consistent
with the view that TIDs are generated in auroral regions, and propagate
equatorward with the velocity of about 300-400 m/s.
