It is shown that the low-frequency (from 1 to 20 Hz) auroral electromagnetic turbulence consists of two kinds of phenomena: (1) magnetic fluctuations due to quasi-static currents and (2) strong electric spikes (larger than 100 mV/m) with associated magnetic (30 nT) and density (dn/n≤30%) fluctuations. These spikes are interpreted as kinetic Alfv¿n waves. They have transverse scale of the order of the electron inertia length (1 km) and then, could dissipate via the generation of a parallel electric field by finite electron mass effects. Given their strong Poynting flux (10-3 to 10-2 W/m2), they likely significantly contribute to the auroral plasma energization. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1994