A recent theory holds that high-intensity, long-duration, continuous auroral activity (HILDCAA) is caused by interplanetary Alfv¿n waves propagating outward from the Sun. A survey of Alfv¿nic intervals in over a year of ISEE 3 data shows that while Alfv¿nic intervals often accompany HILDCAAs, the reverse is often not true. There are many Alfv¿nic intervals during which auroral activity (measured by high values of the AE index) is very low, as well as times of high auroral activity that are not highly Alfv¿nic. This analysis supports the common conclusion that large AE values are associated with a southward interplanetary field of sufficient strength and duration. This field configuration is independent of the presence of Alfv¿n waves (whether solar generated or not) and is expected to occur at random intervals in the large-amplitude stochastic fluctuations in the solar wind. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1990