The estimated required minimum flash rate to change the ionosphere dynamics in the electrodynamical coupling model of atmosphere and ionosphere
Abstract
We developed an electrodynamical coupling model of atmospheric thunderstorm current system and the ionospheric current system. Using the average flash rate of thunderstorm as a parameter In the coupling model, we calculate the upward current injecting into the ionosphere. From the lower boundary of the ionosphere, the upward current from thunderstorm can be served as input current in the ionospheric current system. With upward current from thunderstorm, the perpendicular electric field is derived using local conductivity tensor at given magnetic latitudes. The associated electric field leads to the plasma ExB drift motion in the ionosphere. The caused plasma motion changes the plasma density, i.e., the changes of observed total electron content. In the nighttime ionosphere, the depletion region caused by thunderstorm current near equator may trigger the plasma bubbles. We also estimate required minimum flash rate to change the ionosphere dynamics. It is found that a cluster of thunderstorms with total flash rate greater than tens of ampere may cause ΔTEC ~ 1% and plasma bubbles in the nighttime ionosphere.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2013
- Bibcode:
- 2013AGUFMAE22A..07K
- Keywords:
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- 3324 ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES Lightning;
- 2427 IONOSPHERE Ionosphere/atmosphere interactions;
- 3334 ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES Middle atmosphere dynamics