Electromagnetic atmosphere-plasma coupling: the global atmospheric electric circuit

Rycroft, M. J. and Harrison, R. G. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0693-347X (2012) Electromagnetic atmosphere-plasma coupling: the global atmospheric electric circuit. Space Science Reviews, 168 (1). pp. 363-384. ISSN 0038-6308 doi: 10.1007/s11214-011-9830-8

Abstract/Summary

A description is given of the global atmospheric electric circuit operating between the Earth’s surface and the ionosphere. Attention is drawn to the huge range of horizontal and vertical spatial scales, ranging from 10−9 m to 1012 m, concerned with the many important processes at work. A similarly enormous range of time scales is involved from 10−6 s to 109 s, in the physical effects and different phenomena that need to be considered. The current flowing in the global circuit is generated by disturbed weather such as thunderstorms and electrified rain/shower clouds, mostly occurring over the Earth’s land surface. The profile of electrical conductivity up through the atmosphere, determined mainly by galactic cosmic ray ionization, is a crucial parameter of the circuit. Model simulation results on the variation of the ionospheric potential, ∼250 kV positive with respect to the Earth’s potential, following lightning discharges and sprites are summarized. Experimental results comparing global circuit variations with the neutron rate recorded at Climax, Colorado, are then discussed. Within the return (load) part of the circuit in the fair weather regions remote from the generators, charge layers exist on the upper and lower edges of extensive layer clouds; new experimental evidence for these charge layers is also reviewed. Finally, some directions for future research in the subject are suggested.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/24952
Identification Number/DOI	10.1007/s11214-011-9830-8
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Science > School of Mathematical, Physical and Computational Sciences > Department of Meteorology Science > School of Mathematical, Physical and Computational Sciences > National Centre for Earth Observation (NCEO) Science > School of Mathematical, Physical and Computational Sciences > NCAS
Uncontrolled Keywords	Global circuit; Thunderstorms; Electrified cloud generators; Cosmic rays; Atmospheric electrical conductivity profile; Fair weather regions; Ionospheric potential; Lightning; Sprites; Layer cloud electrification
Publisher	Springer
Publisher Statement	The original publication is available at www.springerlink.com
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