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Book ChapterDOI

Schumann resonance signatures of global lightning activity

TL;DR: In this paper, the Earth's Schumann resonances (SR) and their application to understanding global lightning are discussed, and the relationship between the variation of SR intensity and global lightning activity is shown.
Abstract: This chapter is concerned with the Earth’s Schumann resonances (SR) and their application to understanding global lightning. The natural electromagnetic waves in the SR frequency range (5 Hz to approx. 60 Hz) radiated by lightning discharges are contained by the Earth-ionosphere cavity. This cavity excitation by lightning can occur as a single energetic flash (a ‘Q-burst’), or as an integration of a large number of less energetic flashes (the ‘background’ resonances). In principle, continuous observations of SR parameters (modal amplitudes, frequencies, and quality factors) provide invaluable information for monitoring the worldwide lightning activity from a single SR station. Relationships between the variation of SR intensity and global lightning activity are shown. Connections between the change of diurnal modal SR frequency range and the areal variation of worldwide lightning are demonstrated. The temporal variation of the diurnal SR frequency patterns characteristic of the global lightning dynamics is also presented. Distortions of ELF waves propagating between the lightning sources and the observer are theoretically discussed based on the TDTE (two-dimensional telegraph equation) technique, focusing on the role of the day-night asymmetry of the Earth-ionosphere cavity. Theoretical and observational results are compared. Both instruments for SR observations and spectral methods for deducing SR parameters are reviewed. Experimental findings by SR on global lightning variations on different time scales (diurnal, seasonal, intraseasonal, annual, semiannual, interannual, 5-day, long-term) are summarized. The growing use of SR measurements as a natural diagnostic for global climate change is emphasized.
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the diurnal variation of the global circuit, surface measurements of electric field at high latitude, the annual variation, the semiannual variation, role of lightning as a source for the global circuits, the electrical contribution of mesoscale convective systems, the possible effect of thunderstorms on the E and F regions of the ionosphere, evidence for a global circuit impact from nuclear weapons tests, the controversy over long-term variations, the response to climate change, and finally the impact of global circuit on climate

186 citations


Cites background or result from "Schumann resonance signatures of gl..."

  • ...The global circuit response to temperature change on still longer time scales remains an outstanding question (Williams, 2005; Sátori et al., 2008)....

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  • ...…of lightning from space (Christian et al., 2003) and measurements of the intensity of the Earth's Schumann resonances (Sátori et al., 1999; Sátori et al., 2008) are consistent with Whipple's findings regarding thunder days, and leave little doubt about the NH summer maximum in global…...

    [...]

  • ..., 2003) and measurements of the intensity of the Earth's Schumann resonances (Sátori et al., 1999; Sátori et al., 2008) are consistent with Whipple's findings regarding thunder days, and leave little doubt about the NH summer maximum in global lightning activity....

    [...]

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors studied global lightning activity on the ENSO (El Nino Southern Oscillation) time scale based on recordings of the Earth's Schumann resonances at Nagycenk (NCK), Hungary as well as observations from the OTD (Optical Transient Detector) and the LIS (Lightning Imaging Sensor) satellites in space.

102 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
Colin Price1
TL;DR: In the extremely low frequency (ELF) range below 100 Hz, the global Schumann Resonance (SR) are excited at frequencies of 8 Hz, 14 Hz, 20 Hz, etc as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Lightning produces electromagnetic fields and waves in all frequency ranges. In the extremely low frequency (ELF) range below 100 Hz, the global Schumann Resonances (SR) are excited at frequencies of 8 Hz, 14 Hz, 20 Hz, etc. This review is aimed at the reader generally unfamiliar with the Schumann Resonances. First some historical context to SR research is given, followed by some theoretical background and examples of the extensive use of Schumann resonances in a variety of lightning-related studies in recent years, ranging from estimates of the spatial and temporal variations in global lighting activity, connections to global climate change, transient luminous events and extraterrestrial lightning. Both theoretical and experimental results of the global resonance phenomenon are presented. It is our hope that this review will increase the interest in SR among researchers previously unfamiliar with this phenomenon.

68 citations

Book ChapterDOI
Colin Price1
01 Jan 2009
TL;DR: The distribution of lightning around the planet is directly linked to the Earth's climate, which is driven by solar insolation as mentioned in this paper, and due to projections of a warmer climate in the future, one of the key questions related to the impact of future global warming on lightning, thunderstorms, and other severe weather.
Abstract: The distribution of lightning around the planet is directly linked to the Earth’s climate, which is driven by solar insolation. The diurnal and seasonal heating of the continental landmasses results in large fluctuations in temperature, influencing atmospheric stability, and the development of thunderstorms. Lightning activity is positively correlated with surface temperatures on short time scales, and due to projections of a warmer climate in the future, one of the key questions is related to the impact of future global warming on lightning, thunderstorms, and other severe weather. Lightning itself is also linked to variations in upper tropospheric water vapour, and tropospheric ozone, both of which are strong greenhouse gases. Climate model studies show that in a future warmer climate we may have less thunderstorms overall, but more intense thunderstorms, which may increase the amount of lightning by 10% for every one degree global warming.

50 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the role of solar activity, convective available potential energy, surface temperature and difference of land-ocean surfaces on convection process are discussed different processes of discharge initiation are discussed Events like sprites and halos are caused by the upward quasi-electrostatic fields associated with intense cloud-to-ground discharges.

42 citations

References
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a long time series (5-10 years) of station pressure and upper air data from stations located in the tropics are subjected to spectral and cross-spectral analysis to investigate the spatial extent of a previously detected oscillation in various variables with a period range of 40-50 days.
Abstract: Long time series (5–10 years) of station pressure and upper air data from stations located in the tropics are subjected to spectral and cross-spectral analysis to investigate the spatial extent of a previously detected oscillation in various variables with a period range of 40–50 days. In addition, time series of station pressure from two tropical stations for the 1890's are examined and indicate that the oscillation is a stationary feature. The cross-spectral analysis suggests that the oscillation is of global scale but restricted to the tropics: it possesses features of an eastward-moving wave whose characteristics change with time. A mean wave disturbance, constructed with data from the IGY, provides additional descriptive material on the spatial and temporal behavior of the oscillation. The manifestation in station pressure consists of anomalies which appear between 10N and 10S in the Indian Ocean region and propagate eastward to the Eastern Pacific. Zonal winds participate in the oscillation...

2,551 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The 40-50-day cyclone oscillation is the result of large-scale circulation cells oriented in the equatorial plane that move eastward from at least the Indian Ocean to the central Pacific as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Observational aspects of the 40–50-day oscillation are reviewed. The oscillation is the result of large-scale circulation cells oriented in the equatorial plane that move eastward from at least the Indian Ocean to the central Pacific. Anomalies in zonal winds and the velocity potential in the upper troposphere often propagate the full circumference of the globe. Related, complex convective regions also show an eastward movement. There is a zonally symmetric component to the oscillation. It is manifest in changes in surface pressure and in the relative atmospheric angular momentum. The oscillation is an important factor in the timing of active and break phases of the Indian and Australian monsoons. It affects ocean waves, currents, and air-sea interaction. The oscillation was particularly active during the First GARP (Global Atmospheric Research Program) Global Experiment year, and some features that were evident during the Monsoon Experiment are described.

1,918 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used the OTD measurements to construct lightning climatology maps that demonstrate the geographical and seasonal distribution of lightning activity for the globe, and found that lightning occurs mainly over land areas, with an average land/ocean ratio of 10:1.
Abstract: of uncertainty for the OTD global totals represents primarily the uncertainty (and variability) in the flash detection efficiency of the instrument The OTD measurements have been used to construct lightning climatology maps that demonstrate the geographical and seasonal distribution of lightning activity for the globe An analysis of this annual lightning distribution confirms that lightning occurs mainly over land areas, with an average land/ocean ratio of 10:1 The Congo basin, which stands out year-round, shows a peak mean annual flash density of 80 fl km 2 yr 1 in Rwanda, and includes an area of over 3 million km 2 exhibiting flash densities greater than 30 fl km 2 yr 1 (the flash density of central Florida) Lightning is predominant in the northern Atlantic and western Pacific Ocean basins year-round where instability is produced from cold air passing over warm ocean water Lightning is less frequent in the eastern tropical Pacific and Indian Ocean basins where the air mass is warmer A dominant Northern Hemisphere summer peak occurs in the annual cycle, and evidence is found for a tropically driven semiannual cycle INDEX TERMS: 3304 Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics: Atmospheric electricity; 3309 Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics: Climatology (1620); 3324 Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics: Lightning; 3394 Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics: Instruments and techniques;

1,117 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present the results of surface air temperature measurements from available meteorological stations for the period of 1880-1985, showing that the network of meteorological station is sufficient to yield reliable long-term, decadal, and interannual temperature changes for both the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere, despite the fact that most stations are located on the continents.
Abstract: The paper presents the results of surface air temperature measurements from available meteorological stations for the period of 1880-1985. It is shown that the network of meteorological stations is sufficient to yield reliable long-term, decadal, and interannual temperature changes for both the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere, despite the fact that most stations are located on the continents. The results indicate a global warming of about 0.5-0.7 C in the past century, with warming of similar magnitude in both hemispheres. A strong warming trend between 1965 and 1980 raised the global mean temperature in 1980 and 1981 to the highest level in the period of instrumental records. Selected graphs of the temperature change in each of the eight latitude zones are included.

957 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
22 May 1992-Science
TL;DR: The Schumann resonance, a global electromagnetic phenomenon, is shown to be a sensitive measure of temperature fluctuations in the tropical atmosphere, which increases nonlinearly with temperature in the interaction between deep convection and ice microphysics.
Abstract: The Schumann resonance, a global electromagnetic phenomenon, is shown to be a sensitive measure of temperature fluctuations in the tropical atmosphere. The link between Schumann resonance and temperature is lightning flash rate, which increases nonlinearly with temperature in the interaction between deep convection and ice microphysics.

453 citations