Abstract
A model for the distribution of the ionospheric electric potential which drives the currents which close the global electric circuit is constructed. Only the internal electric fields and currents generated by thunderstorms are studied. The atmospheric conductivity profiles with altitude are empirically determined, and the topography of the Earth’s surface is taken into account. A two-dimensional approximation of the ionospheric conductor is based on large conductivities along the geomagnetic field; the Pedersen and Hall conductivity distributions are calculated using the empirical models IRI, MSIS and IGRF. The maximum calculated voltage difference in the ionosphere under typical conditions for July, under low solar activity, at 19:00 UT, is about 85 V. In our model the potential has identical values at ionospheric conjugate points. With our more realistic ionospheric model, the electric fields are found to be an order of magnitude smaller than those of the well-known model of Hays and Roble [9].
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Denisenko, V.V.: Multigrid method for a global Hall conductor in the Earth’s ionosphere. In: Virtual Proceedings of the 10-th Anniversary International GAMM-Workshop on Multigrid Methods (1998). http://www.mgnet.org/mgnet-parmgm98.html
Denisenko, V.V.: 2-D model of the global ionospheric conductor connected with the magnetospheric conductors (2018). http://arxiv.org/abs/1802.07955
Denisenko, V.V., Zamay, S.S.: Electric field in the equatorial ionosphere. Planet. Space Sci. 40(7), 941–952 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1016/0032-0633(92)90134-A
Denisenko, V.V., Biernat, H.K., Mezentsev, A.V., Shaidurov, V.A., Zamay, S.S.: Modification of conductivity due to acceleration of the ionospheric medium. Ann. Geophys. 26, 2111–2130 (2008). https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-26-2111-2008
Denisenko, V.V., Rycroft, M.J., Harrison, R.G.: Mathematical simulation of the ionospheric electric field as a part of the global electric circuit. Surv. Geophys. 40(1), 1–35 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10712-018-9499-6
Denisenko, V.V., Rycroft, M.J., Harrison, R.G.: Correction to: mathematical simulation of the ionospheric electric field as a part of the global electric circuit. Surv. Geophys. 40(1), 37 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10712-018-9505-z
Denisenko, V.V., Yakubailik, O.E.: The contribution of topography to the resistance of the global atmospheric conductor. Solar-Terr. Ph. 1(1), 104–108 (2015). (in Russian). https://doi.org/10.12737/6044
Hargreaves, J.K.: The Upper Atmosphere and Solar-Terrestrial Relations. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co Ltd., NY (1979)
Hays, P.B., Roble, R.G.: A quasi-static model of global atmospheric electricity. 1. The lower atmosphere. J. Geophys. Res. 84(A7), 3291–3305 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1029/JA084iA07p03291
Rycroft, M.J., Harrison, R.G., Nicoll, K.A., Mareev, E.A.: An overview of Earth’s global electric circuit and atmospheric conductivity. Space Sci. Rev. 137, 83–105 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-008-9368-6
Rycroft, M.J., Odzimek, A.: Effects of lightning and sprites on the ionospheric potential, and threshold effects on sprite initiation, obtained using an analog model of the global atmospheric electric circuit. J. Geophys. Res. 115, A00E37 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1029/2009JA014758
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this paper
Cite this paper
Denisenko, V., Rycroft, M., Harrison, R.G. (2019). A Mathematical Model of the Ionospheric Electric Field Which Closes the Global Electric Circuit. In: Kocharyan, G., Lyakhov, A. (eds) Trigger Effects in Geosystems. Springer Proceedings in Earth and Environmental Sciences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-31970-0_48
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-31970-0_48
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-31969-4
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-31970-0
eBook Packages: Physics and AstronomyPhysics and Astronomy (R0)