Abstract
The influence of conductivity perturbation in the lower atmosphere on the DC electric field over a seismic region is investigated. This perturbation is related to the emanation of radon and other radioactive elements into the lower atmosphere as the seismic activity increases. An increase in the level of atmospheric radioactivity results in the appearance of additional ionization sources. The altitude dependence of the ion formation rate is calculated. An ionization source changes the atmospheric conductivity because of the appearance of ions with an equilibrium number density. The perturbation of the atmospheric conductivity is calculated as a function of the altitude. Lower atmosphere conductivity changes disturb the electric current that flows in the global atmosphere-ionosphere circuit. This disturbance is caused by an external current over a seismic region. DC electric field perturbations on the Earth’s surface and in the ionosphere are estimated.
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Published in Russian in Khimicheskaya Fizika, 2007, Vol. 26, No. 4, pp. 39–44.
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Sorokin, V.M., Yashchenko, A.K. & Hayakawa, M. Electric field perturbation caused by an increase in conductivity related to seismicity-induced atmospheric radioactivity growth. Russ. J. Phys. Chem. B 1, 644–648 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1990793107060206
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1990793107060206