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Thunderstorm‐/lightning‐induced ionospheric perturbation: An observation from equatorial and low‐latitude stations around Hong Kong
Author(s) -
Kumar Sanjay,
Chen Wu,
Chen Mingli,
Liu Zhizhao,
Singh R. P.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: space physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2169-9402
pISSN - 2169-9380
DOI - 10.1002/2017ja023914
Subject(s) - tec , ionosphere , total electron content , meteorology , thunderstorm , atmospheric sciences , lightning detection , earth's magnetic field , environmental science , latitude , amplitude , geomagnetic storm , middle latitudes , geodesy , physics , geography , geophysics , quantum mechanics , magnetic field
Total electron content (TEC) computed from the network of Global Positioning System over Hong Kong area known as Hong Kong Sat‐Ref‐network has been used to study perturbation in the ionosphere from thunder storm activity. Data for geomagnetic quiet day ( Kp < 4, on 1 April 2014) have been analyzed. The lightning activity was measured from Total Lightning sensor LS8000 over/around the Hong Kong region. Deviation in vertical TEC (DTEC) and the rate of change of TEC index (ROTI) have been derived and compared for lightning day of 1 April 2014 and nonlightning day of 7 April 2014. An analysis showed reduction in TEC during evening hour (up to 1245 UT), whereas an enhancement during nighttime hour on the lightning day is observed. The variations in DTEC during nonlightning day are found to be insignificant in comparison to that during the lightning day. The ionospheric perturbation in TEC has been noticed up to a distance around ~500 km and more from the lightning center. ROTI is found to vary from 3 to 60 total electron content unit (TECU)/min (1 TECU = 10 16 el m −2 ) on the day of thunderstorm activity, whereas ROTI is insignificant on nonlightning days. Signature of density bubbles in slant TEC data and periodicities (10–100 min) in DTEC data are observed. For the same pseudorandom numbers (1, 10, 13, 23, and 28) strong amplitude scintillations are also observed at a close by station. Amplitude scintillations are proposed to be caused by plasma bubbles. The results are tentatively explained by thunderstorm‐induced electric fields and gravity waves.