Magnetic field of lightning return stroke

Journal of Geophysical Research (1896-1977)Volume 74, Issue 28 p. 6899-6910 Magnetic field of lightning return stroke Martin A. Uman, Martin A. UmanSearch for more papers by this authorD. Kenneth McLain, D. Kenneth McLainSearch for more papers by this author Martin A. Uman, Martin A. UmanSearch for more papers by this authorD. Kenneth McLain, D. Kenneth McLainSearch for more papers by this author First published: 20 December 1969 https://doi.org/10.1029/JC074i028p06899Citations: 362AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Abstract The magnetic flux density due to first and to subsequent lightning return strokes is calculated for distances from the strokes of 0.5 to 200 km. The basis of the calculations is various assumed forms for the channel current as a function of time and of channel height. Two new channel-current models are introduced for first strokes and one new model for subsequent strokes, in addition to the use of the models of Bruce and Golde and of Dennis and Pierce. The new models provide a better approximation to the real lightning channel current than do the previous models, but all models considered yield radiation fields far from the channel that are consistent with experiment. It is shown that, contrary to the claims of Norinder and co-workers, the magnetic-field rise time for a stroke within a distance of about 20 km is essentially unrelated to the current rise time in the stroke channel base. For subsequent strokes, field rise times of many tens of microseconds can be due to current rise times shorter than a microsecond. On the other hand, field rise times for subsequent strokes may be strongly influenced by current fall times. The analysis of Norinder and co-workers which relates peak channelbase current to peak magnetic field yields values of current that can be considered accurate to about a factor of 2. References Brook, M., N. Kitagawa, E. J. Workman, Quantitative study of strokes and continuing currents in lightning discharges to ground, J. Geophys. Res., 67, 649– 659, 1962. Bruce, C. E. R., R. H. Golde, The lightning discharge, J. IEE, London, 88pt. 2, 487– 524, 1941. Dennis, A. S., E. T. Pierce, The return stroke of a lightning flash to earth as a source of VLF atmospherics, Radio Sci., 68D, 777– 794, 1964. Hill, E. L., Electromagnetic radiation from lightning strokes, J. Franklin Inst., 263, 107– 119, 1957. Hill, R. D., Electromagnetic radiation from the return stroke of a lightning discharge, J. Geophys. Res., 71, 1963– 1967, 1966. Johler, J. R., J. C. Morgenstern, Propagation of the groundwave electromagnetic signal, with particular reference to a pulse of nuclear origin, Proc. I.E.E.E., 53, 2043– 2053, 1965. Müller-Hillebrand, D., The magnetic field of the lightning discharge, Gas Discharges and the Electricity Supply Industry J. S. Forrest, P. R. Howard, D. J. Littler, 89– 111, Butterworths, London, 1962. Norinder, H., Magnetic field variations from lightning strokes in vicinity of thunderstorms, Ark. Geofys., 2, 423– 451, 1956. Norinder, H., O. Dahle, Measurements by frame aerials of current variations in lightning discharges, Ark. Mat. Astron. Fys., 32A, 1– 70, 1945. Norinder, H., E. Knudsen, Some features of thunderstorm activity, Ark. Geofys., 3, 367– 374, 1961. Papet-Lépine, J., Electromagnetic radiation and physical structure of lightning discharges, Ark. Geofys., 3, 391– 400, 1961. Papet-Lépine, J., Influence de la répartition du courant dans l'éclair sur son rayonnement a grande distance, Propagation of Radio Waves at Frequencies below 300 kc/s W. T. Blackband, 341– 350, Macmillan, New York, 1964. Schonland, B. F. J., The lightning discharge, Handbuch der Physik, 22, 576– 628, 1956. Schonland, B. F. J., H. Collens, Progressive lightning, Proc. Roy. Soc. London, A, 143, 654– 674, 1934. Schonland, B. F. J., D. B. Hodges, H. Collens, Progressive lightning, 5, A comparison of photographic and electrical studies of the discharge process, Proc. Roy Soc. London, A, 166, 56– 76, 1938. Schonland, B. F. J., D. J. Malan, H. Collens, Progressive lightning, 2, Proc. Roy. Soc. London, A, 152, 595– 625, 1935. Taylor, W. L., Radiation field characteristics of lightning discharges in the band 1 kc/s to 10 kc/s, J. Res. NBS, Rad. Propag., 67D, 539– 550, 1963. Citing Literature Volume74, Issue28Oceans and Atmospheres20 December 1969Pages 6899-6910 ReferencesRelatedInformation