Ionospheric plasma dynamics and instability causedby upward currents above thunderstorms

Abstract:

Thunderstorms are electric generators, which drive currents upwardly into the ionosphere. In thispaper, we examine the effects of thunderstorm upward current on the ionosphere. We use a thunderstormmodel to calculate the three-dimensional current flows in the atmosphere and to simulate the upward currentabove the thunderstormwith the tripole-charge structure. The upward current flows into the ionosphere, whilethe associated electric field causes the plasma E × B motion. The caused plasma motion redistributes theplasma density, leading to ionospheric density variations. In the nighttime ionosphere, the E × B motion mayalso cause the formation of plasma bubbles.