An Improved Model for EMP-Induced Lightning.

Abstract

Lightning flashes have been observed to be induced by large-yield nuclear detonations in the Pacific. Previous researchers have judged a vertical gradient of 100 kV/m to be necessary to induce the strokes, but have predicted EMP-induced fields of only about 30 kV/m. In this report an improved model of the EMP is developed which predicts vertical electric fields up to an order of magnitude higher than previous estimates. The new predictions exceed the 100-kV/m threshold for lightning stroke initiation and justify the hypothesis of EMP-induced lightning. (Author)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1980
Accession Number
ADA096811

Entities

People

  • William T. Wyatt Jr.

Organizations

  • Harry Diamond Laboratories

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter WMD
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Attachment
  • Corporations
  • Detonations
  • Electric Fields
  • Electron Density
  • Electron Energy
  • Electron Mobility
  • Electrons
  • Energy
  • Equations
  • Free Electrons
  • Gamma Rays
  • Ionization
  • Nuclear Explosions
  • Nuclear Radiation
  • Radiation

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Explosive Engineering.
  • Optical Fiber Sensing and Electromagnetic Propagation.
  • Theoretical Analysis.