Acoustic waves in the ionospheric F2-region produced by severe thunderstorms

Abstract

Radio observations were made during the spring of 1970, near Oklahoma City, to measure the horizontal velocities of ionospheric disturbances associated with severe thunderstorms. The speeds lay in the range from 850 to 2750 m/s. Using the measured velocities and acoustic ray tracing in the U.S. Standard Atmosphere, the sources of the disturbances were located and found to be in the vicinities of thunderstorm cells. The power in the waves usually has peaks at periods near 3.5 and 4.5 min. We estimate that the source power required to produce waves of the type observed is about 20 MW.