Abstract
An unprecedented thunderstorm ground enhancement (TGE) event was recorded on May 23, 2023, at Aragats Mountain, the highest peak in Armenia. This event showcased a maximum flux intensity surpassing 3 million particles per minute per square meter for energies above 0.4 MeV. Distinctly, the fluence of the event was measured at approximately ≈700 particles/cm2. The comprehensive instrumentation at the Aragats research station, including a suite of spectrometers and detectors, enabled precise cross-correlation of measurements. The electron flux at energies exceeding 10 MeV was observed at roughly ≈55,000 particles per minute per square meter. Additional measurements, including cloud base heights and corona discharge detections, validated the intensity of the electric field, reaching approximately 2.1 kV/cm at elevations 50–100 m above ground level. Our observations confirm that TGE is a universal and significant atmospheric event, contributing a substantial flux of high-energy electrons to the global electrical circuit. Integrating such TGE phenomena into Earth's numerical models is imperative, considering their impact on aviation and aerospace operation safety.
Published Version
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