Local and Statistical Maps of Lightning‐Generated Wave Power Density Estimated at the Van Allen Probes Footprints From the World‐Wide Lightning Location Network Database

Abstract

AbstractWe propose a new method that uses the World‐Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN) to estimate both the local and the drift lightning power density at the Van Allen Probes footprints during 4.3 years (~2 × 108 strokes.). The ratio of the drift power density to the local power density defines a time‐resolved WWLLN‐based model of lightning‐generated wave (LGW) power density ratio, RWWLLN. RWWLLNis computed every ~34 s. This ratio multiplied by the time‐resolved LGW intensity measured by the Probes allows direct computation of pitch angle diffusion coefficients used in radiation belt codes. Statistical analysis shows the median power density ratio is over the Americas. Elsewhere, in general. Over oceans, is larger than ~10. varies with season, ~ 2.5 from winter to summer. The yearly‐median decays as . The strong geographical and temporal variation should be kept in assessing effects in space. RWWLLN > 1 suggests significant LGW effects in the inner belt.