Recording of atmospheric electrical potential gradient in the central part of Kamchatka peninsula

Rinat Akbashev,Nina Cherneva,Pavel Firstov,W.J. Miloch,G.M. Vodinchar,B.M. Shevtsov

doi:10.1051/e3sconf/20186202013

Abstract

Electrostatic fluxmeters are in operation at three sites in the region of Central Kamchatka depression to record the atmospheric electrical potential gradient (PG). PG diurnal variations for these sites are compared with those of «Paratunka» observatory (PRT) located on the Eastern coast of Kamchatka peninsula. Cases of the response in AEV V′ dynamics on eruptive cloud passage, occurring during Shiveluch volcano explosive eruptions, are described. Negative polarity signals with the maximum values up to 5 kV/m were recorded in the near-field zone (< 50 km) during ash fall. Positive polarity signals were recorded in the far-field zone (> 100 km). Recording of signals in PG occurring during eruptive cloud passage may be one of the components of complex observations over volcanic eruptions.

Highlights

The atmospheric electric field (AEF) phenomenon was first discovered and described in the middle of the 18-th century
AEF is associated with multiple processes occurring in the Earth's atmosphere, ionosphere and magnetosphere united by the common notion, the Global Electrical Circuit (GEC)
It is know that GEC implies the existence of a distributed loop with «generators», the role of which is fulfilled by planetary lightning processes, and with «fair» weather regions in which GEC energy dissipates

Summary

Introduction

The atmospheric electric field (AEF) phenomenon was first discovered and described in the middle of the 18-th century. When investigating atmospheric electric field in fair weather conditions that means absence of lightning, precipitation, fogs etc., it was determined that AEF has such a direction as if the Earth is negatively charge and the atmosphere is positively charged [1]. Local factors cause significant PG disturbances, the values of which during a maximum may exceed the first units of kV/m, and have different polarity Such factors contribute to GEC and require further research along with lightning phenomena [5]. The paper gives a description of unitary variation of the central part of Kamchatka with its manifestation on the Eastern coas It considers the PG response during the passage of volcanic clouds from strong explosive eruptions of Shiveluch volcano in 2014-2017

Observation instrumentation and system

PG diurnal variation features in Kamchatka peninsula

Conclusions