Vertical coupling between troposphere and lower ionosphere by electric currents and fields at equatorial latitudes

Abstract

Thunderstorms play significant role in the upward electrical coupling between the troposphere and lower ionosphere by quasi-static (QS) electric fields generated by quiet conditions (by slow variations of electric charges), as well as during lightning discharges when they can be strong enough to produce in the nighttime lower ionosphere sprites. Changes are caused in lower ionosphere by the QS electric fields before a sprite-producing lightning discharge which can play role in formation of the stronger sprite-driving transient QS electric fields due to lightning. These changes include electron heating, modifications of conductivity and electron density, etc. We demonstrate that such changes depend on the geomagnetic latitude determining the magnetic field lines inclination, and thus, the anisotropic conductivity. Our previous results show that the QS electric fields in the lower ionosphere above equatorial thunderstorms are much bigger and have larger horizontal extension than those generated at high and middle altitudes by otherwise same conditions. Now we estimate by modeling the electric currents and fields generated in lower ionosphere above equatorial thunderstorms of different horizontal dimensions during quiet periods and of their self-consistent effects to conductivity whose modifications can play role in formation of post-lightning sprite-producing electric fields. Specific electric currents configurations and distributions of related electric fields are estimated first by ambient conductivity. Then, these are evaluated self-consistently with conductivity modification. The electric currents are re-oriented above ~85km and flow in a narrow horizontal layer where they dense. Respectively, the electric fields and their effect on conductivity have much larger horizontal scale than at middle latitudes (few hundred of kilometers). Horizontally large sources, such as mesoscale convective structures, cause enhancements of electric fields and their effects. These modified features may affect production of sprites.