Abstract
Quasi-electrostatic (QE) fields which exist above thunderclouds after lightning discharges can lead to the formation of columnar channels of breakdown ionization and carrot-like vertical luminous structures with typical transverse dimension ∼5-10 km spaning an altitude range from ∼80 km to well below ∼50 km. The carrot-like forms closely resemble those observed in sprites. Results indicate that the appearance of optical emissions can be significantly delayed in time (∼1-20 ms) with respect to the causative lightning discharge.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 649-652 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Geophysical Research Letters |
Volume | 23 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1996 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Geophysics
- General Earth and Planetary Sciences