Electrostatic fields above thunderclouds at different latitudes and their ionospheric effects Original Research Article

The distributions of the electrostatic fields E above thunderclouds are theoretically studied in this paper in relation to their possible effects in the ionosphere. The spatial distribution of E at different latitudes i.e. by different magnetic field orientation is modeled. Cases of high and equatorial latitudes are considered in which geomagnetic field is assumed to be respectively vertical and horizontal. Separate models are applied in each case, which are based on the continuity equation for the electric current density for the steady-state conditions. A 3D model is proposed for the case of equatorial latitudes which is insufficiently studied by now. It is needed in order to explain better the role of the geomagnetic field structure for the distribution of E, which is important for studying the role of electrostatic fields in some ionospheric phenomena. By this model results are obtained for night conditions and a comparison is made between spatial distributions of the electric fields in both latitudinal cases. The specific features of the distribution of E in the equatorial case which appear due to Hall conductivity, are revealed.