MODELING ELECTROSTATIC-PHOTOCHEMISTRY SEISMOIONOSPHERIC COUPLING IN THE PRESENCE OF EXTERNAL CURRENTS

Abstract

In this paper we propose a new 3D model for the generation of electrostatic field in the lithosphere-atmosphere-ionosphere (LAI) system by two external electric sources; namely lithospheric electric field or external current placed near the ground and (simultaneously) in the mesosphere/lower ionosphere. Then we present the results of numerical calculations. We discuss an influence of the generated electric field on the photochemical and ionospheric characteristics in the altitude range of the lower ionosphere. Appearance of strong electric field and strong change of the ionospheric characteristics (such as electron temperature and concentration) in the lower ionosphere is predicted in the presence of external electric sources in the lower atmosphere and mesosphere. An influence of the excited electric field on the losses of VLF electromagnetic waves propagating in the "Earth-ionosphere" waveguide is considered qualitatively, and rough estimation of this phenomenon is carried out. We prove a possibility of "blooming" of the ionosphere for VLF waves, if in the presence of mesospheric external current, an additional external (seismogenic) electric source appears in the lower atmosphere. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.