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Detailed Reference Information
Jerauld et al. 2004
Jerauld, J., Uman, M.A., Rakov, V.A., Rambo, K.J. and Jordan, D.M. (2004). A triggered lightning flash containing both negative and positive strokes. Geophysical Research Letters 31: doi: 10.1029/2004GL019457. issn: 0094-8276.

We present measured current, luminosity, and electric and magnetic fields for a rocket-triggered two-stroke flash. The first stroke lowered negative charge to ground and the second stroke lowered positive charge via the same channel. A triggered positive stroke is a very rare event. The measured negative return stroke peak current was -11 kA and the positive +5 kA, with the total charge transfers being -1 C and +24 C, respectively. Electric field measurements at 120 to 520 m indicate that the negative and positive dart leader charge densities were approximately constant with height, -7.2 ¿ 10-5 C m-1 and +5.5 ¿ 10-5 C m-1, respectively. Magnetic field measurements indicate a negative leader current of -1.9 kA and a positive leader current of +400 A. Negative and positive dart-leader speeds are estimated to be 2.7 ¿ 107 m s-1 and 0.7 ¿ 107 m s-1, respectively. Negative and positive return stroke speeds are estimated to be 1.6 ¿ 108 and 0.92 ¿ 108 m s-1, respectively.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics, Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics, Atmospheric electricity, Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics, Lightning
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
http://www.agu.org/journals/gl/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
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