Detecting lightning infrasound using a high-altitude balloon
Abstract
Abstract Acoustic waves with a wide range of frequencies are generated by lightning strokes during thunderstorms, including infrasonic waves (0.1 to 20 Hz). The source mechanism for these low‐frequency acoustic waves is still debated, and studies have so far been limited to ground‐based instruments. Here we report the first confirmed detection of lightning‐generated infrasound with acoustic instruments suspended at stratospheric altitudes using a free‐flying balloon. We observe high‐amplitude signals generated by lightning strokes located within 100 km of the balloon as it flew over the Tasman Sea on 17 May 2016. The signals share many characteristics with waveforms recorded previously by ground‐based instruments near thunderstorms. The ability to measure lightning activity with high‐altitude infrasound instruments has demonstrated the potential for using these platforms to image the full acoustic wavefield in the atmosphere. Furthermore, it validates the use of these platforms for recording and characterizing infrasonic sources located beyond the detection range of ground‐based instruments.
- Authors:
-
[1];
[1];
[2]
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC (United States)
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1459936
- Alternate Identifier(s):
- OSTI ID: 1461011
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-2018-6781J
Journal ID: ISSN 0094-8276; 664907
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000; NA0003525
- Resource Type:
- Accepted Manuscript
- Journal Name:
- Geophysical Research Letters
- Additional Journal Information:
- Journal Volume: 45; Journal Issue: 14; Journal ID: ISSN 0094-8276
- Publisher:
- American Geophysical Union
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; lightning; infrasound; high-altitude balloon
Citation Formats
Lamb, Oliver D., Lees, Jonathan M., and Bowman, Daniel C. Detecting lightning infrasound using a high-altitude balloon. United States: N. p., 2018.
Web. doi:10.1029/2018GL078401.
Lamb, Oliver D., Lees, Jonathan M., & Bowman, Daniel C. Detecting lightning infrasound using a high-altitude balloon. United States. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018GL078401
Lamb, Oliver D., Lees, Jonathan M., and Bowman, Daniel C. Fri .
"Detecting lightning infrasound using a high-altitude balloon". United States. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018GL078401. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1459936.
@article{osti_1459936,
title = {Detecting lightning infrasound using a high-altitude balloon},
author = {Lamb, Oliver D. and Lees, Jonathan M. and Bowman, Daniel C.},
abstractNote = {Abstract Acoustic waves with a wide range of frequencies are generated by lightning strokes during thunderstorms, including infrasonic waves (0.1 to 20 Hz). The source mechanism for these low‐frequency acoustic waves is still debated, and studies have so far been limited to ground‐based instruments. Here we report the first confirmed detection of lightning‐generated infrasound with acoustic instruments suspended at stratospheric altitudes using a free‐flying balloon. We observe high‐amplitude signals generated by lightning strokes located within 100 km of the balloon as it flew over the Tasman Sea on 17 May 2016. The signals share many characteristics with waveforms recorded previously by ground‐based instruments near thunderstorms. The ability to measure lightning activity with high‐altitude infrasound instruments has demonstrated the potential for using these platforms to image the full acoustic wavefield in the atmosphere. Furthermore, it validates the use of these platforms for recording and characterizing infrasonic sources located beyond the detection range of ground‐based instruments.},
doi = {10.1029/2018GL078401},
journal = {Geophysical Research Letters},
number = 14,
volume = 45,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Jun 22 00:00:00 EDT 2018},
month = {Fri Jun 22 00:00:00 EDT 2018}
}
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Figures / Tables:
Figure 1: Map of the Tasman Sea with the locations of lightning detected by the WWLLN from 0600 to 1800 UTC on 17 May 2016, where color represents the progression of time. Also plotted is the path of the ULDB balloon after it was launched from Wanaka, New Zealand (redmore »
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