Abnormal Increase of the Electrical Conductivity of the Atmosphere near the Ground Caused by Thunderstorms

Abstract

 Several authors observed an abnormal increase of the electrical conductivity of the atmosphere near the ground during a thunderstorm.
 It is considered that the abnormal increase of conductivity is due to the natural radio activity (RaB and RaC) captured by rain drops. The β-ray irradiation of RaB and RaC produces small ions in the atmosphere near the ground. They contribute to the abnormal increase of the electrical conductivity of the atmosphere near the ground. We estimated the production of small ions by using the observed value of the electrical conductivity of the atmosphere. Then by radiological treatment we estimated the quantity of RaB and RaC brought down by the thunderstorm rain.
 For the thunderstorm rain of August 3, 1941, it was estimated at several hundred times of 10^-13 curie per cm² of the earth’s surface. An observed value of the intensity of radioactivity of thunderstorm rain is 50∼300×10^-13 curie/cc. The value estimated by us is in good coincidence with the observed value.