On the ionosphere electric field generation by the seismogenic electric currents

摘要

Recently, several theoretical model calculations of the ionosphere electric field generation by the seismogenic electric currents were published [1-3]. These model results show that the vertical electric current of about 10–8 A/m2 is required at the area of about 1000 km × 3000 km over the tectonic fault for the generation of the electric fields of about 1–10 mV/m necessary to create the ionospheric nighttime TEC disturbances of about 30–50%. Such current density is four orders greater than regular “fair weather” current. Some authors [4] consider such values as unrealistic due to the low air conductivity in the lower atmosphere. But the vertical seismogenic electric current is not the conductivity current, it flows from the negatively charged Earth to the positively charged ionosphere oppositely to the atmosphere electric field. The physical nature of this current is the same as the nature of the thunderstorm current charging the ionosphere positively relative to the Earth. It originates from the gravitational sedimentation of the heavy negatively charged water drops and aerosols and upward movement of the light positively charged particles under the action of the pressure gradients. The first step of this process is the air ionization by the galactic cosmic rays and radioactive gases, such as radon. Then primary ions and electrons beside of direct recombination react with neutral molecules and aerosols, attaching to them, so that negatively charged particles become the nucleus of the water vapors condensation with consequent coagulation into the negatively charged drops. During the earthquakes preparation the conditions over the faults favor this process of the generation of the seismogenic electric current of very large intensity due to the very low recombination rate of the charged aerosols. Thus, we consider that the concept of the ionosphere electric field generation by the seismogenic electric currents is not c- ntradictive and is very similar to the thunderstorm electricity formation explanation.