Skip to main content

The Earth's Electrical Environment (1986) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:


Pages 8-8

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.


From page 8...
... Ionization from radioactive sources depends on soil type and surface structure and on the meteorological dispersal rate; this ionization normally decreases rapidly with altitude, and at about 1 km its contribution to the total ionization is less than that from cosmic rays. Other sources of ions in the PBL include lightning; electrification due to waterfalls, ocean surf, and man-made sprays; a variety of combustion processes; point discharge or corona currents that are produced whenever the ambient electric field exceeds breakdown; and frictional processes associated with blowing dust, snow, or volcanic ejecta.
Read the entire page →

Key Terms

  • electric field
  • turbulent transport
  • boundary layer
  • electrical conductivity
  • planetary boundary

  • global circuit
  • atmospheric electricity
  • cloud droplets
  • corona current
  • turbulent mixing

  • radioactive gases
  • electrical processes
  • radioactive emanations
  • cosmic rays


    • This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
    More information on Chapter Skim is available.