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  • © 2009

Lightning: Principles, Instruments and Applications

Review of Modern Lightning Research

  • Current understanding of lightning phenomena
  • Experimental observations and theoretical explanations of lightning
  • Importance of lightning in meteorology and atmospheric science
  • The reader gets a comprehensive view about lightning effects, even on very complex topics which are not yet fully understood and remain subject to further research
  • The level of questions discussed is high, but the contents should be understandable for non-experts

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Table of contents (27 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages I-XV
  2. Present Understanding of the Lightning Return Stroke

    • Yoshihiro Baba, Vladimir A. Rakov
    Pages 1-21
  3. Triggered Lightning

    • Vladimir A. Rakov
    Pages 23-56
  4. Electric Field and Charge Structure in Lightning-Producing Clouds

    • Maribeth Stolzenburg, Thomas C. Marshall
    Pages 57-82
  5. Characteristics of Lightning in Supercells

    • Sarah A. Tessendorf
    Pages 83-114
  6. LINET – An International VLF/LF Lightning Detection Network in Europe

    • Hans D. Betz, Kersten Schmidt, Wolf P. Oettinger
    Pages 115-140
  7. LAMPINET – Lightning Detection in Italy

    • Daniele Biron
    Pages 141-159
  8. Lightning Detection in Spain: The Particular Case of Catalonia

    • Nicolau Pineda, Joan Montanyà
    Pages 161-185
  9. Spatial Distribution and Frequency of Thunderstorms and Lightning in Australia

    • Yuriy Kuleshov, David Mackerras, Mat Darveniza
    Pages 187-207
  10. Cloud-to-Ground Lightning Observations in Brazil

    • Osmar Pinto Jr., Iara R.C.A. Pinto, Marcelo M.F. Saba, Kleber P. Naccarato
    Pages 209-229
  11. Nowcasting of Thunderstorms Using VHF Measurements

    • Jean-Yves Lojou, Martin J. Murphy, Ronald L. Holle, Nicholas W.S. Demetriades
    Pages 253-270
  12. Optical Detection of Lightning from Space

    • Ullrich Finke
    Pages 271-286
  13. Space- and Ground-Based Studies of Lightning Signatures

    • Timothy Hamlin, Kyle C. Wiens, Abram R. Jacobson, Tracy E.L. Light, Kenneth B. Eack
    Pages 287-307
  14. Lightning Measurements from Satellites and Significance for Storms in the Mediterranean

    • Claudia Adamo, Steve Goodman, Alberto Mugnai, James A. Weinman
    Pages 309-329
  15. Energetic Radiation and Lightning

    • Joseph R. Dwyer
    Pages 331-346
  16. Schumann Resonance Signatures of Global Lightning Activity

    • Gabriella Sátori, Vadim Mushtak, Earle Williams
    Pages 347-386
  17. The Meteorological and Electrical Structure of TLE-Producing Convective Storms

    • Walter A. Lyons, Mark A. Stanley, Jonathan D. Meyer, Thomas E. Nelson, Steven A. Rutledge, Timothy L. Lang et al.
    Pages 387-415
  18. Infrasound from Lightning and Sprites

    • Thomas Farges
    Pages 417-432
  19. Lightning in the Mediterranean in Relation with Cloud Microphysical Parameters

    • Dimitrios Katsanos, Vassiliki Kotroni, Kostas Lagouvardos
    Pages 433-446

About this book

Lightning represents a natural phenomenon of substantial interest. Due to its complex nature, research continues in many countries and reveals amazing results. Lightning is actively observed because of its relevance to Earth climate and air composition in addition to the classical aspects of related human fatalities and damage to forests, buildings, power lines, aircraft, structures and electronic devices.

In this volume, the most important contemporary questions on lightning are addressed and analyzed under many experimental and theoretical aspects. Lightning detection techniques using ground-based and space-borne methods are described, along with network engineering and statistical analysis.

Contributions detail research on atmospheric electricity, cloud physics, lightning physics, modeling of electrical storms and middle atmospheric events. Special phenomena such as triggered lightning and sprite observations are examined. Lightning-induced nitrogen oxides and their effects on atmospheric chemistry and climate are discussed.

Each topic is presented by international experts in the field. Topics include:

* air chemistry

* convective storms

* infrasound from lightning

* lightning and climate change

* lightning and precipitation

* lightning and radiation

* lightning and supercells

* lightning and thunderstorms

* lightning detection

* lightning from space

* lighting protection

* lightning return strokes

* observations and interpretations

* spatial distribution and frequency

* triggered lightning

* weather extremes

Editors and Affiliations

  • Physics Department, University of Munich, Germany

    Hans Dieter Betz

  • Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt, Institut für Physik der Atmosphäre, Germany

    Ulrich Schumann

  • Physics Instrumentation and Sensing Department ONERA, BP 72, France

    Pierre Laroche

About the editors

Hans D. Betz received his PhD in Physics at the University of Heidelberg, Germany. He performed research and teaching at the Physics Department of MIT at Boston, USA, thereafter at the Physics Department of the Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich. Major fields of research covered laser, atomic and nuclear physics, and atmospheric electricity.

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Lightning: Principles, Instruments and Applications

  • Book Subtitle: Review of Modern Lightning Research

  • Editors: Hans Dieter Betz, Ulrich Schumann, Pierre Laroche

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-9079-0

  • Publisher: Springer Dordrecht

  • eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental Science, Earth and Environmental Science (R0)

  • Copyright Information: Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2009

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-4020-9078-3Published: 02 January 2009

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-90-481-8064-6Published: 10 November 2010

  • eBook ISBN: 978-1-4020-9079-0Published: 04 December 2008

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XV, 641

  • Topics: Atmospheric Sciences, Geophysics/Geodesy, Environmental Physics

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 219.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 279.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 279.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access