Chemical Response of the Upper Atmosphere Due to Lightning‐Induced Electron Precipitation

Terrestrial lightning frequently serves as a loss mechanism for energetic electrons in the Van Allen radiation belts, leading to lightning-induced electron precipitation (LEP). Regardless of specific causes, from belts general has significant influence on ozone concentration stratosphere and mesosphere. The atmospheric chemical effects induced by LEP have been previously investigated using subionospheric VLF measurements at Faraday station, Antarctica (65.25°S, 64.27°W, L = 2.45). However, there exist large variations flux, ionization production, occurrence rate events depending peak current parent discharge, well season, location, intensity thunderstorm activity. These uncertainties motivate us revisit calculation changes produced LEP. In this study, we combine well-validated model first-principles simulation, investigate three intense storms year 2013, 2015, 2017 magnetic latitude 50., 32., 35., respectively. Modeling results show that these can cumulatively drive , are high 75–85 km altitude, respectively, comparable typically other types belt events. Considering thunderstorms around globe, long-term global need be properly quantified.