Are large high-altitude electric fields caused by global thunderstorms?

Accession number;02A0450573
Title;Are large high-altitude electric fields caused by global thunderstorms?
Author;PLOTKIN V V(Inst. Geophysics, Ras, Novosibirsk, Rus)   
Journal Title;Earth, Planets Space
Journal Code:G0106B
ISSN:1343-8832
VOL.54;NO.4;PAGE.415-420(2002)
Figure&Table&Reference;FIG.4, REF.12
Pub. Country;Japan
Language;English
Abstract;Using the model of a spherical symmetric atmosphere the large-scale electric fields generated by the global thunderstorms are investigated. Theoretical formulations have been developed to calculate high-altitude electric fields due to global thunderstorms, taking into account the presence of the ionosphere. We make use of the assumption that in the ionosphere the geomagnetic field lines are equipotentials. The calculations indicate that the solution is highly sensitive to the variation of this upper boundary condition. (author abst.)