Multiple-Station Measurements of a Return-Stroke Electric Field From Rocket-Triggered Lightning at Distances of 68–126 km

Far-field measurements of lightning-produced electromagnetic fields are of high importance for lightning location systems. Data from recorded lightning strokes can be, for example, used to assess the risk of lightning-induced damage in some geographical areas. Artificially triggered lightning, usually generated using rocket-wire technology, plays an important role in the study of lightning physics. Multiple-station observations of far (typically larger than 20 km) electric field waveforms produced by rocket-triggered lightning are quite rare. In 2014, electric field waveforms were measured for return strokes through the rocket-and-wire technique at Conghua. They were measured by electric field sensors at nine sites belonging to the lightning locating system in Foshan, Guangzhou, China. A total of 38 events were recorded and overall statistics of those waveforms are presented. The results were compared to previous experimental data related to natural and artificially triggered lightning to validate their similarity.