Runaway Breakdown and the Mysteries of Lightning

2005/05/01 by A. Gurevich, K. P. Zybin · 2 citations
Physics and Astronomy · Engineering · Materials Science · #Lightning and Electromagnetic Phenomena #Aerosol Filtration and Electrostatic Precipitation #High voltage insulation and dielectric phenomena

paper · doi:10.1063/1.1995746

openalex publication_date 2005/05/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/26

Abstract

The observed electric fields in thunderclouds are generally too weak to initiate the atmosphere’s electrical breakdown. But cosmic rays can play a surprising role in the drama of lightning.

Citations

• Monte Carlo simulation of runaway MeV electron breakdown with application to red sprites and terrestrial gamma ray flashes
• Zur Theorie des Durchgangs schneller Korpuskularstrahlen durch Materie

Cited by

• Superconductivity of plasma and fireballs
• Relativistic runaway electron avalanche [wikipedia]