GENERATION OF LOW-FREQUENCY ELECTRIC-FIELDS BY EXPLOSION CRATER FORMATION

A low-frequency electric field is observed during crater formation by detonation of high explosive charges. The disturbance of the atmospher e's electric potential gradient at ground level was measured in the ra nge of frequencies between 0 and 200 Hz. Our results indicate that exp losions are capable of creating large electrical charge separations in the atmosphere. A Simple model of field generation is proposed. Furth ermore, a correlation between the magnitude of the explosion and the e lectric charge of the dust cloud is established. Using these results, estimates of the intensity of the electric field generated during mete orite impact crater formation is proposed.