Modelling of Effect of Propagation of Lightning Electromagnetic Pulse over Rough Ground

The propagation effect of lightning-produced electromagnetic pulse over a large mountainous region in southern-west China has been investigated. The regional geometry data are adopted from a global digital elevation model named GTOP030 with a horizontal resolution of 30 arc seconds and vertical accuracy of about 30 m. FDTD (Finite-difference time-domain method) is used to calculate the electromagnetic fields generated by lightning return strokes at various locations in the region. In comparison with a flat region, it is found that the topography of the region has large influences on the lightning produced electromagnetic field waveforms and its propagation properties. Quantitative results of the simulation can be used to improve the performance of a lightning location network in mountainous region in terms of the lightning strength and location accuracy.