The maps are based on data collected by the World Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN), which consists of over 100 sensors around the world that detect and record the radio waves emitted by lightning strikes. The new maps show the locations of 36.8 million ground strike points for the year 2018, with a resolution of 0.5 degrees latitude and longitude, or about 56 kilometers (35 miles).
"These maps are a significant improvement over previous global lightning climatologies, which were based on much less data and had much coarser resolution," said study lead author Chris Vagasky, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Washington. "This new level of detail will allow us to better understand how lightning interacts with the atmosphere, climate, and ecosystems."
The maps reveal several interesting patterns in the distribution of lightning strikes. For example, the highest concentration of strikes occurs in the Congo Basin, which is home to the world's second-largest rainforest. This region experiences thunderstorms nearly every day, and the intense lightning activity helps to produce heavy rainfall and support the growth of the rainforest.
Another hotspot for lightning is northern India, which is home to the Ganges River Basin. This region is heavily populated and is prone to flooding, so lightning can cause significant damage to infrastructure and loss of life.
Finally, Florida is also a lightning hotspot, with strikes concentrated in the central and southern parts of the state. This is due to the state's unique geography, which includes a large peninsula that juts out into the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The warm waters provide a favorable environment for the development of thunderstorms, and the peninsula's shape helps to focus the lightning strikes in certain areas.
The new maps also provide insights into the role lightning plays in the Earth's climate. Lightning produces nitrogen oxides, which are important greenhouse gases. The maps show that lightning activity is particularly high in tropical regions, where the climate is warm and humid. This suggests that lightning may be playing a significant role in the Earth's climate system.
In addition, lightning strikes can also trigger wildfires, which can release large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The maps show that lightning strikes are often associated with wildfires in the western United States, Canada, and Siberia. This suggests that lightning may also be playing a role in the Earth's carbon cycle.
The new maps are a valuable resource for scientists studying lightning and its impacts. The data can be used to improve weather forecasts, develop early warning systems for lightning strikes, and study the role lightning plays in the Earth's climate and ecosystems.
