Relación entre la densidad de descargas a tierra (DDT) y algunos aspectos de la geografía colombiana usando la información del sistema de localización de rayos GLD360 (periodo 2013-2018)

Abstract

The activity of atmospheric electrical discharges in Colombia is considered one of the highest in the world. For this reason, different parameters have been used to evaluate their behavior, and thus, determine the impact they can cause in different areas of the country. Being a topic of high consideration in Colombia, this work presents the estimation of different incidence parameters that can be used to evaluate the risk of atmospheric electrical discharges to ground. Additionally, different correlations between the parameters obtained with aspects related to the geography of Colombia are used. First, this project starts from the information provided by Vaisala Inc. which contains records of atmospheric activity detected by the GLD360 network over the Colombian territory during the period from 2013 to 2018. Given the origin of the information, a previous research is carried out to define some concepts related to electrical discharges and to identify the operating characteristics of the Lightning Location System (LLS). Subsequently, the information is processed through the use of filters established by the LLS administrators. Next, methodologies are developed to estimate the parameters of Ground Flash Density (GFD), polarity and multiplicity, taking into account the information previously obtained. The series of steps to calculate each parameter have in common the use of a grid composed by grids (10 x 10 km2), the tools provided by a GIS software and the ArcMap working environment. Thus, DDT was estimated on an annual and multiannual basis for the country, establishing a departmental average. Likewise, lightning activity was estimated by polarity and multiplicity. These estimates were also made by department. Finally, governmental and private databases were consulted in order to obtain information related to the climate and relief of Colombia. Based on the information collected, correlations were evaluated between lightning parameters in Colombia and aspects such as: precipitation levels, the seasons of occurrence of the El Niño and La Niña phenomena, and the relief of the mountain ranges and inter-Andean valleys. The results indicate that lightning activity increases in some regions of the country as the occurrence of storms generated by the passage of the intertropical convergence zone. Additionally, atmospheric activity is more recurrent in the northwest of the country and in places with low and moderate altitude.