On the Interaction of Lightning Upward Connecting Positive Leaders With Humans

Abstract

Upward connecting leaders can be initiated from humans under the influence of lightning downward stepped leaders, thereby causing severe injuries. In order to improve the scarce knowledge about the interaction of upward connecting leaders with humans, a self-consistent model based on the physics of leader discharges is used in this paper. Furthermore, a current-generation-type return-stroke model is applied to calculate the current pulse produced during the neutralization of unsuccessful aborted upward leaders. It is estimated that an upward connecting leader can be initiated even when the victim is located several tens of meters away from the lightning channel. However, the lightning exposure to a direct strike and to an aborted leader is found to be reduced by 50% and 70%, respectively, when an individual standing straight adopts the squat position. In the case of an aborted upward leader, it is estimated that a short-duration pulse of opposite polarity in the kiloampere range would be produced by the neutralization of the leader charge. Rough estimates of the total energy dissipated in the victim's body by the current of an aborted unsuccessful upward leader range between hundred and thousand joules.