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ARS Home » Plains Area » Las Cruces, New Mexico » Range Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #335735
Title: Point discharge current measurements beneath dust devils

Author
item LORENZ, RALPH - Johns Hopkins University
item NEAKRASE, LYNN - New Mexico State University
item ANDERSON, JOHN - New Mexico State University
item HARRISON, R. GILES - University Of Reading
item NICOLL, KERI - University Of Reading

Submitted to: Atmospheric and Solar- Terrestrial Physics
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/27/2016
Publication Date: 12/1/2016
Citation: Lorenz, R.D., Neakrase, L., Anderson, J.P., Harrison, R., Nicoll, K.A. 2016. Point discharge current measurements beneath dust devils. Atmospheric and Solar- Terrestrial Physics. 150:55-60.

Interpretive Summary: We document for the first time observations of point discharge currents under dust devils using a novel compact sensor deployed in summer 2016 at the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range in New Mexico, USA.

Technical Abstract: We document for the first time observations of point discharge currents under dust devils using a novel compact sensor deployed in summer 2016 at the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range in New Mexico, USA. A consistent signature is noted in about a dozen events seen over 40 days, with a positive current ramping up towards closest approach, switching to a decaying negative current as the devil recedes. The currents, induced on a small wire about 10 cm above the ground, correlate with dust devil intensity (pressure drop) and dust loading, and reached several hundred picoAmps.