Earth electricity: A review of mechanisms which cause telluric currents in the lithosphere

Abstract

Telluric currents are natural electrical phenomena in the Earth or its bodies of water. The strongest electric currents are related to lightning phenomena or space weather. Earth electricity can cause damage to structures, and may be useful for earthquake forecasting and other applications. Thirty-two distinct mechanisms that cause Earth electricity are described, and a broad selection of current research is highlighted. © 2013 by the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia. All rights reserved.