On-shore amplification of the electric field induced by a coastal sea current

Numerical techniques for the model approximating the Earth by conducting and resistive thin sheets that are underlain by a perfect conductor are used to study the on-shore amplification of the electric field induced by the Norwegian Coastal Current. The electric field is induced by sea water movement in the Earth's magnetic field and decreases away from the sea current. However, numerical modelling suggests that the electric field is increased significantly on shore due to the conductivity contrast between the sea and the land. Results of the modelling indicate the significant in-land decrease of the electric field anomaly controlled by the adjustment distance depending on the conductance of the first layer and the transverse resistance of the second one. The coastal electric field anomaly ranges up to 10 mV km −1 which is large enough to be measured by 5–10 km long receiving antenna.