Lightning under Different Land Use and Cover, and the Influence of Topography in the Carajás Mineral Province, Eastern Amazon

Abstract

Knowledge about regions where lightning occurs is important both for understanding storm development and direction. This can assist in very short-term weather forecasts and in developing lightning warning systems, aiming to minimize exposure of people and equipment in the open sky. A survey on the occurrence of lightning in different types of land use and coverage and different elevation strata in the region of the Itacaiúnas River watershed (IRW), located in the Carajás Mineral Province, in the Eastern Amazon, from 2012 to 2021 was conducted. The results showed significant differences in the occurrence of lightning in mining areas and deforested areas. When comparing the large proportion of deforested areas with the mining area, the results suggested that in IRW mining areas, the lightning incidence is expressively higher. The assessment of electrical activity at different elevations in the region suggested that the slope of the terrain and its thermodynamic effects on the formation of storms have more influence than altitude on lightning activity. The results showed the importance of adopting initiatives aimed at protecting both the local population and mining workers, as well as equipment exposed to the open sky in this region.