Collaborative research: lightning properties of downward terrestrial gamma-RAY flashes and superbolts

The National Science Foundation Office of Integrative Activities awarded New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology $333,441 on October 1, 2026, under the Geosciences program (CFDA 47.050) to deploy new instrumentation and maintain a global network of sensors studying lightning properties, high-energy radiation emissions from thunderstorms, and superbolts—very strong lightning strikes.

The research team will continue and enhance worldwide observations of terrestrial gamma-ray flashes (TGFs), gamma-ray glows, and leader X-rays, while expanding access to very low frequency and low frequency (VLF/LF) data to understand the lightning processes that produce high-energy emissions. The work addresses how high-energy emission characteristics change with different lightning properties and has relevance to mitigating lightning impacts on infrastructure and assessing health hazards of lightning emissions. The project expands on recent observations showing that the three historically recognized forms of high-energy radiation from thunderstorms are not as distinct as previously recognized and include several kinds of intermediate behaviors.

The award includes a significant student training component supporting workforce development. Performance occurs in Socorro, New Mexico through September 30, 2029. No sub-awards are planned.

Abstract

Lightning is known to release high-energy radiation, such as x-rays and gamma-rays, that can provide insight into lightning processes and associated hazards. This project will deploy new instrumentation and maintain an existing global network of sensors to address questions about very strong lightning strikes known as superbolts, and determine how high energy emission characteristics change with different lightning properties. The project has relevance to mitigating lightning impacts on infrastructure and assessing health hazards of lightning emissions. There is also a significant student training aspect, which will enhance workforce development. This project expands upon recent observations that show that the three historically recognized forms of high-energy radiation from thunderstorms ? Terrestrial gamma RAY flashes (tgfs), x-RAY bursts from leader steps, and gamma-RAY glows ? Are not as distinct as previously recognized, and there are several kinds of intermediate behaviors. The research team plans to continue and enhance their worldwide set of observations of tgfs, glows, and leader x-rays, and expand access to very low frequency/low frequency (VLF/LF) data to understand the lightning processes that produce high-energy emissions. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are not planned for this award.