Global sprite occurrence locations and rates derived from triangulation of transient Schumann resonance events

We estimated locations and rates of sprite occurrences on a global scale using 1–100 Hz ELF magnetic field waveform data obtained at Syowa station in Antarctica and Onagawa observatory in Japan. From the ELF data obtained in a period between June 19, 2001 and January 20, 2002, we identified 715,500 events of transient Schumann resonances (SRs). The locations and polarizations of these parent cloud‐to‐ground (CG) discharges were determined by a triangulation method. The charge moments of these CG discharges were calculated with a normal mode expansion model of SR waves. From these results and the empirical sprite initiation probability reported by Hu et al. [2002] , the global occurrence rate of sprites is estimated to be about 720 events/day on average. It is also found that the active regions of sprite occurrences are located in North and South America, Africa and South‐East Asia.