Magnetic effects resulting from the Johnston Island high altitude nuclear explosions

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Abstract
The unusual magnetic effects recorded at five Pacific Island observatories following the explosion of two nuclear devices in the upper atmosphere above Johnston Island. are described. The effects have been divided into four phases, each produced in a different way. The initial phase is thought to have been due to a hydromagnetic impulse propagated preferentially along the line of force through Johnston Island and the conjugate point The second phase is identified with high speed electrons which travelled along the line of force to the conjugate point, where they also produced the aurorae. The main phase and the final phase are believed to have been caused by the expanding conducting cloud produced by each explosion. The respective electric current systems producing the latter magnetic effects arose from motion of the cloud in the earth's magnetic field. their differences being due to the changing geometry of the cloud relative to the regions of maximum ionisation.

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