On the Possibility of the Existence of a Surface Electromagnetic Wave in the Permafrost Area

The results of measurements of the vertical component of electric field at a radio path with the permafrost at a frequency of 255 kHz have been interpreted. An analysis of the results has shown that the considered radio path exhibits the properties of a two-part impedance surface, i.e., it consists of two sections. At a distance of 70 km from a radiation source and at a frequency of 255 kHz of the electromagnetic wave, the field decreases with the distance R according to the power law as R^-1.5 and a power index takes an intermediate value between the power indices for decreasing the field in free space R^-2 and for the decrease in the field above an ideal conducting surface R^-1. With further propagation at a distance of 70–220 km, the field shows the specific behavior of a surface electromagnetic wave.