Also, it seems another oversimplification of the popular mechanics article but it has been known for awhile that VLF causes electrons to scatter. [1] Also this

Also, it seems another oversimplification of the popular mechanics article but it has been known for awhile that VLF causes electrons to scatter. [1] Also this seems to be more of an effect on why there is a gap between the inner and outer belts not that we have "pushed the belts back". Earlier theiories were that the VLF waves were generated by turbulence within the radiation belt. More recently some of the VLF waves have been attributed to plasma discharges caused by lightning [2] [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Allen_radiation_belt#Causes https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Allen_radiation_belt#Cause... [2] https://theinspireproject.org/downloads/pdf/RESEARCH%20ARTICLES/Green_Lightning_Chapter4.pdf https://theinspireproject.org/downloads/pdf/RESEARCH%20ARTIC...