Annual and semiannual variations in the ionospheric F2-layer: II. Physical discussion

The companion paper by Zou et al. shows that the annual and semiannual variations in the peak F2-layer electron density (NmF2) at midlatitudes can be reproduced by a coupled thermosphere-ionosphere computational model (CTIP), without recourse to external influences such as the solar wind, or waves and tides originating in the lower atmosphere. The present work discusses the physics in greater detail. It shows that noon NmF2 is closely related to the ambient atomic/molecular concentration ratio, and suggests that the variations of NmF2 with geographic and magnetic longitude are largely due to the geometry of the auroral ovals. It also concludes that electric fields play no important part in the dynamics of the midlatitude thermosphere. Our modelling leads to the following picture of the global three-dimensional thermospheric circulation which, as envisaged by Duncan, is the key to explaining the F2-layer variations. At solstice, the almost continuous solar input at high summer latitudes drives a prevailing summer-to-winter wind, with upwelling at low latitudes and throughout most of the summer hemisphere, and a zone of downwelling in the winter hemisphere, just equatorward of the auroral oval. These motions affect thermospheric composition more than do the alternating day/night (up-and-down) motions at equinox. As a result, the thermosphere as a whole is more molecular at solstice than at equinox. Taken in conjunction with the well-known relation of F2-layer electron density to the atomic/molecular ratio in the neutral air, this explains the F2-layer semiannual effect in NmF2 that prevails at low and middle latitudes. At higher midlatitudes, the seasonal behaviour depends on the geographic latitude of the winter downwelling zone, though the effect of the composition changes is modified by the large solar zenith angle at midwinter. The zenith angle effect is especially important in longitudes far from the magnetic poles. Here, the downwelling occurs at high geographic latitudes, where the zenith angle effect becomes overwhelming and causes a midwinter depression of electron density, despite the enhanced atomic/molecular ratio. This leads to a semiannual variation of NmF2. A different situation exists in winter at longitudes near the magnetic poles, where the downwelling occurs at relatively low geographic latitudes so that solar radiation is strong enough to produce large values of NmF2. This circulation-driven mechanism provides a reasonably complete explanation of the observed pattern of F2 layer annual and semiannual quiet-day variations.     

Annual and semiannual variations in the ionospheric F2-layer. I. Modelling

Annual, seasonal and semiannual variations of F2-layer electron density (NmF2) and height (hmF2) have been compared with the coupled thermosphere-ionosphere-plasmasphere computational model (CTIP), for geomagnetically quiet conditions. Compared with results from ionosonde data from midlatitudes, CTIP reproduces quite well many observed features of NmF2, such as the dominant winter maxima at high midlatitudes in longitude sectors near the magnetic poles, the equinox maxima in sectors remote from the magnetic poles and at lower latitudes generally, and the form of the month-to-month variations at latitudes between about 60°N and 50°S. CTIP also reproduces the seasonal behaviour of NmF2 at midnight and the summer-winter changes of hmF2. Some features of the F2-layer, not reproduced by the present version of CTIP, are attributed to processes not included in the modelling. Examples are the increased prevalence of the winter maxima of noon NmF2 at higher solar activity, which may be a consequence of the increase of F2-layer loss rate in summer by vibrationally excited molecular nitrogen, and the semiannual variation in hmF2, which may be due to tidal effects. An unexpected feature of the computed distributions of NmF2 is an east-west hemisphere difference, which seems to be linked to the geomagnetic field configuration. Physical discussion is reserved to the companion paper by Rishbeth et al.     

Dependence of the effective attachment coefficient of small ions upon the size of condensation nuclei

Summary To clarify the ionization equilibrium near the ground, simultaneous measurements of the rate of ion pair production (q), the concentrations of small ions (n) and condensation nuclei (Z), and the diffusion coefficient of condensation nuclei (D) were carried out at several stations in the central area of Japan. The total rate of ion pair production (q) was estimated fromq=q(Rn)+q(Tn)+q()+q(+CR). The value ofq was estimated as 10J to 20J. The mean life () and the effective attachment coefficient () of small ions were also estimated at each station. Correlations amongn, Z, q, andD were also studied. If we take the variation ofD into consideration, the correlation was expressed by the simple formula;q=n Z. The dependence of upon size of nuclei (2r) were also measured, and was found to correlate well withD orr.     

The features and a possible mechanism of semiannual variation in the peak electron density of the low latitude F2 layer

Ionospheric data observed in 30 stations located in 3 longitude sectors (East Asia/Australia Sector, Europe/Africa Sector and America/East Pacific Ocean Sector) during 1974–1986 are used to analyse the characteristics of semiannual variation in the peak electron density of F2 layer (NmF2). The results indicate that the semiannual variation of NmF2 mainly presents in daytime. In nighttime, except in the region of geomagnetic equator between the two crests of ionospheric equatorial anomaly, NmF2 has no obvious semiannual variation. In the high latitude region, only in solar maxima years and in daytime, there are obvious semiannual variations of NmF2. The amplitude distribution of the semiannual variation of daytime NmF2 with latitude has a “double-humped structure”, which is very similar to the ionospheric equatorial anomaly. There is asymmetry between the Southern and the Northern Hemispheres of the profile of the amplitude of semiannual variation of NmF2 and longitudinal difference. A new possible mechanism of semiannual variation of NmF2 is put forward in this paper. The semiannual variation of the diurnal tide in the lower thermosphere induces the semiannual variation of the amplitude of the equatorial electrojet. This causes the semiannual variation of the amplitude of ionospheric equatorial anomaly through fountain effect. This process induces the semiannual variation of the low latitude NmF2.     

Single- and inter-station transfer functions for non-synchronous geomagnetic arrays-II. the results of the field data analysis

Summary The theory of methods of computing single- and inter-station transfer functions in both the spectral and time domains was developed in paper[1]. Both approaches are applied to the variation data recorded at field stations along two non-simultaneous profiles traversing the eastern margin of the Bohemian Massif, where a zone of anomalous induction seems to mark an important geological boundary of formations with different histories of development. The results of both analyses are found to coincide within reasonable bounds of 20–30% in the principal induction characteristics.

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u m¶rt; ama ¶rt;-u -mau n¶rt;am u nma u am a ua am[1]. am nua m am a n¶rt;¶rt;a nu ¶rt; aaua ¶rt;aaum auau aumua a n mau ¶rt; u nu, nau m au aua,¶rt; aa a aa u¶rt;uu. a, u¶rt;u, mamau a¶rt;a ¶rt; ¶rt; ¶rt;uuau au umuu aumu. mam aau nma u am auam a 20–30% ¶rt; u¶rt;u naam.

     

On the efficiency with which aerosol particles of radius larger than 0.1 μm are collected by simple ice crystal plates

A theoretical model is presented which allows computing the efficiency with which aerosol particles of radius 0.1r10 m are collected by simple ice crystal plates of radius 50a _c 640 m in air of various relative humidities, temperatures and pressures. Particle capture due to thermophoresis, diffusiophoresis and inertial impaction are considered. It is shown that the capture efficiency of an ice crystal in considerably affected by phoretic effects in the range 0.1r1 m. For aerosol particles ofr>1 m the efficiency is strongly controlled by the flow field around the crystal and the density of the aerosol material. Trajectory analysis also predicts that aerosol particles are preferentially captured by the ice crystal rim. Our theoretica results are found to agree satisfactorily with the laboratory studies presently available. Comparison shows that for the same pressure, temperature and relative humidity of the ambient air ice crystal plates are better aerosol particle scavengers than water drops.     

The parallactic refraction determined with the aid of meteorological balloon data

¶rt; u n ¶rt; (nmu) muauu m m naaamu auu . am mu uu nu unauu ¶rt;a mu ¶rt; nuu u umuau. am ¶rt; ¶rt;u ¶rt;uua u nuam n uu. ¶rt;m uau u au nm u mnum ¶rt;a. a mm n¶rt;a ±0,1 naaamu auu ¶rt; um amu ¶rt; z=80° u ¶rt; m u ¶rt; =10 (uuaa). u¶rt;um nm u au am[2].     

Frequency dependence of crustalQ β in stable and tectonically active regions

Fundamental-mode Rayleigh wave attenuation data for stable and tectonically active regions of North America, South America, and India are inverted to obtain several frequency-independent and frequency-dependentQ models. Because of trade-offs between the effect of depth distribution and frequency-dependence ofQ on surface wave attenuation there are many diverse models which will satisfy the fundamental-mode data. Higher-mode data, such as 1-Hz Lg can, however, constrain the range of possible models, at least in the upper crust. By using synthetic Lg seismograms to compute expected Lg attenuation coefficients for various models we obtained frequency-dependentQ models for three stable and three tectonically active regions, after making assumptions concerning the nature of the variation ofQ with frequency.In stable regions, ifQ varies as , where is a constant, models in which =0.5, 0.5, and 0.75 satisfy fundamental-mode Rayleigh and 1-Hz Lg data for eastern North America, eastern South America, and the Indian Shield, respectively. IfQ is assumed to be independent of frequency (=0.0) for periods of 3 s and greater, and is allowed to increase from 0.0 at 3 s to a maximum value at 1 s, then that maximum value for is about 0.7, 0.6, and 0.9, respectively, for eastern North America, eastern South America, and the Indian Shield. TheQ models obtained under each of the above-mentioned two assumptions differ substantially from one another for each region, a result which indicates the importance of obtaining high-quality higher-mode attenuation data over a broad range of periods.Tectonically active regions require a much lower degree of frequency dependence to explain both observed fundamental-mode and observed Lg data. Optimum values of for western North America and western South America are 0.0 if is constant (Q is independent of frequency), but uncertainty in the Lg attenuation data allows to be as high as about 0.3 for western North America and 0.2 for western South America. In the Himalaya, the optimum value of is about 0.2, but it could range between 0.0 and 0.5. Frequency-independent models (=0.0) for these regions yield minimumQ values in the upper mantle of about 40, 70, and 40 for western North America, western South America, and the Himalaya, respectively.In order to be compatible with the frequency dependence ofQ observed in body-wave studies,Q in stable regions must be frequency-dependent to much greater depths than those which can be studied using the surface wave data available for this study, andQ in tectonically active regions must become frequency-dependent at upper mantle or lower crustal depths.On leave from the Department of Geophysics, Yunnan University, Kunming Yunnan, People's Republic of China     

On the recent dynamics of the earth's surface of the Little Carpathians

a mam 10-mu u¶rt;au ¶rt;uauu nmu a anam. auum aam mua ¶rt;uu u nu amu uu, a , muu, u auauu n u mmu u uu umaa u ¶rt; nmu uuau.     

The vibration magnetometer and the processing of its output signal strongly affected by noise

¶rt;aam ¶rt;a m¶rt;a amu uaa, u u , u auam u ma mum nuu ¶rt; uau aumma. u n u ama u ma n¶rt; ma m¶rt;a nm a umam u naa u ¶rt; nuu. mm m¶rt; n au auu u aau n¶rt;mam a au nm aum nu m unu a a.     

Normal density earth models

Summary Models of the Earth's density, close to thePREM model, have been derived, they reproduce the external normal gravitational field of the Earth and its dynamic flattening, and are referred to as normal density models. The Earth's surface is approximated by an ellipsoid of the order of the flattening, or of its square. Of the group of normal models sgtisfying the solution of the inverse problem, the normal density modelHME2 is recommended. The spherically symmetric density modelPREM, which was corrected in the course of solving the inverse problem, thus creating the modifiedPREM-E2 model, was used as the a priori information.

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¶rt; ¶rt;u an¶rt;u nmmu uu ¶rt;uPREM (m. a. a ¶rt;u nmmu), aumau n m u¶rt;mu na¶rt;am auaumau n u. m u annuum am unu¶rt; au. uau amu a ¶rt; mam H==0.003 273 994. ma ¶rt; a ¶rt; ¶rt;m ¶rt;HME2. am anu u a ¶rt; nmmu a unaa ¶rt; a¶rt;ua umua ¶rt;PREM. ¶rt;aam ¶rt;uuau m ¶rt;u n¶rt; aauPREM-E2.

     

Determination of the gravitational effect of extensive spherical laminae (platforms) using generalized Talwani's method

u uuuuaumau uu u m, ¶rt;u a mumau nmu a u nmu mau u nmmu. au n¶rt; nuau ¶rt;mam u u m. nua m¶rt; m u m¶rt;a aau (1960) ¶rt; uu .     

Magnitudes of detectable and localizable shocks in nw bohemia

Summary The effectiveness of recording seismic phenomena in the Kruné hory (Mts.) region in NW Bohemia by selected stations in the CSR, GDR and Poland has been estimated. Magnitude isolines of the weakest earthquakes, which can be localized and detected with an 0.9 probability, were calculated on the basis of the level of seismic disturbances at the individual stations and of the empirical dependence of the attenuation of seismic waves with distance.

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a a mum umauu uu u amu ¶rt; ana¶rt; uu uau mauu a mumuu , u a a uu n a m¶rt; mau u nuu auumu amau uu m amu u auma uuuu aum¶rt; a a mu, m mm 0.9 auuam u aum.

     

Magnetotail response during a strong substorm as observed by GEOTAIL in the distant tail

Simultaneous energetic particle and magnetic field observations from the GEOTAIL spacecraft in the distant tail (X_GSM -150 Re) have been analysed to study the response of the Earths magnetotail during a strong substorm (AE 680 nT). At geosynchronous altitude, LANL spacecraft recorded three electron injections between 0030 UT and 0130 UT, which correspond to onsets observed on the ground at Kiruna Ground Observatory. The Earths magnetotail responded to this substorm with the ejection of five plasmoids, whose size decreases from one plasmoid to the next. Since the type of magnetic structure detected by a spacecraft residing the lobes, depends on the Z extent of the structure passing underneath the spacecraft, GEOTAIL is first engulfed by a plasmoid structure; six minutes later it detects a boundary layer plasmoid (BLP) and finally at the recovery phase of the substorm GEOTAIL observes three travelling compression regions (TCRs). The time-of-flight (TOF) speed of these magnetic structures was estimated to range between 510 km/s and 620 km/s. The length of these individual plasmoids was calculated to be between 28 Re and 56 Re. The principal axis analysis performed on the magnetic field during the TCR encountered, has confirmed that GEOTAIL observed a 2-D perturbation in the X-Z plane due to the passage of a plasmoid underneath. The first large plasmoid that engulfed GEOTAIL was much more complicated in nature probably due to the external, variable draped field lines associated with high beta plasma sheet and the PSBL flux tubes surrounding the plasmoid. From the analysis of the energetic particle angular distribution, evidence was found that ions were accelerated from the distant X-line at the onset of the burst associated with the first magnetic structure.     

On surface seismic waves formation

Summary The interpretation of surface seismic waves records is rather complicated as they include a superposition of oscillations of the fundamental mode and higher modes. Besides recorded oscillations depend on spectral characteristics of motions in earthquakes sources. The consideration of these problems is based on results of surface waves two-dimensional modelling [1]³. Some physical ideas about their formation deals with the change of the nature of the oscillation propagating with dispersion. This report represents a condensate of several independent works. , , . , . , . () . .Scientific communication presented to the IASPEI Assembly, Madrid, 1969.     

Elektronenproduktion,Rekombination, Elektronendichte und Absorption in der ionosphärischenD-Region und ihre jahreszeitlichen Variationen

Zusammenfassung Es wird die Gleichung für die Elektronenproduktionq(z) abgeleitet, die die meteorologischen Elemente der Mesosphäre berücksichtigt. Nach Angaben über die mit Satelliten und Raketen gemessene Röntgenstrahlung mit 8 Å wird das Differentialspektrum des ionisierenden Energieflusses für eine mittlere Sonnenaktivität konstruiert. Auf dieser Grundlage und nach der bekannten Intensität der Strahlung Ly- sowie nach Angaben über dieElektronenproduktion der kosmischen Strahlung werden die Profileq _Rö(z),q _Ly-(z) undq _CR(z) für mittlere geographische Breiten und Standardatmosphäre entwickelt. Nach eingehender Analyse der vollständigen Gleichung für den effektiven Rekombinationskoeffizienten wird für die Verhältnisse in der tiefen Ionosphäre der Beitrag jeder einzelnen Komponente der Gleichung bestimmt. ist eine recht veränderliche Grösse, die von den aeronomischen und meteorologischen Verhältnissen und der Sonnenzenitdistanz abhängt. Aus den fürq(z) und (z) erhaltenen Angaben werden zwei ElektronendichteprofileN(z) für =30° und 75° erhalten. Das ProfilN(z) bei =30° wird mit dem gemittelten Profil einer umfangreichen Gruppe experimentell gefundener VerteilungenN(z) verglichen; das Profil bei =75° wird durch Messung der deviativen und nondeviativen Absorption für eine längere Zeitperiode überprüft. In beiden Fällen hat sich die Richtigkeit der theoretisch erhaltenen Profile bestätigt. Die jahreszeitlichen Variationen der nondeviativen Absorption in derD-Region sind ausschliesslich durch die Variationen der meteorologischen Parameter im Bereich der Mesopause bei konstantem Energiefluss der ionisierenden Strahlung bedingt.

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Summary An equation about the electron production is deduced in which the meteorological elements of the mesosphere are taken into account. The differential spectrum of the ionizing energy flux with 3 Å for average solar activity is constructed on evidence from rocket and satelitc measurements. The profilesq _Rö(z),q _Ly-(z) andq _CR(z) for mean geographical latitudes and standard atmosphere are plotted on that basis as well as on data fot the known intensity of the Ly- emission and the electron production of the cosmic rays. An exhaustive analysis is made of the full equation for the effective recombination coefficient and the contribution of all its components at lower ionosphere conditions is determined. is a rather variable quantity, dependent on the aeronomical and meteorological condition of the area under consideration, as well as on the solar zenith angle. Two profiles for the electron concentrationN(z) at =30° and 75° are drawn on the basis of data forq(z) and (z). The profileN(z) at =30° is compared with the averaged profile of a large group experimentally obtained distributionsN(z); the profile at =75° is checked by measurements of the deviative and nondeviative absorption taken for a lengthy period. Both checks are in good agreement with the theoretically obtained profiles. The seasonal variations of the nondeviative absorption in theD region could be completely explained with the variations of the meteorological parameters in the mesopause area at constant energy flux of the ionizing radiation.

     

Sudden post-midnight decrease in equatorial F-region electron densities associated with severe magnetic storms

A detailed analysis of the responses of the equatorial ionosphere to a large number of severe magnetic storms shows the rapid and remarkable collapse of F-region ionisation during post-midnight hours; this is at variance with the presently accepted general behaviour of the low-latitude ionosphere during magnetic storms. This paper discusses such responses as seen in the ionosonde data at Kodaikanal (Geomagn. Lat. 0.6 N). It is also observed that during magnetic storm periods the usual increase seen in the hF at Kodaikanal during sunset hours is considerably suppressed and these periods are also characterised by increased foF2 values. It is suggested that the primary process responsible for these dramatic pre- and post-midnight changes in foF2 during magnetic storms could be due to changes in the magnitude as well as in the direction of usual equatorial electric fields. During the post-midnight periods the change in electric-field direction from westward to eastward for a short period causes an upward E × B plasma drift resulting in increased hF and decreased electron densities in the equatorial region. In addition, it is also suggested that the enhanced storminduced meridional winds in the thermosphere, from the poles towards the equator, may also cause the decreases in electron density seen during post-midnight hours by spatially transporting the F-region ionisation southwards away from Kodaikanal. The paper also includes a discussion on the effects of such decreases in ionisation on low-latitude HF communications.     

Molecular refraction in the Earth's mantle

The Drude law (molecular refraction) for the temperature radiation in a monoatomic model of the Earth's mantle is derived. The considerations are based on the Lorentz electron theory of solids. The characteristic frequency (or eigenfrequency) of independent electron oscillators (in energy units, ) is identified with the band gapE _G of a solid. The only assumption is that solid material related to the Earth's mantle has the mean atomic weight A21 g/mole, and its energy gap (E _G) is about 9 eV. In this case the value of molecular refraction (in cm³/g) is (n ²–1)/=0.5160.52, where andn are the density and the refractive index at wavelength _D=0.5893 m (sodium light), respectively. The average molecular refraction of important silicate and oxide minerals with A21, obtained byAnderson andSchreiber (1965) from laboratory data, is , where denotes the mean arithmetic value calculated from three principal refractive indices of crystal. For the rock-forming minerals with 19A<24 g/mole the new relation was found byAnderson (1975).     

On the propagation of wave from a cylindrical cavity

Summary This paper discusses the disturbance produced in an infinite layer of non-homogeneous elastic material characterised by =0 ⁿ and =0ⁿ(n>0) where and are the density and shear modulus respectively of the material, due to periodic torsional force applied on the wall of a cylindrical hole in the layer. The variation of the displacement component with the radius vector is shown graphically and compared with the corresponding homogeneous case.     

Re-visiting large historical earthquakes in the Colombian Eastern Cordillera

A re-assessment of the historic seismicity of the central sector of the Colombian Eastern Cordillera (EC) is made by revision of bibliographic sources, by calibration with modern instrumental earthquakes, and by interpretations in terms of current knowledge of the tectonics and seismicity of the region. Throughout the process we have derived an equation to estimate M_w for shallow crustal earthquakes in Colombia using the length of isoseismal VIII, L_VIII: