Seismic reflection along the path of the Mediterranean Undercurrent

Seismic reflection profiling is applied to the study of large scale physical oceanographic processes in the Gulf of Cádiz and western Iberian coast, coinciding with the path of the Mediterranean Undercurrent. The multi-channel seismic reflection method provides clear images of thermohaline fine structure with a horizontal resolution approximately two orders of magnitude higher than CTD casting. The seismic data are compared with co-located historical oceanographic data. Three seismic reflectivity zones are identified: North Atlantic Central Water, Mediterranean Water and North Atlantic Deep Water. Seismic evidence for the path of the Mediterranean Undercurrent is found in the near-slope reflectivity patterns, with rising reflectors between about 500 and 1500 m. However, the core of the undercurrent is largely transparent. Seismic images show that central and, particularly, intermediate Mediterranean Waters have fine structure coherent over horizontal distances of several tens of kilometers. However, the intensity of the reflectors, and their horizontal coherence, decreases downstream. This change in seismic reflectivity is probably the result of diminished vertical thermohaline contrasts between adjacent water masses, so that double-diffusion processes become unable to sustain temperature and salinity staircases. Comparison of root-mean-square seismic amplitudes with temperature and salinity differences between the Mediterranean Undercurrent and the overlying central waters suggests a causal relationship between observed thermohaline fine structure and true seismic amplitudes. We estimate that, within this intermediate water stratum, impedance contrasts are mainly controlled by sound speed contrasts (a factor between 3.5 and 10 times larger than density contrasts), which are mainly controlled by temperature contrasts (a factor between 1.5 and 5 times larger than salinity contrasts).     

Boundary layer dissipation and the nonlinear interaction of equatorial baroclinic and barotropic rossby waves

Two-layer equatorial primitive equations for the free troposphere in the presence of a thin atmospheric boundary layer and thermal dissipation are developed here. An asymptotic theory for the resonant nonlinear interaction of long equatorial baroclinic and barotropic Rossby waves is derived in the presence of such dissipation. In this model, a self-consistent asymptotic derivation establishes that boundary layer flows are generated by meridional pressure gradients in the lower troposphere and give rise to degenerate equatorial Ekman friction. That is to say, the asymptotic model has the property that the dissipation matrix has one eigenvalue which is nearly zero: therefore the dynamics rapidly dissipates flows with pressure at the base of the troposphere and creates barotropic/baroclinic spin up/spin down. The simplified asymptotic equations for the amplitudes of the dissipative equatorial barotropic and baroclinic waves are studied by linear theory and integrated numerically. The results indicate that although the dissipation slightly weakens the tropics to midlatitude connection, strong localized wave packets are nonetheless able to exchange energy between barotropic and baroclinic waves on intraseasonal timescales in the presence of baroclinic mean shear. Interesting dissipation balanced wave-mean flow states are discovered through numerical simulations. In general, the boundary layer dissipation is very efficient for flows in which the barotropic and baroclinic components are of the same sign at the base of the free troposphere whereas the boundary layer dissipation is less efficient for flows whose barotropic and baroclinic components are of opposite sign at the base of the free troposphere.     

极区中层尘埃等离子体中的尘埃声波研究

基于统计方法的自洽场理论,考虑了带电粒子与中性分子的碰撞以及对尘埃粒子的充电过程,建立了弱电离尘埃等离子体的纵波色散关系.分析了极区中层大气80~90 km高度范围内的尘埃声波的不稳定性.研究表明,极区中层大气中的尘埃声波有不稳定的模式,不稳定的波模对进一步解释极区中层尘埃等离子体的分层结构可能有重要意义.     

Rayleigh波的频散方程高频近似分解和多模式激发数目

对于在Rayleigh波勘探中经常提取到的多模式频散曲线,如何在理论上对其特征进行描述是一个很有意义的问题. 本文根据Rayeigh波频散方程中传递矩阵具有的高频近似特征,提出了传递矩阵的高频近似分解公式,据此导出了频散方程的高频近似分解公式,并在此基础上,定义了Rayleigh波的4种基本模式(R模、S模、R型周期模和S型周期模). 根据频散方程具有的周期性特征,给出了周期模频散曲线之间的平均间隔近似公式,以及在任意频率和相速度段内频散方程根的数目（即多模式的激发数目）的预测公式. 在这些结果的基础上,本文最后提出了频散方程数值搜根的一种新方法.     

A spectrum of the acoustic-gravity waves associated with Auroral electro-jet

This model concerns the analysis of Aurora initiated travelling pressure waves in an isothermal atmosphere. Electro-dynamic Lorentz Force associated with auroral electric current density during the periods of geomagnetic activity is invoked as a possible exciting source.The dispersion phenomena in auroral induced acoustic gravity modes in the earth's atmosphere are examined and various cut-off frequencies analysed.Finally, an attempt is made to obtain a far field representation of the forced oscillations by means of Green's Function technique. Therefrom, the spectral amplitudes of the ground-level oscillations are computed. Incorporating various scaling factors, it is deduced that these amplitude components are in reasonable agreement with the results of recent measurements.     

Determination of dispersive phase velocities by complex seismic trace analysis of surface waves (CASW)

A method for deriving experimental dispersion curves of surface waves from active source recordings is presented. The method is based on the complex seismic trace analysis of surface waves (CASW) and is applicable when only two receivers are available.     

The generation of baroclinic Rossby waves by stationary and and translating currents part 1. Stationary current forcing

Abstract

This paper investigates the generation of linear, baroclinic Rossby waves by an imposed current distribution, in a reduced gravity ocean, both with and without an eastern coast. A zonal current is impulsively applied and maintained along the northern edge of the domain of solution. Using Green's function techniques, analytical solutions are found, and these are evaluated for small times. Numerical solutions are obtained for larger times. The upper layer depth field consists of a transient response, due to the sudden application of the current. Maintenance of the current causes a response which is singular along the line of imposed non-zero h _y. The interior field decays with time (this is shown asymptotically). The parameters used are appropriate for the mid-latitude North Pacific, and the results are relevant to sudden transport changes in the North Pacific Current.     

On the generation of baroclinic rossby waves in the presence of a semi-circular boundary

Abstract

An analytical model is constructed for the generation of baroclinic Rossby waves by a vorticity source in the presence of a semi-circular boundary. The vorticity source is used to represent the effect of the Agulhas retroflection to the south of Southern Africa. The displacement of the interface between the two layers of the model ocean consists of quantized waves near the coast and a train of Rossby waves drifting westward further offshore.     

The reflection of plane waves in a poroelastic half-space saturated with inviscid fluid

This paper discusses surface displacements, surface strain, rocking, and energy partitioning during reflection-of-plane waves in a fluid-saturated poroelastic half-space. The medium is modeled by Biot's theory, and is assumed to be saturated with inviscid fluid. A linear porosity-modulus relation based on experimental data on sandstones is used to determine the material parameters for Biot's model. Numerical results in terms of angle of incident waves and Poisson's ratio are illustrated for various porosities and degrees of solid frame stiffness. The results show that the amount of solid frame stiffness controls the response of a fluid-saturated porous system. A poroelastic medium with essentially dry-frame stiffness behaves like an elastic medium, and the influence of pore fluid increases as dry-frame stiffness is reduced. The effects of a second P-wave become noticeable in poroelastic media with low dry-frame stiffness.     

具有饱和土沉积层的充水河谷对平面瑞雷波的散射

针对具有饱和土沉积层的充水河谷对平面瑞雷波的散射问题,把半空间场地用单相弹性介质模拟,河谷中的饱和土沉积层用Biot饱和多孔介质动力理论模拟,河谷中的水假定为无黏性流体（理想流体）,利用波函数展开法在频域内给出了具有饱和土沉积层的圆弧形充水河谷对平面瑞雷波散射问题的解析解答.文中给出了算例,计算了不同输入频率和高宽比时河谷谷底的位移幅值.算例表明由于具有饱和土沉积层的充水河谷存在,使得河谷谷底的位移幅值放大4倍多,并且它的幅值随着河谷谷底位置的不同而产生较大的变化.     

Subsolar elevation of the equatorial electrojet

The subsolar elevation of the equatorial electrojet has been produced from satellite solstitial data available from 09 to 15 hr LT using a new approach with the general style of the overhead equivalent current system. It shows the bunching of the current around the dip equator; the return currents of the equatorial electrojet close to the flanks of the dip equator; the fast growth of the electrojet to its diurnal peak followed by a slow decay; and the contraction of its latitudinal extent around the meridian of its highest intensity. Comparison with the results of other workers using ground data suggests that the elevation from satellite data agrees better with that from ground data when the worldwideSq is removed from the ground data.     

The effect of Newtonian cooling on vertically propagating magneto-acoustic waves in a thermally conducting isothermal atmosphere (II)

In this article, we examine reflection, dissipation and attenuation of vertically propagating waves in an isothermal atmosphere under the combined effect of Newtonian cooling, thermal conduction and viscosity with a weak horizontal magnetic field. We consider the case in which the combined effect of viscosity and magnetic field is dominated by that of the thermal conduction and for small values of the Newtonian parameter. As a result, the atmosphere can be divided into three distinct regions that are connected by two transition regions. The lower and middle regions are connected by a semi-transparent barrier and the middle and upper regions are connected by an absorbing and reflecting barrier. In the connecting barriers the reflection and transmission of the waves takes place. The presence of Newtonian cooling effects on the adiabatic region, produces attenuation in the amplitudes of the waves and reduces the energy absorption in the transition regions. The reflection coefficient is determined in the lower and middle regions and the results are discussed in the context of the heating of the solar atmosphere.     

Simulation of irregular waves in an offshore wind farm with a spectral wave model

A numerical study of irregular waves in the Norwegian continental shelf wind farm (HAVSUL-II) was conducted using 3rd generation spectral wave models. The study was composed of two parts: the study of the effect of a single windmill monopile in the local incoming wave field using an empirical JONSWAP spectrum, and a wave hindcast study in the wind farm area using realistic incoming wave spectra obtained from large scale simulations for the 1991-1992 winter period. In the single windmill monopile study the SWAN wave model was used, while the hindcast study was conducted by successively nesting from a coarse grid using the WAM model up to a high-resolution (56 m) grid covering 26.2 km² of the HAVSUL-II windmill farm using the SWAN model. The effect of a single monopile on incident waves with realistic spectra was also studied. In the single windmill study the monopile was represented as a closed circular obstacle and in the hindcast study it was represented as a dry grid point. The results showed that the single windmill monopile creates a shadow zone in the down wave region with lower significant wave height (H_s) values and a slight increase of H_s in the up wave region. The effects of the windmill monopile on the wave field were found to be dependent on the directional distribution of the incoming wave spectrum and also on the wave diffraction and reflection. The hindcast study showed that the group of windmill monopiles may contribute to the reduction of the wave energy inside the offshore wind farm and that once the waves enter into the offshore wind farm they experience modifications due to the presence of the windmill monopiles, which cause a blocking of the wave energy propagation resulting in an altered distribution of the H_s field.     

Theory of azimuthally small-scale hydromagnetic waves in the axisymmetric magnetosphere with finite plasma pressure

The structure of monochromatic MHD-waves with large azimuthal wave number m 1 in a two-dimensional model of the magnetosphere has been investigated. A joint action of the field line curvature, finite plasma pressure, and transversal equilibrium current leads to the phenomenon that waves, standing along the field lines, are travelling across the magnetic shells. The wave propagation region, the transparency region, is bounded by the poloidal magnetic surface on one side and by the resonance surface on the other. In their meaning these surfaces correspond to the usual and singular turning points in the WKB-approximation, respectively. The wave is excited near the poloidal surface and propagates toward the resonance surface where it is totally absorbed due to the ionospheric dissipation. There are two transparency regions in a finite-beta magnetosphere, one of them corresponds to the Alfvén mode and the other to the slow magneto-sound mode.     

超声反射法套管-地层环空间介质波阻抗反演方法与成像实例

针对套管井反射式超声波水泥固井质量检测问题,本文利用超声反射波频谱中套管共振透射窗内的复合反射系数,提出了定量反演套管-地层环空间内介质的波阻抗的方法. 利用复合反射系数中多个频率点的相移反正切函数主值,给出了波阻抗的计算公式,并把套管-地层环空间介质中波的相移的整、实特性作为波阻抗反演收敛的判据. 针对井下实际测井环境中超声换能器性能受温度和压力等的影响而发生变化,导致的声源波形（子波）和复合反射系数不确定的困难,提出了用井下原地（in situ）实测波形定量估计声源波形和复合反射系数的方法. 通过对合成数据的处理,分别考察了已知介质的声学和几何参数存在的偏差对套管-地层环空间内介质的波阻抗反演结果的影响. 本文对多组模型井检验数据进行了目的层介质的波阻抗反演与成像,成像结果与真实情况吻合,验证了反演方法的有效性. 最后对现场实测资料进行了套管-地层环空间内介质的波阻抗定量反演与成像.     

Nonlinear wave propagation on a sphere: Interaction between Rossby waves and gravity waves; stability of the Rossby waves

Abstract

An analytical spectral model of the barotropic divergent equations on a sphere is developed using the potential-stream function formulation and the normal modes as basic functions. Explicit expressions of the coefficients of nonlinear interaction are obtained in the asymptotic case of a slowly rotating sphere, i.e. when the normal modes can be expressed as single spherical harmonics.     

Propagation of partially coherent non-stationary random waves in a viscoelastic layered half-space

This paper presents a highly accurate method based on the precise integration method (PIM) and on the pseudo excitation method (PEM). The method computes the propagation behaviour of partially coherent non-stationary random waves in a viscoelastic, transversely isotropic solid, which consists of a multi-layered soil resting on a homogeneous semi-infinite space. The excitation source is a local rupture between two layers, which causes a partially coherent non-stationary random field. The analysis of non-stationary random wave propagation is transformed into that for deterministic waves by using PEM. The resulting governing equations in the frequency-wavenumber domain are linear ordinary differential equations, which are solved very precisely by using PIM. The evolutionary power spectral densities of the ground level responses are investigated and some typical earthquake phenomena are explained.     

Characteristics of the response of isothermal atmospheres with nonlinear waves

Abstract

We have studied the behavior of nonlinear waves in isothermal atmospheres using an improved beam scheme method. It is shown that although the magnitude of the mass leakage due to side beams is significant, nevertheless in a motion close to hydrostatic equilibrium it can be suppressed, if special density distributions and/or suitable mesh intervals are selected. We adopt as the parameters for our model of the atmospheres M=1 M[odot], R=50 R[odot] and T=4864 K. The time variation of the physical quantities in each cell is found for several oscillation periods. The critical frequency for the model atmosphere in the case of waves with a weak nonlinearity seems to be consistent with that in the linear theory.     

Hurricane-induced motions and interaction with ocean currents

Hurricanes produce mixing and flow divergences (and convergences) that alter the upper-ocean heat content (OHC), which in turn affects the storm. Ocean observations under a hurricane are rare, making it difficult to validate forecast models. Past research have mainly focused on OHC-changes by vertical mixing and tacitly assumed that horizontal transports are slowly varying. Moreover, effects of coastal boundaries on ocean responses to hurricanes are generally omitted. This work uses satellite data to detect and verify forecast isopycnal motions under hurricane Wilma (Oct/16–26/2005) in the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. The model is then used to show that Wilma-induced convergences in northwestern Caribbean Sea produce increased Yucatan-Channel transport into the Gulf ahead of the storm, and the Yucatan–Loop Current front diverts most of this heat around the Loop. This response is distinct from that of an ocean without the Loop, for which warming is widespread north of the channel. These intricate ocean responses can impact hurricane predictions.