Reaction of the critical frequency of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">F</Emphasis>2 layer to a sharp depletion in atmospheric pressure

Changes in the critical frequencies of the F2 layer at several midlatitude stations of ionospheric vertical sounding during a sharp depletion in atmospheric pressure under quiet solar and geomagnetic conditions are analyzed. It is shown that in such periods, the observed foF2 values differ from the mean values by approximately 10–15% and the deviations from the mean could be both negative (in the daytime hours) and positive (at night). Such variations in foF2 could be referred to the known class of ionospheric disturbances observed under a quiet geomagnetic situation, that is, to the so-called “Q-disturbances.” Analysis of wavelet spectra of foF2 variations shows the presence in the F region of oscillations of various periods (from 0.5 to 10 days). The decrease in the amplitude of daily variations during pressure depletion is found. Presumably, the observed effect is caused by the dynamic impact of waves formed in the lower atmosphere on the ionospheric F2 layer.     

Analytical comparison of geomagnetic total field between Sino-US stations

Using observational data of geomagnetic total intensity from 13 stations in the Beijing-Tianjin region, 3 stations in the western Yunnan region of China, and 6 stations in California of U. S. A., the daily variations and their spectra of geomagnetic total intensity were analyzed and compared. The results show that the morphology, the range and spectrum of daily variations in geomagnetic total intensity are basically the same within the local extent of 100–200 km and are different in the large extent of 500 km. The latitude factor of the daily variation range of geomagnetic total intensity is about 1–2 nT/degree within the latitude extent of 25°–40°. The Chinese version of this paper appeared in the Chinese edition ofActa Seismologica Sinica,14, 83–89, 1992. This work is supported by the State Seismological Bureau and the Chinese Joint Seismological Science Foundation, and U.S. Geological Survey.     

Wave hierarchies in alluvial river flows

Abstract

The long wave equations governing the flow in alluvial rivers and channels are considered. The linearized equations are re-cast in the form of a single equation of wave hierarchy type as discussed by Whitham (1974). The dynamic and kinematic waves are of third and second order respectively. Behaviour at the wave fronts is considered and a roll-wave type instability is revealed.

For stable flow, the theory is used to make both qualitative and quantitative predictions in the areas of short and long term floods, tidal waves and channel dredging.

The non-uniformity in the quasi-steady theory on bedform development [see, for example, Reynolds (1985)] as the Froude number, F, approaches unity is also discussed, and appropriate scalings are obtained to derive a theory which remains valid when F ～ 1.     

Variations of the upper atmosphere air density and electron density during geomagnetic disturbances

The variations of the upper atmosphere air density during geomagnetic disturbances have been investigated by many authors. According to the analysis of satellite orbits, in most cases an increase in the air density may be observed when the indexA _phas a maximum. Having ionospheric data from stations in Europe, Asia and Australia we might be able to study the global behaviour of the electron density in theF ₂ region during such geomagnetic disturbances when an increase of the air density had been observed. In these cases we found, that at the peak of the ionospheric layer, the electron density decreased 0–3 days later than theA _pmaximum.     

Calculations of the ionization drift velocity by the Titheridge method,based on the data obtained at the Irkutsk Digisonde

The applicability of the method proposed by Titheridge [1995] to the estimations of the ionization vertical drift velocity V is studied. The values of the F2-layer maximum height, h _m F2, obtained from the measurements using the DPS-4 digital ionosonde at Irkutsk (Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics) in 2003–2006, are the initial data. The neutral gas parameters were calculated from the [Hedin, 1987] thermospheric model. The obtained calculations of the vertical ionization drift velocity are estimated by comparing with the [Hedin et al., 1991] empirical model. In some cases, good agreement with this model has been obtained. However, such agreement is registered not always, and the cause of such discrepancies is still unclear. The diurnal variations in the vertical ionization drift velocity in different seasons are also discussed.     

Relationship between the daytime critical frequencies of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">F</Emphasis><Subscript>2</Subscript> layer and thermospheric characteristics

The relationship between the critical frequency of the F ₂ layer and the atmospheric characteristics has been obtained in a general form. It has been shown that this relation makes it possible to sufficiently accurately describe the daytime values of foF2 while comparing them with the observed monthly median values. Such comparisons were performed, first, for the data of measurements in Irkutsk using the DPS-4 digital ionosonde in 2003–2006 and, second, based on the annual variations in the noon foF2 values at 24 stations of the Northern Hemisphere in 1984. The calculations were performed using the MSIS-86 thermospheric model [Hedin, 1987].     

Relationships between magnetospheric and ionospheric disturbances in the auroral and subauroral zones

A joint analysis of variations in the ionospheric parameters at three vertical-incidence stations (Heiss Island, Dixon Island, and Sodankyla) and the solar wind plasma characteristics (i.e., the PC magnetic index characterizing the IMF geoeffective part) indicated that the PC index can be used as a predictor in order to diagnose the electron density level in the polar ionosphere. An increase in the PC level corresponds to positive and negative gradients in variations in the F region??s critical frequencies. As PC becomes larger than 1.5, the electron density increases at night in winter and, on the contrary, decreases during the day in summer and during daylight hours in winter. A delay in the ionospheric F region??s response to PC variations depends on the station latitude: this delay is no more than 1 and 2 h at the Heiss Island and Dixon Island stations and can be more than 6 h in summer and 0?C1 h in winter at Sodankyla. An increase in the PC amplitude as a rule corresponds to an anomalous increase in foEs relative to the median values at these stations with a delay of 1 h.     

Variations of the critical frequency <Emphasis Type="Italic">foF</Emphasis>2 at middle latitudes during strong disturbance in the electric field observed in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">F</Emphasis> region over saint-santin

Morphological analysis of variations of the critical frequency foF2 in the midlatitude ionosphere at various sectors of local time is carried out on the basis of data from ground-based stations of vertical sounding of the ionosphere in the period when during use of the incoherent scatter radar at Saint-Santin an anomalously strong increase in the electric field was observed at heights of the ionospheric F region in the period of enhanced geomagnetic activity (4+ < Kp < 6−). The obtained picture of the space-time distribution of disturbances in foF2 makes it possible to assume that they could be caused by penetration to middle latitudes of the large-scale electric field of the magnetospheric convection directed westward in the nighttime and morning hours and eastward in the noon and evening sectors.     

Variations in late Quaternary upper ocean structure of Okinawa Trough: A nannofossil approach

The relative abundance ofFlorisphueru profunda, a calcareous nannofossil species in lower euphotic zone, affords an opportunity to study variations in upper ocean structure such as thickness of mixed layer. As revealed by the nannofossil analysis in sediments since 20 ka B. P. from three Okinawa Trough cores, the percentage ofF. profunda increased significantly from glacial to Holocene, with a declining event ca 4 ka B. P. in its southern part. Its downcore trend is similar to that ofPulleniatina obliquiloculuta, a tropical planktonic foraminifera1 species which lives in subsurface water below thermocline in the modern ocean. Their similar variations imply an eastward shift of the Kuroshio Current, a reduction in thickness of the mixed layer, a shallowing of thermocline and a possible increase of turbidity in the upper ocean during the glaciation. The eastward shift of the Kuroshio might be repeated again about 4 ka B.P. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 49776289 and 49406067)     

Dynamical geochemistry of the Hawaiian plume

This paper presents a simple dynamical model for melting and trace element distribution in the Hawaiian mantle plume. I model the plume as a partially molten stagnation point flow against the oceanic lithosphere, and obtain solutions for the temperature, melt migration rate, and trace element concentration within it. Trace element concentrations in the melt exceed simple batch melting predictions by up to 70%. The magnitude of this effect depends strongly on the solid-melt partition coefficientK. Trace elements with differentK therefore experience a “dynamical fractionation” within the plume, and incompatible trace element ratios such asLa/Ce always exceed the batch melting predictions. I suggest a simple model for plume-lithosphere interaction in which melts from these two sources mix in proportions determined by thermodynamic constraints. The model can explain the composition of basalts from Haleakala if the degree of melting of the lithosphereF₁ decreases with time from roughly 10% for tholeiites to 2% for alkalic basalts. These values are considerably higher than previous estimates ofF₁ < 1%, and imply correspondingly smaller and more realistic values ( 10 km) for the thickness of the melted part of the lithosphere. Partial melting of additional depleted sources such as the asthenosphere is therefore not required by the Haleakala data. Estimates ofF₁ are highly sensitive to the values chosen for the partition coefficients, however, and should therefore be interpreted with caution.     

The lunar barometric tide,its global distribution and annual variation

Summary The global distribution of the lunar barometric tideL ₂ is investigated by spherical harmonic analysis, based on 104 stations for the annual mean, and on 85 stations for the three seasons. The main wave ofL ₂ is the one with wave number 2, but for a detailed study of the irregularities of the global distribution ofL ₂, waves with other wave numbers have also to be considered. Even the main wave ofL ₂ is asymmetric to the equator with the two lunar-daily pressure maxima occurring earlier in the Southern than in the Northern Hemisphere. The amplitudes at the same distances from the equator are greater in the Southern than in the Northern Hemisphere. These hemispheric differences are most pronounced during the D season. As found in earlier investigations the phase consiant ofL ₂ is always greater during the J season than during the D season. But the amplitudes are greatest during the J season only north of 30^oS. Farther south the amplitude maximum occurs during the D season.sponsored by the National Science Foundation     

Experimental examination of the possible influence of the 1.87 Å line emission on the fine structure of the lower ionosphere ionization

Summary From the theoretical investigation ofLetfus andApostolov (1974) it follows that under flare conditions the intensive X-ray emission lines in the 1–8 Å range have an insignificant contribution to the ionization state of the lower ionosphere in comparison with the enhanced emission of the continuum. This result is experimentally confirmed by direct comparison of the intensity variations of the emission line 1.87 Å (Fe XXV) during the solar flare of 25 July 1967 measured onboard of the OSO III satellite with simultaneous ground observations of the ionization state variations of the lower ionosphere made by the A3 method.     

Some aspects of the secular variation of the geomagnetic elements H,Z and F between 1958–1974 in Romania

The paper presents some results concerning the secular variation of H, Z and F in Romania between 1958–1974. Curves of the variation of , Z and F at 31 repeat stations are given. The effect of solar activity on the horizontal component is separated and its characteristics discussed. For the interval 1969.5–1974.5 maps of the smoothed secular variation of H, Z and F are given, with isopores described by curves of second degree with respect to the geographical coordinates.     

Preliminary study on the source field mode of geomagnetic six-month-period variations

The monthly means of north component X of geomagnetic field from 16 observatories during 1984–1988 were analyzed using the Sompi spectral analysis technique Most of these observatories are located in China. The analysis of the semiannual variations indicates that the latitude has no apparent effect on the X component. This clearly implies that the source field mode of semiannual variations cannot simply be described by using the p ₁ ⁰ mode. Using the p ₁ ⁰ mode to estimate the inductive scale lengthC in the semiannual period, the value ofC at each observatory would be biased significantly. The purpose of this study is to find which kind of modes is optimal for estimating the values ofC corresponding to the semiannual variations. The results show that a composite mode, involving five terms P _n ⁰ (n = 1,, 5), might be a reasonable and acceptable one     

Direct measurement of crustalP-velocities in the norsar area

Using simulated data, it is demonstrated that one may estimate the body wave velocity in the crust by measuring the angle of incidence ofP-waves provided only the very first part of the signal is used. This angle has been measured for a set ofP-waves at the NORSAR long period instrument sites. Combining these observations with measurements of apparent velocities, we find that the data indicates a crust velocity of 6.1±0.4 km/sec. While it is somewhat uncertain to what depth the value is representative, the observations are in obvious disagreement with previous authors who concluded that long periodP-waves were not affected by the earth's crust. Because of difficulties in separating the effects of real velocity variations from measurement errors, the details of the observedP-wave variation across the array are difficult to interpret. The consistent behavior of the data does, however, indicate that variations of approximately 3% must exist in the crustalP-wave velocity across the array.     

Vertical distribution features of atmospheric water vapour in the Po valley area

Two sets of radiosounding measurements, taken at different hours from some stations in the Po Valley area, were examined in order to obtain the values of precipitable waterw and determine the shapes of the vertical distribution curves of absolute humidity. From these curves, we calculated the bestfit values of scale heightsH ₁ andH ₂ in the 0÷5 km and 5÷10 km altitude intervals, respectively. The analysis of the radiosounding data clearly shows that parametersw andH ₁ are closely related to the evolutionary features of the meteorological conditions on synoptic scale and are influenced, to a lesser extent, by the diurnal variations in the atmospheric ground layer. Seasonal average curves of temperature and absolute humidity, as functions of altitude, were also defined from the radiosounding measurements taken at various hours of the day. Moreover, interpolation methods in time (applied to a 12-hour range) and in space (range of about 300 km) were proposed for determining parametersw andH ₁ from the radiosounding measurements taken at different hours from the same station or from different stations at the same hour. Reliability tests, made by comparing the same station or from different stations at the same hour. Reliability tests, made by comparing the values given by the interpolation methods with those directly obtained from the radiosounding measurements, show that these evaluations ofw andH ₁ are affected by standard errors of estimate, which are comparable to the errors usually made in analyzing the radiosounding data.     

Time variations in teleseismic reisduals prior to the magnitude 5.1 Bear Valley earthquake of February 24, 1972

Summary Teleseismic arrivals for large earthquakes occurring in the Circum-Pacific seismic source regions have been analysed forP-velocity variations prior to the February 24, 1972, Bear Valley earthquake at several stations in the vicinity of Bear Valley, California. The teleseismic arrivals have been analysed by the method of two-station residuals and corrected for observed azimuthal variations. The data covers the time period of July, 1971, through April, 1972, and suggests that during part of January, 1972, aP-velocity anomaly occurred beneath station BVL 2 km from the epicenter of the magnitude 5.1 Bear Valley event. A maximum vertical travel time delay of 0.15 seconds is observed. No other anomalous behavior associated with this event is suggested by the data for the other stations ranging from 7 to 19 km from the event's epicenter. These results support an anomalous zone of limited size with a maximum horizontal extent of less than 5 km perpendicular and about 10 km parallel to the San Andreas fault relative to the epicenter and confined within a 5 to 10 km portion of the uppermost crust. Also aP-velocity delay for waves travelling essentially along the intermediate stress axis would imply in this case that theP-velocity anomaly is caused by a bulk modulus mechanism such as that proposed by the dilatancy-fluid flow theory.     

Die Bildung ionosphärischer Schichten bei beliebiger Temperaturverteilung in der Atmosphäre

Zusammenfassung Die Theorie der Schichtbildung durch eine monochromatische Strahlung wird für beliebige Temperaturverteilungen in der Atmosphäre erweitert. Unter gewissen Voraussetzungen ergeben sich durch Ionisation einer einzigen Komponente des Luftgemisches bereits zwei Maxima der Ionenbildung. Es wird vermutet, daß dieser Vorgang bei der häufig beobachteten Aufspaltung der F-Schicht in dieF ₁- undF ₂-Schicht vorliegt; aus der Theorie ergibt sich dann, daß die Temperatur in derF ₂-Schicht tiefer sein muß als in derF ₁-Schicht, weiters können verschiedene bisher bestandene Schwierigkeiten hinsichtlich derF ₂-Schicht behoben werden.

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Summary The ion-production of a monochromatic radiation in an atmosphere with variable temperature in various heights is considered. A stratification ofF-layer intoF ₁-andF ₂-layer appears by a heat zone between these layers. But always the temperature of theF ₂-layer is lower as this ofF ₁-layer. Thus some difficulties ofF ₂-layer can be removed.

     

On the variation of temperature structure parameter in cloud- and clear-air during the summer monsoon season

High resolution aicraft observations of temperature were made in cloud-air and clear-air at different heights in the lower atmosphere over the Deccan Plateu, India, during the summer monsoon season (June–September) of 1976. Temperature fluctuations in the horizontal at each flight level were utilised for computing the temperature structure parameter (C _T ² ) at that level for studying the hieght dependence ofC _T ² . The results were found to be in agreement with those obtained by other investigators. Also, the height variations ofC _T ² in cloud-air and clear-air during active and weak monsoon conditions are studied. Marked differences were noticed in the behaviour ofC _T ² during active and weak monsoon conditions.     

The height of the maximum ionospheric electron density over the MU radar

Ionospheric F₂-layer peak height h_mF₂ variations, as measured over 1986–1995 by the MU radar (34.85°N, 136.1°E) and as calculated with a theoretical model, are discussed. The diurnal variations of the measured peak height for different seasons and levels of solar activity are compared with those estimated from ionosonde M3000F₂ and IRI predictions. Also given are the measured ion drift velocities and meridional neutral winds needed to understand the dynamic behavior of the F₂-layer. It is found that: (1) h_mF₂ is generally higher during periods of the solar maximum than during periods of the solar minimum, and higher in summer than in winter; (2) for the solar maximum, h_mF₂ drops markedly in the morning and in the afternoon, while, for the solar minimum, the h_mF₂ minimum occurs in the morning during summer and usually in the afternoon during winter. In general, the measured h_mF₂ is well reproduced by our model when we use the observed drift velocities and plasma temperatures as inputs. Our modeling study shows that the neutral wind contributes strongly to the diurnal variation of h_mF₂ in winter by lowering the ionization layer by day, particularly for the solar maximum; it also helps to enlarge the day–night difference of h_mF₂ in summer. The northward electromagnetic drifts that usually cancel the neutral wind effect have only a minor effect for the location of the MU radar. Other features of the observed h_mF₂ variations, e.g., the solar maximum–minimum difference, the summer–winter difference, and the morning and afternoon drops, are explained by the basic processes of O⁺ production, loss and diffusion, as influenced by the atomic oxygen concentration and neutral and plasma temperatures.