Wave activity in the ionosphere during the geospace storm of November 7–10, 2004

This paper presents the results of studies of wave disturbances in the electron concentration N in the ionosphere during a prominent geospace storm, in the process of which the electron concentration decreased by a factor of 6–7, whereas the temperatures of ions and electrons at night increased up to 2000 and 3000 K, respectively. The height-time variations in the parameters of wave disturbances are also analyzed. It is shown that the geospace storm was accompanied by a substantial change in wave activity in the ionosphere. In the period of negative ionospheric storms, the amplitude Δ _N decreased by a factor of 2–10. At the same time, the relative amplitude δ _N = ΔN/N changed insignificantly and was within the limits 0.05–0.10 during day-time. At night, δ _N reached 0.25–0.30 and sometimes even 0.4–0.5. During both disturbed and undisturbed days, quasi-periodic processes with a period of 40–60 and 80–120 min prevailed. The maximum values of the absolute and relative amplitudes were achieved at a height of 200–270 km. A soliton-like disturbance formed near the main phase of the magnetic storm on November 10, 2004 was detected. Its appearance was related to the oblique coherent reflection of sounding signals.     

Wave disturbances in the ionosphere during a lasting solar activity minimum

Using the Kharkov incoherent scatter radar, observations of wave disturbances in electron concentration N in the ionosphere at heights of 120–600 km are conducted. The measurements were carried out in the periods of the spring and fall equinoxes and winter and summer solstices. The height-time dependences of the absolute ΔN and relative ΔN/N amplitudes of wave disturbances, as well as their spectral composition, were analyzed. It is shown that wave disturbances in the ionosphere with periods of 10–180 min were present at almost any time of the day and in all seasons. Their absolute and relative amplitudes varied from 6 × 10⁹ to 6 × 10¹⁰ m⁻³ and from 0.01 to 0.5, respectively. The maximum values of ΔN and ΔN/N were observed at a height of ∼200 km. The passage of the solar terminator changed substantially the wave disturbance parameters.     

Is a type of low frequency ULF magnetic disturbance a kind of earthquake precursors?

A type of relatively low frequency ULF magnetic disturbance has been generally observed by the magnetic induction-meter since it’s operation at Baijiatuan observatory in Beijing. As the amplitudes and frequencies of such disturbance signals change with time and are different from the disturbances produced by some man-made magnetic sources, therefore they are usually taken as a kind of earthquake precursors for ULF electro-magnetic emission. However, a comparative analysis with magnetic storms on the magnetogram obtained by variometerat the same station indicates that such signals always occur in the period of magnetic storm occurrence and so far we have not found the cases where such signals occur with no magnetic storms, therefore this kind of ULF magnetic disturbances should not be taken as a ULF earthquake precursors of the electromagnetic emission at present. The main features of such signals are as follows: the signals occur discontinuously during storms and the duration of each time section with such signals and the occurrence rates of the sections and the disturbance amplitudes are usually related to the types and intensities of storms. The wave form characteristics of the ULF disturbance are also related to the types of storms. Generally, the amplitudes and durations for SC storms are stronger and longer respectively than those for GC stroms, and if a storm is with largerK index, then relatively large amplitudes and higher rates and longer durations as well as variable frequencies will be observed andvice versa. Most of the start time and the time section with strongest disturbance recorded by the ULF unit and by the variometer are not consistent with each other, and the same one is only about 44%. The periods and intensities of such disturbance signals are in the ranges of few to several seconds and 0.04–8 nT respectively. The predominant frequency is about 0.06 Hz and certain energies are also distributed on the harmonic frequencies. Contribution No. 95A0063, Institute of Geophysics, SSB, China.     

Solar energetic events in the years 1996–2004. The analysis of their geoeffectiveness

Data concerning solar energetic events, published in 1996–2004 by the USAF/NOAA in the form of daily reports, have been collected. The analysis of the particular event types indicates that the degree of their geoeffectiveness depends on their size and on their solar disc location. The mere information that a solar X-flare (XRA) event or a Long Duration XRA Event (LDE) has occurred on the solar disc is insufficient to produce a relevant forecast of geomagnetic disturbances. The probability increases if the XRA is of class X which has occurred on the solar disk in central region (30 °E, 30 °W; 30 °S, 30 °N). XRAs associated with metric type II and IV radio bursts (RSP II and RSP IV), which occurred on the solar disc in this region will very probably cause a geomagnetic disturbance not only if X class are involved, but also M class and B–C class. The Disappearance of Solar Filament (DSF) data cannot be used in forecasting geomagnetic disturbances. The geoeffective and nongeoeffective DSFs are too disproportional. jboch@ig.cas.cz fridrich@geomag.sk     

Relationship between phases of quasi-decadal oscillations of total ozone and the 11-year solar cycle

Temporal variability of the relationship between the phases of quasi-decadal oscillations (QDOs) of total ozone (TO), measured at the Arosa station, and the Ri international sunspot number have been analyzed for the period of 1932–2009. Before the 1970s, the maximum phase of ozone QDOs lagged behind solar activity variations by about 2.5–2.8 years and later outstripped by about 1.5 years. We assumed that the TO QDOs in midlatitudes of the Northern Hemisphere were close to being in resonance with solar activity oscillations in the period from the mid-1960s to the mid-1970s and assessed the characteristic delay period of TO QDOs. The global distribution of phases and amplitudes of TO QDOs have been studied for the period from 1979 to 2008 based on satellite data. The maximum phase of TO QDOs first onsets in northern middle and high latitudes and coincides with the end of the growth phase of the 11-year solar cycle. In the tropics, the maximum oscillation phase lags behind by 0.5–1 year. The maximum phase lag near 40–50° S is about two years. The latitudinal variations of the phase of TO QDOs have been approximated.     

Geoefficiency of solar eruptive events

The sources of geomagnetic disturbances during 1999–2003 are discussed. The relation between geomagnetic activity and the rate of coronal mass ejections (CMEs), their parameters, and the dynamics of solar photospheric magnetic fields is considered. It is shown that during the reorganization of unipolar regions of the photospheric magnetic field, the number of CMEs increases and their parameters change. The geomagnetic disturbance level also increases in these periods.     

A Study on Simulation of Heavy Rainfall Events Over Indian Region with ARW-3DVAR Modeling System

An attempt is made to evaluate the impact of the three dimensional variational (3DVAR) data assimilation within the Weather Research Forecasting (WRF) modeling system to simulate two heavy rainfall events which occured on 26–27 July 2005 and 27–30 July 2006. During the 26–27 July 2005 event, the unprecedented localized intense rainfall 90–100 cm was recorded over the northeast parts of Mumbai city; however, southern parts received only 10 cm. Model simulation with the data assimilation experiment is reasonably well predicted for the rainfall intensity (800 mm) in 24 h and with accurate location over Mumbai agreeing with observation. Divergence, vorticity, vertical velocity and moisture parameters are evaluated during the various stages of the event. It is noticed that maximum convergence and vorticity during the mature stage; at the same time the vertical velocity also follows a similar trend during the period in the assimilation experiment. Vorticity budget terms over the location of heavy rainfall revealed that the contribution of the positive tilting term produced positive vorticity which triggered the convection and negative contribution to vorticity from the tilting term to precede the dissipation of the system. Model simulations from the second rain event, the off-shore trough at sea level along the west coast of India, is well represented after assimilation of observations during day-1 and day-2 as compared to the control simulations; the orientation of the off-shore trough is well matched with that of the observed. The intensity and spatial distribution of the rainfall has considerably improved in the assimilation simulation. The statistical skill scores also revealed that the precipitation forecast during the period has appreciably improved due to assimilation of observations. The results of this study indicate a positive impact of the 3DVAR assimilation on the simulation of heavy rainfall events.     

The 20-second regional magnitude <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis></Subscript>(20R) for the Russian Far East

A new modified magnitude scale M _S (20R) is elaborated. It permits us to extend the teleseismic magnitude scale M _S (20) to the regional epicenter distances. The data set used in this study contains digital records at 12 seismic stations of 392 earthquakes that occured in the northwest Pacific Ocean in the period of 1993–2008. The new scale is based on amplitudes of surface waves of a narrow range of the periods (16–25 s) close to the period of 20 s, for distances of 80–3000 km. The digital Butterworth filter is used for processing. On the basis of the found regional features concerning distance dependence for seismic wave attenuation, all the stations of the region have been subdivided into two groups, namely, “continental” and “island-arc.” For each group of stations, its own calibration function is proposed. Individual station corrections are used to compensate for the local features.     

Electron concentration variations in the F1-region during magnetic storms in a low solar activity period

Vertical sensing data obtained with the help of DPS-4 digisondes in Irkutsk and Yakutsk are used to analyze the response of the F1-layer to magnetic disturbances in May 2005. It is found that the electron concentration is decreased at heights of 150–200 km during magnetic storms, and the amplitude of this negative disturbance increases with height. This effect is more distinct in Yakutsk than Irkutsk. The main gas constituents of the thermosphere during disturbed periods are estimated.     

Effect of magnetospheric substorms on asymptotic directions of arrival of cosmic ray relativistic protons

The effect of magnetospheric storm on the propagation of relativistic protons has been analyzed. The method of trajectory calculations has been used to estimate changes in the reception cones for 21 stations, caused by the storm of July 19–20, 2000, accompanied by considerable saw-tooth substorm disturbances. It has been indicated that the degree of the substorm effect on the propagation of cosmic ray (CR) relativistic protons, registered with ground detectors, differs for different stations and depends on a distance of the particle trajectory from the localization of a substorm disturbance. The maximal effect for the considered substorm was found at Inuvik and McMurdo stations. Changes in the reception cone, caused by the substorm at these stations, were comparable or even larger than changes caused by the storm. Based on the calculations, the conclusion has been drawn that a disturbance (substorm) localized in space results in the appearance of relatively local zones on the Earth’s surface where characteristics of the asymptotic arrival of relativistic particles are changed.     

Numerical study of harbor oscillations induced by water surface disturbances within harbors of constant depth

Oscillations within an enclosed rectangular harbor and a set of partially opened rectangular harbors with various widths and locations of entrance induced by cubic water surface disturbances with different initial heights and locations are simulated using FUNWAVE 2.0 model. The height and the location of the cubic water surface disturbance refer to its thickness and its relative horizontal position inside the harbor, respectively. The water depth inside and outside all harbors is set to be constant. The aim of this paper is to investigate how different heights and locations of the water surface disturbance and various widths and locations of harbor entrance affect the oscillations inside the harbor. Results show that for the given harbors and the range of the initial height of water surface disturbance studied in this paper, all the response amplitudes of various eigenfrequencies increase linearly with the initial height of water surface disturbance. The variations of the initial location of water surface disturbance along the backwall and sidewall of the harbor can significantly change the transverse and longitudinal oscillation patterns of various modes, respectively. The effects of the variations of the width and location of the harbor entrance on the response amplitudes of various resonant modes both depend on the relative positions of their node lines and antinode lines to the harbor entrance.     

Numerical studies of dispersion due to tidal flow through Moskstraumen, northern Norway

The effect of horizontal grid resolution on the horizontal relative dispersion of particle pairs has been investigated on a short time scale, i.e. one tidal M ₂ cycle. Of particular interest is the tidal effect on dispersion and transports in coastal waters where small-scale flow features are important. A three-dimensional ocean model has been applied to simulate the tidal flow through the Moskstraumen Maelstrom outside Lofoten in northern Norway, well known for its strong current and whirlpools (Gjevik et al., Nature 388(6645):837–838, 1997; Moe et al., Cont Shelf Res 22(3):485–504, 2002). Simulations with spatial resolution down to 50 m have been carried out. Lagrangian tracers were passively advected with the flow, and Lyapunov exponents and power law exponents have been calculated to analyse the separation statistics. It is found that the relative dispersion of particles on a short time scale (12–24 h) is very sensitive to the grid size and that the spatial variability is also very large, ranging from 0 to 100 km² over a distance of 100 m. This means that models for prediction of transport and dispersion of oil spills, fish eggs, sea lice etc. using a single diffusion coefficient will be of limited value, unless the models actually resolves the small-scale eddies of the tidal current.     

Analysis of seismoionospheric disturbances at the Chain of Japanese stations for vertical sounding of the ionosphere

Seismoionospheric disturbances in the parameters of the ionospheric F ₂ and sporadic E layers at the chain of the Japanese stations for vertical sounding of the ionosphere before strong crustal earthquakes with M>6.5 during the period from 1968 to 1992 have been considered. The dependence of the disturbance time of appearance in the ionospheric parameters on the earthquake magnitude and epicentral distance, obtained for each specific earthquake using the selected series of ionospheric stations, made it possible to consider these disturbances among medium-term precursors of earthquakes. The velocity of the disturbance front apparent motion has been determined based on the model of horizontal radially-isotropic disturbance propagation from the projection of the impending earthquake epicenter to the ionospheric altitudes. The conclusion has been made that the distinguished seismoionospheric disturbances follow the boundary of the earthquake preparation region, expanding on the Earth’s surface.     

Formation of large-scale disturbances in the upper atmosphere caused by acoustic gravity wave sources on the Earth’s surface

The results of a model study of the acoustic gravity wave (AGW) propagation from the Earth’s surface to the upper atmospheric altitudes have been considered. Numerical calculations have been performed using a nonhydrostatic model of the atmosphere, which takes into account nonlinear and dissipative processes originating when waves propagate upward. The model source of atmospheric disturbances has been specified in an area localized on the Earth’s surface. The disturbance source frequency spectrum includes harmonics at frequencies of 0.5ωg-1.5ωg (ωg is the Brunt-Väisälä frequency near the Earth’s surface). The calculations indicated that AGW propagation and dissipation over the source result in the fact that the region of large-scale spatial disturbances of the upper atmosphere mean state is formed at ～200 km altitudes. This region substantially affects AGW propagation and results in waveguide propagation of AGWs with periods shorter than the Väisälä-Brunt period at the altitude of a disturbed atmosphere. The dissipation of AGWs propagating in such a waveguide results in a waveguide horizontal expansion. The extension of the disturbed region of the mean state of the upper atmosphere and, consequently, the waveguide length can reach ～1000 km, if the AGW ground source operates for ～1 h. The physical mechanism by which large-scale disturbances are formed in the upper atmosphere, based on the propagation and dissipation of AGWs with periods shorter than the Väisälä-Brunt period in the upper atmosphere, explains why these disturbances are rapidly generated and localized above AGW sources located on the Earth’s surface or in the lower atmosphere.     

Results of dipole electric sounding in the area of the Chirkey water reservoir after its filling

The analysis of the data of variations of the apparent electric resistivity of rocks (AR) in the area of the Chirkey HES has been carried out for the period after the water reservoir was filled. For measurements the method of dipole electric sounding has been used with location of potential dipoles around the water reservoir with a distance between them of 5.2–11.3km. The analysis of the data obtained for the period of observations (1976–1988) has shown that the filling of the water reservoir affected the environment for a long time. After it was filled (1975), at different observation points located around the water reservoir a decrease of 1.6–2.4 times was registered in the AR over the period from 1976–1988. This is connected with the process of inundation of the rock mass, which continued for more than 14 years. The process of water filtering into the surrounding rock mass was complicated; that is, it varied in time and space. At the initial stage of the reservoir filling the AR variations of a high amplitude (30–40%) were observed. These variations are considered to be connected with the seismic regime of the area of the water reservoir. A synchronous decrease in the AR, registered at the receiver points was followed by an increase of the number of the earthquakes of energetic class (K = 10). The given anomalous data are connected by an increase in the water filtration into fractured zones, whose filtration features change on being affected by tectonic stresses.     

Distribution of medium-scale acoustic gravity waves in polar regions according to satellite measurement data

The peculiarities of the distribution of medium-scale acoustic gravity waves (AGWs) in polar regions according to the data of measurements on board the Dynamics Explorer 2 satellite are studied. Over polar regions of both hemispheres at heights of 250–400 km, wave variations in neutral atmospheric parameters were systematically registered. These variations were identified as AGWs with horizontal wavelengths of 500–650 km. The relative amplitudes of polar AGWs in a neutral concentration reach 10%. Wave trains extend over the polar caps to thousands of kilometers and show a distinct spatial relationship with the auroral oval. A systematic direction is found in AGW propagation from the nighttime sector of the oval into the day-time sector, where wave activity is strictly limited. An assumption is formulated that this restriction is caused by dynamic interactions between AGWs and the zonal wind in the daytime sector of the auroral oval.     

Studying large-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances according to the data of oblique-incidence sounding

The morphological features of wave-like ionospheric disturbances with periods of 1–2 h and the spatial extent exceeding 1000 km are studied. Oblique-incidence sounding data of the ionosphere, obtained in eastern Siberia during several continuous monthly experiments on three radio paths from 2006 to 2010, have been used. Large-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances generated during magnetic storms and large-scale wave-like ionospheric disturbances registered during geomagnetically quiet periods are considered. Small-scale ionospheric structures were also observed against a background of large-scale traveling iono-spheric disturbances considered in this study.     

进洞高程对黄土隧道洞口衬砌和仰坡动力响应的影响

针对黄土边坡与隧道洞口段衬砌的相互作用问题,运用数值模拟的方法分析了以不同进洞高程进洞时黄土隧道洞口段衬砌的动力响应特征和洞口仰坡的动力稳定性。结果表明:进洞高程越大,洞口段隧道衬砌的位移响应与内力响应越大;随着进洞高程的增大,坡面位移放大系数在减小,不同进洞高程进洞时坡面位移放大系数均呈先增大后减小再增大的变化趋势。在0.2~0.6H时变化最为剧烈,0.4H左右时位移放大系数达到了最大值;不同进洞高程进洞时坡面中心和水平方向距离隧道结构1.5D处的坡面位移放大系数变化趋势基本一致,其大小关系为:纯边坡位移放大系数 < 有隧道结构中面位移放大系数 < 距隧道1.5D位移放大系数;随着进洞高程的增大,剪应变增量和坡面位移均在减小,坡面的稳定性在增强。该研究可为黄土地区隧道进洞高程的选择提供一定的参考。     

Oscillations of the geomagnetic field caused by the flight of Vitim bolide on September 24, 2002

The results of observation and analysis of oscillations of the geomagnetic field within the 1–1000 s range that followed the flight of a bolide with a mass of 50 t, diameter of about 3 m, and initial kinetic energy of 1013 J at a distance of 4850 km are given. Spectral analysis of the time variations of the geomagnetic field oscillation level was performed using three integral transformations. Four groups of disturbances to which the transport velocities of 7–8 km/s, 800–850, 300–400, and 260–280 m/s corresponded were detected and identified. The enumerated velocities are close to the velocities observed in geomagnetic pulsations after rocket launchings from the Plesetsk and Baikonur rocket sites. The magnetometer data were confirmed by the results of analysis of the recordings at a microbarograph located at a distance from the flight trajectory of the bolide of 4350 km.     

Manifestation of heliophysical disturbances in the tropospheric characteristics

The response of the thermobaric characteristics of the high-latitude troposphere to short-term events attributed to solar activity (solar cosmic rays and geomagnetic storms) has been investigated. The spatial manifestation of these disturbances in the troposphere is shown to be of a “focal” character. It is found that the manifestation is most evident in the cold period and depends on the properties of the underlying surface (land, ocean). The properties of the variations of the troposphere air temperature in the manifestation “foci” on the standard isobaric surfaces, as well as the variations of the altitude profile of temperature and the long-wave radiation flux at the upper boundary of the atmosphere, have been considered. The variations of the heat content of the high-latitude troposphere after solar flares have been analyzed. The variation of the thermobaric field is shown to be accompanied by the rearrangement of circulation forms in moderate and polar latitudes. The revealed properties are completely explained within the mechanism proposed here for the solar activity effect on the climatic characteristics of the troposphere.