Research

23 pages, 6689 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Machine-Learning-Based Lithosphere-Atmosphere-Ionosphere Coupling Associated with Mw > 6 Earthquakes in America

by Munawar Shah, Rasim Shahzad, Punyawi Jamjareegulgarn, Bushra Ghaffar, José Francisco de Oliveira-Júnior, Ahmed M. Hassan and Nivin A. Ghamry

Atmosphere 2023, 14(8), 1236; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14081236 - 31 Jul 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1425

Abstract

The identification of atmospheric and ionospheric variations through multiple remote sensing and global navigation satellite systems (GNSSs) has contributed substantially to the development of the lithosphere-atmosphere-ionosphere coupling (LAIC) phenomenon over earthquake (EQ) epicenters. This study presents an approach for investigating the Petrolia EQ [...] Read more.

The identification of atmospheric and ionospheric variations through multiple remote sensing and global navigation satellite systems (GNSSs) has contributed substantially to the development of the lithosphere-atmosphere-ionosphere coupling (LAIC) phenomenon over earthquake (EQ) epicenters. This study presents an approach for investigating the Petrolia EQ (Mw 6.2; dated 20 December 2021) and the Monte Cristo Range EQ (Mw 6.5; dated 15 May 2020) through several parameters to observe the precursory signals of various natures. These parameters include Land Surface Temperature (LST), Air Temperature (AT), Relative Humidity (RH), Air Pressure (AP), Outgoing Longwave Radiations (OLRs), and vertical Total Electron Content (TEC), and these are used to contribute to the development of LAIC in the temporal window of 30 days before and 15 days after the main shock. We observed a sharp increase in the LST in both the daytime and nighttime of the Petrolia EQ, but only an enhancement in the daytime LST for the Monte Cristo Range EQ within 3–7 days before the main shock. Similarly, a negative peak was observed in RH along with an increment in the OLR 5–7 days prior to both impending EQs. Furthermore, the Monte Cristo Range EQ also exhibited synchronized ionospheric variation with other atmospheric parameters, but no such co-located and synchronized anomalies were observed for the Petrolia EQ. We also applied machine learning (ML) methods to confirm these abrupt variations as anomalies to further aid certain efforts in the development of the LAIC in order to forecast EQs in the future. The ML methods also make prominent the variation in the different data. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art in Gravity Waves and Atmospheric-Ionospheric Physics)

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24 pages, 11778 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Atmospheric and Ionospheric Effects of La Palma Volcano 2021 Eruption

by Hanshuo Zhang, Kaiguang Zhu, Yuqi Cheng, Dedalo Marchetti, Wenqi Chen, Mengxuan Fan, Siyu Wang, Ting Wang, Donghua Zhang and Yiqun Zhang

Atmosphere 2023, 14(8), 1198; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14081198 - 26 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1062

Abstract

On 19 September 2021, La Palma volcano (Canarias Archipelagos) started an eruption that persisted until 13 December 2021. Despite the Volcano Explosive Index (VEI) being estimated equal to 3, corresponding to not so powerful eruption, the long eruption activity posed much scientific interest [...] Read more.

On 19 September 2021, La Palma volcano (Canarias Archipelagos) started an eruption that persisted until 13 December 2021. Despite the Volcano Explosive Index (VEI) being estimated equal to 3, corresponding to not so powerful eruption, the long eruption activity posed much scientific interest in this natural hazard event. In this paper, we searched for possible effects of this eruption on the atmosphere and ionosphere, investigating the climatological archive and Swarm magnetic satellite data. In particular, we explored Aerosol, Sulphur Dioxide and Carbon Monoxide concentrations in the atmosphere identifying both the direct emissions from the volcano as well as the plume that drifted toward West-South-West and was reinforced during the eruption period. The vertical profile of temperature from the Saber satellite was analysed to search for the possible presence of acoustic gravity waves induced by volcanic activity. Compared with the year before without eruption in the areas, a lot of Saber profiles present an Energy Potential very much higher than the previous year, proposing the presence of Acoustic Gravity Waves (AGW) induced by volcano eruption activity. We also identified Swarm magnetic disturbances on the day of the eruption and in November. The mechanism of coupling could be different for the latter one, as there is no evidence for AGW. They may be due to a more complex of physical and chemical alterations that propagate from the lower atmosphere to the upper one into the ionosphere. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art in Gravity Waves and Atmospheric-Ionospheric Physics)

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23 pages, 4680 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Role of Neutral Wind Velocity and Its Vertical Component on Predictability of Formation and Localization of Sporadic E (Es)

by Goderdzi G. Didebulidze, Giorgi Dalakishvili, Maya Todua and Lekso Toriashvili

Atmosphere 2023, 14(6), 1008; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14061008 - 10 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1373

Abstract

The formation and localization of sporadic E (Es) layers predicted by the ion vertical drift velocity and its vertical change in the lower thermosphere during nighttime are shown analytically and by numerical simulations. The consideration of the existence of a minimum negative value [...] Read more.

The formation and localization of sporadic E (Es) layers predicted by the ion vertical drift velocity and its vertical change in the lower thermosphere during nighttime are shown analytically and by numerical simulations. The consideration of the existence of a minimum negative value of the vertical change of the ion vertical drift velocity as a necessary condition of formation of the Es layer and determining ion convergence rate into this layer is extended in case of the presence of vertical wind. Upward vertical wind can shift the convergence regions upward, while downward vertical wind shifts them downward, unlike the cases of the presence of only meridional and zonal winds. It also changes the ion convergence rate compared to the one with just a horizontal wind. It is shown for the first time that the upward constant wind also causes the convergence of ions with the maximum rate in the region where the ion-neutral collision frequency is equal to their cyclotron frequency. While demonstrating the presented theory by numerical simulations, HWM14 data is used for the meridional and zonal wind velocity profiles and the presence of its vertical component is assumed. In this case, in addition to the estimated ion drift velocity and its vertical changes, their initial distribution and ambipolar diffusion also determine the development of ion convergence/divergence processes. For a small magnitude of vertical wind velocity, its significant influence on the ions/electrons behavior is demonstrated, which shows the importance of both tidal wind and wind changes caused by the propagation of atmospheric gravity waves on the formation of the Es layer. In this theoretical research, it is shown that the realistic profile of the wind velocity, which takes into account the vertical component along with its zonal and meridional ones, is important for the prediction of the Es layers formation, as well as regions of ion depletion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art in Gravity Waves and Atmospheric-Ionospheric Physics)

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15 pages, 5680 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Propagation of Perturbations in the Lower and Upper Atmosphere over the Central Mediterranean, Driven by the 15 January 2022 Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai Volcano Explosion

by Paolo Madonia, Alessandro Bonaccorso, Alessandro Bonforte, Ciro Buonocunto, Andrea Cannata, Luigi Carleo, Claudio Cesaroni, Gilda Currenti, Sofia De Gregorio, Bellina Di Lieto, Marco Guerra, Massimo Orazi, Luigi Pasotti, Rosario Peluso, Michael Pezzopane, Vito Restivo, Pierdomenico Romano, Mariangela Sciotto and Luca Spogli

Atmosphere 2023, 14(1), 65; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14010065 - 29 Dec 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2437

Abstract

The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano (Pacific Ocean) generated a cataclysmic explosion on 15 January 2022, triggering several atmospheric disturbances at a global scale, as a huge increase in the total electron content (TEC) in the ionosphere, and a pressure wave travelling in the [...] Read more.

The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano (Pacific Ocean) generated a cataclysmic explosion on 15 January 2022, triggering several atmospheric disturbances at a global scale, as a huge increase in the total electron content (TEC) in the ionosphere, and a pressure wave travelling in the troposphere. We collected and analysed data over the Mediterranean to study these disturbances, and in particular, (i) data from the barometric and infrasonic stations installed on Italian active volcanoes by the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV) for investigating the tropospheric pressure waves; (ii) barometric data from the INGV-TROPOMAG and SIAS (Sicilian Agro-meteorological Information System) networks, for investigating the interaction between the orography and pressure waves; (iii) ionograms from the Advanced Ionospheric Sounder-INGV ionosonde at Gibilmanna (Sicily, Italy); (iv) data from the RING (Rete Italiana Integrata GNSS) network, to retrieve the ionospheric TEC; (v) soil CO₂ flux data from the INGV surveillance network of Vulcano Island. The analysis of the ground-level barometric data highlights that pressure waves were reflected and diffracted by the topographic surface, creating a complex space–time dynamic of the atmospheric disturbances travelling over Sicily, driven by the interference among the different wavefronts. The ionograms show that a medium-scale travelling ionospheric disturbance (MSTID), with a horizontal wavelength of about 220 km and a period of about 35 min, propagated through the ionospheric plasma in the correspondence of the first barometric variations. Moreover, comparing detrended TEC and barometric data, we further confirmed the presence of the aforementioned MSTID together with its close relation to the tropospheric disturbance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art in Gravity Waves and Atmospheric-Ionospheric Physics)

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10 pages, 2126 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Atmospheric Gravity Wave Potential Energy Observed by Rayleigh Lidar above Jiuquan (40° N, 95° E), China

by Weibo Zhao, Xiong Hu, Zhaoai Yan, Weilin Pan, Wenjie Guo, Junfeng Yang and Xiaoyong Du

Atmosphere 2022, 13(7), 1098; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13071098 - 13 Jul 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1429

Abstract

Two years of observational data from the 532 nm Rayleigh lidar were used to study the vertical profile characteristics of atmospheric gravity wave potential energy density (GWPED) between 40–80 km above Jiuquan (40° N, 95° E) for the first time. The atmospheric gravity [...] Read more.

Two years of observational data from the 532 nm Rayleigh lidar were used to study the vertical profile characteristics of atmospheric gravity wave potential energy density (GWPED) between 40–80 km above Jiuquan (40° N, 95° E) for the first time. The atmospheric gravity waves (AGWs) characteristics are presented in terms of the atmospheric relative temperature perturbation, along with the estimated annual and seasonal GWPED with high spatial and temporal resolution (0.5 km and 1 h). The annual potential energy mass density

E_{pm}

and volume density

E_{pv}

vertical profiles show that the GWPED in the upper mesosphere is close to the adiabatic growth rate. The seasonal vertical profiles result shows that

E_{pm}

is higher in autumn–winter than in spring–summer in all the observed altitudes. The GWPED approaches adiabatic growth above 61 and 65 km in spring–summer and autumn–winter, respectively. The AGWs severely dissipate below the turning altitudes and transfer energy into the background atmosphere. The GWPED scale heights show that the AGWs dissipation rate of spring–summer is close to that of autumn–winter. Furthermore, based on the wind data from SD–WACCM, the influence of critical level filtering on AGWs is discussed. It plays an important role in affecting the seasonal variation in GWPED. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art in Gravity Waves and Atmospheric-Ionospheric Physics)

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10 pages, 2823 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mesospheric Gravity Wave Potential Energy Density Observed by Rayleigh Lidar above Golmud (36.25° N, 94.54° E), Tibetan Plateau

by Weibo Zhao, Xiong Hu, Weilin Pan, Zhaoai Yan and Wenjie Guo

Atmosphere 2022, 13(7), 1084; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13071084 - 09 Jul 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1292

Abstract

Rayleigh lidar data in 2013–2015 is used to describe the characteristics of gravity wave potential energy density in the mesosphere above Golmud (36.25° N, 94.54° E) of the Tibetan Plateau. In this study, the vertical profiles of the atmospheric gravity wave potential energy [...] Read more.

Rayleigh lidar data in 2013–2015 is used to describe the characteristics of gravity wave potential energy density in the mesosphere above Golmud (36.25° N, 94.54° E) of the Tibetan Plateau. In this study, the vertical profiles of the atmospheric gravity wave potential energy density between 50–80 km above the region are presented, including the potential energy mass density

E_{pm}

and the potential energy volume density

E_{pv}

. It shows the mathematical characteristics of the atmospheric gravity wave potential energy density vertical distribution, which also indicate the gravity waves are obviously dissipated in the lower mesosphere and close to conservative growth in the upper mesosphere (the turning point is around 61 km). A total of 1174 h of data covers seasonal changes, which reveals the seasonal characteristics of the potential energy density. The

E_{pm}

increases faster with altitude in summer than others. All seasons of the potential energy density profiles show that gravity waves are dissipated in the lower mesosphere, among which spring and winter are the most severe and summer is weakest. The

E_{pm}

is higher in spring and winter below 55 km. Above 55 km, it is the maximum in winter, followed by summer. Then, the AGWs activities between the location with mid–latitudes and different longitudes are compared and discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art in Gravity Waves and Atmospheric-Ionospheric Physics)

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17 pages, 3863 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Observation of Gravity Wave Vertical Propagation through a Mesospheric Inversion Layer

by Thurian Le Du, Philippe Keckhut, Alain Hauchecorne and Pierre Simoneau

Atmosphere 2022, 13(7), 1003; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13071003 - 22 Jun 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1398

Abstract

The impact of a mesospheric temperature inversion on the vertical propagation of gravity waves has been investigated using OH airglow images and ground-based Rayleigh lidar measurements carried out in December 2017 at the Haute-Provence Observatory (OHP, France, 44N). These measurements provide complementary information [...] Read more.

The impact of a mesospheric temperature inversion on the vertical propagation of gravity waves has been investigated using OH airglow images and ground-based Rayleigh lidar measurements carried out in December 2017 at the Haute-Provence Observatory (OHP, France, 44N). These measurements provide complementary information that allows the vertical propagation of gravity waves to be followed. An intense mesospheric inversion layer (MIL) observed near 60 km of altitude with the lidar disappeared in the middle of the night, offering a unique opportunity to evaluate its impact on gravity wave (GW) propagation observed above the inversion with airglow cameras. With these two instruments, a wave with a 150 min period was observed and was also identified in meteorological analyses. The gravity waves’ potential energy vertical profile clearly shows the GW energy lost below the inversion altitude and a large increase of gravity wave energy above the inversion in OH airglow images with waves exhibiting higher frequency. MILs are known to cause instabilities at its top part, and this is probably the reason for the enhanced gravity waves observed above. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art in Gravity Waves and Atmospheric-Ionospheric Physics)

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10 pages, 1773 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of Ionospheric Response to Two Types of Electron Concentration Disturbances

by Artur F. Yakovets, Galina I. Gordiyenko, Olga N. Kryakunova and Yurii G. Litvinov

Atmosphere 2022, 13(4), 602; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13040602 - 09 Apr 2022

Viewed by 1177

Abstract

Based on the data of vertical sounding of the ionosphere in Almaty in 2000–2008, the paper deals with the response of the F2-layer to the passage of large-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (LSTIDs) and the formation of the nighttime enhancements in the electron [...] Read more.

Based on the data of vertical sounding of the ionosphere in Almaty in 2000–2008, the paper deals with the response of the F2-layer to the passage of large-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (LSTIDs) and the formation of the nighttime enhancements in the electron concentration of the F2-layer. For these two types of perturbations, we compared behavior in the time of the following layer parameters: the height of maximum of the layer (h_mF), the height of the bottom of the layer (h_botF), the half-thickness of the layer (Δh = h_mF − h_botF), the electron concentration at fixed heights and at the maximum of the layer (N_mF), the height profiles of the nighttime enhancement peak-to-peak value of the F2-layer (A), and the height h_Am corresponding to the maximum enhancement amplitude. The parameters h_mF, h_botF and Δh demonstrate similar dependences associated with the temporal expansion and upward rise of the ionospheric layer and its lowering, accompanied by layer compression, giving an N_mF peak at the moment of maximum compression. The common features of the profiles of two types of disturbances are found: the height h_Am is always below h_mF, there is a good correlation between h_Am and h_mF, and the difference between h_Am and h_mF increases linearly with h_mF. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art in Gravity Waves and Atmospheric-Ionospheric Physics)

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