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Numerical and statistical evidence for long‐range ducted gravity wave propagation over Halley, Antarctica
Author(s) -
Snively J. B.,
Nielsen K.,
Hickey M. P.,
Heale C. J.,
Taylor M. J.,
MoffatGriffin T.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1002/grl.50926
Subject(s) - thermosphere , stratopause , airglow , gravity wave , geology , tropopause , atmospheric sciences , mesosphere , geophysics , infragravity wave , gravitational wave , range (aeronautics) , wave propagation , geodesy , climatology , stratosphere , physics , ionosphere , astronomy , longitudinal wave , mechanical wave , materials science , quantum mechanics , composite material
Abundant short‐period, small‐scale gravity waves have been identified in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere over Halley, Antarctica, via ground‐based airglow image data. Although many are observed as freely propagating at the heights of the airglow layers, new results under modeled conditions reveal that a significant fraction of these waves may be subject to reflections at altitudes above and below. The waves may at times be trapped within broad thermal ducts, spanning from the tropopause or stratopause to the base of the thermosphere (∼140 km), which may facilitate long‐range propagation (∼1000s of km) under favorable wind conditions.