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Nonlinearity of gravity wave saturated spectra in the middle atmosphere
Author(s) -
Hines Colin O.
Publication year - 1996
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 - 10.1029/96gl03236
Subject(s) - nonlinear system , atmosphere (unit) , saturation (graph theory) , instability , spectral line , context (archaeology) , physics , gravity wave , computational physics , gravitational wave , geology , mechanics , meteorology , astrophysics , mathematics , quantum mechanics , paleontology , combinatorics
An argument based on general principles and minimal development is presented to establish the role of nonlinearity in producing the observed saturation of gravity‐wave spectra in the middle atmosphere. The complementary role of instability of the nonlinear spectrum is discussed. Earlier models of nonlinear saturation are reviewed in the context thus provided.