Gravity Wave Signatures Research Articles

Characteristics of Gravity Waves in Opposing Phases of the QBO: A Reanalysis Perspective with ERA5

Abstract Gravity waves dispersing upward through the tropical stratosphere during opposing phases of the QBO are investigated using ERA5 data for 1979–2019. Log–log plots of two-sided zonal wavenumber–frequency spectra of vertical velocity, and cospectra representing the vertical flux of zonal momentum in the tropical lower stratosphere, exhibit distinctive gravity wave signatures across space and time scales ranging over two orders of magnitude. Spectra of the vertical flux of momentum are indicative of a strong dissipation of westward-propagating gravity waves during the easterly phase and vice versa. This selective “wind filtering” of the waves as they disperse upward imprints the vertical structure of the zonal flow on the resolved wave spectra, characteristic of (re)analysis and/or free-running models. The three-dimensional structures of the gravity waves are documented in composites of the vertical velocity field relative to grid-resolved tropospheric downwelling events at individual reference grid points along the equator. In the absence of a background zonal flow, the waves radiate outward and upward from their respective reference grid points in concentric rings. When a zonal flow is present, the rings are displaced downstream relative to the source and they are amplified upstream of the source and attenuated downstream of it, such that instead of rings, they assume the form of arcs. The log–log spectral representation of wind filtering of equatorial waves by the zonal flow in this paper can be used to diagnose the performance of high-resolution models designed to simulate the circulation of the tropical stratosphere.

Impact of a gravity wave process on the upper stratospheric ozone valley on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Atmospheric gravity waves are essential meso-small-scale oscillations that facilitate material exchange within the atmosphere. These waves can significantly affect the ozone layer in the Upper Troposphere and Lower Stratosphere (UTLS) on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. However, the influence of gravity wave dynamic processes on upper stratospheric ozone has rarely been studied. This paper identifies the gravity waves on the Tibetan Plateau based on ECMWF Reanalysis 5 (ERA5) data, analyzes the response of the upper stratospheric ozone to the event, and simulates the dynamic propagation mechanism of gravity waves by the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. This analysis reveals that between 15:00 and 21:00 UTC on July 29, 2015, gravity waves propagated from the surface of Tibetan Plateau (450 hPa) up to the upper stratosphere (20 − 3 hPa) in an arc-shaped structure and tilted to the east with height. The gravity wave signals started to weaken at 21:00 UTC on the same day. Influenced by the easterly rapids, gravity waves partially broke near 3 hPa at 02:30 UTC on July 30, but gravity wave signals were still present, and gravity waves completely broke and released energy at 04:00 UTC. During this process, ozone in the 20–3 hPa region (upper stratosphere) on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau responds well to gravity waves, and the ozone mixing ratio began to drop in ozone concentration 30 min after the partial breakup (03:00 UTC). The ozone dropped drastically by about 0.014 ppmv from 04:00 to 05:00 UTC. The WRF simulation results agree well with ERA5 and accurately capture the intricate characteristics of gravity waves. Furthermore, the breakup of gravity waves caused a total drop in ozone of 0.024 ppmv.

Probing signals of atmospheric gravity waves excited by the July 29, 2021 MW8.2 Alaska earthquake

It is commonly believed that the atmosphere is decoupled from the solid Earth. Thus, it is difficult for the seismic wave energy inside the Earth to propagate into the atmosphere, and atmospheric pressure wave signals excited by earthquakes are unlikely to exist in atmospheric observations. An increasing number of studies have shown that earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis can perturb the Earth's atmosphere due to various coupling effects. However, the observations mainly focus on acoustic waves with periods of less than 10 min and inertial gravity waves with periods of greater than 1 h. There are almost no clear observations of gravity waves that coincide with observations of low-frequency signals of the Earth's free oscillation frequency band within 1 h. This paper investigates atmospheric gravity wave signals within 1 h of surface-atmosphere observations using the periodogram method based on seismometer and microbarometer observations from the global seismic network before and after the July 29, 2021 MW8.2 Alaska earthquake in the United States. The numerical results show that the atmospheric gravity wave signals with frequencies similar to those of the Earth's free oscillations 0S2 and 0T2 can be detected in the microbarometer observations. The results confirm the existence of atmospheric gravity waves, indicating that the atmosphere and the solid Earth are not decoupled within this frequency band and that seismic wave energy excited by earthquakes can propagate from the interior of the Earth to the atmosphere and enhance the atmospheric gravity wave signals within 1 h.

Tracking tsunami propagation and Island’s collapse after the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai 2022 volcanic eruption from multi-space observations

The quantity and accuracy of satellite-geodetic measurements have increased over time, revolutionizing the monitoring of tectonic processes. Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and satellite radar signals provide observations beyond ground deformation, including how earthquake and tsunami processes affect variations in the ionosphere. Here, we study the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai (HTHH) volcanic eruption 2022 and its associated tsunami propagation with the analysis GNSS derived Total Electron Content (TEC), Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Sentinel-1 data, complemented with tide gauge observations. We utilize GNSS sites data within a ~ 5000 km radius from the volcanic eruption for estimating the ionospheric perturbation as Vertical TEC. We give evidence on the detection of acoustic gravity, internal gravity, and atmospheric Lamb waves signatures in the TEC perturbation. In particular, the internal gravity waves that concentrated in the southwest of Tonga, directly correlates with the observed tsunami propagation direction as accounted by the tide gauge measurements. However, the acoustic gravity wave signature in the TEC is dominant in the north direction suggesting a surface deformation, which could be verified using Sentinel-1A SAR amplitude data. The analysis presented herein shows that within 5 h of the volcanic eruption, the central part of the HTHH island landscape disappeared with the biggest explosion. The unprecedented detail resolved by integrating satellite data yields previously unknown details of the deformation of the 2022 HTHH volcano eruption.

Lightning and Gravity Wave Signatures Produced by the Hunga‐Tonga Volcanic Eruption on Global Geomagnetic Data

AbstractAcoustic gravity waves (AGWs) have a significant impact on the thermosphere‐ionosphere (T‐I) system by increasing ionisation variability, transporting energy, velocity, momentum, and creating additional horizontal gradients in the T‐I, all of which influence electromagnetic wave propagation and cause changes in the geomagnetic field. Ground magnetic disturbance measurements can thus map the global and local spatial distribution of T‐I current systems. The Hunga‐Tonga volcano eruption released a tremendous amount of mass and energy into the atmosphere on 15 January 2022, causing AGWs. Furthermore, the related lightning strikes disrupt the Global electric circuit. In this study, we look at (a) global geomagnetic disturbances caused by AGW constrained by VTEC amplitudes at two different sectors, (b) Schuman resonances (SR) parameters derived from modulations of ELF observations caused by the intense lightning phenomena that accompanied the volcanic eruption. Our analysis shows that (a) registration timing of geomagnetic disturbance at each observatory indicates the different modes of propagation between 180 and 350 m/s, indicating low‐frequency AGW components, (b) noticeable changes in SR frequency modes (7–21 Hz) occurred in the total power between 04:15 and 05:45 UT hr at Patiyasar, India, linked to heightened lightning activity, (c) velocities are found to be similar at similar distances in the northern and southern hemispheres from Hunga‐Tonga, (d) time difference between the SR and geomagnetic disturbance signature at observatories is found to have no relation with distance from the eruption, (e) fluctuations in VTEC at the Indian and Russian sectors show that the geomagnetic disturbances are linked to ionospheric perturbations.

Signature of thunderstorm induced acoustic and gravity waves at low latitude Indian sector

This study reports thunderstorm-generated acoustic and gravity waves from a tropical location using newly launched Indian navigation system NavIC for the first time. The detection of acoustic wave components in travelling ionospheric disturbance (TID) measurement is very significant. In compared to acoustic wave gravity wave signature is more ubiquitous because gravity wave propagates in thermospheric altitude by dissipative filtering process. The turbulent nature in plasma characteristics due to strong vertical drift and plasma motion in lower latitude region generate strong scintillation effect and plasma bubble. Large temperature gradient at thermospheric altitude also provides a strong attenuation effect in this region for comparatively high frequency acoustic wave. We have found the TID signatures on TEC variation for acoustic wave up to 0.4 TECU for both the days whereas gravity wave induced signatures went up to 0.8 TECU. Measurements using GPS signal validate signatures obtained from the NavIC signal. The study shows the potential of application of NavIC system for middle atmosphere as well as thermospheric study and understanding of coupling process between various atmospheric layers in tropical region which is not well known so far.

Comparing Loon Superpressure Balloon Observations of Gravity Waves in the Tropics With Global Storm‐Resolving Models

AbstractSuperpressure balloons, which drift approximately on isopycnal surfaces, get displaced by gravity waves and are thus capable of detecting gravity wave signatures. The project Loon provides superpressure balloon data in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere from 2011 to 2021. We compare Loon data from the 6 years of best data coverage with output of global storm‐resolving models from the DYnamics of the Atmospheric general circulation Modeled On Non‐hydrostatic Domains winter initiative in the tropics. We study the variance of the vertical velocity and, for the models, the gravity wave momentum flux as function of distance to closest convection. The models show large differences in the variance of the vertical wind velocity, which is crucial for calculating vertical gravity wave momentum fluxes. We find large differences between the models with respect to simulated convection, lateral propagation, and the wave background away from sources. We then sample balloons as models by optimizing the match of vertical wind distributions using a temporal low pass filter. The average distance the balloons travel during the optimum low pass filtering time turns out to correspond approximately to four times the model grid spacing. The functional dependence of the vertical velocity variance on distance to closest convection is similar between the models and the observations sampled as models. The robustness of this result across all models suggests that storm‐resolving models provide a useful resource for machine learning some characteristics of convectively generated gravity waves.

High-Sensitivity Quantum-Enhanced Interferometers

High-sensitivity interferometers are one of the basic tools for precision measurement, and their sensitivity is limited by their shot noise limit (SNL), which is determined by vacuum fluctuations of the probe field. The quantum interferometer with novel structures can break the SNL and measure the weak signals, such as the direct observation of gravity wave signal. Combining classical interferometers and the optical parametric amplifier (OPA) can enhance the signal; meanwhile, the quantum noise is kept at the vacuum level, so that the sensitivity of the nonlinear interferometer beyond the SNL can be achieved. By analyzing in detail the influence of system parameters on the precision of quantum metrology, including the intensity of optical fields for phase sensing, the gain factor of OPA, and the losses inside and outside the interferometers, the application conditions of high-sensitivity nonlinear quantum interferometers are obtained. Quantum interferometer-based OPAs provide the direct references for the practical development of quantum precise measurement.

A simple model to assess the impact of gravity waves on ice-crystal populations in the tropical tropopause layer

Abstract. The role of gravity waves on microphysics of tropical cirrus clouds and air-parcel dehydration was studied using the combination of Lagrangian observations of temperature fluctuations and a 1.5D model. High-frequency measurements during isopycnal balloon flights were used to resolve the gravity-wave signals with periods ranging from a few days to 10 min. The detailed microphysical simulations with homogeneous freezing, sedimentation, and a crude horizontal mixing represent the slow ascent of air parcels in the tropical tropopause layer (TTL). A reference simulation describes the slow ascent of air parcels in the tropical tropopause layer, with nucleation occurring only below the cold-point tropopause with a small ice-crystal density. The inclusion of the gravity waves drastically modifies the vertical profile of low ice concentration and weak dehydration found during the ascent alone, with the increased ice-crystal number and size distribution agreeing better with observations. Numerous events of nucleation occur below and above the cold-point tropopause, efficiently restoring the relative humidity over ice to equilibrium with respect to the background temperature, as well as increasing the cloud fraction in the vicinity of the cold-point tropopause. The corresponding decrease in water vapor is estimated at 2 ppmv around the cold-point tropopause.

PeV-scale leptogenesis, gravitational waves, and black holes from a SUSY-breaking phase transition

Supersymmetry is a highly motivated theoretical framework, whose scale of breaking may be at PeV energies, to explain null searches at the Large Hadron Collider. SUSY breaking through a first order phase transition may have occurred in the early universe, leading to potential gravitational wave signals. Constructing a realistic model for gauge-mediated supersymmetry breaking, we show that such a transition can also induce masses for heavy right-handed neutrinos and sneutrinos, whose CP-violating decays give leptogenesis at the PeV scale, and a novel mechanism of neutrino mass generation at one loop. For the same models we predict the possible gravity wave signals, and we study the possibility of production of primordial black holes during the phase transition.

A new index for statistical analyses and prediction of travelling ionospheric disturbances

Travelling Ionospheric Disturbances (TIDs) are signatures of atmospheric gravity waves (AGWs) observed in changes in the electron density. The analysis of TIDs is relevant for studying coupling processes in the thermosphere–ionosphere system. A new TID index ATID is introduced, which is based on an easy extension of the commonly used approach for TID detection. This TID activity index, which can be applied for individual Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) stations and also for mapping TID activity, is capable to study both Large Scale TIDs (LSTIDs) and Medium Scale TIDs (MSTIDs).ATID is well applicable for statistical analyses and investigations of the source mechanisms of TIDs. Correlation studies presented here reveal that LSTID magnitudes at mid-latitudes are well correlated with solar wind derived parameters, like the Kan-Lee merging electric field (EKL), the intermediate function (EWAV) and the modified version of the Akasufo ϵ parameter (ϵ3). Thus, the magnitude of the global solar-wind energy input into the Earth’s magnetosphere–ionosphere–thermosphere system is most relevant for the LSTID generation. The correlation with common geomagnetic activity indices shows that also sudden changes in the magnetosphere–ionosphere–thermosphere system are relevant. Good correlation results are limited to mid-latitudes. High-latitude regions are impacted by auroral processes and low-latitude regions by coupling from below and other instabilities.ATID can be used for the modelling and prediction as demonstrated with a prediction model for storm induced LSTIDs, based on solar wind observations only. Very good performance of this LSTIDs prediction model in mid-latitudes has been proven.

Characteristics of Tropical Convective Gravity Waves Resolved by ERA5 Reanalysis

Abstract The ERA5 reanalysis with hourly time steps and ∼30 km horizontal resolution resolves a substantially larger fraction of the gravity wave spectrum than its predecessors. Based on a representation of the two-sided zonal wavenumber–frequency spectrum, we show evidence of gravity wave signatures in a suite of atmospheric fields. Cross-spectrum analysis reveals (i) a substantial upward flux of geopotential for both eastward- and westward-propagating waves, (ii) an upward flux of westerly momentum in eastward-propagating waves and easterly momentum in westward-propagating waves, and (iii) anticyclonic rotation of the wind vector with time—all characteristics of vertically propagating gravity and inertio-gravity waves. Two-sided meridional wavenumber–frequency spectra, which are computed along individual meridians and then zonally averaged, exhibit characteristics similar to the spectra computed on latitude circles, indicating that these waves propagate in all directions. The three-dimensional structure of these waves is also documented in composites of the temperature field relative to grid-resolved, wave-induced downwelling events at individual reference grid points along the equator. It is shown that the waves radiate outward and upward relative to the respective reference grid points, and their amplitude decreases rapidly with time. Within the broad continuum of gravity wave phase speeds there are preferred values around ±49 and ±23 m s−1, the former associated with the first baroclinic mode in which the vertical velocity perturbations are of the same sign throughout the depth of the troposphere, and the latter with the second mode in which they are of opposing polarity in the lower and upper troposphere.

On the propagation of acoustic–gravity waves due to a slender rupture in an elastic seabed

The propagation of waves from a vertical uplift of a slender rectangular fault in a sea of constant depth is discussed, accounting for water compressibility, gravity and seabed elasticity. The compressed water column results in the generation of acoustic–gravity waves that travel at the speed of sound in water. Acoustic–gravity waves are found to terminate after a finite time, with the decay time most influenced by seabed rigidity, which is in contrast to the rigid stationary-phase model where signals persist indefinitely. At certain frequencies acoustic–gravity waves couple with the elastic seabed and travel at the shear velocity (speed of sound in an elastic solid). Improved estimates of the critical frequencies are derived. Moreover, besides the usual tsunami, a second – very small amplitude – surface wave mode travelling at the speed of sound arises under certain frequencies. We derive the cut-off frequency for this mode. The acoustic modes possess a frequency spectrum which depends on the time evolution and spatial properties of the rupture. We find that appropriate filtering of the acoustic–gravity wave signal can reveal characteristic peaks that encode information on the fault's geometry and dynamics.

The diverse meteorology of Jezero crater over the first 250 sols of Perseverance on Mars

NASA’s Perseverance rover’s Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer is collecting data at Jezero crater, characterizing the physical processes in the lowest layer of the Martian atmosphere. Here we present measurements from the instrument’s first 250 sols of operation, revealing a spatially and temporally variable meteorology at Jezero. We find that temperature measurements at four heights capture the response of the atmospheric surface layer to multiple phenomena. We observe the transition from a stable night-time thermal inversion to a daytime, highly turbulent convective regime, with large vertical thermal gradients. Measurement of multiple daily optical depths suggests aerosol concentrations are higher in the morning than in the afternoon. Measured wind patterns are driven mainly by local topography, with a small contribution from regional winds. Daily and seasonal variability of relative humidity shows a complex hydrologic cycle. These observations suggest that changes in some local surface properties, such as surface albedo and thermal inertia, play an influential role. On a larger scale, surface pressure measurements show typical signatures of gravity waves and baroclinic eddies in a part of the seasonal cycle previously characterized as low wave activity. These observations, both combined and simultaneous, unveil the diversity of processes driving change on today’s Martian surface at Jezero crater.

Signature of gravity wave propagations from the troposphere to ionosphere

Abstract. We observed a gravity wave (GW) signature in the OH emission layer in the upper mesosphere, and 4 h later, a medium-scale travelling ionospheric disturbance (MSTID) in the OI 630 nm emission layer. Spectral analysis of the two waves showed that both have almost the same wave characteristics: wavelength, period, phase speed and propagation direction, respectively, 200 km, 60 min, 50 m s−1, toward the southeast. From the gravity wave ray-tracing simulation for the mesospheric gravity wave, we found that the wave came from a tropospheric deep convection spot and propagated up to the 140 km altitude. Regarding the same wave characteristics between mesospheric GW and ionospheric MSTID, the two possible cases are investigated: a direct influence of the GW oscillation in the OI 630 nm emission height and the generation of a secondary wave during the GW breaking process. This is the first time to report an observational event of gravity wave propagation from the troposphere, mesosphere to thermosphere–ionosphere in the South American region.

Application of Orthogonal Polynomial Fitting Method to Extract Gravity Wave Signals From AIRS Data Related to Typhoon Deep Convection

AbstractGravity waves can influence weather and climate patterns on various temporal and spatial scales in the atmosphere. Despite their recognized importance, there are clearly a lack of sufficient and accurate observations from currently available satellite observing systems to satisfy the requirements of many satellite users. Common method to detect gravity waves is to measure brightness temperature (BT) anomalies, which rely on an initial efficient background removal method. Before gravity waves can be extracted from Atmospheric Infrared Sounder raw radiances, Hoffmann and Alexander (2010, http://doi.org/10.1029/2010jd014401) used a fourth‐order polynomial fitting (4PF) method to remove the background variations. In this study, we propose a new strategy, an optimal orthogonal polynomial fitting (OPF) method using Chebyshev Polynomials as basis functions, to remove the background variations and estimate BT perturbations. By extending the classic 4PF method to the fifth‐order polynomial fitting (5PF) method and combining the Cressman interpolation method, some experiments are designed to validate the feasibility and superiority of the OPF method. The results show that OPF is the optimal method to remove the limb‐brightening effect in the extraction of gravity wave signals generated by typhoons. In addition, what we noticed is that an appropriate fitting orders have to be selected to get more accurate BT anomalies signals in the experiments to extract gravity wave signals.

The Compressional Beta Effect and Convective System Propagation

Abstract The compressional beta effect (CBE) arises in a compressible atmosphere with the nontraditional Coriolis terms (NCTs), the Coriolis force from the locally horizontal part of the planetary rotation. Previous studies proposed that the CBE speeds up the eastward propagation and slows down the westward propagation of zonal vertical circulations in a dry atmosphere. Here, we examine how the CBE affects the propagation of convectively coupled tropical waves. We perform 2D (x, z), large-domain cloud-resolving simulations with and without NCTs. This model setup mimics the atmosphere along Earth’s equator, and differences between the simulations highlight the role of the CBE. We analyze precipitation, precipitable water, and surface and upper-level winds from our simulations. Gravity wave signals emerge in all fields. In the no-NCT simulation, eastward and westward gravity waves propagate at the same speed. With NCTs, eastward gravity waves propagate faster than westward gravity waves. To quantify the strength of the CBE, we then measure the difference in gravity wave speed and find that it linearly increases with the system rotation rate. This result is consistent with our theoretical prediction and suggests that the CBE can induce zonal asymmetry in propagation behaviors of convectively coupled waves. Significance Statement The rotation of Earth turns eastward motion upward and upward motion westward, and vice versa. This effect is called the nontraditional Coriolis effect and is omitted in most of the current atmospheric models for predicting weather and climate. Using an idealized model with cloud physics, this study suggests that the inclusion of the nontraditional Coriolis effect speeds up eastward-moving rainy systems and slows down westward-moving ones. The speed change agrees with a theory without cloud physics. This study encourages restoring the nontraditional Coriolis effect to the atmospheric models since it increases the accuracy of tropical large-scale weather prediction while the cost is low.

Under the surface: Pressure-induced planetary-scale waves, volcanic lightning, and gaseous clouds caused by the submarine eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano

We present a narrative of the eruptive events culminating in the cataclysmic January 15, 2022 eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai Volcano by synthesizing diverse preliminary seismic, volcanological, sound wave, and lightning data available within the first few weeks after the eruption occurred. The first hour of eruptive activity produced fast-propagating tsunami waves, long-period seismic waves, loud audible sound waves, infrasonic waves, exceptionally intense volcanic lightning and an unsteady volcanic plume that transiently reached—at 58 ​km—the Earth's mesosphere. Energetic seismic signals were recorded worldwide and the globally stacked seismogram showed episodic seismic events within the most intense periods of phreatoplinian activity, and they correlated well with the infrasound pressure waveform recorded in Fiji. Gravity wave signals were strong enough to be observed over the entire planet in just the first few hours, with some circling the Earth multiple times subsequently. These large-amplitude, long-wavelength atmospheric disturbances come from the Earth's atmosphere being forced by the magmatic mixture of tephra, melt and gasses emitted by the unsteady but quasi-continuous eruption from 0402±1–1800 UTC on January 15, 2022. Atmospheric forcing lasted much longer than rupturing from large earthquakes recorded on modern instruments, producing a type of shock wave that originated from the interaction between compressed air and ambient (wavy) sea surface. This scenario differs from conventional ideas of earthquake slip, landslides, or caldera collapse-generated tsunami waves because of the enormous (∼1000x) volumetric change due to the supercritical nature of volatiles associated with the hot, volatile-rich phreatoplinian plume. The time series of plume altitude can be translated to volumetric discharge and mass flow rate. For an eruption duration of ∼12 ​h, the eruptive volume and mass are estimated at 1.9 ​km3 and ∼2 900 ​Tg, respectively, corresponding to a VEI of 5–6 for this event. The high frequency and intensity of lightning was enhanced by the production of fine ash due to magma—seawater interaction with concomitant high charge per unit mass and the high pre-eruptive concentration of dissolved volatiles. Analysis of lightning flash frequencies provides a rapid metric for plume activity and eruption magnitude. Many aspects of this eruption await further investigation by multidisciplinary teams. It represents a unique opportunity for fundamental research regarding the complex, non-linear behavior of high energetic volcanic eruptions and attendant phenomena, with critical implications for hazard mitigation, volcano forecasting, and first-response efforts in future disasters.

Daytime F Region Echoes at Equatorial Ionization Anomaly Crest During Geomagnetic Quiet Period: Observations From Multi‐Instruments

AbstractBy using Qujing very high frequency radar (25.6°N, 103.7°E, magnetic latitude 16.1°N, magnetic longitude 177.0°E), daytime F region echoes were reported at equatorial ionization anomaly crest on 26 June 2020. Radar interferometry experiment was performed during the observation period. The observed results show that the spatial distributions of daytime F region echo pattern were about 150 km, 200 km, and 180 km in the zonal, meridional, and height extents, respectively. In addition, we observed a remarkable eastward drift of F region echoes with a mean velocity of about 50 m/s. To investigate the possible generation mechanism of daytime F region echoes, simultaneous occurrences of ionospheric disturbance and atmospheric gravity wave activities were presented by combining with the observations of ionosonde, global position system stations and FY‐4A satellite. The existence of gravity wave from the deep convective activities in the lower atmosphere was confirmed by using FY‐4A satellite measurements. The gravity wave signatures were also observed in the time series of virtual height deviations of sporadic E (dhES) and total electron content near the region where the F region echoes. We surmise that ionospheric disturbance in the F region could be excited during atmospheric gravity wave activities. Then the large‐scale ionospheric disturbance could further evolve into small‐scale irregularity producing radar echoes through the non‐linear cascade process.

The “striated delta” signature of gravity waves generated near the jet stream during rapid extratropical cyclogenesis

AbstractDistinctive, triangular‐shaped “striated delta” clouds provide a novel framework for better understanding large‐amplitude gravity wave generation near upper‐tropospheric jets and fronts during rapid extratropical cyclogenesis, as the transverse cloud‐top banding is thought to be the imprint of gravity waves. For 28 striated deltas in the Australian region between May and September 2009, cloud formations have a mean length of 1,034 km, width of 537 km, lifetime of 7 hr and striation wavelength of 74 km. Composite analysis in ECMWF operational analysis data shows that deltas typically occur within the poleward jet exit during baroclinic evolution, located near the axis of inflection between an upstream upper trough and downstream ridge. Candidate gravity wave generation mechanisms in the vicinity of the upper jet coinciding with striated delta development are examined, including large parcel accelerations, nonlinear imbalance within the broadscale flow and deep moist convection. The striated delta shape is partly explained by a triangular pattern of Q‐vector convergence and quasi‐geostrophic adiabatic vertical motion forcing within the poleward jet exit, although the pattern is displaced a few hundred kilometres upstream.