Strong Storm Research Articles

SOME VIEWS ON RENEWABLE ENERGY MARKETING DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS

ABSTRACT Currently, two-thirds of greenhouse gas emissions come from the energy sector, and many energy plans still lag behind the required emission reductions. The increasing impact of global warming makes it important to take urgent measures. Renewable are predicted to account for at least two-thirds of the total final energy supply by 2050. Key strategies concern energy savings for those who demand, efficiency improvements in power generation, and the substitution of a variety of new and renewable energy sources for fossil fuels. Climate change, which is a global problem, requires a global solution. The most important effects of climate change are heavy downpours, strong storms, heat waves, melting ice-field, droughts, reduced food security, pests and diseases. Climate changes can significantly affect the availability, reliability and affordability of energy supply systems. An effective strategy will require the commitment and action of all developing and developed countries. It is known that some climate-related policies need additional revisions in order to achieve the desired levels in the energy sector. The fundamentals of marketing can be applied to renewable energy marketing, as has been extensively stated in the literature. Climate protection aspects partially convert renewable energy into the public good.

Banana Current in the Inner Magnetosphere Observed by Van Allen Probes

AbstractBy using the magnetic field data from Van Allen Probes, we analyzed the distribution characteristics of the electromagnetic environment in the inner magnetosphere on different Dst* index and magnetic local time. Our results show that for the response of different current systems, the dawn‐dusk and noon‐midnight asymmetry distribution of the residual magnetic field δB increases with Dst* index. When Dst* < −60 nT, a “banana”‐shaped geomagnetic field negative disturbance peak region appears in the sector from midnight to dusk. Then, we obtained the azimuthal current density and found the asymmetric internal eastward and external westward ring current. Through the vector analysis of three‐dimensional current density, the current density vector distribution in the magnetic equatorial plane is completely displayed for the first time, which directly proves the existence of banana current near r = 3.0–4.0 RE during strong geomagnetic storms.

A NIR-II Photoactivatable "ROS Bomb" with High-Density Cu2 O-Supported MoS2 Nanoflowers for Anticancer Therapy.

The fast conversion of hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 )into reactive oxygen species (ROS) at tumor sites is a promising anticancer strategy by manipulating nanomedicines with near-infrared light in the second region (NIR-II). However, this strategy is greatly compromised by the powerful antioxidant capacity of tumors and the limited ROS generation rate of nanomedicines. This dilemma mainly stems from the lack of an effective synthesis method to support high-density copper-based nanocatalysts on the surface of photothermal nanomaterials. Herein, a multifunctional nanoplatform (MCPQZ) with high-density cuprous (Cu2 O) supported molybdenum disulfide (MoS2 ) nanoflowers (MC NFs) is developed for the efficient killing of tumors via a potent ROS storm by an innovative method. Under NIR-II light irradiation, the ROS intensity and maximum reaction velocity (Vmax ) produced by MC NFs are21.6and 33.8times that of the non-irradiation groupin vitro, which is much higher than most current nanomedicines. Moreover, the strong ROS storm in cancer cells isefficiently formed by MCPQZ (increased by 27.8times compared to the control), thanks to the fact that MCPQZ effectively pre-weakens the multiple antioxidant systems of cancer cells. This work provides a novel insight to solve the bottleneck of ROS-based cancer therapy.

Effects of the built-up index and land surface temperature on the mangrove area change along the southern Sumatra coast

Mangrove trees have a crucial role in providing habitat and breeding for various aquatic species and averting coastal erosion caused by strong waves, tidal surges, and storm surges. Currently, the mangrove area along the Sungsang coast in South Sumatra, Indonesia, has been degraded by human activities like agriculture, fish ponds, and other infrastructure developments. In this study, we used the normalized difference built-up index (NDBI), the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and land surface temperature (LST) analysis for observing urban development and vegetation cover in the Sungsang mangrove area. This study aimed to analyze the effects of NDBI and NDVI on the LST change in the Sungsang mangrove area. Results revealed that the mangrove vegetation significantly reduced (by 23%) during 2013–2022 years, in contrast to the built-up development and the LST gradually increased. The area with a temperature value greater than 20 °C was characterized by mangrove degradation, expanding around the peripheral area. There was a strong positive correlation between LST and NDBI (r = 0.90, p < 0.01), and a moderate correlation between LST and NDVI (r = 0.74, p < 0.05). Thus, the built-up index greatly influenced the vegetation area within the study site. This study assists the authority in comprehending their recent mangrove status and promoting sustainable actions for mangrove vegetation and urban management.

Palm Sunday in central Mexico: among sellers, palms and syncretism

BackgroundDomingo de Ramos, or Palm Sunday, is a traditional Christian religious event where devotees use ramos, which are bouquets currently elaborated from palm leaves and other natural elements. In various countries, it is assumed this use of biodiversity leads to the depletion of the species involved. However, other important aspects must be considered, including the role of the people who produce and sell these ramos, the associated symbolism that has been overlooked, as well as commercial aspects that have barely been documented. This ethnobotanical study evaluates the regional-scale cultural, biological and socioeconomic aspects associated with Domingo de Ramos in central Mexico from an emic perspective.MethodsEthnographic and commercial information was obtained through interviews with ramos sellers in 28 municipalities in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico. We specifically sought sociodemographic data regarding the interviewees, as well as information pertaining to the ramos themselves and the palms. These aspects were explored with all of the sellers. The free list method was used to describe the uses and key elements associated with the ramos.ResultsAlthough the ramos are used for religious purposes, they have eight different uses in the daily life of the sellers, the main one being “protection.” They serve to protect families, crops and animals, as well as against several diseases. Likewise, they are considered valuable for diminishing strong storms. This belief in the protection conferred by the ramos preserves pre-Hispanic concepts and is combined with their use in blessing corresponding to Western beliefs. Ramos are made from 35 introduced and native plant species and comprise a base (made of palm, wheat or sotol), a “reliquia” (palm, rosemary, chamomile and laurel) and natural or artificial flowers. The ramos sellers are mostly adult women of indigenous origin and heads of family.ConclusionsThis study of Domingo de Ramos, carried out at a regional scale, highlights a syncretism that is reflected in both the symbolic importance of ramos palm and in the species used, as well as socioeconomic aspects that had not previously been identified in the study area and reflect the occurrence of complex relationships in non-timber forest products that remain little addressed.

The particularly clean response of the Indian sector to a strong but short lived geomagnetic storm

Using data from multiple sources/techniques, we have studied the low latitude ionospheric response to an intense geomagnetic storm (Dst ∼ −132 nT) in the Indian sector. The storm, which occurred on 30–31 May 2005, had the onset near noon in the Indian sector. It led to strong and sustained activity at high latitudes for twelve hours. Magnetometer data located near the magnetic equator produced clear evidence for a strong Prompt Penetration Electric Field (PPEF). Based on the TEC data going as far north as Delhi, there were clear indications that the PPEF was followed by a Storm Enhanced Density (SED) event. On the next day, i.e., 31 May, there was a strong counter-electrojet in the morning, accompanied by a factor 3 reduction in the plasma density in the Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA) region and beyond. This was consistent with the notion of a vanishing eastward electric field at the equator and the direct impact of an upper thermospheric equatorward wind associated with high latitude Joule heating from the auroral regions. One unexpected feature from the afternoon of 31 May was an undulation in the height of the peak F-region density at the magnetic equator in Trivandrum. A closer look at the ionosonde data revealed an F3 layer until mid-afternoon, strongly indicative of equatorward winds in the upper thermosphere. However, by 16:00 IST, the F3 layer quickly vanished; and with this, the height of the peak-F region density fell by 200 km in two hours. The only plausible explanation was that the winds must have stopped blowing toward the equator by 16:00 IST.

The Effects of Geomagnetic Activities on Acceleration Regions of Radiation Belt Electrons

AbstractSolar wind and magnetospheric processes play important roles in relativistic electron acceleration in the Earth's outer radiation belt. However, how geomagnetic activity affects the acceleration region of relativistic electrons is still not clear. Here we first report the local acceleration regions during the strong storm of 1 June 2013. The first local acceleration region occurs at the lower L shell (L* ∼ 4.0) during the early recovery phase, which is associated with non‐continuous substorm activities. The second local acceleration region occurs at the higher L shell (L* ∼ 5.0) during the late recovery phase, which is associated with continuous substorm activities. To provide a more comprehensive picture, we additionally analyze two storm events with different geomagnetic activities. These events suggest that (a) the strong storm makes it possible for the local acceleration regions to occur at different L shells; (b) the timing, intensity, and duration of substorms during the recovery phase are crucial to the location and dynamics of the local acceleration region. These results can help us further understand the dynamics of relativistic electrons in the Earth's outer radiation belt.

Causes and consequences of large-scale windthrow on the development of fir-beech forests in the Dinaric mountains

We investigated several aspects of windthrow that are relevant to our understanding and management of forest ecosystems. As an example, we used an extreme event in December 2017, when the strongest storm in recent history occurred in the Slovenian Dinaric High Karst. We examined influential factors such as soil properties, wind speed, precipitation and ecological consequences for the affected forests. Soil properties were measured around standing and fallen silver fir trees at all three research sites. Tree species composition in the regeneration was observed on plots with chemical and acoustic ungulate deterrents and on control plots without deterrents. Economic estimates of yield loss due to damage were calculated at the national level. A model of the potential threat from windthrow was also developed based on data collected from windthrow events and meteorological data over the past 20 years. Our results indicate that soil depth and mineral fraction depth were similar at sites with and without damaged trees and were not the determining factors for tree toppling. Plots with acoustic deterrents showed the most effective regeneration development, the least decline in silver fir and the greatest increase in noble hardwood seedlings, while plots with chemical deterrents showed the least browsing damage. The estimated economic loss of €16.1 million is 6.6% less than the harvest under normal conditions. The economic loss was relatively low due to the nature of the storm, with the predominant type of damage being uprooted trees with no damaged trunks. The windthrow hazard model revealed that a large number of consecutive events with strong winds in each section weakened the stand, which was subsequently knocked down during the next extreme wind and rainfall event.

Adding the impacts of biological crusts on sand and dust storm emission in Asia

Although biological crusts (biocrusts) grant stability to dust source areas by inhibiting dust emission, only a few models have explicitly considered their inhibitory effect. In this study, we used the China Meteorological Administration Unified Atmospheric Chemistry Environment/Dust model and combined retrieved biocrust information with two biocrust inhibition schemes (roughness length and biocrust strength schemes) to study numerically the inhibitory effect of biocrusts on a strong dust storm that occurred in Central and East Asia on 25−30 Mar. 2018. The inhibitory effect of biocrusts on dust emission increased with biocrust coverage. The total dust emission forecasted by the roughness length and biocrust strength schemes was reduced by approximately 56.7% and 47.9% on average, respectively. In downstream sites in China, the surface mass concentrations of PM10 forecasted by the roughness length and biocrust strength schemes decreased by 36%–57% and 24%–41%, respectively. When biocrusts were considered, the forecast for stations near the dust source area considerably improved and that for stations distant from the source area became more reasonable but with larger bias under the combined effects of emission, transport and deposition.

Ionosphere over Eastern North Atlantic Midlatitudinal Zone during Geomagnetic Storms

The ionospheric response at middle latitudes to geomagnetic storms is not yet very well understood. Total electron content (TEC) variations associated with eight strong geomagnetic storms between 2015 and 2022 obtained from GNSS receivers in the eastern area of the North Atlantic (Portuguese continental and insular territory) are studied in an attempt to fill this gap. It was found that for most of the studied geomagnetic storms, TEC variations are synchronous for the longitudinal ranges from 27° W and 9° W. In the southern part of the studied region (around 32° N), the amplitude of TEC variations is, in general, significantly higher than in the northern part (around 39° N). Some of the studied geomagnetic storms were associated with TEC variations that we interpret as effects of post-sunset equatorial plasma bubbles that travelled well north from their habitual region. Additionally, though most of the studied storms were accompanied by reports on different kinds of malfunction of GNSS systems (GPS; GALILEO and other), there is no clear pattern in their appearance in dependence on the geomagnetic/ionospheric storms’ strength, commencement time, and its characteristics, in general.

Detection of Anomalies in Natural Complicated Data Structures Based on a Hybrid Approach

A hybrid approach is proposed to detect anomalies in natural complicated data structures with high noise levels. The approach includes the application of an autoencoder neural network and singular spectrum analysis (SSA) with an adaptive anomaly detection algorithm (AADA) developed by the authors. The autoencoder is the quintessence of the representation learning algorithm, and it projects (selects) data features. Here, under-complete autoencoders are used. They are a product of the development of the principal component method and allow one to approximate complex nonlinear dependencies. Singular spectrum analysis decomposes data through the singular decomposition of matrix trajectories and makes it possible to detect the data structure in the noise. The AADA is based on the combination of wavelet transforms with threshold functions. Combinations of different constructions of wavelet transformation with threshold functions are widely applied to tasks relating to complex data processing. However, when the noise level is high and there is no complete knowledge of a useful signal, anomaly detection is not a trivial problem and requires a complex approach. This paper considers the use of adaptive threshold functions, the parameters of which are estimated on a probabilistic basis. Adaptive thresholds and a moving time window are introduced. The efficiency of the proposed method in detecting anomalies in neutron monitor data is illustrated. Neutron monitor data record cosmic ray intensities. We used neutron monitor data from ground stations. Anomalies in cosmic rays can create serious radiation hazards for people as well as for space and ground facilities. Thus, the diagnostics of anomalies in cosmic ray parameters is quite topical, and research is being carried out by teams from different countries. A comparison of the results for the autoencoder + AADA and SSA + AADA methods showed the higher efficiency of the autoencoder + AADA method. A more flexible NN apparatus provides better detection of short-period anomalies that have complicated structures. However, the combination of SSA and the AADA is efficient in the detection of long-term anomalies in cosmic rays that occur during strong magnetic storms. Thus, cosmic ray data analysis requires a more complex approach, including the use of the autoencoder and SSA with the AADA.

Seismic Noise Reduction as a Function of Depth Recorded by a Vertical Array Installed in a 285-m-Deep Borehole at a Gas Storage Field in Northern Italy

Abstract The background seismic noise can be generated by different sources such as, ocean waves (microseisms), atmospheric disturbances (strong wind and storms), and anthropogenic activities, temperature changes and magnetic field variations. Such disturbances are characterized by specific frequency bands, time occurrence (diurnal and seasonal variation), and site location (close to populated areas or to the coasts). Reducing the pernicious effect of these noise sources is one of the main challenges that seismologists and engineers need to face when designing seismic monitoring networks and, more specifically when selecting the hosting site of a seismic station. A solution to partially attenuate the seismic noise effect is achieved by deploying seismic stations in boreholes. A general law estimating the sufficient depth to gain to detect even low seismic events, highly masked by background noise, is fundamental for defining the capability of microseismic network. Here, we aim to characterize the seismic noise level at S. Potito-Cotignola in the Po Valley, Italy, from January 2019 to December 2021 recorded by a broadband seismic station at surface and a vertical array composed by six short-period three-component seismometers installed at depth ranging between 35 and 285 m in borehole. We compute the amplitude noise reduction as a function of depth for different frequencies and we evaluate the depth dependency of the signal to noise ratio for 18 seismic events, with different magnitude (from −0.1 to 2.9) and hypocentral distances (from 12.9 to 37.2 km). Results show that (1) the dependence of noise level with depth follows a logarithmic empirical trend and (2) most of the selected seismic events show that signal to noise ratio increases with depth. The empirical relationships we estimated can be used to help the design of microseismic monitoring networks in similar geological settings.

Towards mitigating the effect of plasma bubbles on GPS positioning accuracy through wavelet transformation over Southeast Asian region

Ionospheric irregularities remain as a challenging concern among space scientists and engineers as it can pose severe threats to satellite-based services by introducing amplitude and phase scintillations in the transionospheric radio signals. The scintillations may cause degradation of the positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services or even complete system failure under extreme conditions. The present work focuses on understanding the ionospheric irregularities during the space weather event on May 12, 2021, witnessing the first strong geomagnetic storm in the 25th solar cycle. This particular event commenced around 13.00 UT, apparently altering the regular development of equatorial plasma bubbles around the local post-sunset terminator. We selected three global positioning system (GPS) stations, one at the near-magnetic equator (CUSV) and two at far low-latitude locations with a longitudinal separation (THKK and HWKS) over the Southeast Asian longitudes to investigate the characteristics of ionospheric plasma irregularities on the storm day. The results showed that the amplitude of ROTI was highest at the low-latitude CUSV, followed by the THKK and HKWS stations. The increased ROTI at CUSV is due to its latitudinal location close to the geomagnetic equator in the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) region which often witnesses more fluctuations than the inter-mediate latitudes. The strong TEC fluctuation occurrences were comparatively minimal at HWKS station on the storm day (May 12, 2021), whereas both intermediate and relatively higher TEC fluctuation occurrences were found at THKK and CUSV stations, respectively. Moreover, the occurrence rate of moderate irregularities was the highest at CUSV, followed by THKK and HKWS, while that of weak irregularities was maximum at HKWS, followed by THKK and CUSV. This happens because the systematic longitudinal time delay observed at the onset of ionospheric scintillations corresponds to the rise of PBs velocity at the magnetic equator that strongly depended upon the F-region dynamo electric fields in the east–west direction. Furthermore, the three-dimensional (3-D) positioning errors were estimated at a 30-sec interval to understand the impact of storm-induced irregularity on the positioning solution. An excellent agreement is realized between the ROTI pattern and positioning errors at all stations, irrespective of latitudinal extent from the magnetic equator. In order to model the amplitude of the scintillation index against the SNR measurements, the linear, quadratic, and cubic regression curve fittings are utilized that indicate the cubic polynomial manifesting the best fitted SNR measurements with the weak as well as moderate scintillation index. The continuous wavelet transformation (CWT) method was implemented to mitigate the ionospheric scintillation effects on positioning accuracy. The CWT estimation reveals the hidden information in positioning error due to the scintillation index, which makes it easy to understand the ionospheric scintillation effects on positioning. The attempt in this work is aligned with the efforts towards reliable PNT operations over equatorial and low latitudes.

Groundwater flow reversal between small water bodies and their adjoining aquifers: A numerical experiment

AbstractThe countless kettle holes in the Late Pleistocene landscapes of Northern Europe are hotspots for biodiversity and biogeochemical processes. As a rule, they are hydraulically connected to the shallow groundwater system. The rapid, intensive turnover of carbon, nutrients and pollutants in the kettle holes therefore has a major impact on the quality of the shallow groundwater downstream. As a result of high‐evapotranspiration rates from their riparian vegetation or strong storm events, the process of downstream groundwater flow may stagnate and reverse back towards the kettle hole, making interactions between the groundwater and kettle hole more complex. Furthermore, the highly heterogeneous soil landscape in the catchment contributes to this complexity. Therefore, the present study aims to enhance our understanding of this complicated interaction. To this end, 24 model variants were integrated into HydroGeoSphere, capturing a wide range of uncertainties in quantifying the extent and timing of groundwater flow reversal between a kettle hole and the adjacent aquifer. The findings revealed that the groundwater flow reversal lasted between 1 month and 19 years at most and occurred in a distance of more than 140 m downstream of the kettle hole. Our results demonstrated that the groundwater flow reversal arises especially often in areas where the shallow aquifer possesses low‐hydraulic conductivity. There may also be a recurrent circulating flow between the groundwater and kettle hole, resulting in solute turnover within the kettle hole. This holds particularly true in dry periods with medium to low‐water levels within the kettle hole and a negative water balance. However, shallow groundwater flow reversals are not necessarily a consequence of seasonal effects. In this respect, the properties of the local shallow aquifer by far outweigh the effect of the kettle hole location in the regional flow regime.

Eldearly Preparedness In Faces Of Tornado Disaster In The District Sitinjo

A Tornado is a strong wind or it can also be called a big, very strong storm with a whirlwind at a certain speed. Disasters cannot be predicted at any time and can occur. The need for disaster preparedness to prevent the risk of human casualties, material losses, environmental damage and psychological impacts that threaten and disrupt people's lives and livelihoods. Elderly is a group that is very at risk before, during and after a disaster occurs, because the elderly have many chronic diseases, functional decline, cognitive impairment, dementia, and physical limitations. Preparedness is an action taken in anticipation of a disaster to ensure that the actions taken can be. This research is a quantitative study using the research design "cross sectional". This research was conducted to determine the preparedness and factors related to the preparedness of the elderly in facing the tornado disaster in Sitinjo Village, Sitinjo District, Dairi Regency in 2021. The population in this study were 70 elderly people in the work area of Sitinjo District, the sampling technique was stratified random sampling and met the inclusion criteria. The results of the study obtained the majority of respondents in the elderly, low education, female gender, lack of knowledge, have a positive attitude toward disaster preparedness of the Tornado wind, have experienced the Tornado disaster, are not prepared for the Tornado wind disaster. The results of chi square statistical test showed that there is no relationship between age, gender and the preparedness of the elderly in the face of Tornado disaster. There is a relationship between education p-value 0.022, knowledge p-value 0.01, attitude p-value 0.002, and experience p-value 0.021 with the preparedness for the cyclone disaster. It is hoped that the elderly can increase the knowledge and preparedness for the putting wind disaster by participating in socialization, training and conducting disaster simulations and it is necessary to coordinate with the relevant Dairi Regency BPBD to conduct socialization and mitigation of Tornado wind disaster preparedness

Environmental Parameter Analysis during the Extreme Damaging Gale that Hit the East Coast of the Shandong Peninsula

In this study, sounding data were used to investigate the environmental parameters of the eastern Shandong coast. June was the month with the most extreme thunderstorm winds, according to the results. Several parameters, which can be referenced in daily forecasts and early warnings, are indicative of extreme thunderstorms and gales. Strong convective storms are often the cause of extreme gales. Usually, there must be moderate to strong vertical wind shear conditions. The wet layer does not need to be excessively thick, but there is a very distinct dry layer with strong entrainment potential in the middle layer.

Performance analysis of four PPP service software under different intensity geomagnetic storms

Currently, many precise point positioning (PPP) services provide through software or online websites for GNSS positioning studies and applications. Various PPP service software has different positioning performances due to their respective algorithms and versions. In addition, the positioning accuracy and reliability of PPP services lack systematic evaluation, especially in the case of geomagnetic storms. This study presents the PPP performance analysis of the common GNSS PPP software as CSRS-PPP (https://www.geod.nrcan.gc.ca/), APPS (https://apps.gdgps.net/), Net_Diff (http://center.shao.ac.cn/shao_gnss_ac/), and GAMP (https://www.ngs.noaa.gov/gps-toolbox/GAMP) under different geomagnetic storm intensities. The PPP experiments involve data from 916, 885, and 676 GPS stations data on 17 March 2015 (severe), 26 August 2018 (strong), and 15 January 2022 (moderate), respectively. The results showed that the positioning performance of the four PPP software is different in the magnetic storm environment. We found that during geomagnetic storms, the CSRS-PPP software has the highest positioning accuracy and reliability, while the APPS software shows the worst positioning performance. The performance of Net_Diff and GAMP during geomagnetic storms are comparable but are better than that of APPS. Statistical results indicate that the average values of 3D RMS of CSRS-PPP, APPS, Net_Diff, and GAMP under severe storm are 0.14 m, 0.60 m, 0.40 m, and 0.33 m, under strong storm are 0.18 m, 0.65 m, 0.27 m, and 0.33 m, and under moderate storm are 0.25 m, 1.66 m, 0.26 m, and 0.34 m, respectively. The main reason why the CSRS-PPP has the best positioning accuracy under different intensity storms is that it uses the ambiguity-fixed PPP solution, while the other three software use float solution.

Divergence in responses of juniper tree rings to climate conditions along a high-mountain transect in the semi-arid Fann Mountains, Pamir-Alay, western Tajikistan

This paper reports on a detailed dendrochronological and dendroclimatological study of juniper trees (Juniperus seravschanica Kom. and J. semiglobosa Regel), sampled at seven sites having different elevations (2200 – 3100 m) and exposures (south-north) in the Pamir-Alay mountains, north-western Tajikistan. We developed seven new, well-replicated ring-width chronologies extending back over the last 219–1320 years. Our results confirm that the main climate factor influencing radial growth in this semi-arid region is variability in precipitation. However, they also indicate that there is a divergence in dendroclimatic responses between low- and high-elevation sites, where different limiting factors play a dominant role. The radial growth of J. semiglobosa at the uppermost treeline locations is the most sensitive to winter precipitation. Tree-ring formation in J. seravschanica at low-elevation sites is strongly limited by spring-summer drought conditions and by winter temperatures. The results of PCA analysis indicate that the relationships between growth and climate are linked more to elevation than to exposure. It was also found that negative growth extremes at low elevation sites may be triggered by strong dust storm events. Our findings clearly show that precisely planned selections of topographically differentiated sites, including elevation and exposure, are crucial for the possible reconstruction of different climatic elements in the high mountains of Central Asia for the last hundreds to thousands of years.

AN APPROACH TO ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF NATURAL DISASTERS ON THE ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY AND PROFITABILITY OF BUSINESS

Abstract. The paper purpose is to propose an approach to the analysis of the impact of various natural disasters (intense rainfall, extreme high or low temperatures, droughts, strong storms, floods, earthquakes and others) on the economic efficiency and profitability of the business. In this study, more specifically, the business companies in the sphere of production, trade and services are considered. These companies generate net income from sales of production, goods and services. In view of the successful development and sustainability of these companies, it is necessary to analyse the variations in specific ratios of two of the main business indicators (economic efficiency and profitability) under the influence of different natural disasters. The ratios related to the indicator of economic efficiency and profitability are calculated as the corresponding net revenues or profits from sales (of production, goods and services) are divided by one of the following variables: sum of the average balance values of current or fixed tangible assets, incurred full costs of the activity or other. Numerical results of several applications of the proposed approach with particular values of the variables that are included in the expressions describing the two business indicators are presented. The results of the analysis of the calculated values of the ratios related to the two business indicators (economic efficiency and profitability) before and after the possible occurrence of a given natural disaster can successfully support decision-making financial managers to take adequate measures to reduce the potential negative consequences, recover the normal operative activity or increasing resilience of companies.

VULNERABILITY OF ECONOMIC SECTORS TO GEOMAGNETIC STORMS AND MITIGATION STRATEGIES

Abstract. Solar storms and CMEs increase the amount of radiation that reaches the Earth and can perturb the magnetic shielding of the Earth. K and Kp indices quantify this perturbation by using magnetometers calibrated accordingly to the latitude of the geomagnetic observatory It is possible to contribute this measurement by establishing an observatory specialized in space weather studies. Many basic sectors are vulnerable against a strong solar storm unless necessary mitigation strategies are applied. Moreover, failure in taking an immediate precaution may have long-term effects which include economic destruction, irreversible health problems and weaknesses in national defence. In this work, the requirement such an observatory should have, the most 11 vulnerable sectors and corresponding mitigation strategies are discussed in detail. Turkey's seven geographical regions are examined to find the optimal location for the foundation of such a probable observatory. It is found that Central Anatolia is the ideal region and districts Konya/Karapinar and Konya/Çeltik are the possible candidates for such a location.