Investigation of a “Wall” Wave Event

Authors

Feng Li, University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignFollow
Gary R. Swenson, University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignFollow
Alan Z. Liu, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona BeachFollow
Michael Taylor, Utah State UniversityFollow
Yucheng Zhao, Utah State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication/Presentation Date

2-20-2007

Abstract/Description

A bright airglow event was observed at Maui, Hawaii, on the night of 11–12 August 2004 with multiple instruments including a Na wind/temperature lidar, an airglow imager, and a mesospheric temperature mapper. The characteristics of this event were investigated with measurements from these instruments. Analysis showed that this event was caused by a large-amplitude, upward-propagating gravity wave with a period of about 4–5 hours and a vertical wavelength of about 20 km, i.e., a “wall” wave. This wall wave induced dramatic changes in temperature (60 K), airglow intensity (doubled in the OH and tripled in the O₂ emissions), and Na abundance (tripled). It experienced strong dissipation and induced large downward heat flux with values about an order of magnitude larger than the annual mean. The wave also carried large momentum flux (~70 m² s^-2).

Publication Title

Journal of Geophysical Research

Scholarly Commons Citation

Li, F., Swenson, G. R., Liu, A. Z., Taylor, M., & Zhao, Y. (2007). Investigation of a “Wall” Wave Event. Journal of Geophysical Research, 112(D4). Retrieved from https://commons.erau.edu/db-physical-sciences/8