Joint Seminar: Stratified turbulence in the middle atmosphere: Theory, modelling and observational evidences
The vertical density stratification and wind velocity altitude profiles characterize the dynamics of the entire terrestrial atmosphere. Due to the effects of turbulence, the behavior of stratified shear flows is highly complex and remains one of the most important unresolved problems of classical mechanics. Because of this complexity, studies on atmospheric turbulence are essential for many reasons. First of all, these processes play a critical role in determining the mixing and vertical transport of passive tracers and contribute to the dissipation of waves in the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere region. Second, atmospheric turbulence and gravity waves (GWs) are one of the main sources of uncertainties and biases in Global Circulation Models models. Third, many dynamical processes that involve GWs, such as GW instability, breaking, and nonlinear interaction, contribute to atmospheric turbulence and are also affected by it. A clear example of such complex dynamics is the summer mesopause, which is nearly 100 K colder than in a radiatively controlled state due to dynamical effects related to GWs and turbulence. Despite its central role in the middle atmosphere, atmospheric turbulence is a small-scale phenomenon that makes high-resolution measurements, either remote or in situ, complicated to accomplish. During my presentation, I plan to provide an overview of the evidence supporting the impact of stratified turbulence on mesoscale dynamics in the middle atmosphere. My goal is to demonstrate the critical role that stratified turbulence plays in mesoscale processes within this region.
Date
11.10.2023
Time
13:30 h
Place
- Bundesstr. 53, room 022/023
- Seminar Room 022/023, Ground Floor, Bundesstrasse 53, 20146 Hamburg, Hamburg
Organizers
- Juan Pedro Mellado