Polar Mesosphere Winter Echoes and their relation to infrasound

Author(s):  
Evgenia Belova ◽  
Johan Kero ◽  
Sven Peter Näsholm ◽  
Ekaterina Vorobeva ◽  
Oleg A. Godin ◽  
...  

<p>Polar Mesosphere Winter Echoes (PMWE) are radar echoes that originate from the mesosphere at 50-80 km altitude and are observed with VHF radars during equinox and winter seasons. Strong PMWE are relatively rare phenomena, in most cases they are observed when the lower ionosphere displays high ionisation. Interpretations of observational results concerning PMWE are controversial and the origin of the echoes is still under debate. Especially intriguing is that in some cases of strong PMWE, the measured horizontal speeds of the radar reflecting structures can exceed 300 m/s. Radar reflection (scattering) by infrasound waves at frequencies below about 2 Hz was suggested in order to explain these observations. We will give recent examples of PMWE events of high horizontal speed as observed with the 52 MHz MST radar (ESRAD) located at Esrange (68°N, 21ºE) in northern Sweden. Together with this we will analyse infrasound measurements made at ground-based stations near Kiruna (67.5°N, 20.13ºE) and at the infrasound station IS37 (69°N, 18ºE) in Norway during these events. We discuss prospective relations between PMWE and the microbaroms that are generated by ocean swell in the North Atlantic.</p>

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 673-696
Author(s):  
Bernd R. Schöne ◽  
Aliona E. Meret ◽  
Sven M. Baier ◽  
Jens Fiebig ◽  
Jan Esper ◽  
...  

Abstract. The stable isotope composition of lacustrine sediments is routinely used to infer Late Holocene changes in precipitation over Scandinavia and, ultimately, atmospheric circulation dynamics in the North Atlantic realm. However, such archives only provide a low temporal resolution (ca. 15 years), precluding the ability to identify changes on inter-annual and quasi-decadal timescales. Here, we present a new, high-resolution reconstruction using shells of freshwater pearl mussels, Margaritifera margaritifera, from three streams in northern Sweden. We present seasonally to annually resolved, calendar-aligned stable oxygen and carbon isotope data from 10 specimens, covering the time interval from 1819 to 1998. The bivalves studied formed their shells near equilibrium with the oxygen isotope signature of ambient water and, thus, reflect hydrological processes in the catchment as well as changes, albeit damped, in the isotope signature of local atmospheric precipitation. The shell oxygen isotopes were significantly correlated with the North Atlantic Oscillation index (up to 56 % explained variability), suggesting that the moisture that winter precipitation formed from originated predominantly in the North Atlantic during NAO+ years but in the Arctic during NAO− years. The isotope signature of winter precipitation was attenuated in the stream water, and this damping effect was eventually recorded by the shells. Shell stable carbon isotope values did not show consistent ontogenetic trends, but rather oscillated around an average that ranged from ca. −12.00 to −13.00 ‰ among the streams studied. Results of this study contribute to an improved understanding of climate dynamics in Scandinavia and the North Atlantic sector and can help to constrain eco-hydrological changes in riverine ecosystems. Moreover, long isotope records of precipitation and streamflow are pivotal to improve our understanding and modeling of hydrological, ecological, biogeochemical and atmospheric processes. Our new approach offers a much higher temporal resolution and superior dating control than data from existing archives.


1892 ◽  
Vol 34 (872supp) ◽  
pp. 13940-13941
Author(s):  
Richard Beynon

2019 ◽  
pp. 73-81
Author(s):  
Oleh Poshedin

The purpose of the article is to describe the changes NATO undergoing in response to the challenges of our time. Today NATO, as a key element of European and Euro-Atlantic security, is adapting to changes in the modern security environment by increasing its readiness and ability to respond to any threat. Adaptation measures include the components required to ensure that the Alliance can fully address the security challenges it might face. Responsiveness NATO Response Force enhanced by developing force packages that are able to move rapidly and respond to potential challenges and threats. As part of it, was established a Very High Readiness Joint Task Force, a new Allied joint force that deploy within a few days to respond to challenges that arise, particularly at the periphery of NATO’s territory. NATO emphasizes, that cyber defence is part of NATO’s core task of collective defence. A decision as to when a cyber attack would lead to the invocation of Article 5 would be taken by the North Atlantic Council on a case-by-case basis. Cooperation with NATO already contributes to the implementation of national security and defense in state policy. At the same time, taking into account that all decision-making in NATO based on consensus, Ukraine’s membership in the Alliance quite vague perspective. In such circumstances, in Ukraine you often can hear the idea of announcement of a neutral status. It is worth reminding that non-aligned status did not save Ukraine from Russian aggression. Neutral status will not accomplish it either. All talks about neutrality and the impossibility of Ukraine joining NATO are nothing but manipulations, as well as recognition of the Ukrainian territory as Russian Federation area of influence (this country seeks to sabotage the Euro-Atlantic movement of Ukraine). Think about it, Moldova’s Neutrality is enshrined in the country’s Constitution since 1994. However, this did not help Moldova to restore its territorial integrity and to force Russia to withdraw its troops and armaments from Transnistria.


2018 ◽  
Vol 601 ◽  
pp. 109-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
N McGinty ◽  
AD Barton ◽  
NR Record ◽  
ZV Finkel ◽  
AJ Irwin

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