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An evaluation of microphysics in a numerical model using Doppler velocity measured by ground-based radar for application to the EarthCARE satellite

Atmos. Meas. techniques - Wed, 06/05/2024 - 11:15
An evaluation of microphysics in a numerical model using Doppler velocity measured by ground-based radar for application to the EarthCARE satellite
Woosub Roh, Masaki Satoh, Yuichiro Hagihara, Hiroaki Horie, Yuichi Ohno, and Takuji Kubota
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 3455–3466, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-3455-2024, 2024
The advantage of the use of Doppler velocity in the categorization of the hydrometeors is that Doppler velocities suffer less impact from the attenuation of rain and wet attenuation on an antenna. The ground Cloud Profiling Radar observation of the radar reflectivity for the precipitation case is limited because of wet attenuation on an antenna. We found the main contribution to Doppler velocities is the terminal velocity of hydrometeors by analysis of simulation results.

Flood hazard mapping and disaster prevention recommendations based on detailed topographical analysis in Khovd City, Western Mongolia

Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences - Wed, 06/05/2024 - 10:55
Flood hazard mapping and disaster prevention recommendations based on detailed topographical analysis in Khovd City, Western Mongolia
Narangerel Serdyanjiv, Suzuki Yasuhiro, Hasegawa Tomonori, and Takaichi Yoshiyuki
Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci. Discuss., https//doi.org/10.5194/nhess-2024-91,2024
Preprint under review for NHESS (discussion: open, 0 comments)
The present study considers the hazard areas of rainfall-derived river floods and flash floods flowing into Khovd City. We consider geomorphological elements such as terrace profiles, floodplains, riverbeds, gullies and depressions to derive detailed topographical and directional hazard maps. This study results provide valuable insights for the Administration of Government and Emergency Department of Khovd to protect citizens from flood hazards.

Human Impacts Dominate Global Loss of Lake Ecosystem Resilience

GRL - Wed, 06/05/2024 - 07:00
Abstract

Strengthening aquatic resilience to prevent adverse shifts is critical for preserving global freshwater biodiversity and advancing Sustainable Development Goals. Nonetheless, understanding the long-term trends and underlying causes of lake ecosystem resilience at a global scale remains elusive. Here, we employ an innovative framework, integrating satellite-derived water quality indices with early warning signals and machine learning techniques, to investigate the dynamics of resilience in 1,049 lakes worldwide during 2000–2018. Our results indicate that 46.7% of lakes are experiencing a significant decline in resilience, particularly since the early 2010s, closely associated with higher human population density and anthropogenic eutrophication. In contrast, most lakes situated in alpine regions exhibit an increase in resilience, probably benefiting from climate warming and wetting. Together, this study provides a novel way to monitor lake resilience and predict undesired transitions, and reveals a widespread erosion in the ability of lakes to withstand stressors associated with global change.

What Controls Crystal Diversity and Microphysical Variability in Cirrus Clouds?

GRL - Wed, 06/05/2024 - 07:00
Abstract

Variability of ice microphysical properties like crystal size and density in cirrus clouds is important for climate through its impact on radiative forcing, but challenging to represent in models. For the first time, recent laboratory experiments of particle growth (tied to crystal morphology via deposition density) are combined with a state-of-the-art Lagrangian particle-based microphysics model in large-eddy simulations to examine sources of microphysical variability in cirrus. Simulated particle size distributions compare well against balloon-borne observations. Overall, microphysical variability is dominated by variability in the particles' thermodynamic histories. However, diversity in crystal morphology notably increases spatial variability of mean particle size and density, especially at mid-levels in the cloud. Little correlation between instantaneous crystal properties and supersaturation occurs even though the modeled particle morphology is directly tied to supersaturation based on laboratory measurements. Thus, the individual thermodynamic paths of each particle, not the instantaneous conditions, control the evolution of particle properties.

Nonlinear Electron Trapping Through Cyclotron Resonance in the Formation of Chorus Subpackets

GRL - Wed, 06/05/2024 - 07:00
Abstract

Chorus subpackets are the wave packets with modulated amplitudes in chorus waves, commonly observed in the magnetospheres of Earth and other planets. Nonlinear wave-particle interactions have been suggested to play an important role in subpacket formation, yet the corresponding electron dynamics remain not fully understood. In this study, we have investigated the electron trapping through cyclotron resonance with subpackets, using a self-consistent general curvilinear plasma simulation code simulation model in dipole fields. The electron trapping period has been quantified separately through electron dynamic analysis and theoretical derivation. Both methods indicate that the electron trapping period is shorter than the subpacket period/duration. We have further established the relation between electron trapping period and subpacket period through statistical analysis using simulation and observational data. Our study demonstrates that the nonlinear electron trapping through cyclotron resonance is the dominant mechanism responsible for subpacket formation.

Global Ocean Mass Change Estimation Using Low‐Degree Gravity Field From Satellite Laser Ranging

GRL - Wed, 06/05/2024 - 07:00
Abstract

Satellite laser ranging (SLR) is a well-established geodetic technique for measuring the low-degree time-variable gravity field for decades. However, its application in mass change estimation is limited by low spatial resolution, even for global mean ocean mass (GMOM) change which represents one of the largest spatial scales. After successfully correcting for signal leakage, for the first time, we can infer realistic GMOM changes using SLR-derived gravity fields up to only degree and order 5. Our leakage-corrected SLR GMOM estimates are compared with those from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) for the period 2005 to 2015. Our results show that the GMOM rate estimates from SLR are in remarkable agreement with those from GRACE, at 2.23 versus 2.28 mm/year, respectively. This proof-of-concept study opens the possibility of directly quantifying GMOM change using SLR data prior to the GRACE era.

The Vigil Magnetometer for Operational Space Weather Services From the Sun‐Earth L5 Point

Space Weather - Wed, 06/05/2024 - 07:00
Abstract

Severe space weather has the potential to cause significant socio-economic impact and it is widely accepted that mitigating this risk requires more comprehensive observations of the Sun and heliosphere, enabling more accurate forecasting of significant events with longer lead-times. In this context, it is now recognized that observations from the L5 Sun-Earth Lagrange point (both remote and in situ) would offer considerable improvements in our ability to monitor and forecast space weather. Remote sensing from L5 allows for the observation of solar features earlier than at L1, providing early monitoring of active region development, as well as tracking of interplanetary coronal mass ejections through the inner heliosphere. In situ measurements at L5 characterize the solar wind's geoeffectiveness (particularly stream interaction regions), and can also be ingested into heliospheric models, improving their performance. The Vigil space weather mission is part of the ESA Space Safety Program and will provide a real-time data stream for space weather services from L5 following its anticipated launch in the early 2030s. The interplanetary magnetic field is a key observational parameter, and here we describe the development of the Vigil magnetometer instrument for operational space weather monitoring at the L5 point. We summarize the baseline instrument capabilities, demonstrating how heritage from science missions has been leveraged to develop a low-risk, high-heritage instrument concept.

Kinetic Signatures, Dawn‐Dusk Asymmetries, and Flux Transfer Events Associated With Mercury's Dayside Magnetopause Reconnection From 3D MHD‐AEPIC Simulations

JGR:Space physics - Wed, 06/05/2024 - 05:25
Abstract

Mercury possesses a miniature yet dynamic magnetosphere driven primarily by magnetic reconnection occurring regularly at the magnetopause and in the magnetotail. Using the newly developed Magnetohydrodynamics with Adaptively Embedded Particle-in-Cell (MHD-AEPIC) model coupled with planetary interior, we have performed a series of global simulations with a range of upstream conditions to study in detail the kinetic signatures, asymmetries, and flux transfer events (FTEs) associated with Mercury's dayside magnetopause reconnection. By treating both ions and electrons kinetically, the embedded PIC model reveals crescent-shaped phase-space distributions near reconnection sites, counter-streaming ion populations in the cusp region, and temperature anisotropies within FTEs. A novel metric and algorithm are developed to automatically identify reconnection X-lines in our 3D simulations. The spatial distribution of reconnection sites as modeled by the PIC code exhibits notable dawn-dusk asymmetries, likely due to such kinetic effects as X-line spreading and Hall effects. Across all simulations, simulated FTEs occur quasi-periodically every 4–9 s. The properties of simulated FTEs show clear dependencies on the upstream solar wind Alfvénic Mach number (MA) and the interplanetary magnetic field orientation, consistent with MESSENGER observations and previous Hall-MHD simulations. FTEs formed in our MHD-AEPIC model tend to carry a large amount of open flux, contributing ∼3%–36% of the total open flux generated at the dayside. Taken together, our MHD-AEPIC simulations provide new insights into the kinetic processes associated with Mercury's magnetopause reconnection that should prove useful for interpreting spacecraft observations, such as those from MESSENGER and BepiColombo.

Comparison of the H2O, HDO and δD stratospheric climatologies between the MIPAS-ESA V8, MIPAS-IMK V5 and ACE-FTS V4.1/4.2 satellite datasets

Atmos. Meas. techniques - Tue, 06/04/2024 - 19:08
Comparison of the H2O, HDO and δD stratospheric climatologies between the MIPAS-ESA V8, MIPAS-IMK V5 and ACE-FTS V4.1/4.2 satellite datasets
Karen De Los Ríos, Paulina Ordoñez, Gabriele P. Stiller, Piera Raspollini, Marco Gai, Kaley A. Walker, Cristina Peña-Ortiz, and Luis Acosta
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 3401–3418, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-3401-2024, 2024
This study examines newer versions of H2O and HDO retrievals from Envisat/MIPAS and SCISAT/ACE-FTS. Results reveal a better agreement in stratospheric H2O profiles than in HDO profiles. The H2O tape recorder signal is consistent across databases, but δD tape recorder composites show differences that impact the interpretation of water vapour transport. These findings enhance the need for intercomparisons to refine our insights.

An Investigation on Potential Dispersal of Airborne Pollen Over China and Their Impact on Climate as Ice Nuclei Using RegCM‐Pollen

JGR–Atmospheres - Tue, 06/04/2024 - 19:04
Abstract

Pollen can serve as an effective ice-nuclei (IN), altering cloud microphysical and radiative properties, thus precipitation and cloud life cycles. Here, a nationwide pollen emission inventory with a horizontal resolution of 5 km was established based on a parameterization scheme of mass balance of pollen grain fluxes surrounding the plant crowns, and using satellite observational data sets (including leaf area index and fractional vegetation cover) as well as pollen emission rates. The potential emission is then implemented in RegCM-pollen model which treated pollen as aerosol tracers. Besides, pollen-IN parameterization schemes were incorporated in RegCM-pollen to simulate the interactions between pollen and ice clouds. Investigations show that the mean annual pollen emission in China is 2.65 × 107 grains m−2 yr−1, mainly distributed in the south and northeast of China. The IN magnitude is mainly determined by a combination of temperature and pollen concentration. Notably, an increasing number concentration of pollen grains produces opposite effects in Southern China (SC) and Northern China (NC). The weakened upward motion and vertical transport of water vapor in NC made ice clouds hardly form, resulting in cloud forcing (CF) of +0.86 W/m2. In contrast, it generates a CF of −0.84 W/m2 in SC mainly owing to expanded cloud cover. The changes in shortwave radiative forcing is more significant compared to longwave radiative forcing in the two regions. At the surface, the net radiative forcing in NC is +0.74 W/m2, while it is a −0.51 W/m2 in SC. Among them, downward shortwave radiative forcing is approximately twice that of upward longwave radiative forcing in SC and 1.4 times in NC. Surface temperature shows rising over NC, ranging from 0.05 to 0.25 K. In SC, it is primarily decreasing by −0.12 to −0.03 K. The pollen-IN effect also causes a decline of precipitation in NC (−0.17 mm/day) and a rise in SC (0.09 mm/day). Our results suggest that the pollen effect on ice clouds is complex, yet significant in understanding its impact on radiation and climate of the atmosphere.

Characterisation of particle single-scattering albedo with a modified airborne dual-wavelength CAPS monitor

Atmos. Meas. techniques - Tue, 06/04/2024 - 18:25
Characterisation of particle single-scattering albedo with a modified airborne dual-wavelength CAPS monitor
Chenjie Yu, Edouard Pangui, Kevin Tu, Mathieu Cazaunau, Maxime Feingesicht, Landsheere Xavier, Thierry Bourrianne, Vincent Michoud, Christopher Cantrell, Timothy B. Onasch, Andrew Freedman, and Paola Formenti
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 3419–3437, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-3419-2024, 2024
To meet the requirements for measuring aerosol optical properties on airborne platforms and conducting dual-wavelength measurements, we introduced A2S2, an airborne dual-wavelength cavity-attenuated phase-shift single monitor. This study reports the results in the laboratory and an aircraft campaign over Paris and its surrounding regions. The results demonstrate A2S2's reliability in measuring aerosol optical properties at both wavelengths and its suitability for future aircraft campaigns.

Enhanced Land Subsidence Interpolation through a Hybrid Deep Convolutional Neural Network and InSAR Time Series

Geoscientific Model Development - Tue, 06/04/2024 - 16:25
Enhanced Land Subsidence Interpolation through a Hybrid Deep Convolutional Neural Network and InSAR Time Series
Zahra Azarm, Hamid Mehrabi, and Saeed Nadi
Geosci. Model Dev. Discuss., https//doi.org/10.5194/gmd-2024-15,2024
Preprint under review for GMD (discussion: open, 0 comments)
The article introduces a new method using deep CNN and PSInSAR to estimate land subsidence, addressing the limitations of traditional methods. It focuses on Isfahan province, demonstrating substantial improvement over traditional techniques. The deep CNN method showed a 70 % enhancement in subsidence prediction, with the study area experiencing over 38 cm of subsidence between 2014 and 2020.

AI-NAOS: An AI-Based Nonspherical Aerosol Optical Scheme for Chemical Weather Model GRAPES_Meso5.1/CUACE

Geoscientific Model Development - Tue, 06/04/2024 - 16:25
AI-NAOS: An AI-Based Nonspherical Aerosol Optical Scheme for Chemical Weather Model GRAPES_Meso5.1/CUACE
Xuan Wang, Lei Bi, Hong Wang, Yaqiang Wang, Wei Han, Xueshun Shen, and Xiaoye Zhang
Geosci. Model Dev. Discuss., https//doi.org/10.5194/gmd-2024-51,2024
Preprint under review for GMD (discussion: open, 0 comments)
An AI-based Nonspherical Aerosol Optical Scheme (AI-NAOS) was developed to improve the estimation of aerosol direct radiation effect (DRE). The AI-NAOS scheme considers BC as fractal aggregates and SD as super-spheroids, encapsulated with hygroscopic aerosols. The AI-NAOS scheme was coupled online with a chemical weather model. Real-case simulations emphasize the necessity of accurately representing nonpsherical and inhomogeneous aerosols in chemical weather models.

Multiple Convection Cells Induced by In‐Front and Off‐Front Interactions Between the Obliquely Northward IMF and the Geomagnetic Field

JGR:Space physics - Tue, 06/04/2024 - 16:14
Abstract

From the global simulation, we reproduce the solar wind-magnetosphere-ionosphere (S-M-I) interaction under the northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) with negative B y. Reconnection structures, the plasma sheet, and lobes are formed in magnetospheric convection, while lobe/round-merging/reciprocal/nightside cells appear in the ionosphere. Associated with the S-M interaction, northern open field is generated at the evening open-closed (O/C) boundary, due to successive cusp and interchange reconnections (in round-merging cell) or by Dungey-type reconnection (in nightside cell). Corresponding interchange and Dungey-type reconnections occur at the southern null. Dungey-type reconnection at the same time generates southern open field on the outer-most magnetopause. Open field injected into the northern polar cap/void/lobe constructs the open field part of the round-merging and nightside cells. After open-field convection in the lobe, reclosures occur by again successive cusp and interchange reconnections on the dayside separator, or separator reconnection on the nightside separator. Former closed field line proceeds toward the evening O/C boundary through the dayside closed-field convection in the round-merging cell, while latter closed field line through the nightside closed-field convection in the nightside cell. Shear that causes the large-scale sun-aligned arc is generated by the process of injecting open magnetic field into the void and the conjugate of process of connecting return flux from the plasma sheet to the nightside cell in counter hemisphere.

Resolving the Interpretation of Magnetic Coercivity Components From Backfield Isothermal Remanence Curves Using Unmixing of Non‐Linear Preisach Maps: Application to Loess‐Paleosol Sequences

JGR–Solid Earth - Tue, 06/04/2024 - 15:14
Abstract

Unmixing of remanent magnetization curves, either isothermal remanent magnetization (IRM) or backfield IRM, is widely used in rock magnetic and environmental magnetic studies to discriminate between magnetic coercivity components of different origins. However, the wide range of physical properties of natural magnetic particles gives rise to an ambiguous interpretation of these components. To reduce this ambiguity and provide a straightforward interpretation of coercivity components in terms of domain state, interactions, and constituent magnetic phases, we combined backfield IRM unmixing with unmixing of nonlinear Preisach maps for two typical mid-latitude northern hemisphere loess-paleosol sequences. Both backfield IRM and nonlinear Preisach maps unmixing are based on the same non-parametric algorithm, and provide similar endmembers (EMs) in the two sections studied. The first EM (EM1) has a low median coercivity (∼21 mT) and is a non-interacting single domain (SD) magnetite/maghemite of pedogenic origin. The second EM (EM2) has a moderate median coercivity (∼60 mT) and is a mixture of pseudo-single domain/multidomain, SD magnetite/maghemite and non-interacting SD hematite, all of eolian origin. The same EM1 found in both sections suggests that this component's grain size and coercivity are independent of pedogenesis intensity. The same EM2 indicates that a similar magnetic population is being transported and deposited, irrespective of the dust source area and loess granulometry. The approach outlined here provides strong evidence that non-parametric backfield IRM unmixing isolates physically realistic EMs. Unmixing nonlinear Preisach maps elucidates these EMs in terms of domain states and their constituent magnetic phases.

Adjoint Synthesis for Trans‐Oceanic Tsunami Waveforms and Simultaneous Inversion of Fault Geometry and Slip Distribution

JGR–Solid Earth - Tue, 06/04/2024 - 12:33
Abstract

Tsunamis propagate over long distances and can cause widespread damage even after crossing ocean basins. Prediction of tsunamis in distant areas based on observations near their sources is critical to mitigating damage. In recent years, the accuracy of numerical models of trans-oceanic tsunami propagation has improved significantly due to the incorporation of effects such as the solid earth response to tsunami loading and wave dispersion. However, these models are computationally expensive and have not been fully utilized for real-time prediction. Here, we derive the adjoint operator for the linear set of equations describing deep-ocean tsunami propagation and show how a pre-computed database of adjoint states can achieve rapid synthesis of tsunami waveforms at target sites from nonpoint arbitrary tsunami sources. The adjoint synthesis method allows for an exhaustive parameter search for tsunami source estimation. A method for simultaneous inversion of fault geometry and slip distribution using adjoint synthesis with Sequential Monte Carlo method was proposed and applied to the 2012 Haida Gwaii earthquake tsunami. The influence of model accuracy and the amount of observed data on the estimation of tsunami sources and waveforms was examined. It was found that with a highly accurate propagation model, using only a limited amount of observed data produced source and waveform estimates very similar to the final models obtained with much larger data sets. The final inferred fault model involved megathrust slip distributed between the Haida Gwaii trench and the Queen Charlotte fault. The proposed method can also quantify the uncertainty of the waveform forecasts.

Influence of meteoric smoke particles on the incoherent scatter measured with EISCAT VHF

Influence of meteoric smoke particles on the incoherent scatter measured with EISCAT VHF
Tinna L. Gunnarsdottir, Ingrid Mann, Wuhu Feng, Devin R. Huyghebaert, Ingemar Haeggstroem, Yasunobu Ogawa, Norihito Saito, Satonori Nozawa, and Takuya D. Kawahara
Ann. Geophys., 42, 213–228, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-42-213-2024, 2024
Several tons of meteoric particles burn up in our atmosphere each day. This deposits a great deal of material that binds with other atmospheric particles and forms so-called meteoric smoke particles. These particles are assumed to influence radar measurements. Here, we have compared radar measurements with simulations of a radar spectrum with and without dust particles and found that dust influences the radar spectrum in the altitude range of 75–85 km.
Categories:

Does high-latitude ionospheric electrodynamics exhibit hemispheric mirror symmetry?

Does high-latitude ionospheric electrodynamics exhibit hemispheric mirror symmetry?
Spencer Mark Hatch, Heikki Vanhamäki, Karl Magnus Laundal, Jone Peter Reistad, Johnathan K. Burchill, Levan Lomidze, David J. Knudsen, Michael Madelaire, and Habtamu Tesfaw
Ann. Geophys., 42, 229–253, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-42-229-2024, 2024
In studies of the Earth's ionosphere, a hot topic is how to estimate ionospheric conductivity. This is hard to do for a variety of reasons that mostly amount to a lack of measurements. In this study we use satellite measurements to estimate electromagnetic work and ionospheric conductances in both hemispheres. We identify where our model estimates are inconsistent with laws of physics, which partially solves a previous problem with unrealistic predictions of ionospheric conductances.
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The Spread of the Hunga Tonga H2O Plume in the Middle Atmosphere Over the First Two Years Since Eruption

JGR–Atmospheres - Tue, 06/04/2024 - 09:08
Abstract

The eruption of Hunga in January 2022 injected a large amount of water into the stratosphere. Satellite measurements from Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) show that this water vapor (H2O) has now spread throughout the stratosphere and into the lower mesosphere, resulting in an increase of >1 ppmv throughout most of this region. Measurements from three ground-based Water Vapor Millimeter Wave Spectrometer (WVMS) instruments and MLS are in good agreement, and show that in 2023 there was more H2O in the lower mesosphere than at any time since the WVMS measurements began in the 1990's. At Table Mountain, California all WVMS H2O measurements at 54 km since June 2023, and all of the measurements from Mauna Loa, Hawaii, since the resumption of measurements in September 2023, show larger mixing ratios than any previous measurements. At 70 km several recent WVMS retrievals since September 2023 show the largest anomalies ever measured. The MLS measurements show that maximum H2O anomalies over the 2004–2023 record have occurred throughout almost all of the stratosphere and lower mesosphere since the eruption. As of November 2023, almost all of the ∼140 Tg of water originally injected into the stratosphere by the Hunga eruption remains in the middle atmosphere at pressures below 83 hPa (altitudes above ∼17 km). The eruption occurred during a period when stratospheric H2O was already slightly elevated above the 2004–2021 MLS average, and the November 2023 anomaly of ∼160 Tg represents ∼15% of the total mass of H2O in this region.

Improving Diurnal Precipitation Forecasts Through Coherent Coupling of Cumulus and Planetary Boundary Layer Parameterizations

JGR–Atmospheres - Tue, 06/04/2024 - 07:14
Abstract

This study explores the impact of coupling cumulus and planetary boundary layer (PBL) parameterizations on diurnal precipitation forecasting during the plum rainy season in Jiangsu Province, China, using a double grid-nesting approach. Results show that coherent coupling of cumulus (only in the 15 km grid outer domain [O]) and PBL parameterizations leads to improved forecasting of diurnal variations in the morning, afternoon, and the evening. Increasing the frequency of the Kain-Fritsch (KF) cumulus scheme in [O] enhances subgrid precipitation while reducing grid-scale precipitation, resulting in a more accurate representation of daytime convective activities and a reduction in over-forecasting of evening valley and early-morning precipitation. Additionally, coupling a suitable PBL scheme mitigates the overpredicted afternoon peak by facilitating turbulent mixing to penetrate higher altitudes with a thicker layer, thereby reducing instability energy accumulation. A higher KF frequency in [O] retains less low tropospheric moisture, reducing moisture convergence into the 1 km grid inner domain [I] and decreasing overpredicted daytime precipitation in [I]. Various PBL schemes produce distinct vertical distributions of turbulent moisture and heat transport, impacting convection and precipitation in [I] resolved by cloud microphysics processes. The coherent coupling of these parameterizations maintains a balanced supply of convective energy and water vapor, significantly improving diurnal precipitation forecasts in [I]. Isolating these parameterizations between nested grids may undermine this improvement.

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