A Simple Model of Gravity-Wave Momentum and Energy Fluxes
Transferred through the Middle Atmosphere to the Upper Atmosphere

Manabu D. Yamanaka and Shoichiro Fukao
Radio Atmospheric Science Center, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto 611, Japan


Journal of Atmospheric and Terrestrial Physics , Vol. 56 , No.10, pp.1375-1385

Paper No.\ C.3-M.1.13X presented at the MLTCS (Mesosphere-Lower Thermosphere Coupling Study) Workshop in the 29th COSPAR Plenary Meeting, the World Space Congress, Washington D.\ C., USA, 28 August-5 September 1992.
First draft: February, 1992; Submitted: December 17, 1992;
First revision: April 1, 1993; Second revision: May 12, 1993; Third revision: May 15, 1993; Received: May 17, 1993 Accepted: July 1, 1993
Published: August, 1994


ABSTRACT , CONTENTS , CORRECTIONS , REFERENCES , CITATIONS


Abstract
Vertical fluxes of momentum and energy through the middle atmosphere are calculated by using a simple semi-empirical model of quasi-monochromatic internal gravity waves with dominant vertical wavenumbers. In this model those dominant gravity waves are assumed to saturate and break at each observational altitude by an effective critical-layer mechanism. The dominant value of vertical wavenumber is expressed by an exponential function of altitude, decreasing upward with a scale height of 34 km. This expression gives the momentum and energy flux densities decreasing upward with scale heights of 12 and 18 km, respectively, and typical values at 100 km altitude are estimated as $4 \times 10^{-5}$ Pa and $4 \times 10^{-3}$ W/m$^{2}$. A heat flux induced by wavebreaking turbulence also has order of magnitude similar to that of the wave energy flux. Variabilities around these values and comparisons with other momentum and heat inputs to the upper atmosphere are only briefly discussed.


Contents
1. Introduction
2. Quasi-Monochromatic Wave Parameters
3. Momentum Flux
4. Energy Flux
5. Conclusion
Appendix: Quasi-Monochromatic Formulation of Wave Fluxes


Corrections and Additional Remarks
Fukao et al. (1993b) was published as Fukao et al. (1994) listed below.


References (Updated after publication)


Citations by Subsequent Papers
(Under construction !!!!!)


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    E-mail : yamanaka@kurasc.kyoto-u.ac.jp