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Atmospheric effects on earth rotation and polar motionThe variability in the earth's rotation rate not due to known solid body tides is dominated on time scales of about four years and less by variations in global atmospheric angular momentum (M) as derived from the zonal wind distribution. Among features seen in the length of day record produced by atmospheric forcing are the strong seasonal cycle, quasi-periodic fluctuations around 40-50 days, and an interannual signal forced by a strong Pacific warming event known as the El Nino. Momentum variations associated with these time scales arise in different latitudinal regions. Furthermore, winds in the stratosphere make a particularly important contribution to seasonal variability. Other related topics discussed here are: (1) comparisons of the M series from wind fields produced at different weather centers; (2) the torques that dynamically link the atmosphere and earth; and (3) longer-term nonatmospheric effects that can be seen upon removal of the atmospheric signal.an interestigapplication for climatological purposes is the use of the historical earth rotation series as a proxy for atmospheric wind variability prior to the era of upper-air data. Lastly, results pertaining to the role of atmospheric pressure systems in exciting rapid polar motion are presented.
Document ID
19890026397
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Salstein, David A.
(Atmospheric and Environmental Research, Inc. Cambridge, MA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1988
Subject Category
Geophysics
Meeting Information
Meeting: IAU Symposium on the Impace of VLBI on Astrophysics and Geophysics
Location: Cambridge, MA
Country: United States
Start Date: May 10, 1987
End Date: May 15, 1987
Accession Number
89A13768
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS5-28195
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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