Abstract
A LAMB wave is a purely compressional wave mode in an isothermal atmosphere at rest above a horizontal rigid surface1. It travels only horizontally, with a phase velocity equal to the speed of sound and its energy density decreases exponentially with height. Bretherton2 and Garret3 have concluded that such a mode may exist in the temperature-and wind-stratified atmosphere of the Earth, with its energy mainly located at heights below 30 km. Lamb waves belong to the family of acoustic–gravity waves which, according to Rossby4 and Obukhov5, may be excited by non-geostrophic perturbations in a rotating stratified fluid until the fluid has returned to a quasi-geostrophic steady state. Here we report the observation of Lamb-wave generation in the troposphere during a geostrophic adjustment process.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Lamb, H., Hydrodynamics, sixth ed., 548–549 (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1932).
Bretherton, F. P., Q. Jl R. met. Soc., 95, 754–757 (1969).
Garret, C. J. R., Q. Jl R. met. Soc., 95, 731–753 (1969).
Rossby, C. G., J. mar. Res., 1, 15–28 (1937); ibid, 1, 239–263 (1938).
Obukhov, A. M., Izv. Akad. Nauk SSSR Ser. Geograf.-Geofiz., 13, 281–306 (1949).
Hines, C. O., Can. J. Phys., 38, 1441–1481 (1960).
Klostermeyer, J., J. atmos. terr. Phys., 31, 25–45 (1969).
Hines, C. O., The Upper Atmosphere in Motion, 560–562, Geophysical Monograph 18 (American Geophysical Union, Washington, DC, 1974).
Jones, W. L., J. atmos. terr. Phys., 32, 1555–1566 (1970).
Lindzen, R. S., and Blake, D., J. geophys. Res., 77, 2166–2176 (1972).
Klostermeyer, J., J. atmos. terr. Phys., 34, 765–774 (1972).
Georges, T. M., and Hooke, W. H., J. geophys. Res., 75, 6295–6308 (1970).
Francis, S. H., J. geophys. Res., 78, 2278–2301 (1973).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
KLOSTERMEYER, J. Lamb waves originating in non-geostrophic perturbations. Nature 260, 32–34 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1038/260032a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/260032a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
