Abstract
NATURALLY occurring travelling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs) have been detected and measured for about 30 yr, and Martyn1 suggested, about 17 yr ago, that they are propagating atmospheric gravity waves. Later a quantitative agreement was found between the observed speed distributions of TIDs and those that are expected theoretically for ducted acoustic-gravity waves. Furthermore, there is agreement between theory and the observed speeds of TIDs caused by a nuclear detonation at Novaya Zemlya2–4. Further data became available in 1967 when Breitling et al.5 published a summary of measurements made on nuclear tests in the Pacific area. Their data also agree with theory and are accurate enough to permit resolution of the fine structure in the acoustic modes.
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
Martyn, D. F., Proc. Roy. Soc., 201, 216 (1950).
Wickersham, jun., A. F., J. Geophys. Res., 69, 457 (1964).
Wickersham, jun., A. F., J. Geophys. Res., 70, 4875 (1965).
Wickersham, jun., A. F., J. Geophys. Res., 71, 4511 (1966).
Breitling, W. J., Kupferman, R. A., and Gassman, G. J., J. Geophys. Res., 72, 307 (1967).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
WICKERSHAM, A. Identification of Acoustic and Gravity-wave Modes associated with Travelling Ionospheric Disturbances caused by Nuclear Explosions. Nature 218, 156–157 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1038/218156a0
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/218156a0
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.