Waves in the atmosphere: Atmospheric infrasound and gravity waves - Their generation and propagation

The book constitutes an introductory and summary account of fluid-wave propagation in the earth's atmosphere. Attention is focused on waves of less than global nature, whose properties are dominated by the effects of atmospheric compressibility and gravitational stratification. The basic equations of fluid dynamics are derived from first principles, and parametrized in convenient form. The relationships between the field variables are then studied, i.e., their dynamic relationships, polarization relationships, and their relation to energy and momentum flux. The wave equations, dispersion equations, eigenvalue equations, conditions for dynamic stability for a variety of layered model atmospheres, and conditions under which dissipation and thermal conductivity are important are derived. This provides a basis for the discussion of special classes of waves, including mountain lee waves, infrasound, progressive waves in the lower atmosphere, and waves in the upper atmosphere and ionosphere.