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Milton (slrpnk.net)

submitted 2 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I hate how she's switching between units, but cool picture

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[–] [email protected] 27 points 2 months ago (2 children)

I'm curious what gravity waves refer to in this context.

[–] [email protected] 36 points 2 months ago

Gravity waves, (not to be confused with ripples in space-time known as “gravitational waves”) distribute energy and momentum throughout the atmosphere. The more intense the storm, the greater the amount of energy that is transferred. These waves exist all the time, even on clear days, and waves in the troposphere can often be seen in the infrared and visible imagery. However, strong convection from storms can cause a bunch of energy to be released, which is then transferred to the upper atmosphere.

The most intense storms (as well as violent volcanic eruptions) have enough force to generate mesospheric gravity waves. These are gravity waves near the mesopause, the boundary between the mesosphere and the thermosphere, where Earth’s atmosphere meets space.

Source: https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/news/guide-understanding-satellite-images-of-hurricanes

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Same. I thought gravity waves could only be measured with extremely sensitive instrumentation. I think she might also be confusing km and miles

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 months ago (1 children)

290km per hour is about 180mph. She's just giving both for some reason.

[–] [email protected] -4 points 2 months ago

I think she is conflating the two based on the structure of her comparison.