All‐sky imaging of transglobal thermospheric gravity waves generated by the March 2011 Tohoku Earthquake. Issue 12 (22nd December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Smith, Steven M.; Martinis, Carlos R.; Baumgardner, Jeffrey; Mendillo, Michael
• Is Part Of: Journal of geophysical research. Volume 120:Issue 12(2015:Dec.)
• Page Start: 10, 992
• Page End: 10, 999
• Publication Date: 2015-12-22
• Subjects: tsunami -- thermosphere -- gravity waves -- all sky -- imaging; Magnetospheric physics -- Periodicals; Space environment -- Periodicals; Cosmic physics -- Periodicals; Planets -- Atmospheres -- Periodicals; Heliosphere (Astrophysics) -- Periodicals; Geophysics -- Periodicals; 523.01
• DOI: 10.1002/2015JA021638
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-9380

Abstract

Abstract: We report on imaging measurements of thermospheric gravity wave signatures in 630 nm and 557.7 nm nightglow that suggest an association with the M = 9 Tohoku (Japan) earthquake on 11 March 2011. The propagating waves were recorded in all‐sky images at the El Leoncito Observatory, Argentina (31.8°S, 69.3°W), which is located 17, 080 km from the earthquake epicenter, almost at the global antipodal point. Key Points: Direct optical imaging of thermospheric gravity waves caused by a globally distant earthquake Important implications for understanding the global transport of wave energy Allow a possible predictive or warning capability for future tsunami effects