1/9/2014 Kim Gudeman, Coordinated Science Laboratory
Written by Kim Gudeman, Coordinated Science Laboratory
Researchers at the University of Illinois have become the first to record an airglow signature in the upper atmosphere produced by a tsunami. The activity was observed using a camera system based in Maui, Hawaii.
The observation confirms a theory developed in the 1970s that the signature of tsunamis could be observed in the upper atmosphere, specifically the ionosphere. But until now, it had only been demonstrated using radio signals broadcast by satellites.
“Imaging the response using the airglow is much more difficult because the window of opportunity for making the observations is so narrow, and had never been achieved before,” said ECE Associate Professor Jonathan J. Makela, a researcher in the Coordinated Science Laboratory. “Our camera happened to be in the right place at the right time.”
On the night of the tsunami, conditions above Hawaii were optimal for viewing the airglow signature. It was approaching dawn (nearly 2 a.m. local time) with no sun, moon, or clouds obstructing the view. Along with ECE graduate student Thomas Gehrels, Makela analyzed the images and was able to isolate specific wave periods and orientations.
In collaboration with researchers at the Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, CEA-DAMDIF in France, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisais Espaciais (INPE) in Brazil, Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, and NOVELTIS in France, the researchers found that the wave properties matched those in the ocean-level tsunami measurements, confirming that the pattern originated from the tsunami. The team also cross-checked their data against theoretical models and measurements made using GPS receivers.
Makela believes that camera systems could be a significant aid in creating an early warning system for tsunamis. Currently, scientists rely on ocean-based buoys and models to track and predict the path of a tsunami.
Previous upper atmospheric measurements of a tsunami signature relied on GPS measurements, which are limited by the number of data points that can be obtained, making it difficult to create an image. It would take more than 1,000 GPS receivers to capture data comparable to that of one camera system. In addition, some areas, such as Hawaii, do not have enough landmass to accumulate the number of GPS units it would take to image horizon to horizon.
In contrast, one camera can image the entire sky. However, the sun, moon, and clouds can limit the utility of camera measurements from the ground. By flying a camera system on a geo-stationary satellite in space, scientists would be able to avoid these limitations while simultaneously imaging a much larger region of the earth.
To create a reliable system, Makela says that scientists would have to develop algorithms that could analyze and filter data in real-time. And the best solution would also include a network of ground-based cameras and GPS receivers working with the satellite-based system to combine the individual strengths of each measurement technique.
“This is a reminder of how interconnected our environment is,” Makela said. “This technique provides a powerful new tool to study the coupling of the ocean and atmosphere and how tsunamis propagate across the open ocean.”