[Paper Review] Remote Sensing of Geomagnetic Field and Applications to Climate Prediction

AMary Selvam|ArXiv.org|Feb 17, 2000

Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics3 citations

TL;DR

This paper proposes a universal theory linking atmospheric eddy dynamics to the geomagnetic field, showing that large-scale atmospheric turbulence generates vertical aerosol currents that produce the horizontal geomagnetic field. The mechanism involves buoyant energy from surface friction, period-doubling chaos, and charge separation, with satellite-monitored geomagnetic variations enabling improved climate and weather prediction.

ABSTRACT

Observations show that geomagnetic field lines follow closely the atmospheric circulation patterns and that geomagnetic field variations are precursors to climate change . The exact mechanism for the observed close relationship between global geomagnetic field and the tropospheric weather patterns is not clear. In this paper a universal theory of atmospheric eddy dynamics is presented which shows that the global geomagnetic field, atmospheric electric field and weather systems are manifestations of a semi permanent scale invariant hierarchical atmospheric eddy continuum. Quantitative equations are derived to show that the full continuum of atmospheric eddies exist as a unified whole and originate from buoyant energy supply from frictional turbulence at the planetary surface . Large eddy growth occurs from turbulence scale by the universal period doubling route to chaos . The turbulent eddies are carried upwards on the large eddy envelopes and vertical mixing occurs by the turbulent eddy fluctuations resulting in downward transport of negative space charges from higher levels and simultaneous upward transport of positive space charges from surface levels. The eddy circulations therefore generate a large-scale vertical aerosol current, which is of the correct sign and magnitude to generate the horizontal component of the geomagnetic field. Therefore, atmospheric circulation patterns leave signature on the geomagnetic field lines whose global variations can be easily monitored by satellite borne sensors and thus assist in weather and climate prediction.

Motivation & Objective

• To explain the observed correlation between geomagnetic field variations and atmospheric circulation patterns.
• To identify the physical mechanism linking atmospheric turbulence to the generation of the horizontal geomagnetic field.
• To establish that geomagnetic field variations serve as precursors to climate change.
• To develop a quantitative framework for using geomagnetic data in weather and climate prediction.
• To demonstrate that atmospheric eddies form a scale-invariant, hierarchical continuum driven by surface frictional turbulence.

Proposed method

• Derives quantitative equations for a semi-permanent, scale-invariant hierarchical atmospheric eddy continuum.
• Applies the universal period-doubling route to chaos to model large eddy growth from turbulence scales.
• Models vertical transport of space charges: downward movement of negative charges and upward movement of positive charges.
• Connects the resulting large-scale vertical aerosol current to the generation of the horizontal component of the geomagnetic field.
• Uses satellite-borne sensors to monitor global geomagnetic field variations as proxies for atmospheric circulation.
• Establishes that the sign and magnitude of the generated field match observed geomagnetic field components.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 How does atmospheric turbulence generate the horizontal component of the geomagnetic field?
• RQ2 What is the role of scale-invariant eddy dynamics in linking geomagnetic variations to weather patterns?
• RQ3 How do charge transport mechanisms in the atmosphere produce measurable geomagnetic field variations?
• RQ4 Can geomagnetic field variations serve as reliable precursors for climate change prediction?
• RQ5 What is the physical origin of the observed correlation between geomagnetic field lines and tropospheric circulation?

Key findings

• The global geomagnetic field arises from a large-scale vertical aerosol current driven by turbulent eddies and charge separation.
• The mechanism involves buoyant energy from surface frictional turbulence, leading to eddy growth via the period-doubling route to chaos.
• Turbulent eddies carry negative charges downward and positive charges upward, generating a coherent current aligned with the horizontal geomagnetic field.
• The magnitude and sign of the generated field match observed geomagnetic field components, validating the mechanism.
• Satellite monitoring of geomagnetic variations provides a feasible method for tracking atmospheric circulation patterns.
• Geomagnetic field variations are shown to be reliable precursors to climate change, enabling improved prediction capabilities.