Multi-fractal analysis of nocturnal boundary layer time series from the Boulder Atmospheric Observatory.
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Authors
DeCaria, Alex Joseph
Subjects
Fractals
Gravity Waves
Turbulence
Boundary Layer Meteorology
Time Series
Gravity Waves
Turbulence
Boundary Layer Meteorology
Time Series
Advisors
Kamada, Ray
Date of Issue
1992-03
Date
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
en_US
Abstract
Time series from a nocturnal boundary layer are analyzed using fractal
techniques. The behavior of the self-affine fractal dimension, D A , is
found to drop during a gravity wave train and rise with turbulence. D A is
proposed as a time series conditional sampling criterion for
distinguishing waves from turbulence. Only weak correlations are found
between DA and bulk turbulence measures such as Brunt-Vaisala frequency,
Richardson number, and buoyancy length. The advantages of DA analysis over
turbulent kinetic energy (TKE), its component variances, FFT spectra, and
self-similar fractals are also discussed in terms of local versus global
basis functions, dimensional suitability, noise, algorithmic complexity,
and other factors. DA was found to be the only measure capable of reliably
distinguishing the wave from turbulence.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Meteorology and Physical Oceanography
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
52 p.;28 cm.
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.