A Tropical Cyclone or Typhoon as an Element of the Earth–Atmosphere–Ionosphere–Magnetosphere System: Theory, Simulations, and Observations

Abstract

The premise has been validated that a tropical cyclone (TC, typhoon, hurricane), one of the most powerful large-scale formations systematically arising in the atmosphere, is an element of the ocean–atmosphere–ionosphere–magnetosphere system. The TC plays a crucial role with regard to a global-scale mass and energy exchange in this system. The study of this system encompasses a broad spectrum of physical phenomena occurring and processes operating within the system components, as well as the mechanisms of their interactions. The problem under discussion pertains to interdisciplinary science. Its scope ranges from different Earth sciences to geospace sciences, which comprise the physics of the ocean, meteorology, the physics of the Earth’s atmospheric and space environment, etc. Observations of the ionospheric response to the impact of a number of unique typhoons made using multifrequency multiple path oblique incidence ionospheric sounding have confirmed the definitive role that the internal gravity waves and infrasound play in producing atmospheric–ionospheric disturbances. It has been demonstrated that these disturbances are capable of significantly affecting the characteristics of high-frequency radio waves.