Case study of a wave event in the stable atmospheric boundary layer overlying an Antarctic Ice Shelf using the orthogonal wavelet transform

This paper describes a spectacular gravity wave event which was detected by meteorological instruments deployed in the stably stratified atmospheric b oundary layer overlying the Brunt Ice Shelf, Antarctica. Varying levels of turbulence activity were also observed. Wind and temperature records from s onic anemometers deployed on a 32 m mast have been studied using cross-spec tral analysis and the orthogonal wavelet transform. Wavelet-based variance characteristics and derived parameters are used to identify self-similar pr ocesses, noise and coherent structures within a signal, thus providing usef ul information on the distribution of energy. Local maxima in the wavelet v ariance characteristics at lower wavelet levels were linked with a propagat ing internal wave. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science BN. All rights reserved.