THE PRESSURE PULSE PRODUCED BY A LARGE EXPLOSION IN THE ATMOSPHERE. PART II

Abstract

The pressure pulse produced by a large explosion in the atmosphere is investigated. A realistic model for the vertical temperature is taken, with two temperature ducts and the large temperature gradient in the thermosphere. The first three dominant modes or "free waves" are computed for the low-frequency range. The contribution of these modes to the head of the pressure pulse produced by a large explosion is calculated for a particular range. It is shown that the "high-frequency" phenomena previously observed is a superposition of relatively low-frequency modes. An increase in the altitude of the source produces a corresponding decrease in relative intensity of the higher order modes, so that for an intense explosion at high altitudes, the low-frequency gravity wave mode is dominant.