Geophysics & Environmental Physics
5 terms
Adiabatic Lapse Rate
Geophysics & Environmental Physics
°C/km or K/km
The rate at which the temperature of a rising or descending air parcel changes as it expands or compresses adiabatically without heat exchange with surroundings.
Dry: Γ_d = g / c_p ≈ 9.8 °C/km; Moist: Γ_m ≈ 4–7 °C/km
Albedo
Geophysics & Environmental Physics
Dimensionless Fraction (0.0 to 1.0)
The fraction of total incident solar electromagnetic radiation reflected back into space by a surface or planetary body.
α = Reflected Solar Irradiance / Total Incident Solar Irradiance
Asthenosphere
Geophysics & Environmental Physics
Pa·s (Mantle Viscosity ~10¹⁹–10²¹ Pa·s)
The ductile, mechanically weak, deformable upper mantle layer located directly beneath the rigid lithosphere.
Seismic Low-Velocity Zone (LVZ): Depth ~ 100–250 km
Atmospheric Aerosols
Geophysics & Environmental Physics
μg/m³ (Concentration)
Microscopic solid particles or liquid droplets suspended in the atmosphere originating from natural or human sources.
Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) τ, Direct/Indirect Radiative Effect
Auroral Oval
Geophysics & Environmental Physics
Degrees Latitude (~60°–70° Geomagnetic Latitude)
An elliptical ring-shaped belt around Earth's magnetic poles where energetic magnetospheric electrons precipitate into the upper atmosphere to create auroras.
Excitation: e⁻ + O → O* → O + h ν (557.7 nm Green Light)