Geophysics & Environmental Physics
5 terms
Ice Core Analysis
Geophysics & Environmental Physics
Parts per thousand (‰ δ¹⁸O) / ppm (CO₂)
The retrieval and paleoclimatological analysis of cylindrical ice samples extracted from deep polar ice sheets and alpine glaciers.
Paleotemperature Proxy δ¹⁸O = ((¹⁸O/¹⁶O)_sample / (¹⁸O/¹⁶O)_standard - 1) × 1000‰
Insolation
Geophysics & Environmental Physics
W/m² or kWh/m²/day
The solar electromagnetic radiation power reaching a specified surface area per unit time.
S = S₀ (R₀ / R)² cos Z
Ionosphere
Geophysics & Environmental Physics
Electrons/m³ (Electron Density n_e)
An ionized layer of Earth's upper atmosphere (~60 km to 1,000 km) where extreme solar UV and X-ray radiation ionize atmospheric gas atoms into free electrons and ions.
Plasma Frequency f_p = (1 / 2π) √(n_e e² / (ε₀ m_e))
Ionospheric Scintillation
Geophysics & Environmental Physics
Dimensionless S₄ Index
Rapid fluctuations in amplitude and phase of satellite radio signals caused by small-scale electron density irregularities in the ionosphere.
Scintillation Index S₄ = √(⟨I²⟩ - ⟨I⟩²) / ⟨I⟩
Isostasy
Geophysics & Environmental Physics
Meters (Crustal Root Depth)
The state of gravitational equilibrium between Earth's lithospheric crust blocks floating at depths determined by their thickness and density upon the denser mantle.
Airy Model: h_root = h_mountain (ρ_crust / (ρ_mantle - ρ_crust))