Mariner 9 and Viking spacecraft observations during the 1970's have provided evidence for planetary-scale wave-like disturbances in the Mars atmosphere. It has been suggested that possible sources of the wave activity are dynamical instabilities (e.g., barotropic and/or baroclinic instabilities). An other candidate source is forced, quasi-stationary planetary waves. In connection with Mars' enormous relief, both mechanical forcing and large-scale thermal contrasts due to spatially varying surface thermal-inertia and albedo patterns should provide a strong source for planetary-wave activity. In this thesis, we attempt to model aspects of the observed wave activity, focusing on forced planetary waves in the wintertime atmosphere of Mars. Our approach is to apply two dynamical models: a linear primitive equations model and a quasi-linear 'wave, mean-flow' model. Both models have spherical geometry and represent deviations from zonal symmetry in terms of Fourier modes. The former model permits a separation of responses to different elements that make up the total forcing mechanism, whereas the latter is used principally to investigate the role forced planetary waves may play in the Mars polar warming phenomenon. Basic states representing relatively 'non-dusty' and 'highly dusty' conditions near winter solstice allow wavenumber-1 and -2 disturbances to propagate meridionally and vertically into the winter jet. Higher wavenumbers are strongly vertically trapped. Stationary waves in the northern and southern extratropics differ strongly in amplitude, phase and horizontal wave pattern. The possibility for near-resonant, long-period modes in Mars' winter atmosphere is also examined. For several wave-amplitude measures and dissipation strengths, dusty low-frequency responses are an order of magnitude larger than non-dusty ones. Wave, mean-flow simulations using wavenumber-1 or -2 forcings indicate north polar warmings can occur for the dusty basic states. The sensitivity (magnitude, location, and time scale) of a simulated warming to the wave forcing and the dissipation strength is investigated. / Graduation date: 1993

Thesis (M.A.Geo.)--Texas State University--San Marcos, 2009. / Vita. Reproduction permission applies to print copy: Blanket permission granted per author to reproduce. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 44-47).

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Typescript. / Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1990. / Includes bibliographical references. / Microfiche. / xiii, 161 leaves, bound ill. 29 cm

Thesis (Ph. D. in geology)--Washington State University, May 2008. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--York University, 2006. Graduate Programme in Earth and Space Science. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 207-226). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:NR19846

Diss. (sammanfattning) Luleå : Luleå tekniska univ., 2008. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--York University, 2006. Graduate Programme in Earth and Space Science. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 108-114). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:MR19697

Thesis (M.S. in environmental science)--Washington State University, August 2009. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on Sept. 22, 2009). "School of Earth and Environmental Sciences." Includes bibliographical references (p. 92-97).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1996. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. [158]-162).