Aim of this work is a systematic investigation of the modes of thermal convection (onset of convection, stationary solutions, periodic solutions, chaotic states) in a material whose properties vary with depth like the material of Earth mantle; the problem was solved in Cartesian geometry. The Stokes equation set was consistently formulated in the spectral region not only horizontally but also vertically, and thus in the model consisting of layers with a constant viscosity but with general course of velocity and temperature in each layer. This equation set was solved with matrix method for each wave vector. Thermal equation was solved in the spatial domain and the transition of velocity and temperature between spectral and spatial domains was performed using the fast Fourier transform. This procedure allows a straightforward parallelization, thereby opening the possibility of not only two-dimensional but also three-dimensional modeling and modeling of chaotic regimes. On the basis of the numerical difficulties of method presented here an model investigated in finite elemens was used. The basic modes of thermal convection were then investigated using model assembled in the software Comsol. Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)

Title: Influence of depth dependence of the Earth's mantle properties on thermal-convection characteristics Author: Hana Šustková Department: Department of Geophysics Supervisor: doc. RNDr. Ctirad Matyska, DrSc. Abstract: This thesis concerns the study of convection in Cartesian models in two and three dimensions. Specifically, it deals with the systematic monitoring of critical Rayleigh numbers based on the geometry model, on the functional dependence of the viscosity or of other parameters. Models has been created with layered viscosity and constant or temperature- and depth- dependent parameters (thermal expansion and conductivity). The system has been described by conventional dimensionless Boussinesq approximation. Part of the work is devoted to the application of matrix method for solving the appropriate Stokes flow and use of Euler's method for solving the thermal equation. The actual calculations were then performed in an environment of commercial software Comsol and thus by using the finite element method. It was shown that the dominant influence on the critical Rayleigh numbers has a viscosity model (with increasing viscosity the critical Rayleigh numbers increase), other important parameter is system's geometry (larger size and dimension of the geometry reduce the critical Rayleigh number). The...

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(理学) / 甲第18800号 / 理博第4058号 / 新制||理||1584(附属図書館) / 31751 / 京都大学大学院理学研究科地球惑星科学専攻 / (主査)教授 平原 和朗, 教授 澁谷 拓郎, 准教授 久家 慶子 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Science / Kyoto University / DGAM

Data visualization is a field dedicated to effectively showing large amounts of collected data. A field where data visualization has shown promising results in its ways to effectively answer questions is the fundamental research of the universe. This thesis describes how to visualize the Earth’s magnetosphere as it interacts with the solar wind, using numerical methods, semi-transparent surfaces, and contours in OpenSpace. A magnetosphere module was implemented into OpenSpace, and the OpenSpace GUI was extended to give the user a possibility to interact with the visualization. The implemented algorithm in the magnetosphere module was measured in terms of speed, robustness, and user understanding. The implementation made it possible to visualize a simple model of the Earth’s magnetosphere, both when it interacts and when it does not interact with the solar wind. The measured speed showed a trend of a linear increase when more magnetic field lines were added to the visualization, where the run time was low for all tests. The algorithm was shown to be robust in its creation of the magnetosphere. When asked about what the users thought of the implemented visualization, a majority were positive and thought it to be a good complement to learning about the Earth’s magnetosphere. For a realistic model, there is a possibility that the speed and robustness may get worse, but the results are good for a simple model. To make the visualization itself more informative, more highlights are needed for important parts of the structure, as well as different colors that differ on which surfaces belong to which geographical pole. / Creative Exploration of the Atmosphere

L’étude des variations temporelles de gravité ont une longue tradition en Europe Centrale. Dans la station, J9, située à Strasbourg depuis les années 1970, les trois principaux types de gravimètre (ressort, supraconducteur (SG), absolu) ont été utilisés. Ces séries permettent l’examen des améliorations instrumentales à partir de la stabilité à long terme et de la dérive instrumentale. Nous montrons que le SG est l’instrument le plus performant pour l’étude des marées de longues périodes et de faibles amplitudes. Nous montrons les résultats obtenus par analyse de marée de ces petites ondes. Nous estimons la période de la Free Core Nutation et nous recherchons celle de la Free Inner Core Nutation (FICN), qui n'a pas encore été observée. Pour cela nous faisons une étude précise, afin de séparer les ondes de faible amplitude, au voisinage de périodes possibles de la FICN. / The study of temporal variations of gravity has a long tradition in Central Europe. Since the 1970s three main gravimeter types (spring, superconducting (SG) and absolute) have been set up at the J9 gravity station located in Strasbourg. These series allow us to review the instrumental improvements from the analyses of long term stability and instrumental drift. We show that the SG is the most powerful tool for thestudy of the low frequency and small amplitudes tides. We show the tidal analysis results for these tidal waves. We estimate the period of the Free Core Nutation and we seek the one of the Free Inner Core Nutation (FICN), which has not yet been observed. For this we make a careful study, in order to separate the low-amplitude waves in the vicinity of possible periods of FICN. / La deformación elasto-gravitacional de la Tierra y las correspondientes variaciones temporales de la gravedad asociadas, registradas en la superficie terrestre mediante los gravímetros, son debidas a distintos fenómenos geofísicos con diferentes períodos y amplitudes, incluyendo entre otros a las denominadas mareas terrestres, que son el fenómeno que genera los efectos más fuertes (dichas mareas terrestres son los movimientos inducidos en la Tierra sólida y los cambios en su potencial gravitatorio derivados de las fuerzas de marea generadas por los cuerpos celestes).El objetivo principal de este trabajo consiste en mostrar la importancia tanto de la longitud de las series de datos de gravedad, como de la calidad de dichas series para mejorar nuestro conocimiento sobre la dinámica de la Tierra a través de los análisis de las mareas terrestres. [...]

Cette étude s’inscrit dans le domaine de la description de la dynamique des ceintures deradiation terrestres. Elle consiste à modéliser le phénomène de diffusion radiale en travaillantavec une résolution spatio-temporelle plus fine que celle utilisée pour décrire la dynamiquedes ceintures par le biais d’une équation de diffusion. La démarche s’est organisée en troistemps. Tout d’abord, l’objectif a été d’étudier le phénomène de diffusion radiale d’un point devue théorique afin de mettre en lumière les principaux pilotes du processus et d’expliciter uneformulation des coefficients de diffusion radiale. Une fois l’expression de ces coefficientsétablie, l’objectif a ensuite été de les quantifier. Pour cela, nous avons développé desprotocoles analytiques et numériques puis des protocoles expérimentaux. Nous avons discutéles résultats obtenus ainsi que les atouts et les limites de ces protocoles. Cette étude met enévidence le rôle central de l’asymétrie des variations du champ électromagnétique et deschamps électriques induits dans le processus de diffusion radiale. Elle propose des pistes pourla quantification numérique et expérimentale de ces deux pilotes. Elle apporte également unregard critique sur les travaux de la littérature. Elle ouvre la voie pour une nouvellequantification des coefficients de diffusion basée sur une modélisation adéquate de ladynamique de l’environnement électromagnétique / This study falls within the field of the Earth’s radiation belt dynamics. It consists of modelingthe radial diffusion process based on a spatiotemporal resolution higher than the resolution atwhich radiation belt dynamics are described in terms of a diffusion equation. The approachhas been organized in three parts. First, we described radial diffusion theoretically,highlighting the main drivers of the phenomenon and giving a ready-made formula of theradial diffusion coefficients. Then, based on this formula, we aimed to quantify the radialdiffusion coefficients. In order to reach this goal, we developed analytical and numericalprocedures, and then, observational procedures. Finally, we discussed the results and the prosand cons of each method. This study highlights the central role of asymmetric variations ofthe electromagnetic fields and induced electric fields in the driving of the intensity of theradial diffusion process. It provides tracks for numerical and experimental quantification ofthese two drivers. It also provides tools for a critical review of the literature. It paves the wayfor a more accurate determination of radial diffusion coefficients based on a more precisedescription of the electromagnetic environment and its variations.

Das Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, die Strukturen im äußeren Erdkern zu untersuchen und Rückschlüsse auf die sich daraus ergebenden Konsequenzen für geodynamische Modellvorstellungen zu ziehen. Die Untersuchung der Kernphasenkaustik B mit Hilfe einer kumulierten Amplituden-Entfernungskurve ist Gegenstand des ersten Teils. Dazu werden die absoluten Amplituden der PKP-Phasen im Entfernungsbereich von 142 &#176; bis 147 &#176; bestimmt und mit den Amplituden synthetischer Seismogramme verglichen. Als Datenmaterial dienen die Breitbandregistrierungen des Deutschen Seismologischen Re-gionalnetzes (GRSN 1 ) und des Arrays Gräfenberg (GRF). Die verwendeten Wellen-formen werden im WWSSN-SP-Frequenzbereich gefiltert. Als Datenbasis dienen vier Tiefherdbeben der Subduktionszone der Neuen Hebriden (Vanuatu Island) und vier Nuklearexplosionen, die auf dem Mururoa und Fangataufa Atoll im Südpazifik stattgefunden haben. Beide Regionen befinden sich vom Regionalnetz aus gesehen in einer Epizentraldistanz von ungefähr 145 &#176;. Die Verwendung eines homogen instrumentierten Netzes von Detektoren und die Anwendung von Stations- und Magnitudenkorrekturen verringern den Hauptteil der Streuung bei den Amplitudenwerten. Dies gilt auch im Vergleich zu Untersuchungen von langperiodischen Amplituden im Bereich der Kernphasenkaustik (Häge, 1981). Ein weiterer Grund für die geringe Streuung ist die ausschließliche Verwendung von Ereignissen mit kurzer impulsiver Herdzeitfunktion. Erst die geringe Streuung der Amplitudenwerte ermöglicht eine Interpretation der Daten. Die theoretischen Amplitudenkurven der untersuchten Erdmodelle zeigen im Bereich der Kaustik B einen gleichartigen Kurvenverlauf. Bei allen Berechnungen wird ein einheitliches Modell für die Güte der P- und S-Wellen verwendet, das sich aus den Q-Werten der Modelle CIT112 und PREM 2 zusammensetzt. Die mit diesem Q-Modell berechneten Amplituden liegen in geringem Maße oberhalb der gemessenen Amplituden. Dies braucht nicht berücksichtigt zu werden, da die kumulierte Amplituden-Entfernungskurve anhand der Lage des Maximums auf der Entfernungsachse ausgewertet wird. Folglich wird darauf verzichtet, ein alternatives Q-Modell zu entwickeln.<br /> Hinsichtlich der Lage des Kaustikmaximums lassen sich die untersuchten Erdmodelle in zwei Kategorien einteilen. Eine Gruppe besteht aus den Modellen IASP91 und 1066B, deren Maxima bei 144.6 &#176; und 144.7 &#176; liegen. Zur zweiten Gruppe von Modellen zählen AK135, PREM und SP6 mit den Maxima bei 145.1 &#176; und 145.2 &#176; (SP6). Die gemessene Amplitudenkurve hat ihr Maximum bei 145 &#176;. Alle Entfernungsangaben beziehen sich auf eine Herdtiefe von 200 km. Die Kaustikentfernung für einen Oberflächenherd ist jeweils um 0.454 &#176; größer als die angegeben Werte. Damit liegen die Maxima der Modelle AK135 und PREM nur 0.1 &#176; neben dem der gemessenen kumulierten Amplitudenkurve. Daher wird auf die Erstellung eines eigenen Modells verzichtet, da dieses eine unwesentlich verbesserte Amplitudenkurve aufweisen würde. Das Ergebnis der Untersuchung ist die Erstellung einer gemessenen kumulierten Amplituden-Entfernungskurve für die Kaustik B. Die Kurve legt die Position der Kaustik B für kurzperiodische Daten auf &#177; 0.15 &#176; fest und bestimmt damit, welche Erdmodelle für die Beschreibung der Amplituden im Entfernungsbereich der Kaustik B besonders geeignet sind. Die Erdmodelle AK135 und PREM, ergänzt durch ein einheitliches Q-Modell, geben den Verlauf der Amplituden am besten wieder. Da die Amplitudenkurven beider Modelle nahe beieinander liegen, sind sie als gleichwertig zu bezeichnen.<br /> Im zweiten Teil der Arbeit wird die Struktur der Übergangszone in den inneren Erdkern anhand des spektralen Abklingens der Phase PKP(BC)diff am Punkt C der Laufzeitkurve untersucht. Der physikalische Prozeß der Beugung ist für die starke Abnahme der Amplituden dieser Phase verantwortlich. Die Diffraktion beeinflußt das Abklingverhalten verschiedener Frequenzanteile des seismischen Signals auf unterschiedliche Weise. Eine Deutung des Verhaltens erfordert die Berechnung von Abklingspektren. Dabei wird die Abschwächung des PKP(BC)diff Signals für acht Frequenzen zwischen 6.4 s und 1.25 Hz ermittelt und als Spektrum dargestellt. Die Form des Abklingspektrums ist charakteristisch für die Beschaffenheit der Geschwindigkeitsstruktur direkt oberhalb der Grenze zum inneren Erdkern (GIK). Die Beben, deren Kernphasen im Regionalnetz als diffraktierte Kernphasen BCdiff registriert werden, liegen in einem Entfernungsbereich jenseits von 150 &#176;. In dieser Distanz befinden sich die Erdbebenherde der Tonga-Fidschi-Subduktionszone, deren Breitbandaufzeichnungen verwendet werden. Die Auswertung unkorrigierter Wellenformen ergibt Abklingspektren, die mit plausiblen Erdmodellen nicht in Einklang zu bringen sind. Aus diesem Grund werden die Daten einer spektralen Stationskorrektur unterzogen, die eigens zu diesem Zweck ermittelt wird. Am Beginn der Auswertung steht eine Prüfung bekannter Erdmodelle mit unterschiedlichen Geschwindigkeitsstrukturen oberhalb der GIK. Zu den untersuchten Modellen zählen PREM, IASP91, AK135Q, PREM2, SP6, OICM2 und eine Variante des PREM. Die Untersuchung ergibt, daß Modelle, die einen verringerten Gradienten oberhalb der GIK aufweisen, eine bessere Übereinstimmung mit den gemessenen Daten zeigen als Modelle ohne diese Übergangszone. Zur Verifikation dieser These wird ein Erdmodell, das keinen verringerten Gradienten oberhalb der GIK besitzt (PREM), durch eine Reihe unterschiedlicher Geschwindigkeitsverläufe in diesem Bereich ergänzt und deren synthetische Seismogramme berechnet. Das Resultat der Untersuchung sind zwei Varianten des PREM, deren Frequenzanalyse eine gute Übereinstimmung mit den Daten zeigt. Das Abklingspektrum des Erdmodells PD47, das in einer 380 km mächtigen Schicht einen negativen Gradienten besitzt, zeigt eine große Ähnlichkeit mit den gemessenen Spektren. Dennoch kann es nicht als realistisches Modell angesehen werden, da der Punkt C in einer zu großen Entfernung liegt. Darüber hinaus müßte die zu kurze Differenzlaufzeit zwischen PKP(AB) und PKP(DF) beziehungsweise PKIKP durch eine größere Änderung der Geschwindigkeitsstruktur im inneren Kern kompensiert werden. Es wird deshalb das Modell PD27a favorisiert, das diese Nachteile nicht aufweist. PD27a besitzt eine Schicht konstanter Geschwindigkeit oberhalb der GIK mit einer Mächtigkeit von 150 km. Die Art des Geschwindigkeitsverlaufs steht im Einklang mit der geodynamischen Modellvorstellung, nach der eine Anreicherung leichter Elemente oberhalb der GIK vorliegt, die als Ursache für die Konvektion im äußeren Erdkern anzusehen ist. / In this thesis the structure of the outer core is investigated with PKP core phases. The knowledge of the physical properties of the earth&prime;s deep interior in this region is important for the understanding of geodynamical processes like the convective flow in the liquid outer core and the differential rotation of the earth&prime;s inner core.<br /> The first part of this thesis describes the investigation of the PKP caustic point B near 145 &#176;. For this purpose a cumulative amplitude distance curve is determined and compared with theoretical amplitude distance curves of different standard earth models. The data are broadband seismograms of the German Regional Seismic Network (GRSN) and the Gräfenberg Array (GRF). In order to measure the absolute amplitudes of the PKP phases, a WWSSN-SP filter is applied to the seismograms. The source regions are located in the South Pacific near Vanuatu Island (4 earthquakes) and on the French atolls Mururoa and Fangataufa (4 explosions). The advantage of a standardized network of seismic stations and the usage of station and magnitude corrections is a reduction of the scatter of the amplitude data. There is even less scatter than in studies with long period amplitude data (Häge, 1981). Another reason for the reduced scattering is the use of events with an impulsive source time function. Only the low scattering of the amplitude values makes it possible to interpret the data. More scattering of the data would have prevented an interpretation. The theoretical amplitude curves are similar in the caustic B distance range. The Q depth distribution for P and S waves used for calculating the synthetic seismograms is a combination of the values of the models CIT112 and PREM. The amplitudes determined with the help of this kind of model are slightly higher than the actually measured amplitudes. However, this needs not be taken into account because the interpretation is based on the position of the caustic peak. Therefore I rejected the computation of an improved Q model.<br /> Regarding the position of the caustic point there are two categories of earth models. The first group consists of the models IASP91 and 1066B with their maxima at 144.6 &#176; and 144.7 &#176; respectively. AK135, PREM and SP6 belong to a second group of models with caustic peaks at 145.1 &#176; and 145.2 &#176; (SP6). The measured curve has its maximum at 145 &#176;. All distances refer to a source depth of 200 km. For a surface focus the increase in distance is 0.454 &#176;. Therefore the peaks of the models AK135 and PREM are only 0.1 &#176; beside the maximum of the measured amplitude curve. The main result of this investigation is the amplitude distance curve in the vicinity of the cusp B. The curve determines the position of this point with an accuracy of &#177; 0.15 &#176; and points to earth models which would be good for modeling the amplitudes in the distance range of the PKP caustic B. The synthetic seismograms calculated for AK135 and PREM together with a standardized Q model fit the measured amplitude curve equally well.<br /> In the second part of this study the structure of the transition zone to the earth&prime;s inner core is investigated by using the spectral decay of the diffracted wave PKP(BC)diff at point C of the travel time curve. The physical process of diffraction is responsible for the strong reduction in amplitude of this wave. The influence of the diffraction on the seismic signal strongly depends on frequency. The interpretation of this phenomenon requires a calculation of decay spectra. In practice the attenuation of the PKP(BC)diff signal for eight frequencies between 6.4 s and 1.25 Hz are measured and visualized as a decay spectrum. The shape of a spectrum is characteristic of the velocity gradient above the inner core boundary (ICB). Those earthquakes whose core phases are recorded as diffracted core phases BCdiff lie beyond 150 &#176;. In this distance range there are the epicenters of the Tonga-Fiji slab. The broadband waveform data of the earthquakes in this region is used in this study. Decay spectra of waveform data which are not corrected for station site effects are incompatible with standard earth models. Therefore a spectral station correction is applied, which was especially determined for this purpose. The investigation starts with a review of a number of well-known earth models like PREM, IASP91, AK135Q, PREM2, SP6, OICM2 and a version of PREM. All these models have different velocity structures at the ICB. It is shown that models with a reduced velocity gradient above the ICB agree with the data rather than models without such a transition zone. For verification purposes a model without such a reduced gradient (PREM) is completed with different kinds of gradient zones to calculate synthetic seismograms. Two variants of the PREM correspond with the measured decay constants. The decay constants of model PD47 are very close to the measured ones. This model has a 380 km thick negative gradient above the ICB. Nevertheless it is not a realistic model because point C lies in a unrealistic great distance. As a result of the low velocity zone above the inner core there is a differential travel time between the PKP(AB) and the PKP(DF) phase (also PKIKP) which is too short. This would have to be compensated by a correction of the velocities in the inner core. Thus PD27a is the most suitable model which does not have the above mentioned disadvantages. PD27a has a 150 km thick layer of constant velocity above the ICB. This kind of velocity model is compatible with geodynamical theories according to which an enrichment of light elements above the ICB is present and powers the convection in the outer earth core by its buoyancy.

This thesis has two major objectives. The first objective is to investigate the seasonal and diurnal variations in occurrence of HF coherent echoes. We assess F-region echo occurrence rates for the PolarDARN HF radars at Inuvik (INV) and Rankin Inlet (RKN) and the auroral zone SuperDARN radars at Saskatoon (SAS) and Prince George (PGR) for the period of 2007-2010. We show that the INV and RKN PolarDARN radars show comparable rates of echo occurrence all the time and they detect 1.5-2.5 times more echoes through ½-hop propagation mode (MLATs=80°-85°) than the SAS and PGR SuperDARN radars through 1½-hope propagation mode (MLATs=75°-80°). For all four radars, the winter occurrence rates are about ~2 times higher than the summer rates. For observations in the dusk, midnight and dawn sectors, equinoctial maxima are evident. The pattern of echo occurrence in terms of MLT/season is about the same for all radars with clear maxima near noon during winters and summers and enhanced (as compared to other time of the day) occurrence rates during equinoctial dusk and dawn hours. Additionally, to investigate the effect of solar cycle on occurrence of F-region echoes, we consider the near noon and near midnight echo occurrence rates for the Saskatoon radar over the period of 1994-2010. We show that there is a strong, by a factor of ~10, increase in SAS night-side echo occurrence towards solar maximum. The effect does not exist for the dayside echoes; moreover, a decrease in number of echoes, by a factor of ~2, was discovered for the declining phase of the solar cycle. The second objective is to evaluate the electron density and the electric field as factors controlling the occurrence of F-region echoes. We use observations of these two ionospheric parameters measured by CADI ionosonde and RKN observations of echo occurrence rates over Resolute Bay (MLAT=83°). We show that there is a correlation in changes of echo occurrence and electron density changes for 3 years of radar-ionosonde joint operation (2008-2010). The comparison of radar-ionosonde data shows that the enhanced echo occurrence at near noon hours during summer months correlate with the enhanced electric field during these periods.

Today, ocean modeling is fast developing as a versatile tool for the study of earth’s climate, local marine ecosystems and coastal engineering applications. Though the field of ocean modeling began in the early 1950s along with the development of climate models and primitive computers, even today, the state-of-the-art ocean models have their own limitations. Many issues still remain such as the uncertainity in the parameterisation of essential processes that occur on spatial and temporal scales smaller than that can be resolved in model calculations, atmospheric forcing of the ocean and the boundary and initial conditions. The advent of data assimilation into ocean modeling has heralded a new era in the field of ocean modeling and oceanic sciences. “Data assimilation” is a methodology in which observations are used to improve the forecasting skill of operational meteorological models. The study in the present thesis mainly focuses on obtaining a four dimensional realization (the spatial description coupled with the time evolution) of the oceanic flow that is simultaneously consistent with the observational evidence and with the dynamical equations of motion and to provide initial conditions for predictions of oceanic circulation and tracer distribution. A good implementation of data assimilation can be achieved with the availability of large number of good quality observations of the oceanic fields as both synoptic and in-situ data. With the technology in satellite oceanography and insitu measurements advancing by leaps over the past two decades, good synoptic and insitu observations of oceanic fields have been achieved. The current and expected explosion in remotely sensed and insitu measured oceanographic data is ushering a new age of ocean modeling and data assimilation. The thesis presents results of analysis of the impact of data assimilation in an ocean general circulation model of the North Indian Ocean. In this thesis we have studied the impact of assimilation of temperature and salinity profiles from Argo floats and Sea Surface height anomalies from satellite altimeters in a Sigma-coordinate Indian Ocean model. An ocean data assimilation system based on the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) for the Indian Ocean is used. This model is implemented, validated and applied in a climatological simulation experiment to study the circulation in the Indian Ocean. The validated model is then used for the implementation of the data assimilation system for the Indian Ocean region. This dissertation presents the qualitative and quantitative comparisons of the model simulations with and without subsurface temperature and salinity profiles and sea surface height anamoly data assimilation for the Indian Ocean region. This is the first ever reported data assimilation studies of the Argo subsurface temperature and salinity profile data with ROMS in the Indian Ocean region.

Atmospheric convection is sensitive to the nature of the surface and its temperature. Both dry (without cloud) and moist (with cloud) convections depend on the surface temperature. Surface temperature is of critical importance in several practical applications like human comfort and crop cultivation. In the climate change scenario too, variations in the surface temperature take the center stage. Therefore, prediction of surface temperature is important. The evolution of the temperature is governed by the energy equation and the surface temperature by the surface energy balance. Important components of the surface energy balance are radiation (incoming solar radiation, reflected solar radiation, incoming and outgoing longwave radiation), sensible and latent heat fluxes and heat flux into the ground (called ground heat flux). A large number of individual and collective observations have been carried out in the past to understand the atmospheric boundary layer and the surface energy budgets. However a major share of the observations is from mid-latitudes. There have been few experiments carried out in India, for example, MONTBLEX, LASPEX, etc. One common drawback among these experiments is that the data time series is discontinuous and continuous measurements covering an entire season are lacking. Moreover these measurements were not comprehensive and hence did not allowed to calculate complete surface energy balance – in some cases radiation data is not available while in some humidity data. Therefore, continuous time series of sufficient duration and covering all variables needed to look at the seasonal energy balance based on measurements alone is missing in the Indian context. New programmes with the main objective of predicting convection are being planned in India. For example, PROWNAM (Prediction of Regional Weather with Observational Meso-Network and Atmospheric Modeling) is aimed at predicting the short term weather at SHAR and STORM (Severe Thunderstorms – Observations and Regional Modeling) aims to predict the occurrence of severe thunderstorms in the northeastern India. In both these programmes, measurement of all components of surface energy balance is one of the main objectives. However, the minimum configuration and data accuracy requirements for the flux towers, sensitivity of computed fluxes on data accuracy have not been carefully evaluated. This thesis is aimed at filling this gap. As a part of my work, a 10 m high micrometeorological tower was installed in an open area within the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Air Field. Temperature, relative humidity and wind speed and direction instruments were mounted at two levels, 2 m and 8 m. All components of radiation were measured. Data, sampled every 5 s and averaged for 2 minutes were continuously stored, starting May 2006 onwards. Soil temperature was measured at 4 depths, 5 cm, 10 cm, 15 cm and 20 cm. In addition, a sonic anemometer capable of measuring 3 components of velocity and air temperature was installed at 2 m height, and data was collected for more than a month to enable the calculation of momentum and buoyancy fluxes using the Eddy correlation method (ECM). The present work evaluated the sensitivity of the fluxes for small calibration errors and quantified the minimum data accuracies and configuration needed for flux measurement with the Profile method (PM). After applying corrections, the comparison of fluxes from PM and ECM are in good agreement. The complete long-term surface energy balances is calculated in terms of source and sink. One aspect that emerges from the observation is that the seasonal variation in the sink term is relatively small (150-170 Wm-2) whereas the source term shows much larger variation from 180-250 Wm-2. A method has been implemented by which the ground surface temperature can be estimated by using the subsurface temperature timeseries by the method of Fourier decomposition and using the Fourier heat conduction equation. In addition we can compute the thermal diffusivity of the soil by using the amplitude and phase information of the sub-surface soil time series. The estimated temperatures from this method and one that estimated from radiation method are in good agreement with the maximum difference being less than 0º C.