Smooth flying: Breakthrough in understanding gravity waves could help pilots predict and avoid turbulence, scientists say
Chinese team learned more about invisible ripples in space by studying thunderstorms
Thunderstorms can generate strong gravity waves that are able to travel long distances and even potentially affect an aircraft far away in clear conditions, according to a new study by Chinese scientists.
The findings shed new light on one possible mechanism behind clear-air turbulence, and might help researchers come up with forecasting methods to reduce unexpected bumps in flights.
Clear-air turbulence is mostly harmless, apart from the mental strain it puts flight passengers under. But it can trigger travel sickness, and in extreme cases fliers can find themselves tossed around or even severely injured.
Because clear-air turbulence cannot be detected by the naked eye and is also very hard to spot using radar, pilots are often not alerted to its presence until they are almost in its midst.
Researchers have investigated many possible causes, such as jet streams and wind shear, but no satisfactory explanation has yet come to light to unravel the phenomenon.
In recent years, some investigators have focused on gravity waves. They compared these invisible waves to the ripples that emanate outwards when a stone is thrown into a pond.