Relationships between Terrain Features and Forecasting Errors of Surface Wind Speeds in a Mesoscale Numerical Weather Prediction Model

Numerical weather prediction(NWP)models have always presented large forecasting errors of surface wind speeds over regions with complex terrain.In this study,surface wind forecasts from an operational NWP model,the SMS-WARR(Shanghai Meteorological Service-WRF ADAS Rapid Refresh System),are analyzed to quantitatively reveal the relationships between the forecasted surface wind speed errors and terrain features,with the intent of providing clues to better apply the NWP model to complex terrain regions.The terrain features are described by three parameters:the standard deviation of the model grid-scale orography,terrain height error of the model,and slope angle.The results show that the forecast bias has a unimodal distribution with a change in the standard deviation of orography.The minimum ME(the mean value of bias)is 1.2 m s^(-1) when the standard deviation is between 60 and 70 m.A positive correlation exists between bias and terrain height error,with the ME increasing by 10%−30%for every 200 m increase in terrain height error.The ME decreases by 65.6%when slope angle increases from(0.5°−1.5°)to larger than 3.5°for uphill winds but increases by 35.4%when the absolute value of slope angle increases from(0.5°−1.5°)to(2.5°−3.5°)for downhill winds.Several sensitivity experiments are carried out with a model output statistical(MOS)calibration model for surface wind speeds and ME(RMSE)has been reduced by 90%(30%)by introducing terrain parameters,demonstrating the value of this study.

HOG-VGG:VGG Network with HOG Feature Fusion for High-Precision PolSAR Terrain Classification

This article proposes a VGG network with histogram of oriented gradient(HOG) feature fusion(HOG-VGG) for polarization synthetic aperture radar(PolSAR) image terrain classification.VGG-Net has a strong ability of deep feature extraction,which can fully extract the global deep features of different terrains in PolSAR images,so it is widely used in PolSAR terrain classification.However,VGG-Net ignores the local edge & shape features,resulting in incomplete feature representation of the PolSAR terrains,as a consequence,the terrain classification accuracy is not promising.In fact,edge and shape features play an important role in PolSAR terrain classification.To solve this problem,a new VGG network with HOG feature fusion was specifically proposed for high-precision PolSAR terrain classification.HOG-VGG extracts both the global deep semantic features and the local edge & shape features of the PolSAR terrains,so the terrain feature representation completeness is greatly elevated.Moreover,HOG-VGG optimally fuses the global deep features and the local edge & shape features to achieve the best classification results.The superiority of HOG-VGG is verified on the Flevoland,San Francisco and Oberpfaffenhofen datasets.Experiments show that the proposed HOG-VGG achieves much better PolSAR terrain classification performance,with overall accuracies of 97.54%,94.63%,and 96.07%,respectively.

Simulation Analysis on A Rainstorm in Guizhou and Numerical Test about the Terrain Impact

A rainstorm caused by mesoscale convective system (MCS) in Guizhou Province in June 25-26 in 2005 was simulated with the MM5 model. Based on the good simulated results of the MCS developing and the clouds physics process, and by means of reducing the height of Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and cutting off the middle-east of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau on the simulated tests, the question as how the ladder terrain on the west of Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau impact on the rainstorm of Guizhou was studied. The analysis results showed that the second ladder terrain of Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau only affected the development of convective clouds on its backward position,and hardly affected the rain on its upward. The whole terrain of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau had a distinct impact not only on the windward slope rainfall of the west of the plateau, but also on the rainfall distribution, intensity and continuing time of the convective clouds on the middle-east of the plateau.

Application of unscented Kalman filter to novel terrain passive integrated navigation system

To improve the navigation accuracy of an autonomous underwater vehicle （AUV）, a novel terrain passive integrated navigation system （TPINS） is presented. According to the characteristics of the underwater environment and AUV navigation requirements of low cost and high accuracy, a novel TPINS is designed with a configuration of the strapdown inertial navigation system （SINS）, the terrain reference navigation system （TRNS）, the Doppler velocity sonar （DVS）, the magnetic compass and the navigation computer utilizing the unscented Kalman filter （UKF） to fuse the navigation information from various navigation sensors. Linear filter equations for the extended Kalman filter （EKF）, nonlinear filter equations for the UKF and measurement equations of navigation sensors are addressed. It is indicated from the comparable simulation experiments of the EKF and the UKF that AUV navigation precision is improved substantially with the proposed sensors and the UKF when compared to the EKF. The TPINS designed with the proposed sensors and the UKF is effective in reducing AUV navigation position errors and improving the stability and precision of the AUV underwater integrated navigation.

RANDOM TERRAIN MODEL

In order to slove a realistic test problem of TF/TA algorithm, it is necessary to make a discrete terrain model. The model has adjustable roughness parameters so as to test the optimization procedure for different types of terrain. In this paper, an algorithm to generate random terrain data is given.

第五代PSU/NCAR中尺度模式系统(MM5)介绍I:地形及地表分类参数处理(TERRAIN模块)

利用TERRAIN模块的主要功能、结构和原理对模块的安装和操作使用给予了说明。同时 ,为了加深读者对该模块的认识 ,对不同分辨率的地形、地表分类参数的处理进行比较 ,分析结果表明 ,高分辨率地形及地表分类资料的选取能更真实地反映出下垫面的实际特征 ,是今后进行中尺度天气预报和数值模拟的基础之一。

基于Terrain model的三角化运算法则

针对目前出现的大量的物体表面扫描数据的分割与插值方法,本文提出了一个新的适合Terrain model及其相近的三角化运算法则,并给出了部分运算程序代码。该运算法则经检验与运用,具有很好的实用性。

Singularity-free expression of magnetic field of cuboid under undulating terrain

Most of the current computing methods used to determine the magnetic field of a uniformly magnetized cuboid assume that the observation point is located in the upper half space without a source. However, such methods may generate analytical singularities for conditions of undulating terrain. Based on basic geomagnetic field theories, in this study an improved magnetic field expression is derived using an integration method of variable substitution, and all singularity problems for the entire space without a source are discussed and solved. This integration process is simpler than that of previous methods, and final integral results with a more uniform form. AT at all points in the source-flee space can be calculated without requiring coordinate transformation; thus forward modeling is also simplified. Corresponding model tests indicate that the new magnetic field expression is more correct because there is no analytical singularity and can be used with undulating terrain.

Field Relationships,Geochemistry,Zircon Ages and Evolution of a Late Archaean to Palaeoproterozoic Lower Crustal Section in the Hengshan Terrain of Northern China

The Hengshan complex forms part of the central zone of the North China Craton and consists predominantly of ductilely-deformed late Archaean to Palaeoproterozoic high-grade, partly migmatitic, granitoid orthogneisses, intruded by mafic dykes of gabbroic composition. Many highly strained rocks were previously misinterpreted as supracrustal sequences and represent mylonitized granitoids and sheared dykes. Our single zircon dating documents magmatic granitoid emplacement ages between 2.52 Ga and 2.48 Ga, with rare occurrences of 2.7 Ga gneisses, possibly reflecting an older basement. A few granitic gneisses have emplacement ages between 2.35 and 2.1 Ga and show the same structural features as the older rocks, indicating that the main deformation occurred after -2.1 Ga. Intrusion of gabbroic dykes occurred at -1920 Ma, and all Hengshan rocks underwent granulite-facies metamorphism at 1.88-1.85 Ga, followed by retrogression, sheafing and uplift. We interpret the Hengshan and adjacent Fuping granitoid gneisses as the lower, plutonic, part of a late Archaean to early Palaeoproterozoic Japan-type magmatic arc, with the upper, volcanic part represented by the nearby Wutai complex. Components of this arc may have evolved at a continental margin as indicated by the 2.7 Ga zircons. Major deformation and HP metamorphism occurred in the late Palaeoproterozoic during the Luliang orogeny when the Eastern and Western blocks of the North China Craton collided to form the Trans-North China orogen. Shear zones in the Hengshan are interpreted as major lower crustal discontinuities post-dating the peak of HP metamorphism, and we suggest that they formed during orogenic collapse and uplift of the Hengshan complex in the late Palaeoproterozoic （〈1.85 Ga）.

Positive and negative terrains on northern Shaanxi Loess Plateau

The Loess positive and negative terrains （P-N terrains）, which are widely distributed on the Loess Plateau, are discussed for the first time by introducing its characteristic, demarcation as well as extraction method from high-resolution Digital Elevation Models. Using 5 m-resolution DEMs as original test data, P-N terrains of 48 geomorphological units in different parts of Shaanxi Loess Plateau are extracted accurately. Then six indicators for depicting the geomorphologic landscape and spatial configuration characteristic of P-N terrains are proposed. The spatial distribution rules of these indicators and the relationship between the P-N terrains and Loess relief are discussed for further understanding of Loess landforms. Finally, with the integration of P-N terrains and traditional terrain indices, a series of un-supervised classification methods are applied to make a proper landform classification in northern Shaanxi. Results show that P-N terrains are an effect clue to reveal energy and substance distribution rules on the Loess Plateau. A continuous change of P-N terrains from south to north in Shaanxi Loess Plateau shows an obvious spatial difference of Loess land-forms and the positive terrain area only accounted for 60.5% in this region. The P-N terrains participant landform classification method increases validity of the result, especially in the Loess tableland, Loess tableland-ridge and the Loess low-hill area. This research is significant on the study of Loess landforms with the Digital Terrains Analysis methods.

Underwater Terrain Positioning Method Based on Least Squares Estimation for AUV

To achieve accurate positioning of autonomous underwater vehicles, an appropriate underwater terrain database storage format for underwater terrain-matching positioning is established using multi-beam data as underwater terrainmatching data. An underwater terrain interpolation error compensation method based on fractional Brownian motion is proposed for defects of normal terrain interpolation, and an underwater terrain-matching positioning method based on least squares estimation（LSE） is proposed for correlation analysis of topographic features. The Fisher method is introduced as a secondary criterion for pseudo localization appearing in a topographic features flat area, effectively reducing the impact of pseudo positioning points on matching accuracy and improving the positioning accuracy of terrain flat areas. Simulation experiments based on electronic chart and multi-beam sea trial data show that drift errors of an inertial navigation system can be corrected effectively using the proposed method. The positioning accuracy and practicality are high, satisfying the requirement of underwater accurate positioning.

Quantifying spatial scale of positive and negative terrains pattern at watershed-scale:Case in soil and water conservation region on Loess Plateau

The positive and negative terrains(P-N terrains) widely distributed across China's Loess Plateau constitute the dual structure characteristic of loess landforms. Analysis of loess P-N terrains at the watershed scale can serve to elucidate the structural characteristics and spatial patterns of P-N terrains, which benefits a better understanding of watershed evolution and suitable scales for loess landform research. The Two-Term Local Quadrat Variance Analysis(TTLQV) is calculated as the average of the square of the difference between the block totals of all possible adjacent pairs of block size, which can be used to detect both the scale and the intensity of landscape patches(e.g., plant/animal communities and gully networks). In this study, we determined the latitudinal and longitudinal spatial scale of P-N terrain patterns within 104 uniformly distributed watersheds in our target soil and water conservation region. The results showed that TTLQV is very effective for examining the scale of P-N terrain patterns. There were apparently three types of P-N terrain pattern in latitudinal direction(i.e., Loess Tableland type, Loess Hill type, and Transitional Form between Sand and Loess type), whereas there were both lower and higher values for P-N terrain pattern scales in all loess landforms in the longitudinal direction. The P-N terrain pattern alsoclearly presented anisotropy, suggesting that gully networks in the main direction were well-developed while others were relatively undeveloped. In addition, the relationships between the first scales and controlling factors(i.e., gully density, nibble degree, watershed area, mean watershed slope, NDVI, precipitation, loess thickness, and loess landforms) revealed that the first scales are primarily controlled by watershed area and loess landforms. This may indicate that the current spatial pattern of P-N terrains is characterized by internal force. In selecting suitable study areas in China' Loess Plateau, it is crucial to understand four control variables: the spatial scale of the P-N terrain pattern, the watershed area, the main direction of the watershed, and the loess landforms.

VALIDATION OF NEAR-SURFACE WINDS OBTAINED BY A HYBRID WRF/CALMET MODELING SYSTEM OVER A COASTAL ISLAND WITH COMPLEX TERRAIN

The results from a hybrid approach that combines a mesoscale meteorological model with a diagnostic model to produce high-resolution wind fields in complex coastal topography are evaluated.The diagnostic wind model(California Meteorological Model,CALMET) with 100-m horizontal spacing was driven with outputs from the Weather Research and Forecasting(WRF) model to obtain near-surface winds for the 1-year period from 12 September 2003 to 11 September 2004.Results were compared with wind observations at four sites.Traditional statistical scores,including correlation coefficients,standard deviations(SDs) and mean absolute errors(MAEs),indicate that the wind estimates from the WRF/CALMET modeling system are produced reasonably well.The correlation coefficients are relatively large,ranging from 0.5 to 0.7 for the zonal wind component and from 0.75 to 0.85 for the meridional wind component.MAEs for wind speed range from 1.5 to 2.0 m s-1 at 10 meters above ground level(AGL) and from 2.0 to 2.5 m s-1 at 60 m AGL.MAEs for wind direction range from 30 to 40 degrees at both levels.A spectral decomposition of the time series of wind speed shows positive impacts of CALMET in improving the mesoscale winds.Moreover,combining the CALMET model with WRF significantly improves the spatial variability of the simulated wind fields.It can be concluded that the WRF/CALMET modeling system is capable of providing a detailed near-surface wind field,but the physics in the diagnostic CALMET model needs to be further improved.

Effect of terrain on landscape patterns and ecological effects by a gradient-based RS and GIS analysis

Terrain is an important environment factor that plays a vital role in human development by influencing the spatial layout of land use patterns. The terrain niche index, combined with slope and elevation, can comprehensively present detailed information about spatial differences in terrain and is superior to single terrain factors. We applied remote sensing and geographical information system to terrain gradient, used the non-dimensional distribution index to examine spatial distribution characteristics of various landscape types, and analyzed the ecological effects of landscape were quantitatively on terrain gradients. Eco-environment quality (EEQ) was evaluated using the forestry operation area as the evaluation unit. The spatial distributions in various landscapes were significantly influenced by terrain factors, especially by bodies of water, cropland and residential land. The spatial distribution varied greatly in different terrain gradients for similar landscape types. The areas associated with good, intermediate and poor EEQ were occupied primarily by natural landscape, semi-natural and largely artificial landscapes, respectively.

Virtual Simulation System with Path-following Control for Lunar Rovers Moving on Rough Terrain

Virtual simulation technology is of great importance for the teleoperation of lunar rovers during the exploration phase, as well as the design of locomotion systems, performance evaluation, and control strategy verification during the R&D phase. The currently used simulation methods for lunar rovers have several disadvantages such as poor fidelity for wheel-soil interaction mechanics, difficulty in simulating rough terrains, and high complexity making it difficult to realize mobility control in simulation systems. This paper presents an approach for the construction of a virtual simulation system that integrates the features of 3D modeling, wheel-soil interaction mechanics, dynamics analysis, mobility control, and visualization for lunar rovers. Wheel-soil interaction experiments are carried out to test the forces and moments acted on a lunar rover’s wheel by the soil with a vertical load of 80 N and slip ratios of 0, 0.03, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.6. The experimental results are referenced in order to set the parameters’ values for the PAC2002 tire model of the ADAMS/Tire module. In addition, the rough lunar terrain is simulated with 3DS Max software after analyzing its characteristics, and a data-transfer program is developed with Matlab to simulate the 3D reappearance of a lunar environment in ADAMS. The 3D model of a lunar rover is developed by using Pro/E software and is then imported into ADAMS. Finally, a virtual simulation system for lunar rovers is developed. A path-following control strategy based on slip compensation for a six-wheeled lunar rover prototype is researched. The controller is implemented by using Matlab/Simulink to carry out joint simulations with ADAMS. The designed virtual lunar rover could follow the planned path on a rough terrain. This paper can also provide a reference scheme for virtual simulation and performance analysis of rovers moving on rough lunar terrains.

Turbulence Intensity and Turbulent Kinetic Energy Parameters over a Heterogeneous Terrain of Loess Plateau

A deep understanding of turbulence structure is important for investigating the characteristics of the atmospheric boundary layer,especially over heterogeneous terrain.In the present study,turbulence intensity and turbulent kinetic energy（TKE）parameters are analyzed for different conditions with respect to stability,wind direction and wind speed over a valley region of the Loess Plateau of China during December 2003 and January 2004.The purpose of the study is to examine whether the observed turbulence intensity and TKE parameters satisfy Monin–Obukhov similarity theory（MOST）,and analyze the wind shear effect on,and thermal buoyancy function of,the TKE,despite the terrain heterogeneity.The results demonstrate that the normalized intensity of turbulence follows MOST for all stability in the horizontal and vertical directions,as well as the normalized TKE in the horizontal direction.The shear effect of the wind speed in the Loess Plateau region is strong in winter and could enhance turbulence for all stability conditions.During daytime,the buoyancy and shear effect together constitute the generation of TKE under unstable conditions.At night,the contribution of buoyancy to TKE is relatively small,and mechanical shearing is the main production form of turbulence.

Experimental study of freak waves due to three-dimensional island terrain in random wave

An experimental study is carried out for waves passing an isolated reef terrain in a wave tank. A three-dimensional model of a representative and isolated reef terrain in the West Pacific is built. Random wave trains with various periods and wave heights are generated by a wave maker using the improved JONSWAP spectrum. It is observed that there are different kinds of generation processes and waveforms of freak waves. The freak wave factor Hm/Hs (where Hm is the maximum wave height of wave series, and Hs is significant wave height) is analyzed in detail, in terms of the skewness, kurtosis and water depth, as well as the relationship between freak wave height H& and skewness. The freak wave factor Hm/Hs is found to be in positive correlation with the kurtosis, while larger H[x tends to be related with bigger skewness. The rapid variation of water depth, such as slope and seamount, contributes to the occurrence probability of freak waves.

Roles of Mesoscale Terrain and Latent Heat Release in Typhoon Precipitation: A Numerical Case Study

The mesoscale orographic effects on typhoon Aere＇s precipitation are simulated using an Advanced Regional Eta-coordinate Model （AREM） version 3.0. In particular, the effects of the latent heat release are studied by two comparable experiments： with and without condensational heating. The results show that the typhoon rainfall is tripled by the southeastern China mesoscale terrain, and the condensational heating is responsible for at least half of the increase. One role of the latent heat release is to warm the atmosphere, leading to a depression of the surface pressure, which then causes a larger pressure difference in the zonal direction. This pressure gradient guides the water vapour to flow into the foothills, which in turn amplifies the water vapour flux divergence amplified, causing the typhoon rainfall to increase eventually. The other role of the latent heat release is to make the convection more organized, resulting in a relatively smaller rain area and stronger precipitation.

Study on the Influences of GWDO Parameterization Scheme and Terrain on a Rainstorm in Dabie Mountain

[Objective] The research aimed to study the influences of GWDO parameterization scheme and terrain on a rainstorm in Dabie Mountain.[Method] By using NCEP/NCAR 1°×1° analytical data,the conventional and unconventional ground observation data,WRFV3.1.1 version of non-hydrostatic balance meso-scale mode,a meso-scale shear line rainstorm process which happened in Dabie Mountain zone during 05:00-14:00 on June 21,2008 was carried out the diagnostic analysis and numerical test.In the control experiment,the gravity wave drag by orography(GWDO) parameterization scheme was added.The influences of GWDO parameterization scheme and terrain on the rainstorm process were discussed respectively by the sensitivity test.[Result] The orography dragging coefficient had the good improvement role on the rainstorm intensity or falling zone.The result had the very big difference when considering or non-considering the orography dragging coefficient.After the parameterization scheme was added,the rainstorm intensity or falling zone was better than that of non-addition.When there was no dragging coefficient,the shear line disturbance was strong,and the gravity wave activity was obvious.The precipitation was stronger in the zone where the gravity wave was obvious.The terrain in Dabie Mountain and the surrounding place also had the important effect on the shear line precipitation.When the terrain in Dabie Mountain was removed,the precipitation intensity on the shear line increased significantly,and the strengthening of rain belt in the west was the most obvious.When the terrain in the southeast of Dabie Mountain was removed,the precipitation in the east had the obvious increasing effect.The terrain wasn’t favorable for the rainstorm strengthening.The intensity variation of rain belt not only related to the terrain,but also related to the disturbance variation on the shear line.[Conclusion] The research provided the theory basis for the prediction and forecast of rainstorm.

Vegetation change as related to terrain factors at two glacier forefronts, Glacier National Park, Montana, U.S.A.

Glacier recession is a globally occurring trend. Although a rich body of work has documented glacial response to climate warming, few studies have assessed vegetation cover change in recently deglaciated areas, especially using geospatial technologies. Here, vegetation change at two glacier forefronts in Glacier National Park, Montana, U.S.A.was quantified through remote sensing analysis,fieldwork validation, and statistical modeling.Specifically, we assessed the spatial and temporal patterns of landcover change at the two glacier forefronts in Glacier National Park and determined the role of selected biophysical terrain factors(elevation, slope, aspect, solar radiation, flow accumulation, topographic wetness index, and surficial geology) on vegetation change(from nonvegetated to vegetated cover) at the deglaciated areas.Landsat imagery of the study locations in 1991, 2003,and 2015 were classified and validated using visual interpretation. Model results revealed geographic differences in biophysical correlates of vegetation change between the study areas, suggesting that terrain variation is a key factor affecting spatialtemporal patterns of vegetation change. At Jackson Glacier forefront, increases in vegetation over some portion or all of the study period were negatively associated with elevation, slope angle, and consolidated bedrock. At Grinnell Glacier forefront,increases in vegetation associated negatively with elevation and positively with solar radiation.Integrated geospatial and field approaches to the study of vegetation change in recently deglaciated terrain are recommended to understand and monitor processes and patterns of ongoing habitat change in rapidly changing mountain environments.