Seminar 12th November 2014 2 p.m. Building 53, Room 4025a, Highfield Campus, University of Southampton
Some random walks in space weather
Mervyn Freeman
British Antarctic Survey
- Web page
- http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/about_bas/contact/staff/profile/f500504668c033a1b5bcb96008295a66
- Categories
- Complex Systems
- Submitter
- Luke Goater
CS4 Seminar Series
Part of the Complexity Seminar Series 2014-2015.
Abstract
Space weather - the natural variability of near-Earth space - is a hazard to modern society, with the potential to affect satellite services and electricity supply. It is the fourth highest natural hazard risk on the Government's National Risk Register, alongside heatwaves and low temperatures. Arguably the greatest source of uncertainty is the substorm - an earthquake-like disruption of near-Earth space that eludes deterministic prediction. In this talk, I will show how substorm occurrence may be understood as a random walk towards an absorbing barrier, similar to the Gerstein-Mandelbrot model of neuron firing in the brain. I will discuss the limits of prediction and similarities to the space weather of Jupiter and Saturn.
All CS4 talks are free and refreshments will be provided from 3pm. No registration is required. For videos of previous talks and details of future talks please visit: http://cs4southampton.wordpress.com
CS4 is the seminar series for the Institute for Complex Systems Simulation which brings together world-class simulation modelling research activities from across the University of Southampton and hosts Southampton's Doctoral Training Center (DTC) in Complex Systems Simulation: http://www.icss.soton.ac.uk
Please note the earlier start time of 2pm - all other CS4 talks will remain a 4pm start unless otherwise stated