Air is highly compressible. Within this nearby blanket of heavy air most of earth's weather changes occur. Technology is the tool which has allowed us to understand air and weather and the human-caused impacts on both. Technology has provided insight into how contaminated air adversely affects our health. Technology has given us the means to pollute the air and the means to control and to limit contamination of the air.
Air currents can be a source of enjoyment, too.
A prevailing westerly wind whips across the 4,000- foot plateau which encompasses Dolly Sods and Roaring Plains. As the wind reaches the eastern rim of the plateau, it plummets down the steep Allegheny Front into a broad valley. Once at the bottom, the air shoots upward in a wave powerful enough to elevate gliders as high as 26,000 feet.