We
appreciate reviewer A’s evaluation that the paper presents a thorough
description of the April 98 Asian dust clouds. Reviewer A’s major concern is
whether the paper is a summary of other papers or is a research paper by
itself.
The
paper is intended to be a self-sufficient research paper, not a summary of
other research papers. To our knowledge, all the data presented in this paper
are original, unpublished contributions by the ‘virtual community’. Also, the
analysis presented in the paper is original. References to other works are made
when they corroborate, supplement or contradict the content of our paper.
Following
reviewer A’s comments, we recognize that many of the cross-references were made
inappropriately; e.g. there is no need to have a separate section on modeling
when modeling was not explicitly part of the present work. In our revised
manuscript the modeling section is eliminated. Also, cross-referencing of other
papers is made more sparingly.
Responses
to reviewer A’ specific points:
1.
Figure
numbering is now in the sequence of first appearance
2.
The
description of ‘virtual workgroup’ and its activity is shortened and confined
to the Introduction and one sentence in the Discussion sections
3.
The
split discussions of figures is now consolidated
4.
The
section on modeling is eliminated. References to models are made only as
cross-references.
5.
The
map preparation of Fig. 5 is stated
6.
Figures
2 and 3 and most others are enhanced with additional labeling
Other
substantial changes in the paper included restructuring the presentation into a
chronological order and cutting the number of Figures from 12 to 9.
We
appreciate reviewer A’s constructive comments. His comments have improved the
content and form of the paper.