In external galaxies, the velocity dispersion of the atomic hydrogen gas shows a remarkably flat distribution with the galactocentric radius. This has been a long-standing puzzle because if the gas velocity dispersion is due to turbulence caused by supernova explosions, it should decline with radius. After a discussion on the role of spiral arms and ram pressure in driving interstellar turbulence in the outer parts of galactic disks, we argue that the constant bombardment by tiny high-velocity halo clouds can be a significant source of random motions in the outer disk gas. Recent observations of the flaring of H I in the Galaxy are difficult to explain if the dark halo is nearly spherical as the survival of the streams of tidal debris of Sagittarius dwarf spheroidal galaxy suggests. The radial enhancement of the gas velocity dispersion (at R > 25 kpc) due to accretion of cloudy gas might naturally explain the observed flaring in the Milky Way. Other motivations and implications of this scenario have been highlighted.

• F. J. SÁNCHEZ-SALCEDO(Instituto de Astronomía, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria) Corresponding Author
• A. SANTILLÁN(Cómputo Aplicado-DGSCA, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria)
• JOSÉ FRANCO(Instituto de Astronomía, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria)