Satellite observations and numerical simulation results for the comprehensive analysis of ash cloud transport during the explosive eruptions of Kamchatka volcanoes

Ash clouds resulting from explosive volcanic eruptions pose a real threat to human life (for aircraft flights, airport operations, etc.); therefore, the detection, monitoring, and forecast of their movement is an urgent and important issue. The features and examples of application of the new tool developed on the basis of "Monitoring of Active Volcanoes of Kamchatka and the Kurile Islands" information system (VolSatView) are described. It allows the integrated monitoring and forecasting of ash cloud transport using the data of remote sensing and mathematical modeling as well as the assessment of the parameters of explosive events.     

Cycles of alkaline magmatism

Geochronological data (～1800 dates) have been analyzed by the probabilistic statistical analysis of samplings of different subalkaline and alkaline rocks through the whole of geological time. The distribution of five groups of subalkaline and alkaline rocks within the Late Archean-Phanerozoic are strictly controlled by mantle cycles, which were distinguished from data on the upper mantle magmatic rocks. Since high alkali rocks are plume related, their universal participation in each of the revealed mantle cycles emphasizes the importance of this magmatism in the evolution of the crustal-mantle system. The initial Sr and Nd isotope ratios are subdivided into two groups: with mantle and crustal signatures. Mantle isotope ratios are typically observed throughout the entire geological interval of dated rocks, while the role of crustal isotope signatures increases from the Archean to Phanerozoic, reflecting the increasing the role of fluids and crustal rocks in the magmatic processes during the generation of mantle magmas and their consolidation in the crust. Since alkaline magmatic sources are formed during mantle metasomatism, which enriched the magma generation zones in incompatible elements, the repeated occurrence of this process in separate mantle zones may have lead to the anomalous accumulation of these elements, which should be reflected in the alkaline magmas.     

Contrasting geochemistry of magmatic and secondary zircons

The intensity of the redistribution of trace elements in zircons significantly varies depending on the types of secondary processes affecting the magmatic rocks. The Neoarchean alkaline granites of the Keivy structure in the Kola Peninsula are employed as an illustrative example of differences in the variation dynamics of the proportions of certain elements (REE, Th, U, Hf, and others) with the transition from the magmatic to metamorphic crystallization of zircons during Proterozoic amphibolite-facies metamorphism over-printed onto the rocks. Changes are detected in the proportions of LREE and HREE, in the Ce⁴⁺/Ce³⁺ and Th/U ratios, and in other incompatible elements. The data obtained by geochemically comparing the redistribution of certain elements and their pairs in zircons during amphibolite-facies metamorphism and Phanerozoic hydrothermal alteration (literature data) are used to gain insight into the genesis of detrital Hadean zircons. Certain similarities and remarkable differences are detected in the effects of Hadean processes and Phanerozoic-Precambrian magmatism and secondary recrystallization on the behavior of chemical elements.     

Outer radiation belt of relativistic electrons during the minimum of the 23rd solar cycle

The data on fluxes of electrons with energy Ee > 1 MeV and on radiation doses under the Al shielding of about 2 g/cm² measured on the GLONASS satellite (circular orbit with altitude 20000 km and inclination 65°) for the period from December 2006 through May 2010 are analyzed. The minimum of the 23rd solar cycle turned out to be the longest for all over the space exploration age. Consequently, average semiannual electron fluxes and daily radiation doses are showing the decrease by more than an order of magnitude in comparison with the levels observed in 2007. We present an example of a diffusion wave of relativistic electrons; the wave develops in a period between magnetic storms. This process may result in a significant increase of the radiation dose measured in the orbit, even under the conditions of weak geomagnetic disturbances. The dynamics of variations in relativistic electron fluxes during the magnetic storm of April 5?C6, 2010, is discussed so far as this is the first strong flux enhancement in the 24th solar cycle.     

Transient electromagnetic surveys with unimodal transverse magnetic field: ideas and results

The theory behind transient electromagnetic surveys can be well described in terms of transverse magnetic and transverse electric modes. Soundings using transverse magnetic and transverse electric modes require different source configurations. In this study, we consider an alternating transverse magnetic field excitation by a circular electric dipole. The circular electric dipole transmitter is a horizontal analogue of the vertical electric dipole. Offshore surveys using circular electric dipole might represent an alternative to the conventional marine controlled‐source electromagnetic method at shallow sea and/or for exploring relatively small targets. Field acquisition is carried out by recording either electric or magnetic responses. Electric responses bear information on the 1D structure of a layered earth and successfully resolve high‐resistivity targets in marine surveys. Land‐based circular electric dipole soundings are affected by induced polarisation. On the contrary, magnetic responses are absent on the surface of a 1D earth, and as a result, they are very sensitive to any and even very small 3D conductivity perturbations. In addition, they are sensitive to induced polarisation or some other polarisation effects in the subsurface. At present, circular electric dipole transmitters and magnetic receivers are successfully used in on‐land mineral and petroleum exploration.     

Duality and genetic significance of REE speciation in tourmaline from tin deposits of the Far East

The distribution of REEs and some minor elements in tourmalines of different associations and deposits of the Russian Far East is studied by the methods of ICP-MS, ICP-MS with laser ablation and scanning electron microscopy. The duality of REE speciation in tourmaline is established: in high-temperature varieties, most REEs (mainly HREEs) are incorporated in rare minerals (monazite, xenotime, zircon, and F–Ce–Y carbonate), whereas hydrothermal ores are characterized by isomorphic incorporation of LREEs in the mineral structure, as well as by a fine admixture of zircon at the expense of detrital clasts in flyschoid rocks with the zones of tourmalinization.