Dynamics,Cxtent, and Causes of Underflooding of Populated Localities in the Southern Rostov Oblast

Underflooding of different extent was recorded in 133 populated localities in southern Rostov oblast, among which 4 such localities are always partly underflooded, and 77 localities suffer underflooding during spring floods and freshets. Minimal estimates show that the area of the territories underflooded every year and only in wet years is 282 km² or 19% of the total built-up area in the southern Rostov oblast. Technogenic factors were found to dominate as the causes of underflooding in the majority of the populated localities. However, natural or slightly disturbed subsoil water regime is typical of the built-up territories in the southern Rostov oblast, where it implies annual periodicity of level variations with a peak in spring and a minimum in autumn.     

Water regime of urbanized soils and grounds in the aeration zone in Rostov Velikii Town: Analysis of experimental data

The most active and widespread negative anthropogenic processes in built-up territories is the underflooding and overmoistening of soils and grounds in the aeration zone. Prediction of water regime in aeration zone soils in Rostov Velikii Town, affected by many-century economic activity, is considered. The prediction procedure uses experimental data on hydrophysical soils properties. The results of parameterization and verification of moisture transport process in the aeration zone and the results of its calculation for years with different moisture content in different urban landscapes are given.     

Comparative analysis of water-use scenarios for lower don water management system

The major attention is paid to the methods and details of the development of complex water use scenarios. Comprehensive estimates of the state, formation, and use of water resources in Rostov province and Lower Don basin, taking into account socioeconomic trends, are given. Socioeconomic criteria are used to develop scenarios of water and land use and the procedure of their comparative analysis, taking into account environmental risks. The results of estimation of two most contrast scenarios are given.     

Monitoring Systems for Local Historical Natural–Technical Systems (HNTS) as a Basis for Measures for Long-Term Preservation of Cultural Objects

Examples of the development of monitoring systems are considered for the case of local historical natural–technical systems of various classification levels. The authors’ scheme of classification of local HNTSs is given. The classification is aimed to systematize the diverse data on various HNTSs to form a single interrelated system basing on common principal features. Monitoring systems of local HNTSs of the Borodino Battlefield, Old Ryazan City, and Rostov Kremlin are used as examples to demonstrate their relevancy for solving problems of the complex of protection measures.     

Hydrochemical Regime and Quality of Subsoil Water in Built-Up Territories in the Southern Rostov Oblast

Seasonal dynamics of the mineralization, ionic composition, and the concentrations of specific pollutants in subsoil water are studied in populated localities in the southern Rostov oblast. Four major water types are identified: hydrocarbonate–sulfate (sulfate–hydrocarbonate), sulfate, chloride–sulfate (sulfate–chloride), and mixed type of subsoil water. The quality of subsoil water was found to fail to meet the sanitarytoxicological standards in terms of many characteristics. The values of MAC are exceeded for calcium, magnesium, sodium, chloride and sulfate ions, oil products, cadmium, total iron, silicon, and nitrate and ammonium nitrogen. Relationships were found to exist between the concentrations in water of cadmium, potassium, and phosphorus ions; oil products; pH values; water mineralization and total hardness; and seasonal variations of subsoil water levels. The identified relationships were substantiated.     

Effect of medium electrophysical parameters and their temperature dependences on wideband electromagnetic pulse propagation

The dielectric permittivity of fiery spoil tips (Shakhty town, Rostov Region) is studied with the use of a GROT 12E remote-controlled ground-penetrating radar (GPR). An anomalous zone in a combustion source is shown to be clearly pronounced in GPR data due to the temperature dependence of the dielectric permittivity of these spoil tips. To substantiate this statement, the GPR data are compared with direct measurements of soil temperatures at depths from 1.5 to 2.5 m. The experimental results are compared with the variable spectral range of a GPR sounding pulse. GPR is shown to be a promising tool for the mapping of temperature-contrast underground objects.     

Experimental study of charge vertical transfer in surface air layer

The variability of air–earth electric currents in the lower 3-m air layer is analyzed in a complex with measurement data on the physical parameters that affect charge transfer in the atmosphere. Three types of air–earth current density profiles have been revealed during experimental observations in summer in Rostov region: (1) the current density decreases with an increase in the distance from the Earth’s surface and then stabilizes (nighttime conditions); (2) the current density increases with altitude up to 1 m and then decreases as altitude increases (day hours); (3) transient between types 1 and 2 that are observed in the morning and evening hours. The intensity of charge transfer in the surface air layer under the action of mechanical forces under different stratifications is estimated on the basis of data on altitude variations in the air–earth current density in view of the stationarity of electric processes and the constancy in the altitude of the total air–earth current density. Thermodynamic conditions are estimated with the use of wind velocity measurements and calculations of the turbulence factor and vertical component of the air temperature gradient.     

On the maintenance of the axisymmetric part of the flow in the atmosphere

Summary The maintenance of the axisymmetric component of the flow in the atmosphere is investigated by means of a steady-state, quasi-geostrophic formulation of the meteorological equations. It is shown that the meridional variations in the time-averaged axisymmetric variables can be expressed as the sum of three contributions, one being due to the eddy heat transport, another to the eddy momentum transport, and a third to the convective-radiative equilibrium temperature which enters the problem through the specification of a Newtonian form of diabatic heating. The contributions by the large scale eddies are evaluated through the use of observed values for the eddy heat and momentum transports.The contributions from each of the three forcing mechanisms to the temperature and zonal wind fields are invstigated individually and found to be of about equal importance. The sum of the three contributions are also presented for the temperature, the zonal wind, the stream function associated with the mean meridional circulation and the corresponding vertical motion. Although the results fail to reproduce the main observed features of the lower stratosphere, they are found to be in good agreement with observations in the middle latitude troposphere. At any pressure level, for example, the computed mean zonal wind has a jet-like profile and the axis of the jet is found to slope to the south with height, as observed in the atmosphere.Based in part on a thesis submitted by the first author as partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Ph.D. degree at the University of Michigan. — Publication No. 194 from the Department of Meteorology and Oceanography, The University of Michigan.     

On the synchronism in the events within the core and on the surface of the earth: the changes in the organic world and in the polarity of the geomagnetic field in the phanerozoic

The data on geomagnetic reversals are compared with the changes in the organic world and with the lower-mantle plumes. The times of the formation of plumes and the times of their appearance on the Earth’s surface relate to the intervals characterized by the different frequencies of geomagnetic reversals, i.e., there is no interrelation between the formation of plumes and the frequency of the changes in the geomagnetic field polarity. At the same time, a certain synchronism is observed between the frequency of the geomagnetic reversals and the boundaries of the biostratigraphic ages, i.e., the changes in the organic world in the long-period range. A hypothesis is proposed, which explains the change in the sign of the geomagnetic field by the combined effect of the irregular rotation of the internal core relative to the mantle and the changes in the slope angle of the axis of the Earth’s rotation, which, in turn, results in synchronous events on the Earth’s surface: the rates of changes in the organic world.     

Evolutionary Changes in the Configuration of the Magnetic Field of the Solar Corona in the Epoch of the Minimum

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy - The evolution of the magnetic configuration in the solar corona is studied. The curvature of the K-corona helmets obtained from an analytical approximation of the...     

The changes in the electric conductivity of the lithosphere in the source region of the strongest Olyutora earthquake in the Koryak highlands

The results of the magnetotelluric (MT) soundings before and after an earthquake are analyzed. The interpretation is based on the longitudinal and transverse MT curves (along and across the strike of the main tectonic elements, respectively). The MT curves are distorted by the ρ- and coast effect. The distortions due to the coast effect are estimated by the testing three-dimensional (3D) model. It is established that the coast effect distortion at the periods up to 1000 s is small and can be disregarded. The divergence of the longitudinal and transverse MT curves, which points to the presence of the deep faults, is thoroughly studied. The inversion of the MTsounding curves is carried out by the REBOCC program of the numerical two-dimensional modeling. This program implements the procedures of elimination of the ρ-effect and the joint inversion of the longitudinal and transverse MT sounding curves. The obtained geoelectrical cross sections provide an insight into the structure of electrical conductivity of the lithosphere before and after the earthquake. The more intense variations in the electric conductivity are observed in the zone of the deep faults. These variations are related to the changes in the porosity and saturation of the rocks by the highly mineralized fluids.     

Comparison Between the Nutations of the Planet Mars and the Nutations of the Earth

The nutations of the planets Mars andEarth are investigated and compared. Alarge number of interior structureparameters are involved in the nutationcomputations. The comparison between the observations and the computationsprovides several constraints on these parmeters andtherefore allows a better understanding of the physics of the interior of theplanet. For the Earth, the high precision of the observations of the nutationshas led to a very good determination of interior properties of the planet. ForMars, observations of nutations are not yet available, and we review how theamplitude of the Martian nutations depends on the hypotheses consideredfor its interior. Although Mars is very similar to the Earth, its interior is not well known;for example, we don't knowif its core is liquid or solid. Only if the core is liquid,the Free Core Nutation (FCN) normal mode exists and can alter the nutationswhich are close to the resonance. From the observed geoids, it is known thatboth planets are not in hydrostatic equilibrium. The departure is larger forMars than for the Earth, and consequently, the implication of considering a convective mantle instead of a mantle in hydrostatic equilibrium described byClairaut's equation for the initial equilibrium state of the planet is largeron the Martian nutations than on the Earth nutations. The consequences of theuncertainty in the core dimensions are also examined and shown to be of a veryhigh influence for Mars if the core is liquid, due to the potential changes inthe FCN resonance. The influence of the presence of an inner core, which isknown to exist for the Earth, could be more important for Mars than for theEarth if the inner core is large. Due to the presence of Tharsis on Mars, thetriaxiality of this planet has, additionally, larger effects than on Earth.     

Theory of the evolution of the earth and the earth's crust

Summary The paleomagnetic field (declination and inclination) in different geological epochs is represented through the field of the so-called magnetic dipole. The optimal dipole coordinates so obtained show that during older geological times the optimal dipole lay outside the earth's centre and moved towards and around the earth centre. It is supposed that the optimal dipole trajectory in the earth coincides with earth core trajectory. This core motion brought about a motion of the masses of the mantle in a direction opposite to the motion of the core. This in turn brought about the break-down of Pangea and the separation of the continents. The drift of the continents, the relative changing of the earth's rotational axis and many other geological and geophysical phenomena may be explained through such a motion, that is through the motion of an eccentrical core towards the earth centre.     

琼中地震台重力仪记录同震响应特征分析

2013年2月6-8日圣克鲁斯群岛发生6次强震,琼中地震台的重力仪记录都有同震响应出现。本文从重力仪记录的面波的延迟时间、最大变形幅度、同震持续时间3个方面研究了6次强震的同震响应特征。     

On the gravimetric undulations of the geoid and the deflections of the vertical

Summary The author mentions the aims of the World-wide gravity project he established in the Ohio State University in Columbus, in 1950. He outlines the practical procedure of the gravimetric computations of the undulationsN and the vertical deflection components and and emphasizes that only by the global international cooperation and additional gravity observations at sea carried out during the last decade it has been possible to gather to Columbus the needed gravity material. Since there exist still large gravimetrically unsurveyed areas it is of vital significance to study what gravity anomalies are best to be used for these regions. The given figures concerning the accuracy of theN, and , estimated theoretically and obtained in practice, indicate that in the gravimetrically well surveyed parts of the world like in Europe and the United States we can get gravimetrically on basis of existing gravity material theN-values with accuracy of about 5–10 meters, and and with the accuracy of about 1. The geoid undulationsN are already computed in Columbus for more than 6000 points of the northern hemisphere. The sample maps show the interesting geoid of Europe and vicinity between the latitudes 60° and 30° and longitude 5° W and 30° E, drafted on basis of more than 1000N-values computed at the corners of 1°×1° squares. It is interesting to realize that the geoid undulations in all this area are positive, the extreme values being between 40 and 50 meters. The geophysical significance of the geoid maps of this kind is pointed out.     

Temporal variations in the tidal response of the medium in the vicinities of the sources of catastrophic earthquakes

The idea of predicting earthquakes by continuously monitoring temporal variations in the tidal response of the medium was suggested by Beaumont and Berger in 1974. However, it became possible to implement the idea only recently. This possibility has arisen due to the deployment of Global Seismic Network (GSN), which collects the data on tidal tilts and gravity in the epicenters of strong earthquakes before and after the strongest events. In this paper, we present the results of model analytical and numerical calculations of the elastic displacements of the Earth’s surface caused by the earthquakes and their preparatory processes. The analytical calculations are limited to the model of a uniform elastic halfspace; the numerical calculations, in addition to this model, also cover the models with radially heterogeneous distributions of elastic moduli in the crust and in the upper mantle, which are determined by the PREM model. We describe the results of modeling temporal variations in the tidal response of the medium in the vicinity of the source of a catastrophic earthquake. The model of seismic source is specified by the length and the orientations of the fault plane and by the value of the discontinuity in the tangential component of the displacement vector on the opposite sides of the fault. The model is based on the GPS data on the horizontal and vertical displacements of the Earth’s surface. We suggest the method for determining temporal changes in the tidal response of the medium in the seismically active regions. This method improves the sensitivity and time resolution of the standard techniques of sliding-window analysis by more than an order of magnitude. The comparative analysis of temporal variations in the tidal response of the medium in the zones of the magnitude 9 earthquake in Japan (March 9, 2011) illustrates the described approach.

     

Temporal variations in the tidal response of the medium in the vicinities of the sources of catastrophic earthquakes

The idea of predicting earthquakes by continuously monitoring temporal variations in the tidal response of the medium was suggested by Beaumont and Berger in 1974. However, it became possible to implement the idea only recently. This possibility has arisen due to the deployment of Global Seismic Network (GSN), which collects the data on tidal tilts and gravity in the epicenters of strong earthquakes before and after the strongest events. In this paper, we present the results of model analytical and numerical calculations of the elastic displacements of the Earth??s surface caused by the earthquakes and their preparatory processes. The analytical calculations are limited to the model of a uniform elastic halfspace; the numerical calculations, in addition to this model, also cover the models with radially heterogeneous distributions of elastic moduli in the crust and in the upper mantle, which are determined by the PREM model. We describe the results of modeling temporal variations in the tidal response of the medium in the vicinity of the source of a catastrophic earthquake. The model of seismic source is specified by the length and the orientations of the fault plane and by the value of the discontinuity in the tangential component of the displacement vector on the opposite sides of the fault. The model is based on the GPS data on the horizontal and vertical displacements of the Earth??s surface. We suggest the method for determining temporal changes in the tidal response of the medium in the seismically active regions. This method improves the sensitivity and time resolution of the standard techniques of sliding-window analysis by more than an order of magnitude. The comparative analysis of temporal variations in the tidal response of the medium in the zones of the magnitude 9 earthquake in Japan (March 9, 2011) illustrates the described approach.     

To afforest the desert with the technology of peat composed of rotten mosses and the sustainable development of the oases

Only by providing the good conditions for the growth of plants can a favorable ecologicalenvironment on which human beings rely for existence be created. The upside-down-T dou-ble-layer water-conserving afforestation way is developed according to the situation of the short-age of water resources, low soil fertility and vast land in the arid areas. The characteristics of theafforestation way are to change the microenvironment in the root area of the plants, provide thefavorable conditions for the growth of plants, and reduce the necessary conditions for the growth ofplants in large areas in the arid regions. Meanwhile, the size of its water-conserving layer can bechanged according to the size of the planted trees. The different ways of the bottom wa-ter-conserving layer can be used according to the requirements. The afforestation way is suitablefor planting trees on a small scale and also for afforesting on a large scale under the adverse cir-cumstances in the arid areas, and has been effectively used in the afforestation in the hinterland ofTaklamakan Desert and the southern marginal zone of Gurbantonggut Desert. The prospects ofthe afforestation way are broad in afforestation and desertification control in the desert regions.     

Model studying the effect of the solar terminator on the thermospheric parameters

The results of model studying the mechanism of formation of large-scale disturbances in the thermosphere under the action of short-period waves propagating from the middle atmosphere are presented. The region of the solar terminator is considered as a source of such waves. The calculation results for the summer conditions in the Northern Hemisphere indicate that such an energy source, local in the space and time, results in the formation of large-scale inhomogeneities at altitudes of 120–160 km. A disturbance of these inhomogeneities is caused by the nonlinear and dissipative processes accompanying HF propagation in the terminator region. Large-scale disturbances have a quasistationary character and are localized near the morning and evening terminators. Vortex motions around the pole at altitudes of 140–160 km are formed at nigh latitudes of the winter hemisphere under the polar night conditions.     

Structure of the poleward wall of the trough and the inclination of the geomagnetic field above the EISCAT radar

A special high-resolution routine of the EISCAT radar has been used to investigate the structure and development of the poleward wall of a deep trough in electron density. The feature was tracked by the radar during a 7-hour period under very quiet geomagnetic conditions. The field-aligned nature of the structure enabled an estimate to be made of the inclination of the geomagnetic field above EISCAT that was in good agreement with the current model. Observations of narrow field-aligned enhancements in electron temperature demonstrated that the wall of this trough is a dynamic feature, reforming regularly as the electron density responds on a time scale of tens of minutes to energy input from soft-particle precipitation.