Studying the mesoscale structure of inhomogeneities within the high-latitude stratosphere during the evolution of the circumpolar vortex on the basis of aircraft measurements

Mesoscale inhomogeneities in the fields of wind, temperature, and ozone concentrations have been studied on the basis of aircraft measurements performed within the international EUPLEX and RECONCILE projects in the northern polar region in the presence of the circumpolar vortex. Data have been obtained on the structure of turbulence inside and outside the circumpolar vortex. The zones of enhanced turbulence have been studied. The spectrum of coherence between ozone and wind velocity are found to have high values.     

On the vertical velocity component in the mesoscale Lofoten vortex of the Norwegian Sea

For the first time, the concepts of the theory of helical vortices have been applied to the Lofoten vortex of the Norwegian Sea. The estimates for azimuthal and vertical velocities have been obtained from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology general circulation model (MITgcm) for 1992–2012. The columnar vortex model with helical vorticity lines and distributions has been adapted to Scully and Rayleigh vortices. It has been shown that the vortex parameters can be determined simply from mass balance equations. The parameters of the helical vortex simulating the structure of the Lofoten vortex have been found and the radial distributions of azimuthal and vertical velocity components have been constructed. The resulting data can be interesting for an analysis of the three-dimensional structure of mesoscale vortices in the ocean.     

The influence of the Kuril Islands on the penetration of tsunamis into the Sea of Okhotsk (on the example of the Japan tsunami on March 11, 2011)

The features of the propagation of the tsunami of March 11, 2011 in the northeastern Pacific have been studied with the aim of revealing the degree of influence of the Kuril Islands on the penetration of the tsunami in the Sea of Okhotsk. For this, a series of computational experiments have been performed within the shallow water theory using bathymetry (1) with and (2) without the Kuril Islands. The wave heights calculated have been analyzed, and the tsunami’s magnitude and intensity in the Sea of Okhotsk have been estimated. The computational experiments performed allow assessment of a decrease in the tsunami intensity while passing the Kuril Islands.     

Characteristics of the density field inhomogeneities in the north-western tropical Atlantic

Horizontal inhomogeneities of the density field have been identified at ten depth levels for four seasons. Spatio-temporal variabilities of the maximal gradient zones have been established in the meridional and zonal directions and in the direction of the largest growth of the density gradient. The characteristics of the density field inhomogeneities have been determined (climatic horizontal area), which are used to model dynamic processes in the ocean. Translated by Vladimir A. Puchkin.     

Deposits of the 1983 and 1993 tsunamis on the coast of Primorye

Deposits of the two strongest tsunamis of the 20th century have been found on the eastern coast of Primorye. The tsunamis had epicenters in the Sea of Japan west of the coast of Hokkaido. The distribution and preservation of deposits in bays of different geomorphological structure have been analyzed. The best defined sedimentary covers occur in the upper part of sections in low-lying areas of bay shores, where the wave runup was more than 3 m. The best preserved deposits have been observed in bays attributed to loworder streams. Variations of the structural composition of tsunami deposits formed by traction processes associated with the tsunamis have been analyzed depending on distance from the shoreline; the sources of material have been identified. Tsunami waves transported sand not only from beaches, ancient storm ridges, and terraces, but also from the underwater coastal slope; waves also grabbed material from estuarine lagoons and lakes located in the shore inundation zone. Deposits include marine diatoms with dominant sublittoral planktonic and benthic species, which suggests that the material was transported from a depth no more than 15 m. Deep-sea species of diatoms and their fragments have been encountered. Among freshwater diatoms are species with different ecological identities, indicating erosion and redeposition of material transported from various sources.     

Microwave signatures of the sea ice in the east Greenland current

Airborne microwave radiometer measurements at 5, 17, and 34 GHz have been carried out over the East Greenland Current. Sea ice signatures have been established for some of the basic ice types like first-year ice and multiyear ice. Other signatures have been experienced like that of presumably very old arctic ice and signatures associated more with the snow cover on the ice than with the ice itself. During MIZEX-83 measurements of total ice concentration were carried out.     

Manifestations of the Black Sea undercurrent in the density and hydrostatic pressure fields

Vertical kinematic structure of the geostrophic currents has been found to be correlated to the distribution of seawater density and hydrostatic pressure over depth. The conditions necessary for the existence of the undercurrent have been defined. On this basis, hydrological survey data compiled by the Marine Hydrophysical Institute in the Black Sea have been treated. Examples are given, which support theoretical deductions about the possible existence of the undercurrent beneath the Black Sea rim current. The undercurrent's parameters have been determined, along with the depths of the upper and lower boundaries and the mainstream velocity. Translated by Vladimir A. Puchkin.     

当前国际海道测量技术进展

通过参加第18届国际海道测量大会测绘仪器展和对所收集的资料翻译整理,对当前国际海道测量技术进展进行了分析总结。我国海道测量技术水平与国际先进水平还有较大差距;当前国际海道测量、测量装备及软件系统的不断更新、自主式无人机、水下机器人及智能浮标等新技术的广泛应用,极大丰富了海道测量信息,海道测量的服务范围不断扩大,随着海洋开发的加快,北极必将成为世界海道测量下一个热点。     

A Record of Palaeo-Tsunami in the Indian Ocean

The history of catastrophic events on the Indian coast helps us to understand the frequency and magnitude of the tsunamis that occurred in the Indian Ocean. These catastrophic events have changed the coastal landscape and have left significant records for further studies. These rare events have occurred in the Indian Ocean. There have been megatsunamigenic events in the past due to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. Those events due to earthquakes have proved more catastrophic than the volcanic activities. There has been limited official records of the causality and magnitude of palaeo-tsunamigenic events. These have been studied using the various proxies. The rate of sedimentation is a proportional tool to study the magnitude of a tsunami and this has proved to be a successful tool along with foraminiferal assemblages. Causes for a tsunami to occur are by and large, the subduction zone earthquakes of the Indian plate has been the most common source for tsunami in the Indian Ocean. More often the Andaman and Nicobar and the Indonesian islands have been vulnerable to tsunami than the mainland of India and Sri Lanka.

In summary, in the last 200 years at least three basin-wide tsunamis have occurred, with several smaller tsunami affecting one or more coastlines in the region. The December 2004 M-9 tsunami seems to have been the largest and most destructive in the last two centuries, suggesting most tsunami are likely to be smaller but still allowing the possibility that even larger tsunami could be generated in propitious circumstances.     

Temporal variability of the vertical thermal structure in the vicinity of South Crimea

On the basis of the experimental investigations conducted from an oceanographic tower, the variability of the structure of temperature profiles has been analysed. The paper provides a classification of the basis types of temperature profiles and determines their frequencies and duration in the annual cycle. Dynamics of the transition from one type of a temperature profile to another has been found to have synoptic scales. The variability of parameters during an occurrence of some typical profile have been assessed; it has been deduced that variations in profile shape are linked with fine structure effects of internal waves. Translated by Vladimir A. Puchkin.     

UNCLOS and the marine scientist

The deliberations at UNCLOS have been watched with great interest by individual marine scientists and by those who have attended as observers on behalf of scientific groups. Most of all these scientists have been apprehensive that their ability (freedom) to carry out research would be significantly limited by many of the provisions of the ICNT. In fact, one author goes as far as to state that progress has been made, largely at the expense of the marine research scientist¹.     

Deep-Water Sedimentary Characteristics and Response in the Reed Area of the Southern South China Sea

Many researchers have focused on the characteristics of tectonic evolution in the Reed area of the southern South China Sea, but there has been little research focusing on deep-water sedimentary characteristics. Seismic data acquired in the Reed area have been processed and analyzed; representative deep-water sedimentary patterns, such as sediment waves, deep-water channels, slumping, and sliding mass, can be clearly distinguished from these seismic profiles. Combining this data with the geological setting and seafloor topography of the research area, it can be concluded that deep-water channels, slumping, and sliding depositions which have developed on the continental slope of the northeast Reed basin were formed by gravity flow, and the sediment waves which occur in the west and northwest Reed basin have been generated by deep-water bottom current.     

Physical oceanography instrumentation for the polar regions: areview

The development of measurement systems for physical oceanography in polar regions is summarized, and selected instruments are described. Some instruments have been developed simply to provide access to the environment. Since hydrographic data are very sparse for large, inaccessible areas of the Arctic Ocean, hydrographic buoys have been developed that make long-term measurements of water temperature and conductivity as they drift through remote regions. Other instruments have been developed to take advantage of the unique platform the ice provides allowing measurements that cannot be performed in the open ocean. Instrumentation has also been developed to measure processes that are unique to ice-covered regions     

苏北盆地溱潼凹陷草舍油田构造及油气分布特征

草舍油田自20世纪70年代初开始钻探工作，迄今已打40多口井，先后在三垛组一段、载南组二段和一段、阜宁组三段和一段及泰朔组6个层位获得工业油流。随着勘探程度的不断深入，逐步完善了该区的开发井网，并对该区的构造特征、油气分布规律、控油因素、勘探前景诸方面有了新的认识。     

Comparison of wind and wave measurements and models in the Western Mediterranean Sea

We have hindcast the wind and wave conditions in the Mediterranean Sea for two one month periods. Four different meteorological models and three different wave models have been used. The results have been compared with satellite and buoy wind and wave observations.Several conclusions concerning both the instruments and the models have been derived. The quality of both wind and wave results has been assessed. Close to the coasts high resolution, nested wave models are required for sufficient reliability.A wave threshold analysis suggests a sufficient reliability only off the coast, with a substantial decrease for low wave heights.     

Large-scale inhomogeneities of the tropical Atlantic density field

Horizontal gradients of the density field have been computer using historical temperature-salinity data; large-scale inhomogeneities and the areas of maximal density gradients have been identified and their spatio-temporal variability determined. Translated by Vladimir A. Puchkin.     

Endogenic nature of variations in the bottom topography of the mid-ocean rift zones with intermediate spreading rates

Specific features of variations in the bottom topography of the mid-ocean rift zones with intermediate spreading rates are considered in this work. The rift zones with a transition morphology are analyzed, and the main features of the transition topography are distinguished. Several successive stages of topographic variations, each of which is characterized by a specific relative position of the topographic features of the rift zone cross section, have been distinguished based on an analysis of the character of rift zone topographic variations in going from axial rises to rift valleys. The specific features of variations in the structural segmentation of rift zones with intermediate spreading rates, depending on the morphological changes, have been established. The thermal models of the structure of the rift zone magmatic formations have been considered, and the geodynamic relations of the magmatic systems with the specific features of the morphology and the structural segmentation of the mid-ocean axial zones with the intermediate spreading rates have been discussed.     

Modeling the water circulation in the North Atlantic in the scope of the CORE-II experiment

A numerical experiment on the reproduction of the variability in the state of North Atlantic water in 1948–2007 with a spatial resolution of 0.25° has been performed using the global ocean model developed at Institute of Numerical Mathematics, Russian Academy of Sciences (INM RAS), and the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology (IO RAS) (the INM–IO model). The data on the state of the atmosphere, radiation fluxes, and bulk formulas of the CORE-II protocol are used as boundary conditions. Five successive 60-year calculation cycles have been performed in order to obtain the quasi-equilibrium state of a model ocean. For the last 20 years, the main elements of large-scale ocean circulation have been analyzed and compared with the WOA09 atlas data and the results of other models.     

Large-scale inhomogeneities of the tropical Atlantic temperature field

Horizontal gradients of the temperature fields have been calculated by the climatic temperature/ salinity data. Large-scale inhomogeneities and the areas of maximal temperature gradients have been identified and their spatio-temporal variability determined. Translated by Vladimir A. Puchkin.     

Analysis of optimal conditions for recording signals when studying the atmospheric boundary layer with the acoustic method of partial reflection

Equations for the coefficient of partial reflection K from stratified inhomogeneities in the atmospheric boundary layer have been derived on the basis of the Epstein transition and symmetrical layer models as functions of three dimensionless parameters, i.e., the relative layer altitude, its relative thickness, and the relative variations in the effective sound speed in a layer. The equations have been obtained for the relative layer altitude at which the total internal reflection appears; the behavior of the function K is studied at close altitudes. Significant weakening of the dependence of coefficient K on the relative layer thickness in these conditions is shown, which makes it possible to record partially reflected signals in a wide range of wave-lengths or frequencies of the sounding signal. In other cases, the coefficient of partial reflection K strongly depends on the layer thickness. According to experimental data on variations in the amplitude of received acoustic signals with an increase in the source-detector distance, a technique for the parameterization of the additional impedance attenuation of sound that propagates over the earth’s surface has been developed, and these parameters have been experimentally estimated for different stratification conditions and sounding signal frequencies. Many records of background acoustic noises typical for one or another measurement sites have been distinguished and classified, a technique for estimating the minimum signal amplitude distinguishable against noises has been developed, and the corresponding estimates have been made. Based on these data and the specifications of three different industrial acoustic sources, the parameter limits provided by these sources have been estimated for the method of partial reflection.