Variations of the hydrological regime,morphological structure,and landscapes of the Indus River delta (Pakistan) under the effect of large-scale water management measures

The hydrological regime, morphological structure, and landscapes of the Indus River delta are considered, and the significant changes that took place in them during the second half of the XX century because of the large-scale hydraulic engineering activity in the river’s basin, runoff regulation, and water withdrawal for irrigation are analyzed. It is shown that the abrupt decrease in water and sediment runoff in the Indus have affected the hydrological processes in the river’s lower reaches and caused delta degradation.     

The December 26, 2004, tsunami on Sumatra Island as a source of internal gravity waves in the earth’s atmosphere

Records of the coastal mareographs during the December 26, 2004, tsunami are used to study the fine structure of the tsunami wave power spectra. It is shown that a series of maxima is observed in their spectra near the source in a range of internal gravity wave frequencies of 0.2–1.2 mHz, which coincides with the frequencies of the natural oscillations of the Earth. This experimental finding enables us to propose a possible physical mechanism for the formation of tsunami waves as a result of oscillations in the sea bottom at these frequencies. Internal gravity waves in the Earth’s atmosphere excited in this way are found in the variations of the total electron content that resulted from this powerful earthquake.     

Scientific heritage of Ya. I. Likhter,a pioneer of the studies of VLF emission (Devoted to centenary of Ya. Likhter)

This work presents the most important results, some of which have been previously unknown, of long-term experimental studies of signals and emission in the ELF and VLF ranges carried by Ya.I. Likhter during ground-based and satellite observations. In addition, the possibility of using the research results obtained for the diagnostics of parameters and the state of the near Earth’s plasma is shown.     

Summertime polar front over the Russian plains

The geographical position of the climatological polar front over the Russian plains in summer of 1948–1960, 1961–1990, and 1991–2007 is detailed. The location of the polar front is derived using the frequency of cyclonic centers and the module of horizontal temperature gradient computed from the reanalysis data of UEA CRU 2.5° × 2.5°. The East European and Asian branches of the polar front are reliably distinguished by all indicators. The geographical position of branches differs from S.P. Khromov’s polar front map in July in details only. The present-day southward shift of the polar front over the East European Plain and the northward shift over the West Siberian Plain are revealed relative to the period of 1948–1990.     

A Giant Water Maser Flare in the Galactic Source IRAS 18316-0602

Astronomy Reports - The results of long-term monitoring of the Galactic maser source IRAS 18316–0602 (G25.65+1.05) in the water-vapor line at frequency f = 22.235 GHz (616–523...     

Water and sediment runoff at the Amazon River mouth

The regime and budget of water and sediment runoff in the mouth area of the Amazon River are discussed. New values of the water and sediment runoff at the terminal cross section (the town of Obidos) and at its outflow into the Atlantic Ocean have been obtained on the basis of observational data. It turned out that the water runoff value was markedly higher and the sediment runoff value was lower than it had been considered previously.     

Delta formation processes at the Mississippi River mouth

Specific processes of delta formation at the Mississippi River mouth are discussed. In the last 7000–8000 years, a series of large deltaic lobes was formed in succession at the Mississippi River mouth under the condition of high river sediment runoff and stabilization of the ocean level after its sudden postglacial rise. In the mid-XX century, the formation of a new deltaic lobe began at the Atchafalaya Branch mouth. Over the last centuries, the processes of delta formation at the Mississippi River mouth slowed down as a result of the river sediment runoff decrease after flow regulation of the Missouri and Arkansas tributaries; in some parts of the deltaic plain, these processes gave way to degradation of marshes and seashore erosion under the impact of intense land subsidence. The current processes of delta formation are under the great influence of local economic activities.     

The August 2, 2007, Nevelsk earthquake: Instrumental data analysis

A catalogue of aftershocks of the 2007 Nevelsk earthquake (M _w = 6.2) was prepared on the basis of the data from the local network of digital seismic stations established on the southern part of Sakhalin Island. The parameters of the aftershock hypocenters were determined using the method of the seismic wave travel time inversion. The errors in the determination of the coordinates of the seismic events were analyzed. The particularities of the spatiotemporal distribution of the aftershocks in the source zone of the earthquake were established. It was shown that a strong aftershock was a subsource earthquake with its own source zone. This explains the disagreement between the energetic characteristics and the size of the aftershock zone of the Nevelsk earthquake.     

Hydrological and morphological processes in Senegal River mouth area

The main features of the structure and water regime of the mouth area of the Senegal River and their changes caused by river regulation in its upper reaches and within its delta area are considered. Data on water and sediment runoff of the Senegal River and their variations along the river are specified. River runoff was found to dramatically decrease in recent decades because of a drought. Zoning of river mouth area was carried out, and morphological processes in its estuary, in particular, the formation of a new outlet of the river into the ocean with the formation of a lagoon, are described.     

Hypersalinization of river estuaries in West Africa

Regularities in processes of seawater intrusion into the rivers of Senegal, Saloum, Gambia, and Casamance in West Africa are analyzed. The seawater intrusion during the low-flow period, which is a common phenomenon for the lower reaches of these rivers, has taken on extreme features in the course of the severe drought that occurred in West Africa in the 1970s–1980s. The processes of progressing water salinization in estuaries under the impact of drastic reduction of atmospheric precipitation and river runoff, considerable evaporation water losses, and tides are described. Due consideration is given to the unique hydrological phenomenon, i.e., the so-called reverse estuary. The Senegal River mouth is taken as a case study of cyclic variations in runoff, water salinity, and distance of saltwater penetration into the river. Certain environmental consequences of water salinization are discussed using the Casamance River estuary as an example. Methods used in Africa to prevent seawater intrusion and salinization of estuaries harmful for the environment and economy are described in this article.