Metamorphic evolution of ultrahigh-temperature Fe- and Al-rich granulites in the south Yenisei Ridge and tectonic implications

This study provides the first evidence for the occurrence of ultrahigh-temperature (UHT) granulite-facies metamorphism in the Yenisei Ridge (Angara–Kan block). UHT metamorphism is documented in Fe-Al-rich metapelites on the basis of the garnet–hypersthene–sillimanite–cordierite–plagioclase–biotite–spinel–quartz–K-feldspar assemblage. Microtextural relationships and compositional data for paragneisses of the Kan complex attest to three distinct metamorphic episodes: (M1) pre-peak prograde (820?900°C/5.5–7 kbar), (M2) peak UHT (920–1000°C/7–9 kbar), and (M3) post-peak retrograde (770?900°C/5.5–7.5 kbar). The observed counterclockwise P–T evolution at a high geothermal gradient (dT/dP = 100–200°C/kbar) suggests that UHT metamorphic assemblages were formed in an overall extensional tectonic setting accompanied by underplating of mantle-derived mafic magmas, which may be sourced from ~1750 Ma giant radiating dike swarms linked to the Vilyuy mantle plume as part of the Trans-Siberian LIP. The broad synchroneity of UHT metamorphism (1744 ± 26 Ma; monazite–zircon isochron age) and rift-related endogenic activity in the region can provide an additional line of evidence for the two-stage evolution of granulite-facies metamorphism in the Angara–Kan block. The Aldan–Stanovoy, Anabar, and Baikal basement inliers of high-grade metamorphic rocks within the Siberian craton record two Paleoproterozoic peaks (1.9 and 1.75 Ga) of granulite-facies metamorphism. The synchronous sequence of tectonothermal events at the periphery of the large Precambrian Laurentian, Baltica, and Siberian cratons provide convincing evidence for their spatial proximity over a wide time interval, which is consistent with the most recent paleomagnetic reconstructions of the Proterozoic supercontinent Nuna.     

Some results of observations of positive lightning discharges and relative phenomena in the east of Siberia

We have considered spatial distributions of positive lightning discharges in the east of Siberia for the summer seasons of 2003–2007 and properties of their electromagnetic signals with the ELF “slow tail”, which, as is known, can be accompanied by sprites. There are two main regions of positive discharges located in the south and west of Yakutsk. Two other “centers” (the northeastern and the eastern) are located in high-mountainous regions. In these regions the positive discharges intensity can exceed the negative discharge intensity.The electromagnetic signals in the ELF range (usually in the form of two half-cycles) were observed after the VLF atmospherics were recorded in the high-latitude regions. The delay of ELF pulses relative to the corresponding atmospherics was 0–7 ms. The long (up to 350 ms) events of quasi-periodic ELF oscillations with the period of about 7 ms (which corresponds to the quasi-period of ELF pulses) were revealed.     

New edition of the catalogue of short-period comets

The Institute of Theoretical Astronomy in St. Petersburg and the Astronomical Institute in Bratislava are preparing a new edition of the Catalogue of short-period comets. This edition will be supplemented by short-period comets discovered after the year 1983 and comprises some new features, e. g. the evolution of orbital elements between the years 1750 and 2050, and the perihelion passages of comets within the 1994–2050 years. A new method has been employed for the determination of nongravitational parameters from the osculating elements of a comet based on all its observed returns.The method has been tested on the comets P/Comas Solá and P/Forbes with all returns, except the last one. The results have been compared with the osculating elements of the last return and those used in the old edition of the Catalogue of short-period comets. The new method enables a good prediction of osculating elements for the future, at least for the next return.     

On the covering of a Hill’s region by solutions in the restricted three-body problem

We consider two classical celestial-mechanical systems: the planar restricted circular three-body problem and its simplification, the Hill’s problem. Numerical and analytical analyses of the covering of a Hill’s region by solutions starting with zero velocity at its boundary are presented. We show that, in all considered cases, there always exists an area inside a Hill’s region that is uncovered by the solutions.     

Kepler's problem in constant curvature spaces

In this article the generalization of the motion of a particle in a central field to the case of a constant curvature space is investigated. We found out that orbits on a constant curvature surface are closed in two cases: when the potential satisfies Iaplace-Beltrami equation and can be regarded as an analogue of the potential of the gravitational interaction, and in the case when the potential is the generalization of the potential of an elastic spring. Also the full integrability of the generalized two-centre problem on a constant curvature surface is discovered and it is shown that integrability remains even if elastic forces are added.     

Critical diameters of detonation of explosives used in spacecraft separation systems

The article presents findings of systematic investigations of the detonation ability of advanced individual explosives, their mixtures, and materials used in spacecraft separation systems. A method for calculation and prediction of their critical detonation diameters is developed.     

Zirconology of izrandites (Southern Urals)

Doklady Earth Sciences -     

Parameters of radio pulses of cloud-to-ground multiple-stroke lightning discharges in Northeast Asia

Parameters of radio pulses from multiple-stroke lightning discharges arising on the territory of Yakutia and in Transbaikalia are estimated. The number of cloud-to-ground return strokes per lightning reaches 11, on average, 4.2 (without allowance for the cases of single lightnings) for Yakutia and up to 15 for Transbaikalia. The time interval between the subsequent strokes was on average 43 ms. A peak value of signals of subsequent strokes averages 0.5 of the value for the first stroke.