The response of thunderstorm VLF radio noise to solar activity according to observations in Yakutsk

The relation between the long-term variations in the thunderstorm VLF radio noise intensity and solar activity in 1979–2006 has been studied. The sunspot number (the Wolf number) was used as a parameter characterizing solar activity. The intensity of VLF noise registered in Yakutsk characterizes thunderstorm activity in Eastern Siberia (0100–0500 UT) and in the African thunderstorm center (1300–1700 UT). Using the results of a correlation analysis, it has been found that thunderstorm activity in Eastern Siberia and in the African world centre is in antiphase with a change in the sunspot number. The highest anticorrelation coefficients between solar activity and thunderstorm discharge intensity were obtained for thunderstorms in Eastern Siberia. In this case the maximal correlation coefficients (R = −0.59 and −0.75) were obtained for the average monthly values of the VLF radio noise intensity in August, measured at 0400 UT and 1600 UT, respectively.     

Origin of corundum rocks of the Belomorian mobile belt: Evidence from noble gas isotope geochemistry

The noble gas isotopic composition is studied in gas-liquid microinclusions from minerals of the corundum-bearing and host rocks of the Khitoostrov occurrence, North Karelia. It was established for the first time that fluid participating in the formation of rocks with anomalous oxygen isotopic composition is devoid of an atmospheric component, while helium and neon show significant fractionation relative to argon. The formation of rocks with extremely light oxygen isotope composition was related to the effect of endogenous fluid.     

Platinum group element mineralization of the Svetly Bor and Veresovy Bor clinopyroxenite–dunite massifs,Middle Urals,Russia

The new data for the geology and mineralogy of the platinum group element (PGE) mineralization related to the chromite–platinum ore zones within the dunite of the Svetly Bor and Veresovy Bor massifs in the Middle Urals are discussed. The geological setting of the chromite–platinum ore zones, their platinum content, compositional and morphological features of the platinum group minerals (PGM) are compared to those within the Nizhny Tagil massif, the world standard of the zonal complexes in the Platinum Ural belt. The chromite–platinum orebodies are spatially related to the contacts between differently granular dunites. Majority of PGM are formed by Pt–Fe alloys that are close in terms of stoichiometry to isoferroplatinum (Pt₃Fe), and associated with Os–Ir alloys, Ru–Os and Ir–Rh sulfides, and Ir–Rh thiospinels of the cuproiridsite–cuprorhodsite–ferrorhodsite solid solution. The tetraferroplatinum (PtFe)–tulameenite (PtFe_0.5Cu_0.5) solid solution and Pt–Cu alloys belong to the later PGM assemblage. The established features of the chromite–platinum ore zones testify to the highly probable identification of the PGE mineralization within the dunite of the Svetly Bor and Vesesovy Bor massifs and could be used in prospecting and exploration for platinum.     

Evolution of the Barents Sea basin and oil and gas potential of coastal zones in the Kola region

The perspectives of development of the Varanger–Timan petroleum basin are considered. The Varanger–Timan oil-and-gas basin was formed in the Riphean and Vendian on the passive continental margin of the East European Plate. Evolution of the Barents–Kara region in the Mesoproterozoic and Neoproterozoic led to a mosaic junction of the lithospheric plates having different ages and having undergone significant alterations during the Caledonian and Variscan orogenies. The spatiotemporal regularities of the interaction between geodynamic processes and conditions providing for the formation of conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon fields are described.     

Grenville tectonic events and evolution of the Yenisei Ridge at the western margin of the Siberian Craton

Geological, petrologic, geochemical, and isotopic geochronological evidence for Grenville events at the western margin of the Siberian Craton are considered. These events were related to assembly of the Rodinia supercontinent. Multiple manifestations of riftogenic and within-plate magmatism at the final stage of orogenic evolution gave rise to breakdown of Rodinia and the formation of the Paleoasian ocean. The results allowed us to develop a new concept on the Precambrian geological evolution of the Yenisei Ridge and the processes that created its tectonic structure. The chronological sequence of events in the history of the Transangarian Yenisei Ridge is based on geological evidence and isotopic dating of Precambrian complexes variable in geodynamic nature. Four tectonic stages dated at 1.4?1.1, 1.1?0.9, 0.90?0.85, and 0.8?0.6 Ga were controlled by collision and extension recognized from large regional linear crustal structural elements. The evolution of the Transangarian Yenisei Ridge, which lasted for ～650 Ma, corresponds in duration to supercontinental cycles that begin from rifting and breakdown of the predated supercontinent and was completed by orogeny and the formation of a new supercontinent. The regional geodynamic history correlates with the synchronous sequence and similar style of tectonothermal events at the periphery of the large Precambrian Laurentia and Baltica cratons. This is evidenced by paleocontinental reconstructions, which confirm close spatiotemporal links of Siberia with cratons in the northern Atlantic 1400?600 Ma ago and indicate incorporation of the Siberian Craton into the ancient Nuna and Rodinia supercontinents.     

Rare-earth elements as indicators of ore sources and the degree of differentiation and ore potential of rare-metal granite intrusions (eastern Transbaikalia)

The meteoritic-material-normalized REE patterns of rare-metal granite intrusions of the ore-bearing Kukul'bei complex (J2–J3), eastern Transbaikalia, were studied. It is shown that the intrusions were initially enriched in granitophile volatiles and trace elements (rare metals), i.e., this phenomenon is not related to the differentiation of their parental magma chambers. On the differentiation of the Kukul'bei rare-metal intrusions, the REE contents decrease in passing from granites of the main intrusive phase (MP) to late leucocratic differentiates (muscovite and amazonite granites), the differentiates become more enriched in granitophile elements, and their rare-metal contents drastically increase as compared with the MP granites. The ore-bearing bodies of muscovite and amazonite granites have extremely low REE contents and the highest contents of granitophile (including ore-forming) elements.The REE patterns of the Kukul'bei intrusive differentiates are not universal among rare-metal intrusions. By the example of highly ore-bearing rare-metal granite intrusions of the Erzgebirge, Central Europe, it has been established that their late deep-seated differentiates (ultrarare-metal lithionite-zinnwaldite Li-F-granites) accompanied by highly productive Sn-W mineralization concentrate both granitophile elements and REE (particularly HREE). Among the studied Transbaikalian rare-metal intrusions of the Kukul'bei complex, only the differentiates of the most ore-bearing Sherlovaya Gora intrusive system belong to the above type. The analysis of the REE patterns of the Kukul'bei granites confirmed the earlier conclusions on the low ore potential of the rare-metal mineralization of the studied intrusive complex.     

Absolute Calibration of the MTVZA-GY Microwave Radiometer Atmospheric Sounding Channels

Izvestiya, Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics - The microwave MTVZA-GY imager/sounder is one of the key instruments onboard the Meteor-M N2 satellite (launched in July, 2014). The MTVZA-GY data...     

Microscope spectrometer for the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phobos-Grunt</Emphasis> mission

Microscopy and spectroscopy are important methods of studies. The use of a microscope onboard a spacecraft is connected with the fact that the closer approach to the objects and the switch to the in situ measurement methods have become possible. The combination of taking an image and performing a spectral analysis forms a new type of instrument, so-called videospectrometers. The scientific payload of the Phobos-Grunt spacecraft includes the microscope spectrometer designed to analyze the composition of the surface regolith of Phobos in detail.     

Nature and Age of Detrital Zircons from Rocks of the Shear Zone: The Problem of Occurrence of the Archean Basement in the Transangarian Yenisei Ridge

Petrogeochemical and geochronological study of boudined quartzite sandstones and tonalites, as well as host amphibolites, in the shear zone showed that potential sources of detrital zircons were Neoarchean–Paleoproterozoic rocks of the Angara–Kan block and products of their metamorphism. Interpretation of the available data does not confirm the inferred presence of the Early Precambrian basement of the Siberian Craton in the Transangara region.     

An experiment to study and control the Langmuir sheath around INTERBALL-2

The satellite INTERBALL-2 has an orbit with high inclination (62.8°), covering the altitude range between a few hundred and about 20000 km. The ambient plasma conditions along this orbit are highly variable, and the interactions of this plasma with the spacecraft body as well as the photo-electron sheath around it are considered to be interesting topics for detailed studies. The electric potential of the spacecraft with respect to the ambient plasma that develops as a result of the current equilibrium reacts sensitively to variations of the boundary conditions. The measurement and eventual control of this potential is a prerequisite for accurate measurements of the thermal plasma. We describe the purpose and technical implementation of an ion emitter instrument on-board INTERBALL-2 utilising ion beams at energies of several thousand electron volts in order to reduce and stabilise the positive spacecraft potential. First results of the active ion beam experiments, and other measures taken on INTERBALL-2 to reduce charging are presented. Furthermore, the approach and initial steps of modelling efforts of the sheath in the vicinity of the INTERBALL-2 spacecraft are described together with some estimates on the resulting spacecraft potential, and effects on thermal ion measurements. It is concluded that even moderate spacecraft potentials as are commonly observed on-board INTERBALL-2 can significantly distort the measurements of ion distribution functions, especially in the presence of strongly aniso-tropic distributions.