The δ-Cancrids Meteor Complex

Solar System Research - In studying the connections of the δ-Cancrids (DCA) meteor stream, consisting of the northern (NCC) and southern (SCC) branches, with the comet–asteroid complex,...     

Comparative Analysis of Arctic Sea Ice Area Derived from Satellite Microwave Radiometry Data (VASIA2 Algorithm) with Ice Charts of the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute

Izvestiya, Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics - The Arctic Sea ice area, calculated by the VASIA2 algorithm using the SSMIS data during the most intensive melting of the ice cover in 2019, is compared...     

西准噶尔包古图地区地层火山岩锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb年代学研究

包古图地区位于西准噶尔东南部,区内出露地层主要为石炭系太勒古拉组、包古图组和希贝库拉斯组,为一套巨厚的半深海相-大陆坡相火山-火山碎屑沉积建造。这套地层的时代归属和地层层序长期以来一直存在争议。本文报导了包古图地区实测地层剖面,并从太勒古拉组玄武岩和包古图组及希贝库拉斯组凝灰岩中分别选出锆石,进行了LA-ICP-MS U-Pb年代学研究,获得²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U加权平均年龄分别为357.5±5.4Ma、332.1±3.0Ma和336.3±2.5Ma。由此确定这套地层属于早石炭世的杜内阶到维宪阶,由下到上依次为太勒古拉组、包古图组和希贝库拉斯组。     

Crustal thermal models for South Siberia

Summary The results of geothermal research carried out in South Siberia (West-Siberian and Siberian Platforms, Altai-Sayan folded area and the Baikalian arched uplift zone) were employed to calculate the Earth's crustal temperatures. It is shown that temperature is a function of the heat flow value. The maps of the surface heat flow and the temperatures at the Moho discontinuity are presented and characteristic temperature-depth profiles were compiled for specific tectonic areas. The West-Siberian and Siberian Platforms, as well as the Altai-Sayan folded region are characterized by rather low heat flow, 42–50mW m ^–2 (1.0–1.2 µcal/cm ² s), and low temperatures at the Moho boundary.400–500 °C. The thermal conditions in the area of Lake Baikal are extreme, the heat flow reaches here100–142 mW m ^–2 (2.4–3.4 µcal/cm ² s), and the temperature at the crust's bottom may exceed1000 °C. The Moho-surface according to our calculations is nonisothermal.     

Reproductive biology of the mackerel scad Decapterus macarellus from Cabo Verde and the implications for its fishery management

The mackerel scad Decapterus macarellus is of great social and economic importance to Cabo Verde citizens; however, in recent years catches have shown an unexplained decline. The harvest is regulated by way of a minimum legal size and a seasonal closure, with both measures based on the results of reproductive studies that did not consider the microscopic characteristics of the gonads. This study aimed to analyse the gonads microscopically in order to classify the sexual development stage of individuals and to estimate the size at first maturity and the reproductive season. This information was then used to analyse the match between the reproductive parameters and the management measures. The samples comprised 284 females (20–36 cm fork length [FL]) and 85 males (21–35 cm FL). The annual variation in gonadosomatic index and the monthly frequencies of mature phases suggest that the reproductive season occurs from March to October, with two spawning peaks, one in March and another from July to October. The current seasonal closure (from July to September) covers the main reproductive period. However, the species has a long spawning period and the timing of peaks can vary between years; hence, a reassessment of this management measure is recommended. The sizes at first maturity were estimated at 24.1 cm FL for females, and 26.6 cm FL for males. These values are higher than the minimum legal size (20 cm FL) currently established for management of the species at Cabo Verde; thus, we strongly recommend an increase in the minimum legal size in an attempt to reduce catches of immature individuals.     

Ring seismicity in different depth ranges before large and great earthquakes in subduction zones

Doklady Earth Sciences -     

High <Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>-wave attenuation anomalies and ringlike seismogenic structures in the lithosphere beneath Altai: Possible precursors of large earthquakes

This paper addresses inhomogeneities in the short-period S-wave attenuation field in the lithosphere beneath Altai. A technique based on the analysis of the amplitude ratios of Sn and Pn waves is used. High S-wave attenuation areas are identified in the West Altai, which are related to the source zones of recent large earthquakes, viz., the 1990 Zaisan earthquake and the 2003 Chuya earthquake. Associated with the Chuya earthquake, a large ringlike seismogenic structure had been formed since 1976. It is also found that ringlike seismogenic structures are confined to high S-wave attenuation areas unrelated to large historical earthquakes. It is supposed that processes paving the way for strong earthquakes are taking place in these areas. The magnitudes of probable earthquakes are estimated using the earlier derived correlation dependences of the sizes of ringlike seismogenic structures and the threshold values of magnitudes on the energy of principal earthquakes with prevailing focal mechanisms taken into consideration. The sources of some earthquakes are likely to occur near to the planned gas pipeline route from Western Siberia to China, which should be taken into account. The relationship of anomalies in the S-wave attenuation field and the ringlike seismogenic structures to a high content of deep-seated fluids in the lithosphere is discussed.     

On the correlation between seismicity characteristics and S-wave attenuation in the ring structures that appear before large earthquakes

We discuss seismicity characteristics in the source zones of two great earthquakes: the December 26, 2004 Sumatra (M_w = 9.0) and the November 14, 2001 Kunlun (M_w = 7.8) events. Ring structures of low magnitude seismicity have been forming prior to these earthquakes for several decades. We studied the short period shear-wave attenuation field in the area of these ring structures. The method we used is based on the analysis of the rate of attenuation for the early Sn and Lg codas to detect attenuation inhomogeneities in the uppermost mantle. We show that the ring structures have comparatively high attenuation of shear waves compared with the crustal volumes inside the rings. The fact that there is no recent volcanism in the area of the seismicity rings shows that this effect is due to a high content of free fluids in the uppermost mantle. Proceeding by analogy with our results, we identified a zone in northern Tien Shan that is anomalous for these parameters; the zone may be related to the precursory process of a large earthquake. We discuss the geodynamic mechanisms that may be responsible for fluid concentration in the seismicity rings.