Technogenic-tectonic earthquakes of the Dnieper–Donets aulacogen

The Mikhnevo Seismic Group of the Institute of Geosphere Dynamics, Russian Academy of Sciences (IGD RAS), and the Malin mini-group in the region of the Dnieper–Donets aulacogen, within which prospecting and mountain-explosion works were carried out from 2007 to 2015 on industrial scales, recorded a series of seismic events. Special attention has been focused on analysis of the nature of three earthquakes in 2015. Application of the spectral discrimination method log(Pg/Lg) and cross-correlation tools allowed us to identify the seismic events in 2015 as a special technogenic-tectonic type.     

Nature of the macroseismic paradox of the deep-focus earthquake in the Sea of Okhotsk on May 24, 2013 (<Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis> <Subscript> <Emphasis Type="Italic">w</Emphasis> </Subscript> = 8.3)

We analyzed macroseismic data and considered the effect of extremely long range propagation of sensible shocks during the deep-focus earthquake in the Sea of Okhotsk on May 24, 2013 (M_w = 8.3). In order to explain this effect, we formulated and qualitatively solved the problem of superposition of P-waves over the radial mode ₀S₀ of the natural oscillations of the Earth during this earthquake. Our results confirmed the possibility of such an interpretation of the observed macroseismic effect and also allowed us to explain the fact of anomalously low decay of seismic disturbances with distance.     

Luminescent properties of natural barite: Evidence for its genesis

The study of radiation of intrinsic and impurity excitations in natural barite showed that the patterns of BaSO₄ luminescence were mostly controlled by the presence of the [SO₄] anion complex. Several types of self-radiation were registered including those at the expense of the presence of O^2– ions of the axial and nonaxial configurations of the anionic group (emission bands within the wavelength ranges of 209–213 and 330–350 nm, respectively). Exitons located near the impurity and intrinsic defects largely participate in emission. Impurity defects participating in the luminescent centers of barite from the Ore Altai include Pb²⁺, Gd³⁺, Eu²⁺, Eu³⁺, Cu⁺, and Ag⁺ (under X-ray excitation). Variations in the spectral composition of barite indicate the different conditions of its formation.     

Biomorphic microstructures of ferromanganese stromatolites

It was found as a result of detailed study of ferromanganese stromatolites that columnar formations, i.e., fossilized stratified bacterial tufts with rhythmically alternating layers of glycocalyx, accumulations of filamentous bacteria, and lens-shaped two-layered (alternation of homogeneous microlayers with porous ones containing filamentous bacteria trichomes) packages, serve as the basis for stromatolite buildup.     

New data on the composition of jordanite–geocronite Pb–Sb–As sulfosalts at the Berezitovoe deposit (Upper Amur Region,Russia)

New data on the composition of jordanite–geocronite Pb–Sb–As sulfosalts in the vein–disseminated gold ore at the Berezitovoe deposit were provided. Within the studied quartz–sulfide sample, some grains of Pb–Sb–As sulfosalts, uniform in composition and azonal, are drastically different from each other in As and Sb contents forming a quasi-continuous range of solid compounds from jordanite to geocronite. Jordanite–geocronite minerals at the Berezitovoe deposit (relative to the Darasun deposit) are characterized by a higher Pb concentration with a low polymetal total. It is assumed that such typomorphic features of the composition of Pb–Sb–As sulfosalts are indicative of specific formation conditions of gold mineralization in polymetallic ores at the Berezitovoe deposit.     

Generation of the low-frequency branch of acoustic emission in affected rocks

As follows from data analysis of physical modeling, the reaction of acoustic background oscillations to an external impact is well-defined under triaxial loading of a dry sandstone core in the low-frequency range (1–100 Hz). This phenomenon is explained by the generation of a low-frequency constituent of acoustic emission. A high correlation of oscillation dynamics (Klimontovich S entropy) is observed at frequencies of tens of hertz and tens of kilohertz in the absence of such a correlation in the intermediate frequency range; a synchronous increase in the oscillation level is also observed at low and high frequencies.     

Zirconology of ultrabasic rocks of the Karabash massif (Southern Urals)

Dating of zircon (SHRIMP) from dunite and harzburgite of the Karabash massif was carried out for the first time. Relics of ancient crystals (1940 ± 30 Ma in harzburgite, 1860 ± 16 Ma in dunite) provide evidence for the Paleoproterozoic age of the protolith. The morphological peculiarities of zircon crystals allow us to assume differentiation of the magmatic source 1720 m. y. ago. The major variety of zircons indicates stages of metamorphic evolution in the Neoproterozoic (530–560 Ma) and Early–Late Ordovician (440–480 Ma).     

In-bearing potential of tin‒sulfide mineralization in ore deposits of the Russian Far East

The increased demand for indium has made it necessary to revise prospects of In-bearing tin ore deposits in the Russian Far East on the basis of geological data and results of recent analytical methods (X-ray fluorescence with synchrotron radiation, atomic absorption, and ICP-MS). The average In contents in ores of the Tigrinoe and Pravourmiiskoe deposits vary from 55 to 70 ppm, which allows tin ore deposits with Sn?sulfide mineralization to be considered as quite promising with respect to In production from ores of Russian deposits. By their estimated In reserves, the Tigrinoe and Pravourmiiskoe deposits may be attributed to large ore objects.     

Dynamics of intrafault deformation waves: Results of physical simulation

Doklady Earth Sciences - Physical simulation of how a large shear zone forms in terms of an elastic-viscoplastic model of the lithosphere is conducted, and computer processing of the obtained photo...     

Scientific problems addressed by the Spektr-UV space project (world space Observatory—Ultraviolet)

The article presents a review of scientific problems and methods of ultraviolet astronomy, focusing on perspective scientific problems (directions) whose solution requires UV space observatories. These include reionization and the history of star formation in the Universe, searches for dark baryonic matter, physical and chemical processes in the interstellar medium and protoplanetary disks, the physics of accretion and outflows in astrophysical objects, from Active Galactic Nuclei to close binary stars, stellar activity (for both low-mass and high-mass stars), and processes occurring in the atmospheres of both planets in the solar system and exoplanets. Technological progress in UV astronomy achieved in recent years is also considered. The well advanced, international, Russian-led Spektr-UV (World Space Observatory—Ultraviolet) project is described in more detail. This project is directed at creating a major space observatory operational in the ultraviolet (115–310 nm). This observatory will provide an effective, and possibly the only, powerful means of observing in this spectral range over the next ten years, and will be an powerful tool for resolving many topical scientific problems.