Subsatellite polygon for studying hydrophysical processes in the Black Sea shelf-slope zone

The first data on the creation of the subsatellite polygon on the Black Sea shelf and continental slope in the Gelendzhik area (designed in order to permanently monitor the state of the aquatic environment and biota) and the plans for maintaining and developing this polygon are presented. The autonomous measuring systems of the polygon in the composition of bottom stations with acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCP), Aqualog robotic profilers, and thermo-chains on moored buoy stations should make it possible to regularly obtain hydrophysical, hydrochemical, and bio-optical data with a high spatial-time resolution and transmit these data to the coastal center on a real-time basis. These field data should be used to study the characteristics and formation mechanisms of the marine environment and biota variability, as well as the water-exchange processes in the shelf-deep basin system, ocean-atmosphere coupling, and many other processes. These data are used to calibrate the satellite measurements and verify the water circulation numerical simulation. It is assumed to use these data in order to warn about the hazardous natural phenomena and control the marine environment state and its variation under the action of anthropogenic and natural factors, including climatic trends. It is planned to use the polygon subsatellite monitoring methods and equipment in other coastal areas, including other Black Sea sectors, in order to create a unified system for monitoring the Black Sea shelf-slope zone.     

Stress state reconstruction and tectonic evolution of the northern slope of the Baikit anteclise,Siberian Craton,based on 3D seismic data

In this work, we consider application of an original method for determining the indicators of the tectonic stress fields in the northern Baikit anteclise based on 3D seismic data for further reconstruction of the stress state parameters when analyzing structural maps of seismic horizons and corresponded faults. The stress state parameters are determined by the orientations of the main stress axes and shape of the stress ellipsoid. To calculate the stress state parameters from data on the spatial orientations of faults and slip vectors, we used the algorithms from quasiprimary stress computation methods and cataclastic analysis, implemented in the software products FaultKinWin and StressGeol, respectively. The results of this work show that kinematic characteristics of faults regularly change toward the top of succession and that the stress state parameters are characterized by different values of the Lode–Nadai coefficient. Faults are presented as strike-slip faults with normal or reverse component of displacement. Three stages of formation of the faults are revealed: (1) partial inversion of ancient normal faults, (2) the most intense stage with the predominance of thrust and strike-slip faults at north-northeast orientation of an axis of the main compression, and (3) strike-slip faults at the west-northwest orientation of an axis of the main compression. The second and third stages are pre-Vendian in age and correlate to tectonic events that took place during the evolution of the active southwestern margin of the Siberian Craton.     

On the origin of gamma-ray bursts

A model for gamma-ray bursters which naturally explains the main observational features of GRB is proposed. The GRB turned out to be linked by evolution with a well-known type of astrophysical object.     

Hygiene and Sanitary Conditions of Water Sources and Water Supply Systems of Primorskii Krai

Adverse environmental changes in the condition of water sources and water supply systems as well as causes for these changes have been revealed using the results of analysis of economic development of Primorskii Krai over a long period of time. Some recommendations concerning the elimination of these causes have been proposed.     

Mesozoic–Cenozoic Evolution and the Fault Kinematics of the Nurol Depression (Southern West Siberian Basin)

Doklady Earth Sciences - New fault kinematics data within the Archinsk field located in the Nurol depression (south part of the West Siberian Basin) are obtained by structural analysis of...     

Paleozoic Granitoids of the Southern Part of the Voznesenka Terrane (Southern Primorye): Age,Composition, Melt Sources,and Tectonic Settings

This paper presents data on the geological position, geochemistry, age, and isotopic characteristics of the granitoids of the southern part of the Voznesenka terrane, Southern Primorye (Muraviev–Amursky Peninsula and its vicinities). All of the studied granitoids were formed in three stages: the Ordovician, Silurian, and Permian. The Silurian and Permian ages of the granitoid intrusions have been previously determined (Ostrovorussky Massif, 432–422 Ma, and 250 ± 4 Ma, early and late associations, respectively; Sedanka massif, 261 ± 3 Ma). The granites of the Artem and Nadezhdinsky massifs define an U–Pb zircon age of 481 ± 6 and 452 ± 4 Ma, respectively. The geochemical and isotope data show mainly the crustal nature of the granitoids. Their formation was related to melting of relatively immature rocks of the continental crust (mafic–intermediate volcanic rocks). The Nd isotope composition of the granitods (TNd(DM–2) = 1.3 Ga) indicates the absence of the mature ancient crust at the basement of the southern Voznesenka terrane. The maximum contribution of mantle sources to the granite formation is recorded in the Permian associations. A comparison of the peaks of intrusive magmatism in the southern part of the Voznesenka terrane and adjacent territories suggests that the formation of the granitoids of the Muraviev–Amursky Peninsula and its vicinities was caused by the interaction of continental blocks with two oceanic basins: the Paleoasian (and its fragments) and Paleopacific ones.     

A comparative analysis of the volcanic impact on the climates of the Earth and Mars

The climatic impact of volcanic activity on the Earth and Mars is considered and a comparative analysis is made. The effect of gaseous components and of aerosols, formed in the process of the evolution of volcanic cloud, on the greenhouse effect and climate on the Earth and Mars is analyzed. A numerical modelling has shown that the climatic impact of volcanic activity depends on the optical properties (the extent of opacity of the atmospheric gaseous components and on the intensity of volcanic activity). In connection with sporadic variations in the intensity of volcanic activity, a temporal modulation of climate takes place with alternating periods of warming and cooling. An important role of SO₂ and volcanic aerosols in the formation of climate in the presence of evolution of the Earth and Mars is revealed.