Three distinct reversing modes in the geodynamo

The data that describe the long-term reversing behavior of the geodynamo show strong and sudden changes in magnetic reversal frequency. This concerns both the onset and the end of superchrons and most probably the occurrence of episodes characterized by extreme geomagnetic reversal frequency (>10–15 rev./Myr). To account for the complexity observed in geomagnetic reversal frequency evolution, we propose a simple scenario in which the geodynamo operates in three distinct reversing modes: i—a “normal” reversing mode generating geomagnetic polarity reversals according to a stationary random process, with on average a reversal rate of ～3 rev./Myr; ii—a non-reversing “superchron” mode characterizing long time intervals without reversal; iii—a hyper-active reversing mode characterized by an extreme geomagnetic reversal frequency. The transitions between the different reversing modes would be sudden, i.e., on the Myr time scale. Following previous studies, we suggest that in the past, the occurrence of these transitions has been modulated by thermal conditions at the core-mantle boundary governed by mantle dynamics. It might also be possible that they were more frequent during the Precambrian, before the nucleation of the inner core, because of a stronger influence on geodynamo activity of the thermal conditions at the core-mantle boundary.     

Seismic inhomogeneities in the upper mantle beneath the Siberian craton (Meteorite profile)

The upper-mantle structure was studied from first-arrival data along the Meteorite profile, run using underground nuclear explosions. Unlike the layered, slightly inhomogeneous models in the previous works, emphasis was laid on lateral inhomogeneity at the minimum possible number of abrupt seismic boundaries. We used forward ray tracing of the traveltimes of refracted and overcritical reflected waves. The model obtained is characterized by considerable velocity variations, from 7.7 km/s in the Baikal Rift Zone to 8.0–8.45 km/s beneath the Tunguska syneclise. A layer of increased velocity (up to 8.5–8.6 km/s), 30–80 km thick, is distinguished at the base of seismic lithosphere. The depth of the layer top varies from 120 km in the northern Siberian craton to 210 km in its southeastern framing. It has been shown that, with crustal density anomalies excluded, the reduced gravity field is consistent with the upper-mantle velocity model.     

Paleomagnetic studies and estimation of geomagnetic paleointensity at the early/middle Riphean boundary in rocks of the Salmi Formation (North Ladoga area)

The territory of Karelia (Baltic Shield) is virtually not represented in the global paleomagnetic database for the Lower Riphean time interval (1650—1350 Ma). As regards the paleointensity H _an, the huge interval 1–2 Ga in length is represented in the global paleointensity database by only eight determinations concentrated in the interval 1–1.35 Ga. The paper presents results of paleomagnetic studies of volcanic and subvolcanic rocks composing the Early Riphean Salmi Formation, which outcrops in the valley of the lower Tulemaioki River in the northern coast area of Lake Ladoga. Results of the study indicate that, in the Early Riphean time, the East European craton was located in the tropical region of the Southern Hemisphere between 15° S and 40° S. The inferred value of H _an is close to the lower boundary of the interval (1.36–11.56) × 10²² A m², encompassing previously published intensity values of the paleofield 1–1.35 Ga; this supports the hypothesis on the existence of long intervals of a lower field in the period in question [Maquoin et al., 2003].     

The State of knowledge about wetlands and their future under aspects of global climate change: the situation in Russia

About two-thirds of Russia’s land area are flat lands, which contributes to the development of conditions favouring wetland formation. Wetlands cover vast areas, especially in the north. Wetlands in the former Soviet Union were not recognized as separate or distinct ecosystems and this is still the situation in Russia today. Bogs are one of the most abundant and typical wetlands and were treated as worthless wastelands. Beginning in the 17th century and continuing under the Soviet government there was an enforced policy to drain wetlands and reclaim the land, mainly for farming. After the collapse of the USSR, this practice was discontinued along with the Soviet model of agriculture and an end to the forced and unnecessary use of pesticides and fertilizers with the result that the toxic load on Russian aquatic systems decreased drastically. Industrial production was also greatly curtailed. While it is now recovering, many of these are turning to environmentally-friendly technologies. The intensity of land-use related impacts upon Russian wetlands is negligible compared to that in more densely populated countries and therefore the environmental conservation of wetlands in Russia may not currently be an urgent problem. There is currently no consensus on what the overall direct and indirect impacts of climate change on the number of Russian wetlands will be—in some areas they may increase but decrease in others. In Russia, the most urgent issue is not the preservation of wetlands but the development of proper wetland management practices. For effective plans, data and information on wetland status, trends and characteristics are required that are not currently available.     

New Paleomagnetic Data on Late Cretaceous Chukotka Volcanics: the Chukotka Block Probably Underwent Displacements Relative to the North American and Eurasian Plates after the Formation of the Okhotsk-Chukotka Volcanic Belt?

Izvestiya, Physics of the Solid Earth - Abstract—Paleomagnetic studies of several Late Cretaceous volcanic sections of the Okhotsk–Chukotka volcanic belt have been carried out in the...     

Influence of gamma-ray emission on the isotopic composition of clouds in the interstellar medium

We investigate one mechanism of the change in the isotopic composition of cosmologically distant clouds of interstellar gas whose matter was subjected only slightly to star formation processes. According to the standard cosmological model, the isotopic composition of the gas in such clouds was formed at the epoch of Big Bang nucleosynthesis and is determined only by the baryon density in the Universe. The dispersion in the available cloud composition observations exceeds the errors of individual measurements. This may indicate that there are mechanisms of the change in the composition of matter in the Universe after the completion of Big Bang nucleosynthesis. We have calculated the destruction and production rates of light isotopes (D, ³He, ⁴He) under the influence of photonuclear reactions triggered by the gamma-ray emission from active galactic nuclei (AGNs). We investigate the destruction and production of light elements depending on the spectral characteristics of the gamma-ray emission. We show that in comparison with previous works, taking into account the influence of spectral hardness on the photonuclear reaction rates can increase the characteristic radii of influence of the gamma-ray emission from AGNs by a factor of 2?C8. The high gamma-ray luminosities of AGNs observed in recent years increase the previous estimates of the characteristic radii by two orders of magnitude. This may suggest that the influence of the emission from AGNs on the change in the composition of the medium in the immediate neighborhood (the parent galaxy) has been underestimated.     

Ion Chemistry of the Ionosphere at E- and F-Region Altitudes: A Review

The current state of knowledge of E- and F-region ion chemistry is reviewed. Considerable attention is given to the progress in the chemistry of unexcited N₂ ⁺, O₂ ⁺, NO⁺, O⁺(⁴S), N⁺, H⁺, He⁺, Fe⁺, Mg⁺, Na⁺, Ca⁺, and K⁺ ions and electronically excited O⁺(²D), O⁺(²P), O⁺(⁴P), and $ {\text{O}}^{ + } (^{2} {\text{P}}^{*} ) $ ions. Achievements in our understanding of the role of vibrationally excited N₂ ⁺, O₂ ⁺, and NO⁺ ions in the ionosphere are discussed.     

Modeling optical contrast for thin organic films on the sea surface

A continuation of the work dedicated to the study of slicks and film formations on the sea surface is presented. A vector model for the calculation of reflected radiation by the wavy sea surface with respect to the contribution of upwelling radiation from under the sea surface (the second type of waters) is described briefly in [5]. This work contains an analysis of numerical calculations according to the developed procedure and the search for optimal conditions of slick detection. The best conditions for detecting slicks on the sea surface are reached when a P-polarization component of reflected radiation is recorded. In this case, the value of contrast between a slick and a clean surface is 30% higher on average than in recording a contrast without using a polarization filter and is 50% higher than in the case of recording a contrast with a filter oriented to the maximum transmission of S polarization component of reflected radiation. It is shown that, under clear sky conditions, the optimal condition for recording slicks on a sea surface is videotaping in the plane of solar vertical at viewing angles sliding towards the sea surface and when a polarization filter that identifies the Р polarization component of sea radiation is used. In contrast, under overcast sky conditions, it is best to perform observations in the plane that has a wind velocity vector.