Studying internal gravity waves generated by atmospheric fronts over the Moscow region

Internal gravity wave (IGW) data obtained during the passage of atmospheric fronts over the Moscow region in June–July 2015 is analyzed. IGWs were recorded using a group of four microbarographs (developed at the Obukhov Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences) located at distances of 7 to 54 km between them. Regularities of variations in IGW parameters (spatial coherence, characteristic scales, propagation direction, horizontal propagation velocity, and amplitudes) before, during, and after the passage of an atmospheric front over the observation network, when the observation network finds itself inside the cyclone and outside the front, are studied. The results may be useful in studying the relationships between IGW effects in different physical fields at different atmospheric heights. It is shown that, within periods exceeding 30 min, IGWs are coherent between observation points horizontally spaced at distances of about 60 km (coherence coefficient is 0.6–0.9). It is also shown that there is coherence between wave fluctuations in atmospheric pressure and fluctuations in horizontal wind velocity within the height range 60–200 m. A joint analysis of both atmospheric pressure and horizontal wind fluctuations has revealed the presence of characteristic dominant periods, within which cross coherences between fluctuations in atmospheric pressure and wind velocity have local maxima. These periods are within approximate ranges of 20–29, 37–47, 62–72, and 100–110 min. The corresponding (to these dominant periods) phase propagation velocities of IGWs lie within an interval of 15–25 m/s, and the horizontal wavelengths vary from 52 to 99 km within periods of 35 to 110 min, respectively.     

Influence of internal gravity waves on meteorological fields and gas constituents near Moscow and Beijing

The influence of internal gravity waves on the spatial coherence and temporal variability of the atmospheric pressure, wind velocity, and gas constituents near Moscow and Beijing is studied in the mesoscale range of periods: from a few tens of seconds to several hours. The results of simultaneous measurements of variations in the atmospheric pressure (using a network of spaced microbarographs), wind velocity at different heights of the atmospheric boundary layer, and gas constituents are given for each city. The wave structures are filtered using a coherence analysis of the atmospheric pressure variations at different measurement sites. The dominant periods and the coherences, phase speeds, and horizontal scales of variations corresponding to these periods are estimated. The general mechanism of the influence of wave structures on meteorological fields and gas constituents is discussed, which is independent of the measurement site and the specificity of meteorological conditions.     

Genesis of the Khaluta alkaline-basic Ba-Sr carbonatite complex (West Transbaikala, Russia)

The Khaluta carbonatite complex comprizes fenites, alkaline syenites and shonkinites, and calcite and dolomite carbonatites. Textural and compositional criteria, melt inclusions, geochemical and isotopic data, and comparisons with relevant experimental systems show that the complex formed by liquid immiscibility of a carbonate-saturated parental silicate melt. Mineral and stable isotope geothermometers and melt inclusion measurements for the silicate rocks and carbonatite all give temperatures of crystallization of 915–1,000°C and 890–470°C, respectively. Melt inclusions containing sulphate minerals, and sulphate-rich minerals, most notably apatite and monazite, occur in all of the lithologies in the Khaluta complex. All lithologies, from fenites through shonkinites and syenites to calcite and dolomite carbonatites, and to hydrothermal mineralisation are further characterized by high Ba and Sr activity, as well as that of SO3 with formation of the sulphate minerals baryte, celestine and baryte-celestine. Thus, the characteristic features of the Khaluta parental melt were elevated concentrations of SO₃, Ba and Sr. In addition to the presence of SO₃, calculated fO₂ for magnetites indicate a high oxygen fugacity and that Fe⁺³>Fe⁺² in the Khaluta parental melt. Our findings suggest that the mantle source for Khaluta carbonatite and associated rocks, as well as for other carbonatites of the West Transbaikalia carbonatite province, were SO₃-rich and characterized by high oxygen fugacity.     

Analysis of Temporal Structures of Seismic Events on Different Scale Levels

A statistical model for describing the energy scaling of the distribution of inter-event times is described. By considering the diverse region seismicity (natural and induced) on different scale (energy/magnitude) levels the self-similarity of the distribution has been determined. A comparison between the distribution of inter-event times on different scale levels and the most popular distributions of reliability theory has been carried out. The distribution of inter-event times for different scale levels is well approximated by the Weibull distribution. The Weibull distribution, with parameters which obey the scaling model and the Gutenberg-Richter law, has been tested.     

Seismic behaviour of framed tubes

A framed tube, consisting of closely spaced columns connected by deep spandrel beams, is designed in reinforced concrete for building code loads. The members of the frame are proportioned using strength concepts. A planar model of the tube is developed and its behaviour is compared to that of the three-dimensional structure. The planar model is then used to evaluate the inelastic behaviour of the framed tube when subjected to strong ground motion. The effects of the finite element discretization and the ground motion characteristics are investigated. Results show that ductility requirements of the spandrel beams are minimum at the top and maximum at the bottom of the tube. Ductility requirements in the columns are well controlled and are within acceptable limits. Participation of the higher modes of vibration is significant and requires increasing damping. It also is shown that the increased stiffness due to finite member sizes at a joint cannot be neglected.     

Recent iron ore formation in Lake Malawi,Africa

Nontronite, limonite (with opal) and vivianite are forming at present in the aereated, shallower parts (water depths <250 m) of Lake Malawi. They overlie diatomite or coarse grained clastic sediments. Our investigations indicate a precipitation of nontronite and limonite (and opal) at the sediment/oxic water interface from geothermal solutions rich in SiO₂ percolating through the sedimentary fill of the basin. Under reducing conditions and a pH less than 7 (as occurring in the deeper parts of our sediment cores) iron and manganese are leached and discharged into the lake. In the anoxic parts of the lake (water depth greater than 250 m) Fe³⁺- and Mn³⁺-hydroxide are precipitated within the lake's water in the mixing zone of the aerobic with the anaerobic water bodies. High dispersion and a strong supply of detrital material, however, prevent a stronger enrichment of the hydroxides in the sediment. The formation of vivianite can be explained by a dissolution of Ca-phosphate (fish debris) within the sediment and a re-deposition as Fe-phosphate in the uppermost sediment layers under reducing but slightly alkaline conditions. The results of our investigations on Recent iron formation in Lake Malawi offer an explanation for the genesis of certain sedimentary iron ores in the geological past. They indicate that a formation of iron-rich sediments — including the silicate facies — is not restricted to the marine environment.

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Zusammenfassung Nontronit, Limonit (und Opal) sowie Vivianit werden an zahlreichen Stellen des südlichen Malawi-Sees in Wassertiefen bis 250 m (aerober Bereich) abgeschieden und bilden dort die jüngste sedimentäre Einheit über Diatomit oder grobklastischem Sediment. Es muß angenommen werden, daß die Bildung der Eisenmineralien aus geothermalen Lösungen erfolgt, die reich an gelöster Kieselsäure und Fe²⁺ (untergeordnet Mn²⁺) sind, wobei Eisen und Mangan aus dem Sediment selber stammen, da heiße Quellen außerhalb des Malawi-Sees diese Elemente nicht enthalten. Die Auslösung von Eisen und Mangan erfolgt durch saure Lösungen im reduzierenden Milieu unter Bedingungen, wie sie im tieferen Teil der Sediment-Kerne angetroffen wurden (pH bis 3,6!). Beim Zusammentreffen dieser Lösungen mit dem sauerstoffhaltigen, schwach alkalischen Wasser des Malawi-Sees kommt es zur Ausfällung von Nontronit oder — bei wahrscheinlich höherem Redox-Potential — von Limonit und Opal. Beim Austritt der Fe²⁺, Mn²⁺- und SiO₂-reichen Lösungen in den anaeroben Teil des Malawi-Sees (Wassertiefen größer als 250 m) unterbleibt zunächst eine Ausfällung. Erst in der Mischzone des anoxischen mit dem oxischen Wasserkörper können Fe³⁺- und Mn³⁺-Hydroxide ausgeschieden werden, die jedoch infolge hoher Dispergierung und starker Zufuhr von klastischem Material eine starke Verdünnung erfahren. Für die Vivianit-Bildung kann angenommen werden, daß ein in den Sedimenten häufig vorhandener Apatit-Anteil (Fischreste) durch die sauren Lösungen aufgelöst und in den obersten Sedimentschichten (reduzierendes Milieu, pH jedoch >7) zusammen mit Fe²⁺ der Lösung als Vivianit abgeschieden wird. Die vorliegenden Untersuchungen geben Hinweise auf die Bildung bestimmter fossiler sedimentärer Eisenerze und zeigen gleichzeitig, daß die Genese eisenreicher Sedimente — auch von silikatischem Fazies-Typ — nicht an den marinen Ablagerungsraum gebunden ist.