Efficiency of Ionospheric Model Correction by Vertical-Incidence Sounding Data from an Ionosonde during Low Sunspot Activity

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy - Numerical values of the criteria for the efficiency of the determination of the critical frequency of the F2 layer of ionosphere over European Russia are calculated with...     

Unique variations of the total electron content in the preparation period of Haitian earthquake (M7.9) on January 12, 2010

Variations of the total electron content according to the index IONEX IGS in the period of preparation of the earthquake in Haiti (M7.9) on January 12, 2010, are considered. The situation is exceptional owing to the unique position of the island of Haiti relative to the structure of the ionosphere over the Caribbean Sea: the ionospheric region over Haiti is in the trough formed by the northern slope of the equatorial anomaly and additional maximum formed at latitudes of approximately 30° N within this longitudinal interval. Distortion of the shape of the equatorial anomaly, total decrease in the electron content in the equatorial anomaly a few days prior to the earthquake, increase in the electron concentration directly over the earthquake epicenter a few days prior to the earthquake, increase in the additional maximum at latitudes of ∼30° N, and formation of an additional maximum in the Southern Hemisphere in the region conjugated to the additional maximum in the Northern Hemisphere in the periods of its intensification are observed. The configuration of the equatorial anomaly is restored after the earthquake.     

Specific propagation of radiowaves from the Intercosmos-19 satellite in the region of the nighttime equatorial anomaly crest

It has been indicated how a complex ionogram of topside sounding near the outer slope of the winter southern crest of the equatorial anomaly, where a large NmF2, gradient and a deep hmF2, minimum are observed, is formed. The model latitudinal cross-sectio n of the ionosphere, used to perform trajectory calculations, has been constructed based on the corrected Intercosmos-19 data. The ray trajectories have been modeled using the method of characteristics. It has been indicated that a complex Intercosmos-19 ionogram is formed by an oblique reflection from the equatorial anomaly crest slope (the main trace) and by a strongly oblique reflection from the crest bottom as a result of the wave capture by a large-scale inhomogeneity (the additional trace).     

Heat flow in salt-dome basins of Eurasia: A comparative study

The geothermal fields in the Pericaspian, Pripyat, and North German basins are considered. These basins are characterized by widespread Upper Paleozoic evaporite sequences, which underwent halokinesis with the formation of salt domes and plugs owing to tectonic and gravity instability. Heat flow refraction occurs at the boundaries of the domes with country rocks due to the contrast in thermal conductivity of evaporites and terrigenous rocks between the domal zones. This is the main cause of heat flow variation in the lateral and vertical directions in the salt-dome basins. Close correlation between zones of elevated temperature in the sedimentary rocks and petroleum occurrences is confirmed by the results of 2D and 3D modeling of the geothermal field. The previously noted relations of oil and gas fields to the deep faults in the studied basins create prerequisites for consideration of the geothermal field as a genetic factor controlling the tectonic features and petroleum resources of the salt-dome basins.