Phosphides in Volcanic Seamount Basalts in the Sea of Japan

Electron microprobe data on phosphide grains detected for the first time in basalts from volcanic edifices in the Sea of Japan are presented. The find of phosphides can testify to the endogenic source of phosphorus and, consequently, volcanogenic hydrothermal origin of phosphorites in the Sea of Japan.     

Studying Resonance Oscillations in the Eastern Part of the Posyet Bay

The field experiment with the installation of autonomous pressure gages in the Troitsa and Vityaz’ bays was held for studying the specific features of free surface oscillations in the Posyet Bay (the Sea of Japan). The interpretation and joint analysis of measurement data allowed obtaining the datasets of spatiotemporal parameters for free oscillations calculated using the spectral-difference model and for forced oscillations in the form of the response to the forcing with the periods of 10–50 minutes in the numerical model of shallow water with the difference approximation on the irregular triangular grid. The position of peaks on the model resonance curves and the values of frequencies of free oscillations are consistent with the position of clearly pronounced peaks of the energy spectrum from field data. This indicates the possibility of significant resonance enhancement of the amplitude of oscillations by periodic wind effects and incoming wave effects.     

On intense internal waves in the coastal zone of the Peter the Great Bay (the Sea of Japan)

Spatiotemporal variability of the internal gravity waves in the Sea of Japan shelf zone (in the Peter the Great Bay) is analyzed basing on the results of the experimental data processing. It is shown that, as for autumn water structure, the tidal internal waves moving towards the coast are transformed due to the non-linear effects and may reach significant amplitudes (of about 10 meters). Such waves are usually referred to as strongly non-linear. The main characteristics of such intense waves were estimated. An example of the disintegration of solitary temperature depression into the package of short-period intense internal waves is given.     

The spatiotemporal analysis of the bottom geomorphology in Peter the Great Bay of the Sea of Japan

Based on the shipboard measurements data, GTOPO1 and ASTER satellite information, GEBCO databases, and bathymetry maps, a digital elevation model encompassing the shelf of Peter the Great Bay of the Sea of Japan is constructed. By two-dimensional singular spectral analysis, the scale decomposition of the surface of the shelf relief is made into the components with the main tectonic structure, the secondary folding zones, and the sedimentation landforms. A comparison between the found elements and the geological data on South Primorye is performed to specify the age of the tectonic units of different scale.     

Observations of internal undular bores on the Japan/East Sea shelf-coastal region

Observations are presented of internal undular bores (IUBs) on the Japan/East Sea coast. We found three types of IUB amplitude modulation functions. The first type (IUB₁) has a leading edge, which is formed by the soliton with maximal amplitude. The second type (IUB₂) has a soliton with maximal amplitude (SMA) located between the leading and trailing edges. The third type (IUB₃) consists of 2–3 solitons, which have identical amplitudes. The evolution of the IUB₂ from the moment of generation to the moment of maximal development was analyzed. The speed of the IUB₂ approached to the phase speed of linear internal waves with a period of 12.4 h. The amplitude modulation function of the IUB₂ is believed to be unique in ocean observations. Observations are discussed in the context of recently raised hypotheses concerning the evolution of IUBs in the coastal environment.     

About a mechanism of the formation of sedimentary waves on the shelf of the Sea of Japan

The existence of sedimentary waves at depths ranging from 50 to 100 m in Peter the Great Bay of the Sea of Japan has been discovered and substantiated as a result of geological and geophysical experiments. The experimental and theoretical studies have made it possible to conclude that the sedimentary waves form in the depth range specified due to processes related to the disintegration of nonlinear gravity waves.     

Studying the variability of the wind wave period

Analyzed are the experimental data on the range of the sea wind waves obtained using a laser meter of hydrospheric pressure variations in 2007, 2010, 2011, and 2012 at different points of the shelf of the Sea of Japan. It is demonstrated that the variations of wind wave periods at their leaving the zone of cyclonic action can be associated not only with the dispersion but also with the Doppler effect and variations of the wind speed and wind direction in the zone of cyclonic action. Carried out was the analysis of the results of the processing of experimental data of the laser meter of hydrospheric pressure variations and the mobile laser meter of hydrospheric pressure variations; this analysis revealed that the transformation of wind waves with the decrease in the period and energy takes place in the case of their movement along the shelf of the decreasing depth.