Third International Volcanological Field School in Kamchatka and Alaska

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Melnikov, D.; Eichelberger, J.; Gordeev, E.; Malcolm, J.; Shipman, J.; Izbekov, P.

2005-12-01

The Kamchatka State University, Institute of Volcanology and Seismology FEB RAS (Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia) and University of Alaska Fairbanks have developed an international field school focused on explosive volcanism of the North Pacific. The concept of the field school envisages joint field studies by young Russian scientists and their peers from the United States and Japan. Beyond providing first-hand experience with some of Earth's most remarkable volcanic features, the intent is to foster greater interest in language study, cultures, and ultimately in international research collaborations. The students receive both theoretical and practical knowledge of active volcanic systems, as well experience in working productively in a harsh environment. Each year, the class is offered in both Alaska and Kamchatka. The Alaska session is held in the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, Katmai National Park, product of the greatest volcanic eruption of the 20th century. A highlight in 2005 was the discovery of a new 70-m crater atop Trident Volcano. Also this year, we added the Great Tolbachik Eruption of 1975-76 to the itinerary of the Kamchatka school. Day trips were conducted to summit craters of New Tolbachik volcanoes and Plosky Tolbachik, Tolbachik lava flows; fumarole fields of Mutnovsky volcano, and a geothermal area and 60 MWe power plant. Students who attended both the Alaska and Kamchatka sessions could ponder the implications of great lateral separation of active vents - 10 km at Katmai and 30 km at Tolbachik - with multiple magmas and non-eruptive caldera collapse at the associated stratocones. During the evenings and on days of bad weather, the school faculty conducted lectures on various topics of volcanology in either Russian or English, with translation. The field school is a strong stimulus for growth of young volcanologists and cooperation among Russia, USA and Japan, leading naturally to longer student exchange visits and to joint research projects.

STS-42 Earth observation of Kamchatka Peninsula

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1992-01-01

STS-42 Earth observation taken aboard Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, with an electronic still camera (ESC) is of Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia. Mid-afternoon sun projects long shadows from volcanoes on the Kamchatka Peninsula. This flat-topped volcano with the sharp summit crater is Tobachinsky, over 3,085 kilometers high. Its last major eruption was in 1975 and 1976, but it has been very active since the middle of the Sixteenth Century. The shadows cast by the low sunlight brings out the dramatic relief of the volcano as well as the smaller morphologic features. For example, the small hills in the foreground and behind the central volcano are cinder cones, approximately only 200 meters high. Note the sharp triangular shadow from the conical volcano at right. Electronic still photography is a relatively new technology that enables a camera to electronically capture and digitize an image with resolution approaching film quality. The digital images from STS-42 were stored on a disk

STS-42 Earth observation of Kamchatka Peninsula

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1992-01-01

STS-42 Earth observation taken aboard Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, with an electronic still camera (ESC) is of Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia. Mid-afternoon sun projects long shadows from volcanoes on the Kamchatka Peninsula. This flat-topped volcano with the sharp summit crater is Tobachinsky, over 3,085 kilometers high. Its last major eruption was in 1975 and 1976, but it has been very active since the middle of the Sixteenth Century. The shadows cast by the low sunlight brings out the dramatic relief of the volcano as well as the smaller morphologic features. Electronic still photography is a relatively new technology that enables a camera to electronically capture and digitize an image with resolution approaching film quality. The digital images from STS-42 were stored on a disk and brought home with the flight crewmembers for processing. ESC was developed by the JSC Man-Systems Division and this mission's application of it is part of a continuing evolutionary development le

Eruption of Shiveluch Volcano, Kamchatka, Russia

NASA Image and Video Library

2001-07-21

On the night of June 4, 2001 ASTER captured this thermal image of the erupting Shiveluch volcano. Located on Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, Shiveluch rises to an altitude of 8028'. The active lava dome complex is seen as a bright (hot) area on the summit of the volcano. To the southwest, a second hot area is either a debris avalanche or hot ash deposit. Trailing to the west is a 25 km ash plume, seen as a cold "cloud" streaming from the summit. At least 60 large eruptions have occurred during the last 10,000 years; the largest historical eruptions were in 1854 and 1964. Because Kamchatka is located along the major aircraft routes between North America/Europe and the Far East, this area is constantly monitored for potential ash hazards to aircraft. The lower image is the same as the upper, except it has been color coded: red is hot, light greens to dark green are progressively colder, and gray/black are the coldest areas. The image is located at 56.7 degrees north latitude, 161.3 degrees east longitude. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA02674

Shiveluch Volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia

NASA Image and Video Library

2002-01-03

On the night of June 4, 2001, the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) captured this thermal image of the erupting Shiveluch volcano. Located on Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, Shiveluch rises to an altitude of 2,447 meters (8,028 feet). The active lava dome complex is seen as a bright (hot) area on the summit of the volcano. To the southwest, a second hot area is either a debris avalanche or hot ash deposit. Trailing to the west is a 25-kilometer (15-mile) ash plume, seen as a cold "cloud" streaming from the summit. At least 60 large eruptions have occurred here during the last 10,000 years; the largest historical eruptions were in 1854 and 1964. Because Kamchatka is located along the major aircraft routes between North America/Europe and Asia, this area is constantly monitored for potential ash hazards to aircraft. The area is part of the "Ring of Fire," a string of volcanoes that encircles the Pacific Ocean. The lower image is the same as the upper, except it has been color-coded: red is hot, light greens to dark green are progressively colder, and gray/black are the coldest areas. The image is located at 56.7 degrees north latitude, 161.3 degrees east longitude. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA03514

Monitoring recreational impacts in wilderness of Kamchatka (on example of Kronotsky State Natural Biosphere Preserve)

Treesearch

Anya V. Zavadskaya

2011-01-01

This paper describes an assessment and monitoring program that was designed and initiated for monitoring recreational impacts in a wilderness in Kamchatka. The framework of the recreational assessment was tested through its application to a case study conducted during the summers of 2008 and 2009 in the Kronotsky State Natural Biosphere Preserve (Kamchatka peninsula,...

Subduction of the Pacific Plate Beneath the Kamchatka: Volcanism and Tectonic Earthquakes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gordeev, E. I.

2008-12-01

The results of studying subduction process of the Pacific plate beneath the Kamchatka and related processes are described. The focal mechanism solutions estimated from Centroid Moment Tensor (CMT) catalog and sequence of the largest earthquakes occurred in Kamchatka were used to asses velocity of subducted slab. The boundary of contact for subducted slab is determined at a depth of 30-70 km, and is considered as a plane at azimuth 217° and with a dip angle of 25°. The rate of subduction estimated from CMT mechanisms yields V=0.9 cm/yr for southern zone (south of Shipunsky Cape), and V=1.4 cm/yr for central zone (from Shipunsky Cape to Kronotsky Cape). The largest coupled consistent earthquakes recorded from 1737 were used for analysis. The results show, that for the southern area V=6.6 - 7.1 cm yr (two couples), and for the central part V=6.6 cm yr. The estimated value of velocity for the creep part of subducted slab is about 5 to 15 per cent of the bulk velocity. The Pacific plate subducts at a rate of 8 cm yr. Series of GPS observations conducted from 1997 up to 2007 were used to estimate the rate at which Kamchatka is deformed under the effect of the subducted slab (along-slab direction). The average values of rate and velocity variations versus the average rate were estimated response to permanent GPS station PETR. It was shown that the motion at BKI (Bering) regardless KlU (Klyuchi) is uneven: variations of velocity reach up to 30 per cent (at average running window of 1 year). There are about 28 active volcanoes in Kamchatka that provide intensive volcanic activity in this region. The volcanoes produce about 16-17% of magmatic rocks erupted by all volcanoes in the Earth. Over the past 5 years, eruptions of Sheveluch, Klyuchevskoy, Bezymianny, Karymsky, and Mutnovsky volcanoes have occurred. Although many of these volcanoes are in sparsely populated areas, they lie adjacent to the heavily North Pacific air routes between North America, Europe and Asia. The

78 FR 41718 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Kamchatka Flounder in the Bering Sea and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-11

.... 121018563-3148-02] RIN 0648-XC750 Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Kamchatka Flounder in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS... management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding the 2013 Kamchatka flounder initial...

Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia as seen from STS-59

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1994-01-01

View southwestward across the Kamchatka Peninsula. The cluster of volcanoes in the middle distance are active, including Klutchevskaya whose summit reaches 15,580 feet. Changes in volcanic deposits, snow, and ice are being studied by Russian and American Space Radar Laboratory (SRL) investigators. Seasonal changes in sea ice are also of interest, for example, in Kamchatskiy Bay (upper left).

Origin, transport, and emplacement of an exotic island-arc terrane exposed in eastern Kamchatka, Russia

USGS Publications Warehouse

Geist, Eric L.; Vallier, Tracy L.; Scholl, David W.

1994-01-01

The regional stratigraphy of eastern Kamchatka includes an exotic, Early-Late Cretaceous ophiolite and Late Cretaceous island-arc volcanic sequence. Integrating the existing geologic and geophysical data, we examine the origin, transport, emplacement, and postemplacement deformation of the island-arc terrane, which is named the Olyutorsky island arc. Results from several paleomagnetic studies consistently indicate that the island-arc terrane originated >1000 km to the south of where it is presently exposed. Although the formative paleolatitudes of the island-arc rocks approximately correspond to the location of the Izanagi-Farallon subduction zone, the age of the volcanic rocks postdates the cessation of Izanagi-Farallon convergence, thus indicating that an unnamed plate or back-arc basin existed in the northwest Pacific during Late Cretaceous time. We examine two possible models for northward transport of the island-arc terrane to Kamchatka: (1) infra-oceanic transport with the Pacific or Kula plates and (2) coastwise translation of the island-arc terrane after accretion to the Eurasian margin far to the south of Kamchatka. For both models, the dominant Eocene and Miocene deformation ages observed in eastern Kamchatka are used as two possible age limits for the cessation of northward transport. Although the observed paleolatitudes from paleomagnetic data correspond best with the infra-oceanic transport model, the provenance of the Paleogene "transport" stratigraphy indicates a near-shore sediment supply. Our preferred interpretation is that the island-arc terrane (1) accreted onto the Eurasian margin concurrent with cessation of island-arc volcanism (Maastrichtian-Danian) and (2) underwent northward coastwise translation along a major strike-slip fault zone ending by middle-late Eocene time (43-50 Ma). It is unclear whether the ophiolite was exposed during arc-continent collision or whether the ophiolite was obducted onto the island arc prior to collision. A

Late Glacial to Holocene paleoenvironmental change on the northwestern Pacific seaboard, Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pendea, Ionel Florin; Ponomareva, Vera; Bourgeois, Joanne; Zubrow, Ezra B. W.; Portnyagin, Maxim; Ponkratova, Irina; Harmsen, Hans; Korosec, Gregory

2017-02-01

We used a new sedimentary record from a small kettle wetland to reconstruct the Late Glacial and Holocene vegetation and fire history of the Krutoberegovo-Ust Kamchatsk region in eastern Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia). Pollen and charcoal data suggest that the Late Glacial landscape was dominated by a relatively fire-prone Larix forest-tundra during the Greenland Interstadial complex (GI 1) and a subarctic steppe during the Younger Dryas (GS1). The onset of the Holocene is marked by the reappearance of trees (mainly Alnus incana) within a fern and shrub dominated landscape. The Holocene Thermal Maximum (HTM) features shifting vegetational communities dominated by Alnus shrubs, diverse forb species, and locally abundant aquatic plants. The HTM is further defined by the first appearance of stone birch forests (Betula ermanii) - Kamchatka's most abundant modern tree species. The Late Holocene is marked by shifts in forest dynamics and forest-graminoid ratio and the appearance of new non-arboreal taxa such as bayberry (Myrica) and meadow rue (Filipendula). Kamchatka is one of Earth's most active volcanic regions. During the Late Glacial and Holocene, Kamchatka's volcanoes spread large quantities of tephra over the study region. Thirty-four tephra falls have been identified at the site. The events represented by most of these tephra falls have not left evidence of major impacts on the vegetation although some of the thicker tephras caused expansion of grasses (Poaceae) and, at least in one case, forest die-out and increased fire activity.

[Seasonal and interannual variations of sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) microsatellite DNA in two Kamchatka lake-river systems].

PubMed

Khrustaleva, A M; Zelenina, D A

2008-07-01

Seasonal and interannual variations in the sockeye salmon populations from two lake-river systems of the East and West Kamchatka were studied. Stability of allele and genotypic frequencies of six microsatellite DNA loci in the adjacent generations and spawning populations of the sockeye salmon of the Bol'shaya River was confirmed experimentally. The pairwise intersample differentiation (F(st)) of the local sockeye salmon populations from the southwestern Kamchatka coast (Ozernaya and Bol'shaya Rivers)was almost 7 times higher than the corresponding values for the spawning populations of the Bol'shaya River sockeye salmon of the adjacent years; 15 times, for the adjacent Bol'shaya River sockeye salmon generations; and four times, for the seasonal races within the Kamchatka River.

SRTM Colored Height and Shaded Relief: Sredinnyy Khrebet, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia

NASA Image and Video Library

2001-07-05

The Kamchatka Peninsula in eastern Russia is shown in this scene created from a preliminary elevation model derived from the first data collected during NASA Shuttle Radar Topography Mission SRTM on February 12, 2000.

Infrasonic waves from volcanic eruptions on the Kamchatka peninsula

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gordeev, E. I.; Firstov, P. P.; Kulichkov, S. N.; Makhmudov, E. R.

2013-07-01

The IS44 station operates at the observation point of Nachiki on the Kamchatka peninsula, which is part of the International Monitoring System (IMS), and it helps verify compliance with the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). The Kamchatka Branch, Geophysical Service, Russian Academy of Sciences (KB GS RAS), has a station operating in the village of Paratunka. Both of these stations allow one to monitor strong explosive eruptions of andesitic volcanoes.1 Both kinematic and dynamic parameters of acoustic signals accompanying the eruptions of the Bezymyannyi volcano (at a distance of 361 km from Nachiki) in 2009-2010 and the Kizimen volcano (at a distance of 275 km) on December 31, 2011, are considered. A low-frequency rarefaction phase 60 s in length has been revealed in the initial portion of the record of acoustic signals accompanying such strong eruptions. It is shown that the rarefaction phase occurs due to the rapid condensation of superheated juvenile vapor2 that enters the atmosphere during such explosions.3 The amount of volcanic ash emitted into the atmosphere has been estimated within (3.2-7.3) 106 m3 on the basis of acoustic signals recorded during the eruptions under consideration.

Eruption of Shiveluch Volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2007-01-01

On March 29, 2007, the Shiveluch Volcano on the Russian Federation's Kamchatka Peninsula erupted. According to the Alaska Volcano Observatory the volcano underwent an explosive eruption between 01:50 and 2:30 UTC, sending an ash cloud skyward roughly 9,750 meters (32,000 feet), based on visual estimates. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) flying onboard NASA's Aqua satellite took this picture at 02:00 UTC on March 29. The top image shows the volcano and its surroundings. The bottom image shows a close-up view of the volcano at 250 meters per pixel. Satellites often capture images of volcanic ash plumes, but usually as the plumes are blowing away. Plumes have been observed blowing away from Shiveluch before. This image, however, is different. At the time the Aqua satellite passed overhead, the eruption was recent enough (and the air was apparently still enough) that the ash cloud still hovered above the summit. In this image, the bulbous cloud casts its shadow northward over the icy landscape. Volcanic ash eruptions inject particles into Earth's atmosphere. Substantial eruptions of light-reflecting particles can reduce temperatures and even affect atmospheric circulation. Large eruptions impact climate patterns for years. A massive eruption of the Tambora Volcano in Indonesia in 1815, for instance, earned 1816 the nickname 'the year without a summer.' Shiveluch is a stratovolcano--a steep-sloped volcano composed of alternating layers of solidified ash, hardened lava, and volcanic rocks. One of Kamchatka's largest volcanoes, it sports a summit reaching 3,283 meters (10,771 feet). Shiveluch is also one of the peninsula's most active volcanoes, with an estimated 60 substantial eruptions in the past 10,000 years.

Fires in Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2002-01-01

Numerous thermal anomalies were detected on the Kamchatka Peninsula in northeastern Russia in late June and early July by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). Some of the anomalies (red dots) were fires, but at least one was the result of ongoing volcanic activity at one of the Peninsula's numerous active volcanoes. The erupting volcano, called Sheveluch, can be seen most clearly in the image from July 8, 2002. It is located in the upper right quadrant of the image, and appears as a grayish circular patch amid the surrounding green vegetation. In its center is a red dot indicating that MODIS detected a thermal signature coming from the restless volcano. Credit: Jacques Descloitres, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA/GSFC

Shiveluch Volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2001-01-01

On the night of June 4, 2001, the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) captured this thermal image of the erupting Shiveluch volcano. Located on Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, Shiveluch rises to an altitude of 2,447 meters (8,028 feet). The active lava dome complex is seen as a bright (hot) area on the summit of the volcano. To the southwest, a second hot area is either a debris avalanche or hot ash deposit. Trailing to the west is a 25-kilometer (15-mile) ash plume, seen as a cold 'cloud' streaming from the summit. At least 60 large eruptions have occurred here during the last 10,000 years; the largest historical eruptions were in 1854 and 1964.

Because Kamchatka is located along the major aircraft routes between North America/Europe and Asia, this area is constantly monitored for potential ash hazards to aircraft. The area is part of the 'Ring of Fire,' a string of volcanoes that encircles the Pacific Ocean.

The lower image is the same as the upper, except it has been color-coded: red is hot, light greens to dark green are progressively colder, and gray/black are the coldest areas.

The image is located at 56.7 degrees north latitude, 161.3 degrees east longitude.

ASTER is one of five Earth-observing instruments launched Dec. 18, 1999, on NASA's Terra satellite. The instrument was built by Japan's Ministry of International Trade and Industry. A joint U.S./Japan science team is responsible for validation and calibration of the instrument and the data products. The primary goal of the ASTER mission is to obtain high-resolution image data in 14 channels over the entire land surface, as well as black and white stereo images. With revisit time of between 4 and 16 days, ASTER will provide the capability for repeat coverage of changing areas on Earth's surface.

New insights into the abyssal sponge fauna of the Kurile-Kamchatka plain and Trench region (Northwest Pacific)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Downey, Rachel V.; Janussen, Dorte

2015-01-01

The under-explored abyssal depths of the Kurile-Kamchatka region have been re-examined during the KuramBio (Kurile-Kamchatka Biodiversity Study) expedition. Combining new KuramBio data with previous expedition data in this region has enhanced our understanding abyssal sponge fauna, in particular, the patchiness, rarity, and exceptional richness of the Cladorhizidae family. In total, 14 sponge species, from 7 genera, in 5 families, within two classes (Demospongiae and Hexactinellida) were collected. Of the 14 species, 29% (4 spp.) have been found previously in this region, 36% (5 spp.) were new to the regional abyssal fauna, and 21% (3 spp.) were new to science. The number of abyssal species in this region has now been increased by 26% (8 spp.) and genera by nearly 15% (2 genera). Rarity is a prominent feature of this abyssal fauna, with more than half of species only found at one station, and 83% (19 spp.) of species found previously in this region were not re-found during KuramBio. Cladorhizid sponges dominate demosponge species and genera richness in the abyssal Kurile-Kamchatka region; accounting for 87% (20 spp.) of all demosponge species, and accounting for over 60% (5 genera) of all demosponge genera. Sponge richness in this region is potentially aided by the productivity of the ocean waters, the geological age of the Pacific Ocean, low population densities, and the varied topographic features (ridges, trenches, and seamounts) found in this region. Unusually, the dominance of demosponges in the Kurile-Kamchatka sponge faunal composition is not replicated in other well-sampled abyssal regions, which tend to be richer in deep-sea hexactinellid fauna. Broad depth, latitudinal and longitudinal ranges in Kurile-Kamchatka abyssal fauna are a key characteristic of this faunal assemblage. Strong abyssal faunal connectivity is found between the Kurile-Kamchatka region and North Pacific abyssal fauna, with weaker faunal connections found with the adjacent semi

Geochemistry of volcanic gas from Avachinsky volcano (Kamchatka, Russia)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chaplygin, Ilya; Taran, Yuri; Lavrushin, Vasily; Inguaggiato, Salvatore

2015-04-01

Among 29 active volcanoes on Kamchatka Avachinsky volcano (2741 m) attracts more attention that others due to its proximity (25 km) to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, the biggest city on Kamchatka. The last eruption at Avacha occurred in summit crater in January 1991. It produced small lava flow and left lava plug, which cracked in 2001. Gas emissions from the crack and fumarolic sites at Avachinsky has been monitored from 1994 (Malik, Zelensky, 2014). Previous data show that gas temperature increase (T°C): 473 (09.94), 416 (08.97), 400 (08.99), 500 (10.01), 626 (09.13). We present chemical and isotopic data on gas and condensate samples taken from the hottest fumarole at Avacha (630°C) in July 2014 (mol.%): H2O 96.46, CO2 1.55, SO2 1.32, HCl 0.27, HF 0.02, H2 0.28; δ18O 2.28‰, δD -48.8‰. According to data available gas from Avacha is close to magmatic fluid of subduction zone volcanoes. ICP data on condensate collected allow to intercompare metal-bearing capacity of high-temperature gases from Avacha, Gorely, Tolbachik and Kudriavy volcanoes. The study is supported by RFBR, grant 14-05-00874.

New stands of species of the Paramecium aurelia complex (Ciliophora, Protista) in Russia (Siberia, Kamchatka).

PubMed

Przyboś, Ewa; Rautian, Maria; Surmacz, Marta; Bieliavskaya, Alexandra

2013-01-01

New stands of P. primaurelia, P. biaurelia, and P. dodecaurelia were found in Russia. P. primaurelia was recorded in Tulun (Siberia, Irkutsk region) and in three stands situated on the Kamchatka peninsula: in Lake Chalaktyrskoye, in the Valley of Geysers, and Petropavlovsk Kamchatski. P. biaurelia was also found in Tulun and in two stands in the vicinity of Lake Baikal and the Buriatia region. P. dodecaurelia was recorded in Cheboksary in European Russia and in other stands situated in Asian Russia: Novosibirsk, the vicinity of Lake Baikal, Buriatia, Kamchatka (Petropavlovsk Kamchatski, Lake Chalaktyrskoye, and Nalychevo). These data extend the ranges of species of the P. aurelia complex in Russia, however, this large territory remains understudied.

International Volcanological Field School in Kamchatka and Alaska: Experiencing Language, Culture, Environment, and Active Volcanoes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eichelberger, J. C.; Gordeev, E.; Ivanov, B.; Izbekov, P.; Kasahara, M.; Melnikov, D.; Selyangin, O.; Vesna, Y.

2003-12-01

The Kamchatka State University of Education, University of Alaska Fairbanks, and Hokkaido University are developing an international field school focused on explosive volcanism of the North Pacific. An experimental first session was held on Mutnovsky and Gorely Volcanoes in Kamchatka during August 2003. Objectives of the school are to:(1) Acquaint students with the chemical and physical processes of explosive volcanism, through first-hand experience with some of the most spectacular volcanic features on Earth; (2) Expose students to different concepts and approaches to volcanology; (3) Expand students' ability to function in a harsh environment and to bridge barriers in language and culture; (4) Build long-lasting collaborations in research among students and in teaching and research among faculty in the North Pacific region. Both undergraduate and graduate students from Russia, the United States, and Japan participated. The school was based at a mountain hut situated between Gorely and Mutnovsky Volcanoes and accessible by all-terrain truck. Day trips were conducted to summit craters of both volcanoes, flank lava flows, fumarole fields, ignimbrite exposures, and a geothermal area and power plant. During the evenings and on days of bad weather, the school faculty conducted lectures on various topics of volcanology in either Russian or English, with translation. Although subjects were taught at the undergraduate level, lectures led to further discussion with more advanced students. Graduate students participated by describing their research activities to the undergraduates. A final session at a geophysical field station permitted demonstration of instrumentation and presentations requiring sophisticated graphics in more comfortable surroundings. Plans are underway to make this school an annual offering for academic credit in the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, Alaska and in Kamchatka. The course will be targeted at undergraduates with a strong interest in and

[Plant biomorphology and seed germination of pioneer species of the Kamchatka volcanoes].

PubMed

Voronkova, N M; Kholina, A B; Verkholat, V P

2008-01-01

Biomorphology, quantitative characters and seed germination of 17 pioneer plant species friable materials of volcanic eruptions (Kamchatka Peninsula) were studied. Adaptive trends in survival stress conditions are discussed. To evaluate a possibility of the cryogenic seed storage, their response to ultra low temperatures (-196 degrees C) was determine.

Geophysical Observatory in Kamchatka region for monitoring of phenomena connected with seismic activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uyeda, S.; Nagao, T.; Hattori, K.; Hayakawa, M.; Miyaki, K.; Molchanov, O.; Gladychev, V.; Baransky, L.; Chtchekotov, A.; Fedorov, E.; Pokhotelov, O.; Andreevsky, S.; Rozhnoi, A.; Khabazin, Y.; Gorbatikov, A.; Gordeev, E.; Chebrov, V.; Sinitzin, V.; Lutikov, A.; Yunga, S.; Kosarev, G.; Surkov, V.; Belyaev, G.

Regular monitoring of some geophysical parameters in association with seismicity has been carried out since last year at the Japan-Russian Complex Geophysical Observatory in the Kamchatka region. This observatory was organized in connection with the ISTC project in Russia and was motivated by the results of the FRONTIER/RIKEN and FRONTIER/NASDA research projects in Japan. The main purpose of the observations is to investigate the electromagnetic and acoustic phenomena induced by the lithosphere processes (especially by seismic activity). The seismicity of the Kamchatka area is analyzed and a description of the observatory equipment is presented. At present, the activity of the observatory includes the seismic (frequency range ∆F = 0.5 - 40 Hz) and meteorological recordings, together with seismo-acoustic (∆F = 30 - 1000 Hz) and electromagnetic observations: three-component magnetic ULF variations ( ∆F = 0.003 - 30 Hz), three-component electric potential variations ( ∆F < 1.0 Hz), and VLF transmitter's signal perturbations ( ∆F ~ 10 - 40 kHz).

Pack ice along the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia as seen from STS-60

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1994-01-01

Pack ice is documented in this photograph along the coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula of Russia in Zaliv Ozernoj. Detailed photographs of the ice provide information to scientists in both Russia and the United States about the location and fluctuation of ice edges, and how this new sea ice interacts with ocean and littoral currents.

Mutnovsky and Gorely Volcanoes, Kamchatka as Planetary Analogue Sites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Evdokimova, N.; Izbekov, P. E.; Krupskaya, V.; Muratov, A.

2016-12-01

Recent advances in Mars studies suggest that volcanic rocks, which dominated Martian surface in the past, have been exposed to alteration processes in a water-bearing environment during Noachian, before 3.7 Gy. Active volcanoes on Earth are natural laboratories, where volcanic processes and their associated products can be studied directly. This is particularly important for studying of alteration of juvenile volcanic products in aqueous environment because of the transient nature of some of the alteration products, as well as the environment itself. Terrestrial analogues help us to better understand processes on Mars; they are particularly useful as a test sites for preparation to future Mars missions. In this presentation we describe planetary analogue sites at Mutnovsky and Gorely Volcanoes in Kamchatka, which might be helpful for comparative studies and preparation to future Mars missions. Mutnovsky and Gorely Volcanoes are located 75 km south of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, in the southern part of the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia. The modern volcanic landscape in the area was shaped in Holocene (recent 10,000 years) through intermittent eruption of magmas ranging in composition from basalts to dacites and rhyodacites, with basaltic andesite lavas dominating in the modern relief. Two localities could be of a particular interest: (1) Mutnovsky NW thermal field featuring processes of active hydrothermal alteration of lavas of basaltic andesite and (2) dry lake at the bottom of Gorely caldera featuring products of mechanical disintegration of basaltic andesite lavas by eolian processes with short seasonal sedimentation in aqueous environment.

The NASA ASTER Urgent Request Program: The Last Eight Plus Years of Monitoring Kamchatka's Volcanoes From Space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramsey, M.; Wessels, R.; Dehn, J.; Duda, K.; Harris, A.; Watson, M.

2008-12-01

From soon after its launch in December 1999, the ASTER sensor on the NASA Terra satellite has been acquiring data of volcanic eruptions and other natural disasters around the world. ASTER has the capability to acquire high spatial resolution data from the visible to thermal infrared wavelength region. Those data, in conjunction with its ability to generate digital elevation models (DEMs), makes ASTER particularly useful for numerous aspects of volcanic remote sensing. However, the nature of the ASTER scheduling/data collection/calibration pathway makes rapid observations of hazard locations nearly impossible. The sensor's acquisitions are scheduled in advance and the data are processed and calibrated in Japan prior to archiving in the United States. This can produce a lag of at least several days from the initial request to data scheduling and another several days after acquisition until the data are available. However, there exists a manual "rapid response" mode that provides faster data scheduling, processing and availability. This mode has now been semi-automated and linked to larger-scale and more rapid monitoring alert system. The first phase has been to integrate with the Alaska Volcano Observatory's current near-real-time satellite monitoring system, which relies on high temporal/low spatial resolution orbital data. This phase of the project has focused on eruptions in the north Pacific region, and in particular over Kamchatka, Russia. Several beneficial factors have combined that resulted in over 1350 ASTER images being acquired for the five most thermally-active Kamchatka volcanoes (Bezymianny, Karimsky, Kluichevskoi, Sheveluch and Tolbachik). These factors include the orbital alignment of Terra, the high latitude of the peninsula, and the many eruptions and volcanic activity in Kamchatka. From the inception of the automated rapid response program in 2003, an additional 350 scenes have been acquired over the Kamchatka volcanoes, which have targeted both

[Comparative analysis of STR and SNP polymorphism in the populations of sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) from Eastern and Western Kamchatka].

PubMed

Khrustaleva, A M; Volkov, A A; Stoklitskaia, D S; Miuge, N S; Zelenina, D A

2010-11-01

Sockeye salmon samples from five largest lacustrine-riverine systems of Kamchatka Peninsula were tested for polymorphism at six microsatellite (STR) and five single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci. Statistically significant genetic differentiation among local populations from this part of the species range examined was demonstrated. The data presented point to pronounced genetic divergence of the populations from two geographical regions, Eastern and Western Kamchatka. For sockeye salmon, the individual identification test accuracy was higher for microsatellites compared to similar number of SNP markers. Pooling of the STR and SNP allele frequency data sets provided the highest accuracy of the individual fish population assignment.

First identification of cryptotephra from Kamchatka in a Greenland ice core and new tephra links between distal climate records from Greenland and the northwest Pacific

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cook, E.; Ponomareva, V.; Portnyagin, M.; Bazanova, L.; Svensson, A.; Davies, S. M.

2017-12-01

Our work presents new correlations between cryptotephra deposits found in Greenland ice cores and widespread tephra layers found in terrestrial and marine records in the northern Pacific, providing: 1) a unique opportunity to examine climate records in distal locations and 2) an independent assessment of radiocarbon dates and marine reservoir calculations, using ages derived from Greenland Ice Core Chronology 2005 (GICC05).Low concentrations of tephra grains from two well-known eruptions from northern Pacific Arc volcanoes have been traced in the NGRIP and NEEM ice cores; the first from a Holocene eruption from Khangar volcano in the Kamchatka Peninsula (eastern Russia), and the second from an eruption during the late glacial/interglacial transition (LGIT) from Towada in Japan. Correlations were based on the chronological position of layers and geochemical characterisation by EPMA and LA-ICP-MS to derive major oxide and trace element concentrations. In NGRIP the rhyolitic KHG tephra from Khangar volcano (western Kamchatka) has a GICC05 age of 7950 ± 41 years b2k and is located close to the termination of the 8.2 ka cold event that affected the Northern Hemisphere. KHG is a key terrestrial marker deposit in Kamchatka and is stratigraphically significant as it marks the end of this cold event in Kamchatka in a number of records. This is the first finding of the KHG tephra outside Kamchatka and the first confirmed identification of any Kamchatka tephra in Greenland ice. Additionally, the correlation of a rhyolitic cryptotephra in found in NEEM and NGRIP to a widespread Japanese deposit, Towada To-H (15,706 ± 113 a b2k) represents the first long range tie-point to be established within the LGIT, creating an opportunity help validate local marine reservoir effect calculations of cores containing To-H from the forearc terrace of the Japan Trench. The findings highlight the relevance of locating long-range, low-concentration cryptotephra deposits in well-dated ice cores.

Occurrence and genetic typing of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus in Kamchatka, Russia

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rudakova, S.L.; Kurath, G.; Bochkova, E.V.

2007-01-01

Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) is a well known rhabdoviral pathogen of salmonid fish in North America that has become established in Asia and Europe. On the Pacific coast of Russia, IHNV was first detected in hatchery sockeye from the Kamchatka Peninsula in 2001. Results of virological examinations of over 10 000 wild and cultured salmonid fish from Kamchatka during 1996 to 2005 revealed IHNV in several sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka populations. The virus was isolated from spawning adults and from juveniles undergoing epidemics in both hatchery and wild sockeye populations from the Bolshaya watershed. No virus was detected in 2 other water-sheds, or in species other than sockeye salmon. Genetic typing of 8 virus isolates by seguence analysis of partial glycoprotein and nucleocapsid genes revealed that they were genetically homogeneous and fell within the U genogroup of IHNV. In phylogenetic analyses, the Russian IHNV sequences were indistinguishable from the sequences of North American U genogroup isolates that occur throughout Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon. The high similarity, and in some cases identity, between Russian and North American IHNV isolates suggests virus transmission or exposure to a common viral reservoir in the North Pacific Ocean. ?? Inter-Research 2007.

Eruption of Shiveluch Volcano, Kamchatka, Russia

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2001-01-01

On the night of June 4, 2001 ASTER captured this thermal image of the erupting Shiveluch volcano. Located on Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, Shiveluch rises to an altitude of 8028'. The active lava dome complex is seen as a bright (hot) area on the summit of the volcano. To the southwest, a second hot area is either a debris avalanche or hot ash deposit. Trailing to the west is a 25 km ash plume, seen as a cold 'cloud' streaming from the summit. At least 60 large eruptions have occurred during the last 10,000 years; the largest historical eruptions were in 1854 and 1964. Because Kamchatka is located along the major aircraft routes between North America/Europe and the Far East, this area is constantly monitored for potential ash hazards to aircraft. The lower image is the same as the upper, except it has been color coded: red is hot, light greens to dark green are progressively colder, and gray/black are the coldest areas.

The image is located at 56.7 degrees north latitude, 161.3 degrees east longitude.

Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) is one of five Earth-observing instruments launched December 18, 1999, on NASA's Terra satellite. The instrument was built by Japan's Ministry of International Trade and Industry. A joint U.S./Japan science team is responsible for validation and calibration of the instrument and the data products. Dr. Anne Kahle at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., is the U.S. Science team leader; Moshe Pniel of JPL is the project manager. ASTER is the only high resolution imaging sensor on Terra. The primary goal of the ASTER mission is to obtain high-resolution image data in 14 channels over the entire land surface, as well as black and white stereo images. With revisit time of between 4 and 16 days, ASTER will provide the capability for repeat coverage of changing areas on Earth's surface.

The broad spectral coverage and high spectral resolution of ASTER will provide scientists in

Geyser Valley on the Kamchatka Peninsula

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2007-01-01

On June 2, a devastating mudslide in the world-renowned Geyser Valley on the Kamchatka Peninsula virtually obliterated the natural wonder, forcing the emergency evacuation of visitors and national park personnel. The site, which is the Kamchatka Peninsula's main tourist attraction, consists of some 200 thermal pools created by the area's intense volcanic activity, including about 90 geysers covering an area of four square kilometers (2.5 square miles). It is one of only five sites in the world where the impressive eruptions of steam and boiling-hot water can be found. According to witnesses, a powerful mudslide 1.5 kilometers (one mile) long and 200 meters (600 feet) wide buried more than two-thirds of the valley beneath tens of meters of snow, dirt, trees and boulders (right image), and created a temporary lake submerging more geysers.

With its 14 spectral bands from the visible to the thermal infrared wavelength region, and its high spatial resolution of 15 to 90 meters (about 50 to 300 feet), ASTER images Earth to map and monitor the changing surface of our planet.

ASTER is one of five Earth-observing instruments launched December 18, 1999, on NASA's Terra spacecraft. The instrument was built by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. A joint U.S./Japan science team is responsible for validation and calibration of the instrument and the data products.

The broad spectral coverage and high spectral resolution of ASTER provides scientists in numerous disciplines with critical information for surface mapping, and monitoring of dynamic conditions and temporal change. Example applications are: monitoring glacial advances and retreats; monitoring potentially active volcanoes; identifying crop stress; determining cloud morphology and physical properties; wetlands evaluation; thermal pollution monitoring; coral reef degradation; surface temperature mapping of soils and geology; and measuring surface heat balance.

The U.S. science team is

Taxonomy of the early life stages of arrowtooth flounder (Atheresthes stomias) and Kamchatka flounder (A. evermanni) in the eastern Bering Sea, with notes on distribution and condition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Forest, Lisa; Duffy-Anderson, J. T.; Heintz, R. A.; Matarese, A. C.; Siddon, E. C.; Smart, T. I.; Spies, I. B.

2014-11-01

Arrowtooth flounder (Atheresthes stomias) and Kamchatka flounder (A. evermanni) are closely related flatfish species that co-occur in the eastern Bering Sea. As adults, arrowtooth flounder can be distinguished from Kamchatka flounder; however, larvae and early juveniles can only be indentified to the genus level due to morphological similarities. This has precluded studies of ecology for the early life stages of both species in the eastern Bering Sea. In this study, we developed a genetic technique to identify the larvae and early juveniles of the two species using mtDNA cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI). Genetically identified specimens were then examined to determine a visual identification method based on pigment patterns and morphology. Specimens 6.0-12.0 mm SL and≥18.0 mm SL can be identified to the species level, but species identification of individuals 12.1-17.9 mm SL by visual means alone remains elusive. The distribution of larvae (<25.0 mm SL) of both arrowtooth flounder and Kamchatka flounder is similar in the eastern Bering Sea; however, juvenile (≥25.0 mm SL) Kamchatka flounder occur closer to the shelf break and in deeper water than juvenile arrowtooth flounder. Condition was determined for larvae and juveniles of each species by analyzing lipid content (%) and energy density (kJ/g dry mass). Kamchatka flounder larvae on average had higher lipid content than arrowtooth flounder larvae, but were also larger on average than arrowtooth flounder larvae in the summer. When corrected for length, both species had similar lipid content in the larval and juvenile stages.

[Genetic Differentiation of Sockeye Salmon Oncorhynchus nerka from Kamchatka River Basin and the Lake-River Systems of the West Coast of the Bering Sea as Inferred from Data on Single Nucleotide Polymorphism].

PubMed

Khrustaleva, A M; Klovach, N V; Vedischeva, E V; Seeb, J E

2015-10-01

The variability of 45 single nucleotide polymorphism loci (SNP) was studied in sockeye salmon from the Kamchatka River basin and four lake-river systems of the west coast of the Bering Sea. Based on the genetic differentiation estimates for the largest sockeye salmon populations of Eastern Kamchatka and Chukotka, the examined samples were combined into two regional groups represented by the population of the Kamchatka River drainage, which included numerous local subpopulations and seasonal races, and the northern population grouping from the rivers of Olutorsko-Navarinsky raion, wherein the sockeye salmon from Maynypilginskaya Lake-River system was relatively isolated. Considerable divergence was observed between the island (Sarannoe Lake, Bering Island) and continental populations. Genetic heterogeneity was revealed and groups of early- and late-maturing individuals were isolated in the sample of late-run sockeye salmon from Kamchatka River. In Apuka River, subdivision of the spawning run into two genetically distinct spatial and temporal groupings was also observed. The results suggest that the differentiation of sockeye salmon samples by single nucleotide substitution frequencies was largely due to differences in the direction and strength of local selection at some loci in the population complexes and intrapopulation groupings from the examined river basins of Eastern Kamchatka, Chukotka, and Commander Islands.

[Single-nucleotide polymorphism in populations of sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka from Kamchatka Peninsula].

PubMed

Khrustaleva, A M; Gritsenko, O F; Klovach, N V

2013-11-01

The genetic polymorphism of 45 single-nucleotide polymorphism loci was examined in the four largest wild populations of sockeye salmon Oncorhynchusnerka from drainages of the Asian coast of the Pacific Ocean (Eastern and Western Kamchatka). It was demonstrated that sockeye salmon from the Palana River were considerably different from all other populations examined. The most probable explanation of the observed differences is the suggestion on possible demographic events in the history of this population associated with the decrease in its effective number. To study the origin, colonization patterns, and evolution of Asian sockeye salmon, as well as to resolve some of the applied tasks, like population assignment and genetic identification, a differentiation approach to SNP-marker selection was suggested. Adaptively important loci that evolve under the pressure of balancing (stabilizing) selection were identified, thanks to which the number of loci that provide the baseline classification error rates in the population assignment tests was reduced to 30. It was demonstrated that SNPs located in the MHC2 and GPH genes were affected by diversifying selection. Procedures for selecting single-nucleotide polymorphisms for phylogenetic studies of Asian sockeye salmon were suggested. Using principal-component analysis, 17 loci that adequately reproduce genetic differentiation within arid among the regions of the origin of Kamchatka sockeye salmon, were selected.

The character of scaling earthquake source spectra for Kamchatka in the 3.5-6.5 magnitude range

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gusev, A. A.; Guseva, E. M.

2017-02-01

The properties of the source spectra of local shallow-focus earthquakes on Kamchatka in the range of magnitudes M w = 3.5-6.5 are studied using 460 records of S-waves obtained at the PET station. The family of average source spectra is constructed; the spectra are used to study the relationship between M w and the key quasi-dimensionless source parameters: stress drop Δσ and apparent stress σa. It is found that the parameter Δσ is almost stable, while σa grows steadily as the magnitude M w increases, indicating that the similarity is violated. It is known that at sufficiently large M w the similarity hypothesis is approximately valid: both parameters Δσ and σa do not show any noticeable magnitude dependence. It has been established that M w ≈ 5.7 is the threshold value of the magnitude when the change in regimes described occurs for the conditions on Kamchatka.

First find of platinum group metals in the ore of Kirganik copper-porphyry deposit (Kamchatka)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sidorov, E. G.; Ignatyev, E. K.; Chubarov, V. M.

2017-08-01

The Kirganik copper-porphyry deposit is situated in the central part of the Sredinnyi Mountain Range of Kamchatka and is confined to fields of development of potassic orthoclase metasomatite and hypabyssal intrusions of shonkinite. Platinum group metals (PGMs), such as merenskyite, kotulskite, keithconnite, and temagamite, were discovered in the chalcopyrite-bornite and chalcopyrite-bornite-chalcosine ore of the deposit for the first time.

[Intra- and interpopulation variability of southwestern Kamchatka sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka inferred from the data on single nucleotide polymorphism].

PubMed

Khrustaleva, A M; Klovach, N V; Gritsenko, O F; Seeb, J E

2014-07-01

The variability of 45 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci was studied in nine samples of the sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka from the rivers of southwestern Kamchatka. The Wahlund effect, gametic disequilibrium at some loci, and a decrease in interpopulation genetic diversity estimates observed in samples from the Bolshaya River outlet are explained in terms of the samples' heterogeneity. Partitioning of mixed samples using some biological characteristics of the individuals led to a noticeable decrease in the frequency of these phenomena. It was demonstrated that the allelic diversity between the populations within the river Plotnikovs accounted for the larger part of genetic variation, as compared to the differentiation between the basins. The SNP loci responsible for intra- and interpopulation differentiation of sockeye salmon from the rivers of southwestern Kamchatka were identified. Some recommendations for field population genetic studies of Asian sockeye salmon were formulated.

Specific mineral associations of hydrothermal shale (South Kamchatka)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rychagov, S. N.; Sergeeva, A. V.; Chernov, M. S.

2017-11-01

The sequence of hydrothermal shale from the East Pauzhet thermal field within the Pauzhet hydrothermal system (South Kamchatka) was studied in detail. It was established that the formation of shale resulted from argillization of an andesitic lava flow under the influence of an acidic sulfate vapor condensate. The horizons with radically different compositions and physical properties compared to those of the overlying homogeneous plastic shale were distinguished at the base of the sequence. These horizons are characterized by high (up to two orders of magnitude in comparison with average values in hydrothermal shale) concentrations of F, P, Na, Mg, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Cu, and Zn. We suggested a geological-geochemical model, according to which a deep metal-bearing chloride-hydrocarbonate solution infiltrated into the permeable zone formed at the root of the andesitic lava flow beneath plastic shale at a certain stage of evolution of the hydrothermal system.

Difficulties with interpreting changes in groundwater gas content as earthquake precursors in Kamchatka, Russia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Biagi, P.F.; Ermini, A.; Kingsley, S.P.; Khatkevich, Y.M.; Gordeev, E.I.

The Kamchatka peninsula, located in the far east of Russia, is a geologicallyactive margin where the Pacific plate subducts beneath the North Americanand Eurasia plates. This area is characterised by frequent and strong seismicactivity (with magnitudes of up to 8.6), with epicentres generallydistributed offshore along the eastern coast of the peninsula. Starting in1977, hydrogeochemical data have been collected with a mean samplingfrequency of three days in wells and springs located in the southern area ofthe Kamchatka peninsula. In order to reveal possible earthquake precursors,the groundwater gas content data collected in the last ten years at fivewells, were statistically analysed. Each signal exceeding a 3threshold was considered to be an irregularity and two different methodsof defining an anomaly were assumed. In the first, an anomaly was declaredwhen an irregularity occurred simultaneously on more than one gas contentat each well. In the second method, an anomaly was declared when anirregularity occurred simultaneously on a given type of gas at more thanone well. As a mechanism for associating an anomaly with an earthquake,the earthquakes that occurred with magnitudes greater than 6.5 and withina distance of 250 km from each well, were selected. Using this frameworkboth successes and failures were identified. It is shown that on the basis ofthis statistical analysis, there is a great probability that the successes revealedare not precursors but random coincidences.

Vesicomyinae (Bivalvia: Vesicomyidae) of the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench and adjacent abyssal regions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krylova, Elena M.; Kamenev, Gennady M.; Vladychenskaya, Irina P.; Petrov, Nikolai B.

2015-01-01

Representatives of the subfamily Vesicomyinae (Bivalvia, Vesicomyidae) are tiny deep-sea molluscs distributed worldwide and reaching huge abundances of hundreds and thousands of specimens in trawl catches. During the German-Russian deep-sea expedition KuramBio (R/V Sonne, 2012) for the first time two vesicomyin species were collected from the abyssal plain adjacent to the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench from the depths of 4861-5787 m, Vesicomya pacifica (Smith, 1885) and "Vesicomya" filatovae sp.n. Two species of vesicomyins, V. sergeeviFilatova, 1971 and V. profundiFilatova, 1971, which were previously reported from the hadal of the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench, were not collected at the abyssal depth despite of the close geographical proximity of the sampling area to their distribution ranges. Altogether nine species of vesicomyins are recorded now from the West and Indo-West Pacific; data on distribution and morpho-anatomical characters of these species are provided. Taxonomic description of V. pacifica is revised including information on its soft part anatomy, new localities and COI sequences. For the first time for a vesicomyin bivalve molecular data is given for a species with an explicit morphological description and unambiguous taxonomic affiliation. Molecular analysis of 160 published COI sequences of vesicomyids and newly obtained molecular data on V. pacifica showed that V. pacifica and two undescribed vesicomyin species forming a monophyletic clade which exhibits sister relationships with the Pliocardiinae, the group of chemosymbiotic vesicomyids. "Vesicomya" filatovae sp.n. is provisionally assigned to the genus Vesicomya (s.l.) until additional morphological and molecular data are obtained. It differs from Vesicomya s.s. by a broader hinge margin with more radiating teeth and the presence of only one pair of demibranchs.

2005 Volcanic Activity in Alaska, Kamchatka, and the Kurile Islands: Summary of Events and Response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory

USGS Publications Warehouse

McGimsey, R.G.; Neal, C.A.; Dixon, J.P.; Ushakov, Sergey

2008-01-01

The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) responded to eruptive activity or suspected volcanic activity at or near 16 volcanoes in Alaska during 2005, including the high profile precursory activity associated with the 2005?06 eruption of Augustine Volcano. AVO continues to participate in distributing information about eruptive activity on the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia, and in the Kurile Islands of the Russian Far East, in conjunction with the Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) and the Sakhalin Volcanic Eruption Response Team (SVERT), respectively. In 2005, AVO helped broadcast alerts about activity at 8 Russian volcanoes. The most serious hazard posed from volcanic eruptions in Alaska, Kamchatka, or the Kurile Islands is the placement of ash into the atmosphere at altitudes traversed by jet aircraft along the North Pacific and Russian Trans East air routes. AVO, KVERT, and SVERT work collaboratively with the National Weather Service, Federal Aviation Administration, and the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers to provide timely warnings of volcanic eruptions and the production and movement of ash clouds.

Initial H2O content and conditions of parent magma origin for Gorely volcano (Southern Kamchatka) estimated by trace element thermobarometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nazarova, D. P.; Portnyagin, M. V.; Krasheninnikov, S. P.; Mironov, N. L.; Sobolev, A. V.

2017-01-01

The formation conditions of the parental magmas of Gorely volcano, which is located behind a volcanic front in Southern Kamchatka, have been evaluated using the modern methods of micro-element thermobarometry. These magmas contained 1.7 ± 0.8 (2σ) wt % of H2O, the majority (82%) of which has been lost from inclusions. They crystallized at 1121 ± 17°C and an oxygen fugacity of ΔQFM 1.2 ± 0.2, and could have been produced by about 11% melting of an enriched MORB source (E-DMM) at a temperature of about 1270°C, and a pressure of about 1.5 GPa. A distinctive feature of Gorely volcano, compared with frontal volcanoes of Kamchatka, is the unusually high temperature (925 ± 20°C) of formation of the subduction component corresponding to the region of existence of water-bearing melts.

STS-39 Earth observation of U.S.S.R.'s Kamchatka Peninsula and Pacific Ocean

NASA Image and Video Library

1991-05-06

STS039-81-00OU (28 April-6 May 1991) --- Flying at an inclination of 57 degrees to Earth's Equator, the Space Shuttle Discovery was able to record photography of a number of seldom observed areas on the planet, such as the USSR. This view was taken in the far north Pacific Ocean and shows part of the Kamchatka Peninsula. One of Discovery's seven crewmembers aimed a 70mm handheld camera through aft flight deck overhead windows to record the image.

Effects of strong earthquakes in variations of electrical and meteorological parameters of the near-surface atmosphere in Kamchatka region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smirnov, S. E.; Mikhailova, G. A.; Mikhailov, Yu. M.; Kapustina, O. V.

2017-09-01

The diurnal variations in electrical (quasistatic electric field and electrical conductivity) and meteorological (temperature, pressure, relative humidity of the atmosphere, and wind speed) parameters, measured simultaneously before strong earthquakes in Kamchatka region (November 15, 2006, M = 8.3; January 13, 2007, M = 8.1; January 30, 2016, M = 7.2), are studied for the first time in detail. It is found that a successively anomalous increase in temperature, despite the negative regular trend in these winter months, was observed in the period of six-seven days before the occurrences of earthquakes. An anomalous temperature increase led to the formation of "winter thunderstorm" conditions in the near-surface atmosphere of Kamchatka region, which was manifested in the appearance of an anomalous, type 2 electrical signal, the amplification of and intensive variations in electrical conductivity, heavy precipitation (snow showers), high relative humidity of air, storm winds, and pressure changes. With the weak flow of natural heat radiation in this season, the observed dynamics of electric and meteorological processes can likely be explained by the appearance of an additional heat source of seismic nature.

International Studies of Hazardous Groundwater/Surface Water Exchange in the Volcanic Eruption and Tsunami Affected Areas of Kamchatka

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kontar, Y. A.; Gusiakov, V. K.; Izbekov, P. E.; Gordeev, E.; Titov, V. V.; Verstraeten, I. M.; Pinegina, T. K.; Tsadikovsky, E. I.; Heilweil, V. M.; Gingerich, S. B.

2012-12-01

During the US-Russia Geohazards Workshop held July 17-19, 2012 in Moscow, Russia the international research effort was asked to identify cooperative actions for disaster risk reduction, focusing on extreme geophysical events. As a part of this recommendation the PIRE project was developed to understand, quantify, forecast and protect the coastal zone aquifers and inland water resources of Kamchatka (Russia) and its ecosystems affected by the November 4, 1952 Kamchatka tsunami (Khalatyrka Beach near Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy) and the January 2, 1996 Karymskiy volcano eruption and the lake tsunami. This project brings together teams from U.S. universities and research institutions located in Russia. The research consortium was briefed on recent technical developments and will utilize samples secured via major international volcanic and tsunami programs for the purpose of advancing the study of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) in the volcanic eruption and tsunami affected coastal areas and inland lakes of Kamchatka. We plan to accomplish this project by developing and applying the next generation of field sampling, remote sensing, laboratory techniques and mathematical tools to study groundwater-surface water interaction processes and SGD. We will develop a field and modeling approach to define SGD environment, key controls, and influence of volcano eruption and tsunami, which will provide a framework for making recommendations to combat contamination. This is valuable for politicians, water resource managers and decision-makers and for the volcano eruption and tsunami affected region water supply and water quality of Kamchatka. Data mining and results of our field work will be compiled for spatial modeling by Geo-Information System (GIS) using 3-D Earth Systems Visualization Lab. The field and model results will be communicated to interested stakeholders via an interactive web site. This will allow computation of SGD spatial patterns. In addition, thanks to the

Late Holocene expansion of Siberian dwarf pine (Pinus pumila) in Kamchatka in response to increased snow cover as inferred from lacustrine oxygen-isotope records

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hammarlund, Dan; Klimaschewski, Andrea; St. Amour, Natalie A.; Andrén, Elinor; Self, Angela E.; Solovieva, Nadia; Andreev, Andrei A.; Barnekow, Lena; Edwards, Thomas W. D.

2015-11-01

Holocene records of cellulose-inferred lake-water δ18O were produced from two lake-sediment sequences obtained in central and northern Kamchatka, Russian Far East. The sediment records share similar fluctuations in δ18O during the interval of ca. 5000-800 cal yr BP that correspond (inversely) with changes in K+ content of the GISP2 ice-core record from Greenland, a proxy for the relative strength of the Siberian High, suggesting control by climate-related variability in δ18O of regional precipitation. The dramatic expansion of Siberian dwarf pine (Pinus pumila) in northern and central Kamchatka between ca. 5000 and 4000 cal yr BP, as inferred from pollen records from the same and neighbouring sites, appears to have occurred at a time of progressively declining δ18O of precipitation. This development is interpreted as reflecting a regional cooling trend accompanied by increasing winter snowfall related to gradual intensification of the Siberian High from ca. 5000 to ca. 3000 cal yr BP. A thicker and more long-lasting snow cover can be assumed to have favoured P. pumila by providing a competitive advantage over other boreal and subalpine tree and shrub species in the region during the later part of the Holocene. These results, which are the first of their kind from Kamchatka, provide novel insight into the Holocene vegetational and climatic development in easternmost Asia, as well as long-term atmospheric circulation dynamics in Beringia.

Compositional Heterogeneity and Spatial Segmentation of Suprasubduction (ssz-type) Ophiolites: Evidence From The Kamchatka Arc

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Osipenko, A.; Krylov, K.

In ophiolite complexes from the Eastern Asian accretion belts the spatial heterogeneity of geochemical parameters for different components of an ophiolite sequence is estab- lished: restite mantle-derived peridotites, cumulative layered complex and volcanics. This heterogeneity is displayed as at a regional level (tens - hundred km), and at a level of local structures (hundred i - first tens km). As a rule, distinction is observed on a complex of geochemical parameters (concentration and form of REE spectra, EPG distribution, isotope characteristics, Cr-spinel and pyroxene composition etc.). Revealed at once in several suprasubduction-type ophiolite belts (Kamuikotan, Philip- pines New Guinea etc.), the spatial variations of geochemical parameters have not gradual, and discrete character. For an explanation of the reasons of ophiolite com- positional heterogeneity several mechanisms are offered: (1) tectonical overlapping of various fragments of lithosphere; (2) different specify of deep processes, resulting to compositional heterogeneity of rocks from the same lithosphere level; 3) hetero- geneity of the upper mantle and/or mantle metasomatism; 4) evolution of ophiolites (Shervais, 2001) and/or center of magma generation (mixture of continuous series of melt portions, separated during different stages of progressive mantle source melting (Bazylev et al., 2001)); 5) preservations of relict blocks of low lithosphere and upper mantle from the previous stage in suprasubduction conditions. The authors consider regional geochemical heterogeneity and segmentation of suprasubduction ophiolites (SSZ-type) on an example of peridotites from the Eastern Kamchatka ophiolite belt (EKOB), where sublongitude zones, crossed the basic geological structures of a penin- sula (including EROB) were allocated earlier. For each of zones the complex of geo- chemical attributes, steady is established within the limits of a zone, but distinct from of the characteristics of other zones

Pre-eruptive storage conditions of the Holocene dacite erupted from Kizimen Volcano, Kamchatka

USGS Publications Warehouse

Browne, B.; Izbekov, P.; Eichelberger, J.; Churikova, T.

2010-01-01

This study describes an investigation of the pre-eruptive conditions (T, P and fO2) of dacite magma erupted during the KZI cycle (12,000-8400 years ago) of Kizimen Volcano, Kamchatka, the earliest, most voluminous and most explosive eruption cycle in the Kizimen record. Hydrothermal, water-saturated experiments on KZI dacite pumice coupled with titanomagnetite-ilmenite geothermometry calculations require that the KZI dacite existed at a temperature of 823 ?? 20??C and pressures of 125-150 MPa immediately prior to eruption. This estimate corresponds to a lithologic contact between Miocene volcaniclastic rocks and Pliocene-Pleistocene volcanic rocks located at a depth of 5-6 km beneath the Kizimen edifice, which may have facilitated the accumulation of atypically large volumes of gas-rich dacite during the KZI cycle.

Explosions of andesitic volcanoes in Kamchatka and danger of volcanic ash clouds to aviation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gordeev, E. I.; Girina, O. A.; Neal, C. A.

2010-12-01

There are 30 active volcanoes in Kamchatka and 4 of them continuously active. The explosions of andesitic volcanoes (Bezymianny and Sheveluch) produce strong and fast ash plumes, which can rich high altitude (up to 15 km) in short time. Bezymianny and Sheveluch are the most active volcanoes of Kamchatka. A growth of the lava dome of Bezymianny into the explosive crater continues from 1956 till present. Nine strong explosive eruptions of the volcano associated with the dome-building activity occurred for last 5 years in: 2005, January 11 and November 30; 2006, May 09 and December 24; 2007, May 11 and October 14-15; 2008, August 19; 2009, December 16-17 and 2010, May 31. Since 1980, a lava dome of Sheveluch has being growing at the bottom of the explosive crater, which has formed as the result of the catastrophic eruption in 1964. Strong explosive eruptions of the volcano associated with the dome-building activity occurred in: 1993, April 22; 2001, May 19-21; 2004, May 09; 2005, February 27 and September 22; 2006, December 25-26; 2007, March 29 and December 19; 2009, April 26-28 and September 10-11. Strong explosive eruption of andesitic volcanoes is the most dangerous for aircraft because in a few hours or days in the atmosphere and the stratosphere can produce about several cubic kilometers of volcanic ash and aerosols. Volcanic ash is an extremely abrasive, as it consists of acute-angled rock fragments and volcanic glass. Due to the high specific surface of andesitic ash particles are capable of retaining an electrostatic charge and absorb droplets of water and corrosive acids. Ash plumes and the clouds, depending on the power of the eruption, the strength and wind speed, can travel thousands of kilometers from the volcano for several days, remaining hazardous to aircraft, as the melting temperature of small particles of ash below the operating temperature of jet engines. To reduce the risk of collision of aircraft with ash clouds of Kamchatkan volcanoes, was

2010 Volcanic activity in Alaska, Kamchatka, and the Kurile Islands: summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory

USGS Publications Warehouse

Neal, Christina A.; Herrick, Julie; Girina, O.A.; Chibisova, Marina; Rybin, Alexander; McGimsey, Robert G.; Dixon, Jim

2014-01-01

The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) responded to eruptions, possible eruptions, volcanic unrest or suspected unrest at 12 volcanic centers in Alaska during 2010. The most notable volcanic activity consisted of intermittent ash emissions from long-active Cleveland volcano in the Aleutian Islands. AVO staff also participated in hazard communication regarding eruptions or unrest at seven volcanoes in Russia as part of an ongoing collaborative role in the Kamchatka and Sakhalin Volcanic Eruption Response Teams.

Constraining recent Shiveluch volcano eruptions (Kamchatka, Russia) by means of dendrochronology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Solomina, O.; Pavlova, I.; Curtis, A.; Jacoby, G.; Ponomareva, V.; Pevzner, M.

2008-10-01

Shiveluch (N 56°38´, E 161°19´; elevation: active dome ~2500 m, summit of Old Shiveluch 3283 m) is one of the most active volcanoes in Kamchatka. The eruptions of Shiveluch commonly result in major environmental damage caused by debris avalanches, hot pyroclastic flows, tephra falls and lahars. Constraining these events in time and space is important for the understanding and prediction of these natural hazards. The last major eruption of Shiveluch occurred in 2005; earlier ones, dated by instrumental, historical, 14C and tephrochronological methods, occurred in the last millennium around AD 1030, 1430, 1650, 1739, 1790 1810, 1854, 1879 1883, 1897 1898, 1905, 1927 1929, 1944 1950, and 1964. A lava dome has been growing in the 1964 crater since 1980, occasionally producing tephra falls and pyroclastic flows. Several Shiveluch eruptions (~AD 1050, 1650, 1854, 1964) may have been climatically effective and are probably recorded in the Greenland ice cores. Previously, most dates for eruptions before AD 1854 were obtained by tephrochronology and constrained by radiocarbon dating with an accuracy of several decades or centuries. In this paper we report tree-ring dates for a recent pyroclastic flow in Baidarnaia valley. Though the wood buried in these deposits is carbonized, fragile and poorly preserved, we were able to measure ring-width using standard tree-ring equipment or photographs and to cross-date these samples against the regional Kamchatka larch ring-width chronology. The dates of the outer rings indicate the date of the eruptions. In the Baidarnaia valley the eruption occurred shortly after AD 1756, but not later than AD 1758. This date coincides with the decrease of ring-width in trees growing near Shiveluch volcano in 1758 1763 in comparison with the control "non-volcanic" chronology. The pyroclastic flow in Kamenskaia valley, although similar in appearance to the one in Baidarnaia valley, definitively yielded a different age. Due to the age limit of the

KALMAR - "Kurile-Kamchatka and Aleutean Marginal Sea-Island Arc Systems: Geodynamic and Climate Interaction in Space and Time" - an integrated science approach between Russia and Germany

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dullo, Wolf-Christian; Baranov, Boris; van den Bogaard, Christel

2010-05-01

The exploration of the arctic seas require an integrated approach applying different infrastructures. In Fall 2009 German and Russian scientists performed a geo marine cruise off Kamchatka and in the western Bering Sea within the frame of the KALMAR-Project. Two main research subjects formed the scientific backbone of the cruise: The first objective focuses on the geodynamic and volcanological-magmatic development of the Kuril-Kamchatka island arc system and the Kamchatka Aleutean Islands Triple-Junction. Very little is known about the composition of the mantle and the oceanic crust as well as of the seamounts including their ages. The best studied site is the Volcanologist's Massif located between the Bering- and the Alpha Fracture Zone (Tsvetkov 1990, Volynets et al. 1992, Yogodzinsky et al. 1994), which structurally belongs to the Komandorsky Basin. The oldest rocks of the Volcanologist's Massif show very similar trace element and isotope signatures like those rocks cropping out in the volcanoes on Kamchatka in the prolongation of the Alpha Fracture Zone (Portnyagin et al. 2005a), indicating similar conditions of magma formation. The top of the Volcanologist's Massif is characterized by the young (< 0.5 Ma) and hydrothermally active Piip volcano, which consists of special magnesium rich andesites ("Piip type"). Another hot site was the Meiji-Seamount which is the northernmost Seamount of the hotspot spur of the Hawaii-Emperor-Seamount chain, having an age of probably > 85 Ma. The only existing basement rocks from this seamount were gained during DSDP Leg 19. These are basalts with MORB like trace element and isotope signatures (Keller et al. 2000, Regelous et al. 2003). These data indicate that the Hawaii-Hotspot was at a MOR in Cretaceous time and that large volumes of depleted mantle material played a role during the magma formation. The second objective focuses on paleo-oceanographic investigations concentrating on the sediments along the eastern continental

Draft genome sequence of Anoxybacillus flavithermus KU2-6-11 isolated from hot-spring in Uzon caldera (Kamchatka, Russia).

PubMed

Rozanov, Aleksey S; Korzhuk, Anton V; Bryanskaya, Alla V; Peltek, Sergey E

2018-02-01

The Anoxybacillus flavithermus KU2-6-11 was isolated from sediments of a nameless hot spring. The hot spring is located in Uzon caldera (Kamchatka, Russia). The sequenced and annotated genome is 2,646,305 bp and encodes 2787genes. The draft genome sequence of the Anoxybacillus flavithermus KU2-6-11 has been deposited at DDBJ/EMBL/GenBank under the accession PEDM01000000 and the sequences could be found at the site https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nuccore/PEDM01000000.

Assessing the Altitude and Dispersion of Volcanic Plumes Using MISR Multi-angle Imaging from Space: Sixteen Years of Volcanic Activity in the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Flower, Verity J. B.; Kahn, Ralph A.

2017-01-01

Volcanic eruptions represent a significant source of atmospheric aerosols and can display local, regional and global effects, impacting earth systems and human populations. In order to assess the relative impacts of these events, accurate plume injection altitude measurements are needed. In this work, volcanic plumes generated from seven Kamchatka Peninsula volcanoes (Shiveluch, Kliuchevskoi, Bezymianny, Tolbachik, Kizimen, Karymsky and Zhupanovsky), were identified using over 16 years of Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadimeter (MISR) measurements. Eighty-eight volcanic plumes were observed by MISR, capturing 3-25% of reported events at individual volcanoes. Retrievals were most successful where high intensity events persisted over a period of weeks to months. Compared with existing ground and airborne observations, and alternative satellite-based reports compiled by the Global Volcanism Program (GVP), MISR plume height retrievals showed general consistency; the comparison reports appear to be skewed towards the region of highest concentration observed in MISR-constrained vertical plume extent. The report observations display less discrepancy with MISR toward the end of the analysis period, with improvements in the suborbital data likely the result of the deployment of new instrumentation. Conversely, the general consistency of MISR plume heights with conventionally reported observations supports the use of MISR in the ongoing assessment of volcanic activity globally, especially where other types of volcanic plume observations are unavailable. Differences between the northern (Shiveluch, Kliuchevskoi, Bezymianny and Tolbachik) and southern (Kizimen, Karymsky and Zhupanovsky) volcanoes broadly correspond to the Central Kamchatka Depression (CKD) and Eastern Volcanic Front (EVF), respectively, geological sub-regions of Kamchatka distinguished by varying magma composition. For example, by comparison with reanalysis-model simulations of local meteorological conditions

Inflation model of Uzon caldera, Kamchatka, constrained by satellite radar interferometry observations

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lundgren, Paul; Lu, Zhong

2006-01-01

We analyzed RADARSAT-1 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data to compute interferometric SAR (InSAR) images of surface deformation at Uzon caldera, Kamchatka, Russia. From 2000 to 2003 approximately 0.15 m of inflation occurred at Uzon caldera, extending beneath adjacent Kikhpinych volcano. This contrasts with InSAR data showing no significant deformation during either the 1999 to 2000, or 2003 to 2004, time periods. We performed three sets of numerical source inversions to fit InSAR data from three different swaths spanning 2000 to 2003. The preferred source model is an irregularly shaped, pressurized crack, dipping ∼20° to the NW, 4 km below the surface. The geometry of this solution is similar to the upper boundary of the geologically inferred magma chamber. Extension of the surface deformation and source to adjacent Kikhpinych volcano, without an eruption, suggests that the deformation is more likely of hydrothermal origin, possibly driven by recharge of the magma chamber.

Tephra from andesitic Shiveluch volcano, Kamchatka, NW Pacific: chronology of explosive eruptions and geochemical fingerprinting of volcanic glass

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ponomareva, Vera; Portnyagin, Maxim; Pevzner, Maria; Blaauw, Maarten; Kyle, Philip; Derkachev, Alexander

2015-07-01

The ~16-ka-long record of explosive eruptions from Shiveluch volcano (Kamchatka, NW Pacific) is refined using geochemical fingerprinting of tephra and radiocarbon ages. Volcanic glass from 77 prominent Holocene tephras and four Late Glacial tephra packages was analyzed by electron microprobe. Eruption ages were estimated using 113 radiocarbon dates for proximal tephra sequence. These radiocarbon dates were combined with 76 dates for regional Kamchatka marker tephra layers into a single Bayesian framework taking into account the stratigraphic ordering within and between the sites. As a result, we report ~1,700 high-quality glass analyses from Late Glacial-Holocene Shiveluch eruptions of known ages. These define the magmatic evolution of the volcano and provide a reference for correlations with distal fall deposits. Shiveluch tephras represent two major types of magmas, which have been feeding the volcano during the Late Glacial-Holocene time: Baidarny basaltic andesites and Young Shiveluch andesites. Baidarny tephras erupted mostly during the Late Glacial time (~16-12.8 ka BP) but persisted into the Holocene as subordinate admixture to the prevailing Young Shiveluch andesitic tephras (~12.7 ka BP-present). Baidarny basaltic andesite tephras have trachyandesite and trachydacite (SiO2 < 71.5 wt%) glasses. The Young Shiveluch andesite tephras have rhyolitic glasses (SiO2 > 71.5 wt%). Strongly calc-alkaline medium-K characteristics of Shiveluch volcanic glasses along with moderate Cl, CaO and low P2O5 contents permit reliable discrimination of Shiveluch tephras from the majority of other large Holocene tephras of Kamchatka. The Young Shiveluch glasses exhibit wave-like variations in SiO2 contents through time that may reflect alternating periods of high and low frequency/volume of magma supply to deep magma reservoirs beneath the volcano. The compositional variability of Shiveluch glass allows geochemical fingerprinting of individual Shiveluch tephra layers which along

Holocene Vegetation Changes in Eastern Kamchatka Based on Pollen and Macrofossil Records

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dirksen, V.

2004-12-01

Little is known about the Quaternary climate and vegetation history of Kamchatka. Only a few previous studies have provided paleoenvironmental information for this area, but these studies have poor age control and are inconsistent To reconstruct paleoclimate and both regional and local vegetation history we are analyzing continuous, high-resolution pollen and macrofossil records from peats on Kamchatka. Thin, well-dated ash layers in these peats provide excellent age control; sections sampled thus far range in age back to 12,000 years. Herein we report results from one example, the Uka peat section (57.8oN 162.2oE; about 10 m a.s.l.). This section is located on a morainal terrace close to a small lake. The basal section is lacustrine clay with a few spores pointing to scarce vegetation under cold conditions, probably latest Pleistocene. This clay is replaced upward by limnic peat, probably early Holocene (pollen zone 1). This zone is characterized by dominance of shrub alder and birch, herbs, and ferns. The highest value (in the whole section) of sage and the absence of tree pollen suggest a treeless landscape and thin vegetation cover under still cold conditions, while increase in local aquatic pollen indicates lake filling and shrinking. In Zone 2 (ca. 8000-4000 BP), mire vegetation shows successive development of eutrophic fen including three pulses of sphagnum followed by sedge peaks. Pollen concentration is very low, probably indicating high deposition rates. A warming trend is suggested by the appearance ca. 5600 BP of tree birch, increasing to the end of zone 2, while alder strongly decreases. The most pronounced changes in both regional and local vegetation are found ca. 3800 BP, when tree birch pollen reaches its highest value and a few long-transported spruce pollen grains appear. The dominant (eutrophic) sedge is suddenly replaced by a more oligotrophic one. Such local components as grasses, shrub birch and willow increase, and total pollen concentration

Development of a monitoring network for lightning stokes accompanying the eruptions of the Northern group of volcanoes on Kamchatka peninsula

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mochalov, V. A.; Firstov, P. P.; Cherneva, N. V.; Sannikov, D. V.; Akbashev, R. R.; Uvarov, V. N.; Shevtsov, B. M.; Druzhin, G. I.; Mochalova, A. V.

2017-11-01

In the region of the Northern group of volcanoes in Kamchatka peninsula, a distributed network is being planned to monitor the VLF range electromagnetic radiation and to locate the lightning strokes. It will allow the researchers to register weaker electromagnetic pulses from lightning strokes in comparison to the World Wide Lightning Location Network. The hardware-software complex of the network under construction is presented. The capabilities of the available and the developing hardware and software to investigate natural phenomena associated with lightning activity are described.

Volcanic Eruptions in Kamchatka

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2007-01-01

[figure removed for brevity, see original site] [figure removed for brevity, see original site] Sheveluch Stratovolcano Click on the image for full resolution TIFF Klyuchevskoy Stratovolcano Click on the image for full resolution TIFF

One of the most volcanically active regions of the world is the Kamchatka Peninsula in eastern Siberia, Russia. It is not uncommon for several volcanoes to be erupting at the same time. On April 26, 2007, the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radioneter (ASTER) on NASA's Terra spacecraft captured these images of the Klyuchevskoy and Sheveluch stratovolcanoes, erupting simultaneously, and 80 kilometers (50 miles) apart. Over Klyuchevskoy, the thermal infrared data (overlaid in red) indicates that two open-channel lava flows are descending the northwest flank of the volcano. Also visible is an ash-and-water plume extending to the east. Sheveluch volcano is partially cloud-covered. The hot flows highlighted in red come from a lava dome at the summit. They are avalanches of material from the dome, and pyroclastic flows.

With its 14 spectral bands from the visible to the thermal infrared wavelength region, and its high spatial resolution of 15 to 90 meters (about 50 to 300 feet), ASTER images Earth to map and monitor the changing surface of our planet.

ASTER is one of five Earth-observing instruments launched December 18, 1999, on NASA's Terra spacecraft. The instrument was built by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. A joint U.S./Japan science team is responsible for validation and calibration of the instrument and the data products.

The broad spectral coverage and high spectral resolution of ASTER provides scientists in numerous disciplines with critical information for surface mapping, and monitoring of dynamic conditions and temporal change. Example applications are: monitoring glacial advances and retreats; monitoring potentially active volcanoes; identifying crop stress; determining

A new species of Abyssobrotula (Ophidiiformes, Ophidiidae) from the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench.

PubMed

Ohashi, Shinpei; Nielsen, Jørgen G

2016-07-01

A new abyssal ophidiid fish, Abyssobrotula hadropercularis, is described on the basis of two specimens caught at two stations at ca. 5000 meters of depth in the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench. The genus Abyssobrotula Nielsen, 1977 was previously known from the type species, A. galatheae Nielsen, 1977 of which 40-50 specimens now are reported from all oceans at depths greater than 2000 m. One of the specimens from the Puerto Rico Trench captured at 8370 m is still the deepest record for fishes. The new species differs from A. galatheae in having great number of pectoral-fin rays 14-15 (vs 10-11); greater eye diameter (1.2-1.3% SL vs 0.7-0.9% SL); larger prepelvic 14.0-14.5% SL (vs 10.5-12.5% SL) and preanal lengths 42.5% SL (vs 33.0-41.5% SL); opercular spine strongly developed (vs poorly developed); gill rakers on anterior arch robust and close-set (vs rakers thin and well separated). The description of A. hadropercularis makes it necessary to slightly modify the generic diagnosis.

Dendrogeomorphic reconstruction of lahar activity and triggers: Shiveluch volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salaorni, E.; Stoffel, M.; Tutubalina, O.; Chernomorets, S.; Seynova, I.; Sorg, A.

2017-01-01

Lahars are highly concentrated, water-saturated volcanic hyperconcentrated flows or debris flows containing pyroclastic material and are a characteristic mass movement process on volcanic slopes. On Kamchatka Peninsula (Russian Federation), lahars are widespread and may affect remote settlements. Historical records of past lahar occurrences are generally sparse and mostly limited to events which damaged infrastructure on the slopes or at the foot of volcanoes. In this study, we present a tree-ring-based reconstruction of spatiotemporal patterns of past lahar activity at Shiveluch volcano. Using increment cores and cross sections from 126 Larix cajanderi trees, we document 34 events covering the period AD 1729-2012. Analyses of the seasonality of damage in trees reveal that 95% of all lahars occurred between October and May and thus point to the predominant role of the sudden melt of the snow cover by volcanic material. These observations suggest that most lahars were likely syn-eruptive and that lahar activity is largely restricted to periods of volcanic activity. By contrast, rainfall events do not seem to play a significant role in lahar triggering.

Holocene environmental changes in southern Kamchatka, Far Eastern Russia, inferred from a pollen and testate amoebae peat succession record

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klimaschewski, A.; Barnekow, L.; Bennett, K. D.; Andreev, A. A.; Andrén, E.; Bobrov, A. A.; Hammarlund, D.

2015-11-01

High resolution palaeoenvironmental records in Far-Eastern Russia are rare, and the Kamchatka Peninsula is among the least studied areas of the region. This paper describes a record spanning the last ca. 11,000 yr, obtained from a bog in the southern part of Kamchatka. The radiocarbon dated core was analysed for pollen, testate amoebae, charcoal and loss-on-ignition (LOI). The vegetation during the early Holocene was dominated by grasses (Poaceae), birch (Betula) and heath (Ericaceae p. p.). Around 10,300 cal yr BP there was a substantial change in the vegetation cover to shrub alder (Alnus viridis s.l.) stands with sedges and ferns (Polypodiophyta) as well as herbs such as meadow rue (Thalictrum) in the understory. In the surroundings of Utka peatlands started to form. The variations in the vegetation cover were most probably caused by climatic changes. At the beginning of sediment accumulation, before 10,300 cal yr BP, the composition of the vegetation points to cooler summers and/or decreased annual precipitation. Around 10,300 cal yr BP, changes in vegetation occurred due to rising temperatures and/or changed water regimes. Increased abundancies of dry indicating testate amoebae after 9100 cal yr BP point to intermediate to dry soil conditions. Between 8600 and 7700 cal yr BP tree alder (Alnus incana) was widely spread at the site which probably indicates optimal environmental conditions. The tephra layer at 381-384.5 cm (ca. 8500 cal yr BP) produces a strong impact on the testate amoebae assemblages. At 7700 cal yr BP there was a sudden drop of A. incana in the local vegetation. From this time on, A. incana and also A. viridis decrease continuously whereas Betula gradually increases. The upper part of the sequence (after 6300 cal yr BP) shows higher abundancies of meadowsweet (Filipendula) and sweet gale (Myrica) pollen. After 6300 cal yr BP, changes in testate amoebae demonstrate variable soil moisture conditions at the site. Between 3700 and 1800 cal yr BP

Hydrothermal systems of the Karymsky Volcanic Centre, Kamchatka: Geochemistry, time evolution and solute fluxes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taran, Yuri; Kalacheva, Elena; Inguaggiato, Salvatore; Cardellini, Carlo; Karpov, Gennady

2017-10-01

Karymsky Volcanic Centre (KVC) at the middle of the frontal volcanic chain of the Kamchatka arc consists of two joined calderas (Akademii Nauk and Karymsky volcano) and hosts two hydrothermal systems: Akademii Nauk (AN) and Karymsky (K). The AN is a typical boiling system, with Na-Cl waters (TDS 1 g/l), low gas content (CO2-N2), with deep calculated temperatures of 200 °C. In contrast, springs of the K system have lower temperatures (up to 42 °C), strong gas bubbling, TDS 2.5 g/l, and are enriched in HCO3- and SO42 -, with Mg2 + as the main cation. There are two intriguing characteristics of the K field: (i) their CO2-rich gas (> 97 mol%) has the highest 3He/4He ratios ever measured for hydrothermal systems in Kamchatka of 8 Ra (where Ra = 1.4 × 10- 6) and (ii) their thermal waters have an unusual cation composition (Mg > Na > Ca). After the 1996 sublimnic eruption within AN caldera, new hot springs appeared close to the eruption site. In this paper we synthesize all published and new geochemical data sets. The Karymsky Lake and post-1996 new thermal springs demonstrate exponential decreases in their main dissolved species, with a characteristic time of 5 to 8 years. The chemistry of AN and K springs did not change after the eruption. However, the concentration of chloride in the lake water approached 35 mg/l, compared with a background of 8-11 mg/l revealing a possible new source of hot water within the Karymsky Lake. All thermal fields of the KVC are drained by the Karymsky River with an outflow rate at the source of 2 m3/s (flowing out from Karymsky Lake) and at the exit from the Karymsky caldera of 4.5 m3/s. Using the measured solute fluxes at the source (AN springs) and at the exit (AN + K springs) the natural heat flux from the two systems can be estimated as 67 MW and 120 MW, respectively, and ≥ 20 t/d for the chloride output from both systems.

Deep down: Isopod biodiversity of the Kuril-Kamchatka abyssal area including a comparison with data of previous expeditions of the RV Vityaz

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elsner, Nikolaus O.; Malyutina, Marina V.; Golovan, Olga A.; Brenke, Nils; Riehl, Torben; Brandt, Angelika

2015-01-01

This study focusses on the isopod biodiversity in the abyssal area southeast of the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench. The KuramBio (Kuril-Kamchatka Biodiversity Studies) expedition in summer 2012 collected altogether 10,169 isopods from 21 C-EBS hauls at 12 stations, belonging to 19 families, 73 genera and 207 species from the depth range between 4830 and 5780 m. Munnopsidae and Desmosomatidae were the most abundant and species-rich families, Eurycope (Munnopsidae) and Macrostylis (Macrostylidae) the most abundant genera. An nMDS plot on the basis of the Cosine similarity index reveals no clear pattern and all hauls to be different from each other. We compared our data with 12 stations from the same depth range sampled by the Russian RV Vityaz about 50 years ago and were able to identify several species collected by the RV Vityaz. The identified isopod species belonged to the families Munnopsidae, Macrostylidae, Haploniscidae, Desmosomatidae, Ischnomesidae and Nannoniscidae. Of the 333 individuals collected by the RV Vityaz, Haploniscidae and Munnopsidae were the most abundant families. Desmosomatidae were only represented by <1% of the isopod individuals. However, the rarefaction curves of both the KuramBio and the Vityaz samples are not approaching an asymptote, indicating that even after repeated sampling just a part of the local fauna has been recorded so far.

The "Tsunami Earthquake" of 13 April 1923 in Northern Kamchatka: Seismological and Hydrodynamic Investigations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salaree, Amir; Okal, Emile A.

2018-04-01

We present a seismological and hydrodynamic investigation of the earthquake of 13 April 1923 at Ust'-Kamchatsk, Northern Kamchatka, which generated a more powerful and damaging tsunami than the larger event of 03 February 1923, thus qualifying as a so-called "tsunami earthquake". On the basis of modern relocations, we suggest that it took place outside the fault area of the mainshock, across the oblique Pacific-North America plate boundary, a model confirmed by a limited dataset of mantle waves, which also confirms the slow nature of the source, characteristic of tsunami earthquakes. However, numerical simulations for a number of legitimate seismic models fail to reproduce the sharply peaked distribution of tsunami wave amplitudes reported in the literature. By contrast, we can reproduce the distribution of reported wave amplitudes using an underwater landslide as a source of the tsunami, itself triggered by the earthquake inside the Kamchatskiy Bight.

Mapping resource use over a Russian landscape: an integrated look at harvesting of a non-timber forest product in central Kamchatka

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hitztaler, Stephanie K.; Bergen, Kathleen M.

2013-12-01

Small-scale resource use became an important adaptive mechanism in remote logging communities in Russia at the onset of the post-Soviet period in 1991. We focused on harvesting of a non-timber forest product, lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), in the forests of the Kamchatka Peninsula (Russian Far East). We employed an integrated geographical approach to make quantifiable connections between harvesting and the landscape, and to interpret these relationships in their broader contexts. Landsat TM images were used for a new classification; the resulting land-cover map was the basis for linking non-spatial data on harvesters’ gathering behaviors to spatial data within delineated lingonberry gathering sites. Several significant relationships emerged: (1) mature forests negatively affected harvesters’ initial choice to gather in a site, while young forests had a positive effect; (2) land-cover type was critical in determining how and why gathering occurred: post-disturbance young and maturing forests were significantly associated with higher gathering intensity and with the choice to market harvests; and (3) distance from gathering sites to villages and main roads also mattered: longer distances were significantly correlated to more time spent gathering and to increased marketing of harvests. We further considered our findings in light of the larger ecological and social dynamics at play in central Kamchatka. This unique study is an important starting point for conservation- and sustainable development-based work, and for additional research into the drivers of human-landscape interactions in the Russian Far East.

Sredinnyy Khrebet, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2002-01-01

The Kamchatka Peninsula in eastern Russia is shown in this scene created from a preliminary elevation model derived from the first data collected during the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) on February 12, 2000. Sredinnyy Khrebet, the mountain range that makes up the spine of the peninsula, is a chain of active volcanic peaks. Pleistocene and recent glaciers have carved the broad valleys and jagged ridges that are common here. The relative youth of the volcanism is revealed by the topography as infilling and smoothing of the otherwise rugged terrain by lava, ash, and pyroclastic flows, particularly surrounding the high peaks in the south central part of the image. Elevations here range from near sea level up to 2,618 meters (8,590 feet). Two visualization methods were combined to produce this image: shading and color coding of topographic height. The shade image was derived by computing topographic slope in the north-south direction. Northern slopes appear bright and southern slopes appear dark. Color coding is directly related to topographic height, with green at the lower elevations, rising through yellow, red, and magenta, to white at the highest elevations. Elevation data used in this image were acquired by the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour, launched on February 11, 2000. SRTM used the same radar instrument that comprised the Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C/X-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SIR-C/X-SAR) that flew twice on Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1994. SRTM was designed to collect three-dimensional measurements of Earth's surface. To collect the 3-D data, engineers added a 60-meter-long (200-foot) mast, installed additional C-band and X-band antennas, and improved tracking and navigation devices. The mission is a cooperative project between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA) of the U.S. Department of Defense, and the German and Italian space

Perspective View, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

This perspective view shows the western side of the volcanically active Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia. The data are from the first C-band mapping swath of the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM). In the foreground is the broad, flat floodplain of the Amanina River, shown in blue. In background of the image is the Sredinnyy Khrebet, the volcanic mountain range that makes up the 3spine2 of the peninsula. The cluster of hills in the upper right is a field of small dormant volcanoes. High resolution SRTM topographic data will be used by geologists to study how volcanoes form and understand the hazards posed by future eruptions.

This shaded relief perspective view was generated using topographic data from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission. A computer-generated artificial light source illuminates the elevation data to produce a pattern of light and shadows. Slopes facing the light appear bright, while those facing away are shaded. On flatter surfaces, the pattern of light and shadows can reveal subtle features in the terrain. Colors show the elevation as measured by SRTM. Colors range from blue at the lowest elevations to white at the highest elevations. This image contains about 2300 meters (7500 feet) of total relief. To emphasize subtle differences in topography, the relief is exaggerated by a factor of 5.

The Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), launched on February 11,2000, uses the same radar instrument that comprised the Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C/X-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SIR-C/X-SAR) that flew twice on the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1994. The mission is designed to collect three-dimensional measurements of the Earth's surface. To collect the 3-D data, engineers added a 60-meter-long (200-foot) mast, an additional C-band imaging antenna and improved tracking and navigation devices. The mission is a cooperative project between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA) and the

Deformation patterns, magma supply, and magma storage at Karymsky Volcanic Center, Kamchatka, Russia, 2000-2010, revealed by InSAR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ji, Lingyun; Izbekov, Pavel; Senyukov, Sergey; Lu, Zhong

2018-02-01

Under a complex geological region influenced by the subduction of the Pacific plate, Kamchatka Peninsula is one of the most active volcanic arcs in the Pacific Rim. Due to logistical difficulty in instrumentation, shallow magma plumbing systems beneath some of the Kamchatkan volcanoes are poorly understood. InSAR offers a safe and quick method for monitoring volcanic deformation with a high spatial resolution. In this study, a group of satellite radar interferograms that span the time interval from 2000 to 2010 shows eruptive and non-eruptive deformation at Karymsky Volcanic Center (KVC), Kamchatka, Russia. All the interferograms provide details of the activity around the KVC during 2000-2010, as follows: (1) from 2000 to 2004, the Karymsky-AN (Akademia Nauk) area deflated and the MS (Maly Semyachik) area inflated, (2) from 2004 to 2006, the Karymsky-AN area deflated with ongoing eruption, while the MS area subsided without eruption, (3) from 2006 to 2008, as with 2000-2004, the Karymsky-AN area deflated and the MS area inflated, (4) from 2008 to 2010, the Karymsky-AN area inflated up to 3 cm, and the MS area subsided. Point source models suggest that two magma reservoirs provide a good fit to the observed deformation. One source is located beneath the area between Karymsky and AN at a depth of approximately 7.0 km, and the other one is situated beneath MS at a depth of around 5.8 km. Synchronous deformation patterns suggest that two magma systems are fed from the same deep magma source and connected by a fracture zone. The InSAR results are consistent with GPS ground deformation measurements, seismic data, and petrological constraints.

Features of the Earth surface deformations in the Kamchatka peninsula and their relation to geoacoustic emission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Larionov, I. A.; Marapulets, Y. V.; Shevtsov, B. M.

2014-12-01

The paper presents the results of investigations of deformation processes in the near-surface sedimentary rocks, which have been carried out in a seismically active region of the Kamchatka peninsula since 2007. The peculiarity of the experiments on registration of geodeformations is the application of a laser strainmeter-interferometer constructed according to the Michelson interferometer scheme. Besides rock deformations, geoacoustic emission in the frequency range from several hertz to the first tens of kilohertz is under investigation. Piezoceramic hydrophones installed in artificial water reservoirs are applied. It is shown that periods of primary rock compression and tension with a duration of up to several months are distinguished in the geodeformation process at the observation site. During the direction change in the deformations, when the geodeformation process rate grows, an increase in geoacoustic radiation is observed.

Cross-correlation earthquake precursors in the hydrogeochemical and geoacoustic signals for the Kamchatka peninsula

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ryabinin, Gennadiy; Gavrilov, Valeriy; Polyakov, Yuriy; Timashev, Serge

2012-06-01

We propose a new type of earthquake precursor based on the analysis of correlation dynamics between geophysical signals of different nature. The precursor is found using a two-parameter cross-correlation function introduced within the framework of flicker-noise spectroscopy, a general statistical physics approach to the analysis of time series. We consider an example of cross-correlation analysis for water salinity time series, an integral characteristic of the chemical composition of groundwater, and geoacoustic emissions recorded at the G-1 borehole on the Kamchatka peninsula in the time frame from 2001 to 2003, which is characterized by a sequence of three groups of significant seismic events. We found that cross-correlation precursors took place 27, 31, and 35 days ahead of the strongest earthquakes for each group of seismic events, respectively. At the same time, precursory anomalies in the signals themselves were observed only in the geoacoustic emissions for one group of earthquakes.

Chlorinated, brominated, and perfluorinated compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and trace elements in livers of sea otters from California, Washington, and Alaska (USA), and Kamchatka (Russia)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kannan, K.; Moon, H.-B.; Yun, S.-H.; Agusa, T.; Thomas, N.J.; Tanabe, S.

2008-01-01

Concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (DDTs, HCHs, and chlordanes), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), and 20 trace elements were determined in livers of 3- to 5-year old stranded sea otters collected from the coastal waters of California, Washington, and Alaska (USA) and from Kamchatka (Russia). Concentrations of organochlorine pesticides, PCBs, and PBDEs were high in sea otters collected from the California coast. Concentrations of DDTs were 10-fold higher in California sea otters than in otters from other locations; PCB concentrations were 5-fold higher, and PBDE concentrations were 2-fold higher, in California sea otters than in otters from other locations. Concentrations of PAHs were higher in sea otters from Prince William Sound than in sea otters from other locations. Concentrations of several trace elements were elevated in sea otters collected from California and Prince William Sound. Elevated concentrations of Mn and Zn in sea otters from California and Prince William Sound were indicative of oxidative stress-related injuries in these two populations. Concentrations of all of the target compounds, including trace elements, that were analyzed in sea otters from Kamchatka were lower than those found from the US coastal locations. ?? The Royal Society of Chemistry.

Pack ice along the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia as seen from STS-60

NASA Image and Video Library

1994-02-09

STS060-73-038 (3-11 Feb 1994) --- Pack ice is documented in this photograph along the coast of the Kamchatka Peninsula of Russia in Zaliv Ozernoj. Newly formed ice continually breaks away from the land and takes the form imposed by coastal currents. Detailed photographs of the ice provide information to scientists in both Russia and the united States about the location and fluctuation of ice edges, and how this new sea ice interacts with ocean and littoral currents. This information results in better ice warnings to shipping traffic and provides data points for long-range climate change research for both the Mission-To-Planet Earth and the Russian Priroda ("Nature") monitoring and assessment programs that are respectively coordinated by NASA and the Russian Academy of Sciences. This photography of ice development in the North Pacific, North Atlantic, the Southern Ocean, the Baltic and North Seas, and the Great Lakes is of great interest to the international scientific community. NASA scientists feel high-resolution analog and digital photography from the Space Shuttle and future craft can be a particularly important component in satisfying their data needs on both an operational and a long-term research basis.

Variations in the Parameters of Background Seismic Noise during the Preparation Stages of Strong Earthquakes in the Kamchatka Region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kasimova, V. A.; Kopylova, G. N.; Lyubushin, A. A.

2018-03-01

The results of the long (2011-2016) investigation of background seismic noise (BSN) in Kamchatka by the method suggested by Doct. Sci. (Phys.-Math.) A.A. Lyubushin with the use of the data from the network of broadband seismic stations of the Geophysical Survey of the Russian Academy of Sciences are presented. For characterizing the BSN field and its variability, continuous time series of the statistical parameters of the multifractal singularity spectra and wavelet expansion calculated from the records at each station are used. These parameters include the generalized Hurst exponent α*, singularity spectrum support width Δα, wavelet spectral exponent β, minimal normalized entropy of wavelet coefficients En, and spectral measure of their coherent behavior. The peculiarities in the spatiotemporal distribution of the BSN parameters as a probable response to the earthquakes with M w = 6.8-8.3 that occurred in Kamchatka in 2013 and 2016 are considered. It is established that these seismic events were preceded by regular variations in the BSN parameters, which lasted for a few months and consisted in the reduction of the median and mean α*, Δα, and β values estimated over all the stations and in the increase of the En values. Based on the increase in the spectral measure of the coherent behavior of the four-variate time series of the median and mean values of the considered statistics, the effect of the enhancement of the synchronism in the joint (collective) behavior of these parameters during a certain period prior to the mantle earthquake in the Sea of Okhotsk (May 24, 2013, M w = 8.3) is diagnosed. The procedures for revealing the precursory effects in the variations of the BSN parameters are described and the examples of these effects are presented.

Shaded Relief, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

This topographic image shows the western side of the volcanically active Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia. The data are from the first C-band mapping swath of the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM). On the left side are four rivers, which flow northwest to the Sea of Okhotsk. These rivers are, from the south to north, Tigil, Amanina, Voyampolka, and Zhilovaya. The broad, flat floodplains of the rivers are shown in blue. These rivers are important spawning grounds for salmon. In the right side of the image is the Sredinnyy Khrebet, the volcanic mountain range that makes up the 3spine2 of the peninsula. The cluster of hills to the lower right is a field of small dormant volcanoes. High resolution SRTM topographic data will be used by geologists to study how volcanoes form and understand the hazards posed by future eruptions.

This shaded relief image was generated using topographic data from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission. A computer-generated artificial light source illuminates the elevation data to produce a pattern of light and shadows. Slopes facing the light appear bright, while those facing away are shaded. On flatter surfaces, the pattern of light and shadows can reveal subtle features in the terrain. Colors show the elevation as measured by SRTM. Colors range from blue at the lowest elevations to white at the highest elevations. This image contains about 2300 meters (7500 feet) of total relief. Shaded relief maps are commonly used in applications such as geologic mapping and land use planning.

The Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), launched on February 11,2000, uses the same radar instrument that comprised the Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C/X-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SIR-C/X-SAR) that flew twice on the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1994. The mission is designed to collect three-dimensional measurements of the Earth's surface. To collect the 3-D data, engineers added a 60-meter-long (200-foot) mast, an additional C-band imaging antenna and

2009 Volcanic activity in Alaska, Kamchatka, and the Kurile Islands: summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory

USGS Publications Warehouse

McGimsey, Robert G.; Neal, Christina A.; Girina, Olga A.; Chibisova, Marina; Rybin, Alexander

2014-01-01

The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) responded to eruptions, possible eruptions, volcanic unrest, and reports of unusual activity at or near eight separate volcanic centers in Alaska during 2009. The year was highlighted by the eruption of Redoubt Volcano, one of three active volcanoes on the western side of Cook Inlet and near south-central Alaska's population and commerce centers, which comprise about 62 percent of the State's population of 710,213 (2010 census). AVO staff also participated in hazard communication and monitoring of multiple eruptions at ten volcanoes in Russia as part of its collaborative role in the Kamchatka and Sakhalin Volcanic Eruption Response Teams.

2008 Volcanic activity in Alaska, Kamchatka, and the Kurile Islands: Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory

USGS Publications Warehouse

Neal, Christina A.; McGimsey, Robert G.; Dixon, James P.; Cameron, Cheryl E.; Nuzhdaev, Anton A.; Chibisova, Marina

2011-01-01

The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) responded to eruptions, possible eruptions, and volcanic unrest or suspected unrest at seven separate volcanic centers in Alaska during 2008. Significant explosive eruptions at Okmok and Kasatochi Volcanoes in July and August dominated Observatory operations in the summer and autumn. AVO maintained 24-hour staffing at the Anchorage facility from July 12 through August 28. Minor eruptive activity continued at Veniaminof and Cleveland Volcanoes. Observed volcanic unrest at Cook Inlet's Redoubt Volcano presaged a significant eruption in the spring of 2009. AVO staff also participated in hazard communication regarding eruptions or unrest at nine volcanoes in Russia as part of a collaborative role in the Kamchatka and Sakhalin Volcanic Eruption Response Teams.

2006 Volcanic Activity in Alaska, Kamchatka, and the Kurile Islands: Summary of Events and Response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory

USGS Publications Warehouse

Neal, Christina A.; McGimsey, Robert G.; Dixon, James P.; Manevich, Alexander; Rybin, Alexander

2008-01-01

The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) responded to eruptions, possible eruptions, and volcanic unrest at or near nine separate volcanic centers in Alaska during 2006. A significant explosive eruption at Augustine Volcano in Cook Inlet marked the first eruption within several hundred kilometers of principal population centers in Alaska since 1992. Glaciated Fourpeaked Mountain, a volcano thought to have been inactive in the Holocene, produced a phreatic eruption in the fall of 2006 and continued to emit copious amounts of volcanic gas into 2007. AVO staff also participated in hazard communication and monitoring of multiple eruptions at seven volcanoes in Russia as part of its collaborative role in the Kamchatka and Sakhalin Volcanic Eruption Response Teams.

[Effective size of subpopulation of the early run sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka from Azabach's Lake (Kamchatka): effect of density on variance of reproductive success].

PubMed

Efremov, V V; Parenskiĭ, V A

2004-04-01

Using Parensky's approach for estimating the number of breeding pairs, we determined effective subpopulation size Ne in early-run sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka from Azabach'e Lake (Kamchatka) in 1977 through 1981. On average (over years and populations), biased sex ratio decreased Ne by 7% as compared to the number of fish on the spawning sites (Ni). High density reduced the Ne/Ni ratio by 62-66% because some fish were excluded from spawning. Dominance polygyny as compared to monogamy and random union of gametes could reduce Ne by about 17%.

3-D Perspective View, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

This perspective view shows the western side of the volcanically active Kamchatka Peninsula in eastern Russia. The image was generated using the first data collected during the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM). In the foreground is the Sea of Okhotsk. Inland from the coast, vegetated floodplains and low relief hills rise toward snow capped peaks. The topographic effects on snow and vegetation distribution are very clear in this near-horizontal view. Forming the skyline is the Sredinnyy Khrebet, the volcanic mountain range that makes up the spine of the peninsula. High resolution SRTM topographic data will be used by geologists to study how volcanoes form and to understand the hazards posed by future eruptions.

This image was generated using topographic data from SRTM and an enhanced true-color image from the Landsat 7 satellite. This image contains about 2,400 meters (7,880 feet) of total relief. The topographic expression was enhanced by adding artificial shading as calculated from the SRTM elevation model. The Landsat data was provided by the United States Geological Survey's Earth Resources Observations Systems (EROS) Data Center, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

SRTM, launched on February 11, 2000, used the same radar instrument that comprised the Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C/X-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar(SIR-C/X-SAR) that flew twice on the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1994. To collect the 3-D SRTM data, engineers added a 60-meter-long (200-foot) mast, installed additional C-band and X-band antennas, and improved tracking and navigation devices. SRTM collected three-dimensional measurements of nearly 80 percent of the Earth's surface. SRTM is a cooperative project between NASA, the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA) of the U.S. Department of Defense, and the German and Italian space agencies. It is managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA, for NASA's Earth Science Enterprise, Washington, D.C.

Size: 33.3 km (20.6 miles) wide x

Magnesium Isotopic Composition of Kamchatka Sub-Arc Mantle Peridotites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Y.; Teng, F. Z.; Ionov, D. A.

2016-12-01

Subduction of the oceanic slab may add a crustal isotopic signal to the mantle wedge. The highly variable Mg isotopic compositions (δ26Mg) of the subducted oceanic crust input[1] and arc lava output[2] imply a distinctive Mg isotopic signature of the mantle wedge. Magnesium isotopic data on samples from the sub-arc mantle are still limited, however. To characterize the Mg isotopic composition of typical sub-arc mantle, 17 large and fresh spinel harzburgite xenoliths from Avacha volcano were analyzed. The harzburgites were formed by 30% melt extraction at ≤ 1 2 GPa and fluid fluxing condition, and underwent possible fluid metasomatism as suggested by distinctively high orthopyroxene mode in some samples, the presence of accessory amphibole and highly variable Ba/La ratios[3]. However, their δ26Mg values display limited variation from -0.32 to -0.21, which are comparable to the mantle average at -0.25 ± 0.07[4]. The overall mantle-like and homogenous δ26Mg of Avacha sub-arc peridotites are consistent with their similar chemical compositions and high MgO contents (> 44 wt%) relative to likely crustal fluids. Furthermore, clinopyroxene (-0.24 ± 0.10, 2SD, n = 5), a late-stage mineral exsolved from high-temperature, Ca-rich residual orthopyroxene, is in broad Mg isotopic equilibrium with olivine (-0.27 ± 0.04, 2SD, n = 17) and orthopyroxene (-0.22 ± 0.06, 2SD, n = 17). Collectively, this study finds that the Kamchatka mantle wedge, as represented by the Avacha peridotites, has a mantle-like δ26Mg, and low-degree fluid-mantle interaction does not cause significant Mg isotope fractionation in sub-arc mantle peridotites. [1] Wang et al., EPSL, 2012 [2] Teng et al., PNAS, 2016 [3] Ionov, J. Petrol., 2010, [4] Teng et al., GCA, 2010.

2007 Volcanic activity in Alaska, Kamchatka, and the Kurile Islands: Summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory

USGS Publications Warehouse

McGimsey, Robert G.; Neal, Christina A.; Dixon, James P.; Malik, Nataliya; Chibisova, Marina

2011-01-01

The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) responded to eruptions, possible eruptions, and volcanic unrest at or near nine separate volcanic centers in Alaska during 2007. The year was highlighted by the eruption of Pavlof, one of Alaska's most frequently active volcanoes. Glaciated Fourpeaked Mountain, a volcano thought to have been inactive in the Holocene, produced a phreatic eruption in the autumn of 2006 and continued to emit copious amounts of steam and volcanic gas into 2007. Redoubt Volcano showed the first signs of the unrest that would unfold in 2008-09. AVO staff also participated in hazard communication and monitoring of multiple eruptions at seven volcanoes in Russia as part of its collaborative role in the Kamchatka and Sakhalin Volcanic Eruption Response Teams.

Geothermal alteration of Kamchatka rock physical properties: experimental and pore-scale modeling study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shanina, Violetta; Gerke, Kirill; Bichkov, Andrey; Korost, Dmitry

2013-04-01

Alternative renewable energy sources research is getting more and more attention due to its importance for future exploitation and low ecological impacts. Geothermal energy is quite abundant and represents a cheap and easily extractable power source for electricity generation or central heating. For these purposes naturally heated geothermal fluids are extracted via drilled wells; after cooling water is usually pumped back to the reservoir to create a circle, or dumped into local streams. In addition to fundamental interest in understanding natural geothermal processes inside the reservoir, in both cases fluids can significantly alter rock properties around the well or stream bed, which is of great practical and ecological importance for the geothermal industry. Detailed knowledge of these transformations is necessary for power plant construction and well design, geophysical modeling and the prediction of geological properties. Under natural conditions such processes occur within geological time frames and are hard to capture. To accelerate geothermal alteration and model deep reservoir high temperature and pressure conditions we use autoclave laboratory experiments. To represent different geothermal conditions, rock samples are autoclaved using a wide range of parameters: temperature (100-450°C), pressure (16-1000 Bars), solution chemistry (from acidic to alkali artificial solutions and natural geothermal fluids sampled in Kamchatka), duration (from weeks to 1 year). Rock samples represent unaltered andesite-dacite tuffs, basalts and andesite collected at the Kamchatka peninsula. Numerous rock properties, e.g., density (bulk and specific), porosity (total and effective), hygroscopicity, P/S wave velocities, geomechanical characteristics (compressive and tensile strength, elastic modulus), etc., were thoroughly analyzed before and after alteration in laboratory autoclave or natural conditions (in situ). To reveal structural changes, some samples were scanned using

SRTM Anaglyph: Sredinnyy Khrebet, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2001-01-01

The Kamchatka Peninsula in eastern Russia is shown in this scene created from a preliminary elevation model derived from the first data collected during the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) on February 12, 2000. Sredinnyy Khrebet, the mountain range that makes up the spine of the peninsula, is a chain of active volcanic peaks. Pleistocene and recent glaciers have carved the broad valleys and jagged ridges that are common here. The relative youth of the volcanism is revealed by the topography as infilling and smoothing of the otherwise rugged terrain by lava, ash, and pyroclastic flows, particularly surrounding the high peaks in the south central part of the image. Elevations here range from near sea level up to 2,618 meters (8,590 feet).

This anaglyph was produced by first shading a preliminary SRTM elevation model. The stereoscopic effect was then created by generating two differing perspectives, one for each eye. When viewed through special glasses, the result is a vertically exaggerated view of Earth's surface in its full three dimensions. Anaglyph glasses cover the left eye with a red filter and cover the right eye with a blue filter.

Elevation data used in this image was acquired by the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour, launched on February 11,2000. SRTM used the same radar instrument that comprised the Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C/X-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SIR-C/X-SAR) that flew twice on Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1994. SRTM was designed to collect three-dimensional measurements of Earth's surface. To collect the 3-D data, engineers added a 60-meter-long (200-foot) mast, installed additional C-band and X-band antennas, and improved tracking and navigation devices. The mission is a cooperative project between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA) of the U.S. Department of Defense, and the German and Italian space agencies. It is managed by

Anaglyph with Landsat Overlay, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

This 3-D anaglyph shows an area on the western side of the volcanically active Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia. Red-blue glasses are required to see the 3-D effect. The topographic data are from the first C-band mapping swath of the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM). Images from the optical Landsat satellite are overlain on the SRTM topography data. The meandering channel of the Tigil River is seen along the bottom of the image, at the base of steep cliffs. In the middle left of the image, a terrace indicates recent uplift of the terrain and downcutting by the river. High resolution SRTM topographic data will be used by geologists and hydrologists to study the interplay of tectonic uplift and erosion.

This anaglyph was generated using topographic data from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission to create two differing perspectives of a single image, one perspective for each eye. Each point in the image is shifted slightly, depending on its elevation. When viewed through special glasses, the result is a vertically exaggerated view of the Earth's surface in its full three dimensions. Anaglyph glasses cover the left eye with a red filter and cover the right eye with a blue filter. The United States Geological Survey's Earth Resources Observations Systems (EROS) Data Center, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, provided the Landsat data, which are overlain on the topography.

The Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), launched on February 11,2000, uses the same radar instrument that comprised the Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C/X-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SIR-C/X-SAR) that flew twice on the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1994. The mission is designed to collect three-dimensional measurements of the Earth's surface. To collect the 3-D data, engineers added a 60-meter-long (200-foot) mast, an additional C-band imaging antenna and improved tracking and navigation devices. The mission is a cooperative project between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA

Triticella minini - a new ctenostome bryozoan from the abyssal plain adjacent to the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grischenko, Andrei V.; Chernyshev, Alexei V.

2015-01-01

A new species of ctenostome bryozoan, Triticella minini sp. nov., is described from the abyssal plain adjacent to the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench, based on material collected by the Russian-German deep-sea expedition KuramBio 2012. Colonies of T. minini sp. nov. were found attached to the oral spines of irregular sea urchin Echinosigra (Echinogutta) amphoraMironov, 1974 by means of rhizoid fibers that penetrated the substratum through circular borings. The specimens were examined by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and confocal laser scanning microscopy with phalloidin and nuclear labeling. The description of T. minini sp. nov. combines a general taxonomic description with a description of the anatomy of the muscular system. The new species differs from congeners in lacking a stolon. It has an intertentacular organ. T. minini sp. nov. is the eleventh species described in the genus TriticellaDalyell, 1848, and the first record for this genus from the northwestern Pacific. The new species is the fifth ctenostome bryozoan known to occur in 5001-5500 m depth interval worldwide, and the deepest record reported for Triticella.

Numerical simulation of plagioclase rim growth during magma ascent at Bezymianny Volcano, Kamchatka

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gorokhova, N. V.; Melnik, O. E.; Plechov, P. Yu.; Shcherbakov, V. D.

2013-08-01

Slow CaAl-NaSi interdiffusion in plagioclase crystals preserves chemical zoning of plagioclase in detail, which, along with strong dependence of anorthite content in plagioclase on melt composition, pressure, and temperature, make this mineral an important source of information on magma processes. A numerical model of zoned crystal growth is developed in the paper. The model is based on equations of multicomponent diffusion with diagonal cross-component diffusion terms and accounts for mass conservation on the melt-crystal interface and growth rate controlled by undercooling. The model is applied to the data of plagioclase rim zoning from several recent Bezymianny Volcano (Kamchatka) eruptions. We show that an equilibrium growth model cannot explain crystallization of naturally observed plagioclase during magma ascent. The developed non-equilibrium model reproduced natural plagioclase zoning and allowed magma ascent rates to be constrained. Matching of natural and simulated zoning suggests ascent from 100 to 50 MPa during 15-20 days. Magma ascent rate from 50 MPa to the surface varies from eruption to eruption: plagioclase zoning from the December 2006 eruption suggests ascent to the surface in less than 1 day, whereas plagioclase zoning from March 2000 and May 2007 eruptions are better explained by magma ascent over periods of more than 30 days). Based on comparison of diffusion coefficients for individual elements a mechanism of atomic diffusion during plagioclase crystallization is proposed.

Transition from phreatic to phreatomagmatic explosive activity of Zhupanovsky volcano (Kamchatka) in 2013-2016 due to volcanic cone collapse

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gorbach, Natalia; Plechova, Anastasiya; Portnyagin, Maxim

2017-04-01

.13140/RG.2.1.5179.4001.[2] Gorbach N.V. et al., 2015. Bulletin of Kamchatka Regional Association "Educational-scientific Center". Earth Sciences. 3/27:5-11. [3] Samoilenko S.B. et al., 2014. Bulletin of Kamchatka Regional Association "Educational-scientific Center". Earth Sciences. 1/23:21-26.

[Effective size of subpopulations in early-run sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka from Azabach'e Lake (Kamchatka): the effect of relative reproductive success of different-year cohorts].

PubMed

Efremov, V V

2004-05-01

The effect of variation in reproductive success of cohorts of different year of birth (within generation) on the effective subpopulation (breeding group) size in early-run sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka from Azabach'e Lake (Kamchatka). The annual variation in census size and overlapping of year classes reduced the ratio of the effective subpopulation size to the census size by 7 to 88% in different subpopulations. The total effect of the variance of reproductive success in individual years and the variance of reproductive success of different cohorts reduced the effective size/census size ratio by 68-96%.

The evolution of high-alumina basalts of the Klyuchevskoy volcano, Kamchatka, Russia, based on microprobe analyses of mineral inclusions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ozerov, Alexei Y.

2000-01-01

The origin of calc-alkaline high-alumina basalts (HAB) of the Klyuchevskoy volcano, Kamchatka, was examined using electron microprobe analyses of phenocrysts and mineral phases included in the phenocrysts. Continuous trends on major-element variation diagrams suggest the HAB were derived from high-magnesia basalt (HMB) by fractional crystallization. Phenocrysts in the HAB are strongly zoned: olivine (Mg# 91-64), clinopyroxene (Wo 45-38En 40-51Fs 5-20) and chrome—spinel/magnetite inclusions in them (Cr 2O 3 45-0 wt.%, TiO 2 0.5-11%). Microprobe analyses of minerals included in the phenocrysts provide additional constraints on the mineral crystallization trends in the HAB. Fe/Mg partitioning data, when applied to the phenocrysts cores, show they crystallized from a HMB. The similarity of phenocryst core compositions in HAB with those in HMB strongly suggests a genetic relationship between the two magma types.

Multi-disciplinary approach in volcanic areas: case study of Kamchatka, Far East of Russia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuznetsova, Elena

2017-04-01

Volcanic ash is associated with a considerable proportion of the Earth's land surface. At the same time, it is estimated that 15% of the land surface is affected by permafrost and glacial ice. As a consequences volcanic ash may play an important role in the aggradation and degradation of cold regions (Kellerer-Pirklbauer et al., 2007; Froese et al., 2008). An understanding of the influence of volcanic ash on these frozen areas allows for more accurate prediction of their stability in the future and provides a better knowledge of the factors affecting past climates, soils and soil stability. Vital to making accurate predictions is an understanding of the thermal properties of volcanic ash (Juen et al., 2013). For example, even for the same region of Kamchatka in eastern Russia volcanic ash may have not only different ages, different chemical composition of the glass, but also different weathering stages, mineralogical composition, and water saturation, furthermore, these ashes may be permanently frozen or unfrozen, all of which may affect their thermal properties (Kuznetsova & Motenko, 2014). These differences might be the reason why the critical thickness of tephra, at which the effect on ice and snow is rather insulating than ablative, for the volcanic material from different volcanoes may vary so much. The determined values of critical thickness deviate from 24 mm reported by Driedger (1980) for the glaciers at Mt. St. Helens, USA, and by (Manville et al., 2000) for tephra erupted in 1996 by Mt. Ruapehu, New Zealand, to <5.5 mm for tephra from the 1947 eruption of Hekla volcano and from Villarica volcano, Chile, reported by Kirkbride and Dugmore (2003) and by Brock et al. (2007). So far the reasons of disparity are not known. Ayris and Delmelle (2012) assumed that the particle size and porosity might be the reason. Taking into considerations that during ablation period tephra covering the glaciers is wet, thermal conductivity of this material should not be

Shaded Relief Color Wrapped, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

This shaded relief topographic image shows the western side of the volcanically active Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia. The data are from the first C-band mapping swath of the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM). On the left side are five rivers, which flow northwest to the Sea of Okhotsk. These rivers are, from the south to north, Tigil, Amanina, Voyampolka, Zhilovaya, and Kakhtana. The broad, flat floodplains of the rivers are shown in yellow. These rivers are important spawning grounds for salmon. In the right side of the image is the Sredinnyy Khrebet, the volcanic mountain range that makes up the 3spine2 of the peninsula. The cluster of hills to the lower right is a field of small dormant volcanoes. High resolution SRTM topographic data will be used by geologists to study how volcanoes form and understand the hazards posed by future eruptions.

This image was generated using topographic data from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission. Colors show the elevation as measured by SRTM. Each cycle of colors (from red through green back to red) represents an equal amount of elevation difference (400 meters, or 1300 feet)similar to contour lines on a standard topographic map. This image contains about 2300 meters (7500 feet) of total relief. For the shading, a computer-generated artificial light source illuminates the elevation data to produce a pattern of light and shadows. Slopes facing the light appear bright, while those facing away are shaded. Shaded relief maps are commonly used in applications such as geologic mapping and land use planning.

The Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), launched on February 11,2000, uses the same radar instrument that comprised the Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C/X-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SIR-C/X-SAR) that flew twice on the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1994. The mission is designed to collect three-dimensional measurements of the Earth's surface. To collect the 3-D data, engineers added a 60-meter-long (200-foot) mast

Overview of the precursors and dynamics of the 2012-13 basaltic fissure eruption of Tolbachik Volcano, Kamchatka, Russia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belousov, Alexander; Belousova, Marina; Edwards, Benjamin; Volynets, Anna; Melnikov, Dmitry

2015-12-01

We present a broad overview of the 2012-13 flank fissure eruption of Plosky Tolbachik Volcano in the central Kamchatka Peninsula. The eruption lasted more than nine months and produced approximately 0.55 km3 DRE (volume recalculated to a density of 2.8 g/cm3) of basaltic trachyandesite magma. The 2012-13 eruption of Tolbachik is one of the most voluminous historical eruptions of mafic magma at subduction related volcanoes globally, and it is the second largest at Kamchatka. The eruption was preceded by five months of elevated seismicity and ground inflation, both of which peaked a day before the eruption commenced on 27 November 2012. The batch of high-Al magma ascended from depths of 5-10 km; its apical part contained 54-55 wt.% SiO2, and the main body 52-53 wt.% SiO2. The eruption started by the opening of a 6 km-long radial fissure on the southwestern slope of the volcano that fed multi-vent phreatomagmatic and magmatic explosive activity, as well as intensive effusion of lava with an initial discharge of > 440 m3/s. After 10 days the eruption continued only at the lower part of the fissure, where explosive and effusive activity of Hawaiian-Strombolian type occurred from a lava pond in the crater of the main growing scoria cone. The discharge rate for the nine month long, effusion-dominated eruption gradually declined from 140 to 18 m3/s and formed a compound lava field with a total area of 36 km2; the effusive activity evolved from high-discharge channel-fed 'a'a lavas to dominantly low-discharge tube-fed pahoehoe lavas. On 23 August, the effusion of lava ceased and the intra-crater lava pond drained. Weak Strombolian-type explosions continued for several more days on the crater bottom until the end of the eruption around 5 September 2013. Based on a broad array of new data collected during this eruption, we develop a model for the magma storage and transport system of Plosky Tolbachik that links the storage zones of the two main genetically related magma types

U-TH-PA-RA study of the Kamchatka arc: new constraints on the genesis of arc lavas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dosseto, Anthony; Bourdon, Bernard; Joron, Jean-Louis; Dupré, Bernard

2003-08-01

The 238U- 230Th- 226Ra and 235U- 231Pa disequilibria have been measured by mass spectrometry in historic lavas from the Kamchatka arc. The samples come from three closely located volcanoes in the Central Kamchatka Depression (CKD), the most active region of subducted-related volcanism in the world. The large excesses of 226Ra over 230Th found in the CKD lavas are believed to be linked to slab dehydration. Moreover, the samples show the uncommon feature of ( 230Th/ 238U) activity ratios both lower and higher than 1. The U-series disequilibria are characterized by binary trends between activity ratios, with ( 231Pa/ 235U) ratios all >1. It is shown that these correlations cannot be explained by a simple process involving a combination of slab dehydration and melting. We suggest that they are more likely to reflect mixing between two end-members: a high-magnesia basalt (HMB) end-member with a clear slab fluid signature and a high-alumina andesite (HAA) end-member reflecting the contribution of a slab-derived melt. The U-Th-Ra characteristics of the HMB end-member can be explained either by a two-step fluid addition with a time lag of 150 ka between each event or by continuous dehydration. The inferred composition for the dehydrating slab is a phengite-bearing eclogite. Equilibrium transport or dynamic melting can both account for 231Pa excess over 235U in HMB end-member. Nevertheless, dynamic melting is preferred as equilibrium transport melting requires unrealistically high upwelling velocities to preserve fluid-derived 226Ra/ 230Th. A continuous flux melting model is also tested. In this model, 231Pa- 235U is quickly dominated by fluid addition and, for realistic extents of melting, this process cannot account for ( 231Pa/ 235U) ratios as high as 1.6, as observed in the HMB end-member. The involvement of a melt derived from the subducted oceanic crust is more likely for explaining the HAA end-member compositions than crustal assimilation. Melting of the oceanic

Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia 3-D Perspective with Landsat Overlay

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

This three-dimensional perspective view, looking up the Tigil River, shows the western side of the volcanically active Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia. The image shows that the Tigil River has eroded down from a higher and differing landscape and now flows through, rather than around the large green-colored bedrock ridge in the foreground. The older surface was likely composed of volcanic ash and debris from eruptions of nearby volcanoes. The green tones indicate that denser vegetation grows on south facing sunlit slopes at the northern latitudes. High resolution SRTM elevation data will be used by geologists to study how rivers shape the landscape, and by ecologists to study the influence of topography on ecosystems.

This image shows how data collected by the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) can be used to enhance other satellite images. Color and natural shading are provided by a Landsat 7 image acquired on January 31, 2000. Terrain perspective and shading were derived from SRTM elevation data acquired on February 12, 2000. Topography is exaggerated by about six times vertically. The United States Geological Survey's Earth Resources Observations Systems (EROS) DataCenter, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, provided the Landsat data.

The Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), launched on February 11,2000, uses the same radar instrument that comprised the Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C/X-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SIR-C/X-SAR) that flew twice on the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1994. The mission is designed to collect three-dimensional measurements of the Earth's surface. To collect the 3-D data, engineers added a 60-meter-long (200-foot) mast, an additional C-band imaging antenna and improved tracking and navigation devices. The mission is a cooperative project between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA) and the German (DLR) and Italian (ASI) space agencies. It is managed by NASA's Jet

Anaglyph, Lake Palanskoye Landslide, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

The Lake Palanskoye in northern Kamchatka was formed when a large landslide disrupted the drainage pattern, forming a natural dam. The area is volcanically and tectonically active and it is likely that the landslide -- which covers about 80 square kilometers (30 square miles) --was triggered by an earthquake sometime in the past 10,000 years. The source area of the landslide is the ridge to the upper left of the lake. The steep topographic scar at the head of the slide and the broad expanse of hummocky landslide debris that covers the valley to the left of the lake are visible in 3D.

This anaglyph was generated by first draping a Landsat Thematic Mapper near-infrared image over a topographic map from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission, then using the topographic data to create two differing perspectives, one for each eye. When viewed through special glasses, the result is a vertically exaggerated view of the Earth's surface in its full three dimensions. Anaglyph glasses cover the left eye with a red filter and cover the right eye with a blue filter.

Landsat satellites have provided visible light and infrared images of the Earth continuously since 1972. SRTM topographic data match the 30 meter (99 foot) spatial resolution of most Landsat images and will provide a valuable complement for studying the historic and growing Landsat data archive. The Landsat 7 Thematic Mapper image used here was provided to the SRTM project by the United States Geological Survey, Earth Resources Observation Systems (EROS) Data Center, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

The Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), launched on February 11, 2000, used the same radar instrument that comprised the Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C/X-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SIR-C/X-SAR) that flew twice on the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1994. SRTM was designed to collect three-dimensional measurements of the Earth's surface on its 11-day mission. To collect the 3-D data, engineers added a 60-meter

Chlorine Stable Isotopes to reveal contribution of magmatic chlorine in subduction zones: the case of the Kamchatka-Kuril and the Lesser Antilles Volcanic Arcs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agrinier, Pierre; Shilobreeva, Svetlana; Bardoux, Gerard; Michel, Agnes; Maximov, Alexandr; Kalatcheva, Elena; Ryabinin, Gennady; Bonifacie, Magali

2015-04-01

By using the stable isotopes of chlorine (δ 37Cl), we have shown that magmatic chlorine (δ 37Cl ≤ -0.6 ‰ [1]) is different from surface chlorine (δ 37Cl ≈ 0 ‰ [1]) in hydrothermal system of Soufrière and Montagne Pelé from the young arc volcanic system of Lesser Antilles. First measurements on condensed chlorides from volcanic gases (e.g. [2], [3]) did not permitted to get sensible δ 37Cl values on degassed chlorine likely because chlorine isotopes are fractionated during the HClgas - chloride equilibrium in the fumaroles or during sampling artifacts. Therefore we have developed an alternative strategy based on the analysis of chloride in thermal springs, streams, sout{f}lowing on the flanks of the volcanoes. Due to the highly hydrophilic behavior of Cl, we hypothesize that thermal springs incorporate chlorine without fractionation of chlorine isotopes and might reflect the chlorine isotopic composition degassed by magmas [1]. Indeed Thermal spring with low δ 37Cl chlorides (≤ -0.6 perthousand{}) are linked with magmatic volatiles characters (3He ratio at 5 Ra at and δ 13C CO2 quad ≈ -3 perthousand{}). To go further in the potentiality of using the Chlorine isotopes to reveal contribution of magmatic chlorine in volcanic systems, we have started the survey of thermal springs and wells waters in the Kamchatka-Kuril volcanic mature Arc (on sites Mutnovsky, Paratunka, Nalychevsky, Khodutkinsky, Paramushir Island, identified by Taran, 2009 [4] for concentrations of chloride). Preliminary results show δ 37Cl values ranging from 0.5 to -0.2 ‰ and generally higher chloride concentrations. The δ 37Cl values are higher than the value recorded for the young arc volcanic system of lesser Antilles. At present moment very few negative δ 37Cl have been measured in the Kamchatka-Kuril volcanic mature Arc. [1] Li et al., 2015 EPSL in press. [2] Sharp et al. 2010 GCA. [3] Rizzo et al., 2013, EPSL, 371, 134. [4] Taran, 2009, GCA, 73, 1067

Assessment of geomorphic risks and attractiveness to recreational systems: a case of Nalychevo Nature Park (Kamchatka, Russia).

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blinova, I.; Bredikhin, A.

2012-04-01

Attractiveness of relief, diversity and rareness were always the basic features of overall recreational attractiveness of a territory. Mountainous regions with high geomorphic diversity served as model for first recreation and tourism researches. The above features often favoured sustainability of touristic system. Unique relief forms are commonly referred to natural sites. They differ from the others in structure or have some morphological and morphometric characteristics not found in other forms of the earth's surface. Such monuments form the main natural functional kernel for a recreation system which is created and exists around them. In general, functions of geomorphological sites in recreation can be divided into socio-cultural and economic. Socio-cultural function is the principal function of recreation. It responds to the cultural or spiritual needs of people such as the knowledge in the broader sense, knowledge of the world and their place in it. The economic function is to create consumer demand for goods and services, and sometimes an entire economy sector. Natural sites are particularly vulnerable to dangerous occurrence of endogenous and exogenous processes as guarantee of environmental stability is an essential condition for a proper system functioning. This requires a comprehensive study of relief dynamics, monitoring and forecasting its evolution in recreation areas. Nowadays educational and environmental tourism in Russia develop rapidly. The unique tectonic position of Kamchatka Peninsula (the active geodynamic area dedicated to the subduction zone) formed a variety of landscapes, attracting visitors from all over the world. Recreational development of this region is slow due to remoteness and poor transport accessibility. However, there are 3 state federal reserves and one federal wildlife sanctuary, 4 natural parks of regional significance, 23 nature preserves of regional significance, and 105 natural monuments officially marked in this region

Magma mixing and degassing processes in the magma chamber of Gorely volcano (Kamchatka): evidence from whole-rock and olivine chemistry.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gavrilenko, M.; Ozerov, A.; Kyle, P. R.; Carr, M. J.; Nikulin, A.

2015-12-01

Gorely is a shield-type volcano in southern Kamchatka currently in an eruptive phase [1] with prior eruptions recorded in 1980 and 1984 [4]. It is comprised of three main structural units: ancient (middle Pleistocene) edifice called 'Old-Gorely' volcano; thick ignimbrite complex, associated with a caldera forming eruption (40 ka); modern edifice named 'Young Gorely' growing inside the caldera [6]. Gorely lavas consist of a suite of compositions ranging from basalt to rhyolite (calk-alkaline series).In this study we describe the mixing processes in magma chamber [2] based on analysis of whole-rock and mineralogical data in an attempt to compare the magma evolution pathways for 'Old Gorely' and Young Gorely volcanoes. Our results indicate that fractional crystallization (FC) is the dominant process for 'Old Gorely' magmas, while 'Young Gorely' magmas are the result of mixing of primitive and evolved magmas in Gorely magma chamber], which is located at depth range from 2 to 10 km below the volcano edifice [6]. We present results of olivine high-precision electron microprobe data analysis (20kV, 300 nA) [7], alongside traditional methods (WR diagrams, mineral zonation) to demonstrate the difference between 'Old' (FC) and 'Young' (mixing) Gorely magmas. We estimated magma H2O (~3 wt.%) content for Gorely magma using independent methods: 1) using THI [8]; 2) using ΔT Ol-Pl [3]; 3) using Ol-Sp temperatures [9]. Additionally, calculations of [4] and analysis of olivine chemistry allow us to describe water content changes during magma evolution. We show that degassing (H2O removal) is necessary for strong plagioclase fractionation, which is observed in Gorely evolved lavas (less than 5 wt.% of MgO). [1] Aiuppa et al. (2012), GRL. 39(6): p.L06307. [2] Gorbach & Portnyagin (2011) Petrology, 19(2): p.134-166. [3] Danyushevsky (2001) JVGR, 110(3-4): p.265-280. [4] Kirsanov & Melekescev (1991) Active volcanoes of Kamchatka, v.2: p.294-317. [5] Mironov & Portnyagin (2011

High-frequency seismic noise: Results of investigation in Kamchatka

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saltykov, V.; Chebrov, V.; Kugaenko, Yu.; Sinitsyn, V.

The investigation of seismic noise in Kamchatka is carried out for the control of the medium stress condition and search of the strong earthquakes precursors. The main directions of this research are modulation of high-frequency seismic noise (HFSN, frequency range of the first tens of Hz, amplitudes about 10 -9-10 -12 m) by the Earth tides and temporal variations of HFSN parameters connected with the strong earthquake preparation. For reception of the statistically significant characteristics of HFSN and tides connection it was necessary to carry out long-term HFSN observations in points free from anthropogenous influence as far as possible. The station of HFSN observation was organized in the settlement Nachiky. The sensor is a narrow-band ( Q = 100) piezoelectric seismometer, tuned to frequency 30 Hz. Signal envelope is recorded and analyzed. The continuous HFSN registration was begun in 1990 and proceeds till now. In 2000 the second station was established in the complex geophysical observatory “Karymshina”. The HFSN sensor is set up in the borehole at the depth of 30 m. The research of HFSN structure gave the opportunity to allocate HFSN components connected with the Earth tides. Besides it was revealed that the tidal response is not stable in time: the intervals of the tidal component existence are replaced by intervals of its absence, correlation between tide and HFSN varies in time, while tides have constant parameters. We propose a hypothesis about the connection of variations of the tidal components in HFSN data with the tectonic conditions in region, and consequently, about an opportunity to use this phenomenon for the prediction of strong earthquakes. The phase of the HFSN component connected with a tidal wave O1 ( T = 25.8 h) was chosen as a parameter. The choice of wave O1 is connected with its greatest hindrance-immunity. It was shown that the stabilization of this phase is observed before earthquakes with M > 6.0, occurred at distances up to 250

Understanding controls on cirque floor altitudes: Insights from Kamchatka

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barr, Iestyn D.; Spagnolo, Matteo

2015-11-01

Glacial cirques reflect former regions of glacier initiation, and are therefore used as indicators of past climate. One specific way in which palaeoclimatic information is obtained from cirques is by analysing their elevations, on the assumption that cirque floor altitudes are a proxy for climatically controlled equilibrium-line altitudes (ELAs) during former periods of small scale (cirque-type) glaciation. However, specific controls on cirque altitudes are rarely assessed, and the validity of using cirque floor altitudes as a source of palaeoclimatic information remains open to question. In order to address this, here we analyse the distribution of 3520 ice-free cirques on the Kamchatka Peninsula (eastern Russia), and assess various controls on their floor altitudes. In addition, we analyse controls on the mid-altitudes of 503 modern glaciers, currently identifiable on the peninsula, and make comparisons with the cirque altitude data. The main study findings are that cirque floor altitudes increase steeply inland from the Pacific, suggesting that moisture availability (i.e., proximity to the coastline) played a key role in regulating the altitudes at which former (cirque-forming) glaciers were able to initiate. Other factors, such as latitude, aspect, topography, geology, and neo-tectonics seem to have played a limited (but not insignificant) role in regulating cirque floor altitudes, though south-facing cirques are typically higher than their north-facing equivalents, potentially reflecting the impact of prevailing wind directions (from the SSE) and/or variations in solar radiation on the altitudes at which former glaciers were able to initiate. Trends in glacier and cirque altitudes across the peninsula are typically comparable (i.e., values typically rise from both the north and south, inland from the Pacific coastline, and where glaciers/cirques are south-facing), yet the relationship with latitude is stronger for modern glaciers, and the relationship with

As-bearing potassium feldspar - a product of fumarole exhalations and gas-rock interactions at the Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koshlyakova, Natalia; Pekov, Igor; Yapaskurt, Vasily; Shchipalkina, Nadezhda; Sidorov, Evgeny

2017-04-01

Potassium feldspar is abundant in products of active fumaroles at the Second scoria cone of the Northern Breakthrough of the Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption (1975-1976), Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. The most intriguing fact is that the mineral here strongly differs chemically from potassium feldspar of all other geological formations. It demonstrates wide compositional variations and is typically enriched with As5+ and sometimes contains significant amounts of P, Zn, Cu, Fe and S. Filatovite K[(Al,Zn)_2(As,Si)_2O_8], the arsenate analogue of orthoclase, was discovered here (Vergasova et al., 2004). Samples from the Arsenatnaya fumarole located at the summit of the Second scoria cone (Pekov et al., 2014) contain, as our data show, complete solid-solution series between As-free potassium feldspar and filatovite. Potassium feldspar crystallizes in the Tolbachik fumaroles as a result of two processes: direct deposition from fumarolic gas and interaction of this gas with basalt scoria at temperatures not lower than 500°C. Exhalation feldspar occurs as incrustations sometimes consisting of well-formed prismatic crystals up to 1 mm long. Potassium feldspar produced by gas-rock interaction process replaces basalt and volcanic scoria. Cases of selective replacement of plagioclase in basalt for As-bearing potassium feldspar were observed. Potassium feldspar from the Arsenatnaya fumarole contains (our electron microprobe data, wt.{%}): SiO2 19.4-65.2 (corresponds to 1.05-3.01 atoms per formula unit = apfu; formulae are calculated on the basis of 8 O apfu), Al_2O3 14.3-30.6 (0.80 -1.95 apfu), As_2O5 0.00-34.2 (0.00-0.97 apfu), P_2O5 0.00-2.5 (0.00-0.10 apfu), SO3 0.00-3.2 (0.00-0.11 apfu), Fe_2O3 0.00-3.1 (0.00-0.11 apfu), ZnO 0.00-0.81 (0.00-0.03 apfu), CuO 0.00-2.1 (0.00-0.08 apfu). In feldspar structure all these constituents occupy tetrahedrally coordinated sites in the AlSi-framework (Filatov et al., 2004). Chemical variations of extra-framework cations in

Dynamics and functional model of the 2012-13 flank fissure eruption of Tolbachik volcano in Kamchatka, Russia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belousov, Alexander; Belousova, Marina; Edwards, Benjamin

2017-04-01

The 2012-13 flank fissure eruption of Tolbachik in Kamchatka Peninsula lasted more than nine months and discharged 0.55 cub.km DRE of basaltic trachyandesite magma. It is one of the most voluminous historical eruptions of mafic magma at subduction-related volcano globally, and is the second largest in Kamchatka. We present a broad overview of the eruption as well as a model for the magma storage and transport system of Plosky Tolbachik Volcano. The 2012-13 eruption was preceded by five months of elevated seismicity and ground inflation, both of which peaked a day before the eruption commenced on 27 November 2012. The batch of high-Al magma ascended from depths of 5-10 km; its apical part contained 54-55 wt.% SiO2, and the main body 52-53 wt.% SiO2. The eruption started by the opening of a 6 km-long radial fissure on the southwestern slope of the volcano that fed multi-vent phreatomagmatic and magmatic explosive activity, as well as intensive effusion of lava with an initial discharge of 440 cub.m/s. After 10 days the eruption continued only at the lower part of the fissure, where explosive and effusive activity of Hawaiian-Strombolian type occurred from a lava pond in the crater of the main growing scoria cone. The discharge rate for the nine month long, effusion-dominated eruption gradually declined from 140 to 18 cub.m/s and formed a compound lava field with a total area of 36 sq.km; the effusive activity evolved from high-discharge channel-fed 'a'a lavas to dominantly low-discharge tube-fed pahoehoe lavas. On 23 August, the effusion of lava ceased and the intra-crater lava pond drained. Weak Strombolian-type explosions continued for several more days on the crater bottom until the end of the eruption around 5 September 2013. The volcanic system, comprising the stratovolcano Plosky Tolbachik and its two radial volcanic rifts, produces alternating eruptions of two genetically related magma types: high-Al basalt (eruptions at the summit and along both rift zones

The main factors controlling petrophysical alteration in hydrothermal systems of the Kuril-Kamchatka island arch

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frolova, J.; Ladygin, V.; Rychagov, S.; Shanina, V.; Blyumkina, M.

2009-04-01

This report is based on the results of petrophysical studies obtained on a number of hydrothermal systems in the Kuril-Kamchatka island arc (Pauzhetsky, Mutnovsky, Koshelevsky, Essovsky, a volcano of Ebeko, Oceansky). Mineral composition and pore-space structure of primary rocks change intensively during hydrothermal process, results in alteration of petrophysical properties - porosity, density, permeability, hygroscopy, sonic velocity, elastic modulus, mechanical properties, thermal and magnetic characteristics. Petrophysical alterations gradually lead to the change of the structure of hydrothermal system, and its hydrodynamic and temperature regime. The tendency of petrophysical alteration can be different. In some cases rocks "improvement" is observed i.e. consolidation, hardening, decrease of porosity and permeability, removal of hygroscopy. In other cases rocks "deterioration" occurs, i.e. formation of secondary porosity and permeability, a decrease of density, strength, and elastic modulus, and occurrence of hygroscopic moisture. The classical example of cardinal petrophysical alteration is the transformation of hard basalts to plastic clays. The opposite example is the transformation of only slightly consolidates porous tuffs to hard and dense secondary quartzite. The character of petrophysical alteration depends on a number of factors including peculiarities of primary rocks, temperature, pressure and composition of thermal fluids, duration of fluid-rock interaction, and condition of fluid (steam, water, boiling water). The contribution of each factor to change of volcanic rocks properties is considered and analyzed in details. In particular, primary rocks controls speed, intensity and character of petrophysical alterations. Factors favorable for alteration are high porosity and permeability, micro crakes, weak cementation, glassy structure, basaltic composition. Kuril-Kamchatka region represents the volcanic island arch so host rocks in hydrothermal

Petrology and volatile content of magmas erupted from Tolbachik Volcano, Kamchatka, 2012-13

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Plechov, Pavel; Blundy, Jon; Nekrylov, Nikolay; Melekhova, Elena; Shcherbakov, Vasily; Tikhonova, Margarita S.

2015-12-01

We report petrography, and bulk rock, mineral and glass analyses of eruptive products of the 2012-13 eruption of Tolbachik volcano, Central Kamchatka Depression, Russia. Magmas are shoshonitic in composition, with phenocrysts of olivine and plagioclase; clinopyroxene phenocrysts are scarce. Samples collected as bombs from the active vent, from liquid lava at the active lava front, and as naturally solidified ;toothpaste; lava allow us to quantify changes in porosity and crystallinity that took place during 5.25 km of lava flow and during solidification. Olivine-hosted melt inclusions from rapidly-cooled, mm-size tephra have near-constant H2O contents (1.19 ± 0.1 wt%) over a wide range of CO2 contents (< 900 ppm), consistent with degassing. The groundmass glasses from tephras lie at the shallow end of this degassing trend with 0.3 wt% H2O and 50 ppm CO2. The presence of small saturation, rather than shrinkage, bubbles testifies to volatile saturation at the time of entrapment. Calculated saturation pressures are 0.3 to 1.7 kbar, in agreement with the depths of earthquake swarms during November 2012 (0.6 to 7.5 km below the volcano). Melt inclusions from slowly-cooled and hot-collected lavas have H2O contents that are lower by an order of magnitude than tephras, despite comparable CO2 contents. We ascribe this to diffusive H2O loss through olivine host crystals during cooling. The absence of shrinkage bubbles in the inclusions accounts for the lack of reduction in dissolved CO2 (and S and Cl). Melt inclusions from tephras experienced < 3 wt% post-entrapment crystallisation. Melt inclusion entrapment temperatures are around 1080 °C. Compared to magmas erupted elsewhere in the Kluchevskoy Group, the 2012-13 Tolbachik magmas appear to derive from an unusually H2O-poor and K2O-rich basaltic parent.

Stereo Pair, Lake Palanskoye Landslide, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

The Lake Palanskoye in northern Kamchatka was formed when a large landslide disrupted the drainage pattern, forming a natural dam. The area is volcanically and tectonically active and it is likely that the landslide -- which covers about 80 square kilometers (30 square miles) --was triggered by an earthquake sometime in the past 10,000 years. The source area of the landslide is the ridge between the two bright rocky features to the lower left of the lake. In 3-D, the steep topographic scar at the head of the slide and the broad expanse of hummocky landslide debris that covers the valley just below the lake are visible. This Landsat/SRTM stereoscopic view is an enhanced true color image: Vegetation appears green, rocks are brownish, snow is white and water (such as the lake) appears very dark.

This stereoscopic image pair was generated using topographic data from SRTM combined with a Landsat 7 satellite image collected the previous summer. The topography data were used to create two differing perspectives of a single image -- one for each eye. Depending on its elevation, each point in the image was shifted slightly. When stereoscopically merged, the result is a vertically exaggerated view of the Earth's surface in its full three dimensions.

Landsat satellites have provided visible light and infrared images of the Earth continuously since 1972. SRTM topographic data match the 30 meter(99 foot) spatial resolution of most Landsat images and will provide a valuable complement for studying the historic and growing Landsat data archive. The Landsat 7 Thematic Mapper image used here was provided to the SRTM project by the United States Geological Survey, Earth Resources Observation Systems (EROS) Data Center, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

The Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), launched on February 11, 2000, used the same radar instrument that comprised the Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C/X-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SIR-C/X-SAR) that flew twice on the Space

Three dimensional volcano-acoustic source localization at Karymsky Volcano, Kamchatka, Russia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rowell, Colin

We test two methods of 3-D acoustic source localization on volcanic explosions and small-scale jetting events at Karymsky Volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. Recent infrasound studies have provided evidence that volcanic jets produce low-frequency aerodynamic sound (jet noise) similar to that from man-made jet engines. Man-made jets are known to produce sound through turbulence along the jet axis, but discrimination of sources along the axis of a volcanic jet requires a network of sufficient topographic relief to attain resolution in the vertical dimension. At Karymsky Volcano, the topography of an eroded edifice adjacent to the active cone provided a platform for the atypical deployment of five infrasound sensors with intra-network relief of ˜600 m in July 2012. A novel 3-D inverse localization method, srcLoc, is tested and compared against a more common grid-search semblance technique. Simulations using synthetic signals indicate that srcLoc is capable of determining vertical source locations for this network configuration to within +/-150 m or better. However, srcLoc locations for explosions and jetting at Karymsky Volcano show a persistent overestimation of source elevation and underestimation of sound speed by an average of ˜330 m and 25 m/s, respectively. The semblance method is able to produce more realistic source locations by fixing the sound speed to expected values of 335 - 340 m/s. The consistency of location errors for both explosions and jetting activity over a wide range of wind and temperature conditions points to the influence of topography. Explosion waveforms exhibit amplitude relationships and waveform distortion strikingly similar to those theorized by modeling studies of wave diffraction around the crater rim. We suggest delay of signals and apparent elevated source locations are due to altered raypaths and/or crater diffraction effects. Our results suggest the influence of topography in the vent region must be accounted for when attempting 3-D

Caldicellulosiruptor kronotskyensis sp. nov. and Caldicellulosiruptor hydrothermalis sp. nov., two extremely thermophilic, cellulolytic, anaerobic bacteria from Kamchatka thermal springs.

PubMed

Miroshnichenko, Margarita L; Kublanov, Ilya V; Kostrikina, Nadezhda A; Tourova, Tatyana P; Kolganova, Tatyana V; Birkeland, Nils-Kåre; Bonch-Osmolovskaya, Elizaveta A

2008-06-01

Five novel strains (2002(T), 2902, 2006, 108(T) and 117) of cellulose-degrading, anaerobic, thermophilic bacteria were isolated from terrestrial hot springs of Kamchatka (Far East, Russia). Strains 2002(T) and 108(T) were non-spore-forming bacteria with a Gram-positive type cell wall and peritrichous flagella. Optimum growth of strains 2002(T) and 108(T) occurred at pH 7.0 and at temperatures of 70 and 65 degrees C, respectively. The G+C contents of the DNA of strains 2002(T) and 108(T) were 35.1 and 36.4 mol%, respectively. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the isolates belonged to the genus Caldicellulosiruptor. However, DNA-DNA hybridization experiments indicated that the levels of relatedness between strains 2002(T) and 108(T) and those of recognized members of the genus Caldicellulosiruptor ranged between 32 and 54 %. Based on both phenotypic and genomic differences, strains 2002(T) and 108(T) are considered to represent two novel species of the genus Caldicellulosiruptor. The names proposed for these organisms are Caldicellulosiruptor kronotskyensis sp. nov. (type strain 2002(T)=DSM 18902(T)=VKM B-2412(T)) and Caldicellulosiruptor hydrothermalis sp. nov. (type strain 108(T)=DSM 18901(T)=VKM B-2411(T)).

Observations on lava, snowpack and their interactions during the 2012-13 Tolbachik eruption, Klyuchevskoy Group, Kamchatka, Russia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Edwards, Benjamin R.; Belousov, Alexander; Belousova, Marina; Melnikov, Dmitry

2015-12-01

Observations made during January and April 2013 show that interactions between lava flows and snowpack during the 2012-13 Tolbachik fissure eruption in Kamchatka, Russia, were controlled by different styles of emplacement and flow velocities. `A`a lava flows and sheet lava flows generally moved on top of the snowpack with few immediate signs of interaction besides localized steaming. However, lavas melted through underlying snowpack 1-4 m thick within 12 to 24 h, and melt water flowed episodically from the beneath flows. Pahoehoe lava lobes had lower velocities and locally moved beneath/within the snowpack; even there the snow melting was limited. Snowpack responses were physical, including compressional buckling and doming, and thermal, including partial and complete melting. Maximum lava temperatures were up to 1355 K (1082 °C; type K thermal probes), and maximum measured meltwater temperatures were 335 K (62.7 °C). Theoretical estimates for rates of rapid (e.g., radiative) and slower (conductive) snowmelt are consistent with field observations showing that lava advance was fast enough for `a`a and sheet flows to move on top of the snowpack. At least two styles of physical interactions between lava flows and snowpack observed at Tolbachik have not been previously reported: migration of lava flows beneath the snowpack, and localized phreatomagmatic explosions caused by snowpack failure beneath lava. The distinctive morphologies of sub-snowpack lava flows have a high preservation potential and can be used to document snowpack emplacement during eruptions.

Pre-eruption deformation caused by dike intrusion beneath Kizimen volcano, Kamchatka, Russia, observed by InSAR

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ji, Lingyun; Lu, Zhong; Dzurisin, Daniel; Senyukov, Sergey

2013-01-01

Interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) images reveal a pre-eruption deformation signal at Kizimen volcano, Kamchatka, Russia, where an ongoing eruption began in mid-November, 2010. The previous eruption of this basaltic andesite-to-dacite stratovolcano occurred in 1927–1928. InSAR images from both ascending and descending orbital passes of Envisat and ALOS PALSAR satellites show as much as 6 cm of line-of-sight shortening from September 2008 to September 2010 in a broad area centered at Kizimen. About 20 cm of opening of a nearly vertical dike provides an adequate fit to the surface deformation pattern. The model dike is approximately 14 km long, 10 km high, centered 13 km beneath Kizimen, and strikes NE–SW. Time-series analysis of multi-temporal interferograms indicates that (1) intrusion started sometime between late 2008 and July 2009, (2) continued at a nearly constant rate, and (3) resulted in a volume expansion of 3.2 × 107 m3 by September 2010, i.e., about two months before the onset of the 2010 eruption. Earthquakes located above the tip of the dike accompanied the intrusion. Eventually, magma pressure in the dike exceeded the confining strength of the host rock, triggering the 2010 eruption. Our results provide insight into the intrusion process that preceded an explosive eruption at a Pacific Rim stratovolcano following nearly a century of quiescence, and therefore have implications for monitoring and hazards assessment at similar volcanoes elsewhere.

Network-Based Detection and Classification of Seismovolcanic Tremors: Example From the Klyuchevskoy Volcanic Group in Kamchatka

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Soubestre, Jean; Shapiro, Nikolai M.; Seydoux, Léonard; de Rosny, Julien; Droznin, Dmitry V.; Droznina, Svetlana Ya.; Senyukov, Sergey L.; Gordeev, Evgeniy I.

2018-01-01

We develop a network-based method for detecting and classifying seismovolcanic tremors. The proposed approach exploits the coherence of tremor signals across the network that is estimated from the array covariance matrix. The method is applied to four and a half years of continuous seismic data recorded by 19 permanent seismic stations in the vicinity of the Klyuchevskoy volcanic group in Kamchatka (Russia), where five volcanoes were erupting during the considered time period. We compute and analyze daily covariance matrices together with their eigenvalues and eigenvectors. As a first step, most coherent signals corresponding to dominating tremor sources are detected based on the width of the covariance matrix eigenvalues distribution. Thus, volcanic tremors of the two volcanoes known as most active during the considered period, Klyuchevskoy and Tolbachik, are efficiently detected. As a next step, we consider the daily array covariance matrix's first eigenvector. Our main hypothesis is that these eigenvectors represent the principal components of the daily seismic wavefield and, for days with tremor activity, characterize dominant tremor sources. Those daily first eigenvectors, which can be used as network-based fingerprints of tremor sources, are then grouped into clusters using correlation coefficient as a measure of the vector similarity. As a result, we identify seven clusters associated with different periods of activity of four volcanoes: Tolbachik, Klyuchevskoy, Shiveluch, and Kizimen. The developed method does not require a priori knowledge and is fully automatic; and the database of the network-based tremor fingerprints can be continuously enriched with newly available data.

Evolutionary relationships among sympatric life history forms of Dolly Varden inhabiting the landlocked Kronotsky Lake, Kamchatka, and a neighboring anadromous population

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ostberg, C.O.; Pavlov, S.D.; Hauser, L.

2009-01-01

We investigated the evolutionary relationships among five sympatric morphs of Dolly Varden Salvelinus malma (white, Schmidti, longhead, river, and dwarf) inhabiting landlocked Kronotsky Lake on the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia, and an anadromous population below the barrier waterfall on the outflowing Kronotsky River. Morphological analyses indicated phenotypic differentiation corresponding to preferred habitat, the longhead (a limnetic piscivorous morph) having a fusiform body, long jaw, and short fins and the Schmidti (a benthic morph) having a robust body, small jaw, and long fins. Analysis of molecular variance among the Kronotsky Lake morphs indicated that contemporary gene flow is restricted both among morphs within locations and among locations within morphs. Gene flow from Kronotsky Lake into the anadromous population also appears to be restricted. Our findings indicate that there are two divergent evolutionary lineages, one consisting of the white, Schmidti, river, and dwarf morphs and the other of the longhead morph and the anadromous population, which suggests that Kronotsky Lake was subject to separate waves of immigration. The Kronotsky Lake Dolly Varden morphs may represent an example of ecological speciation in progress, and we present a working hypothesis for the diversification of morphs within Kronotsky Lake.

Complex Anisotropic Structure of the Mantle Wedge Beneath Kamchatka Volcanoes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Levin, V.; Park, J.; Gordeev, E.; Droznin, D.

2002-12-01

A wedge of mantle material above the subducting lithospheric plate at a convergent margin is among the most dynamic environments of the Earth's interior. Deformation and transport of solid and volatile phases within this region control the fundamental process of elemental exchange between the surficial layers and the interior of the planet. A helpful property in the study of material deformation and transport within the upper mantle is seismic anisotropy, which may reflect both microscopic effects of preferentialy aligned crystals of olivine and orthopyroxene and macroscopic effects of systematic cracks, melt lenses, layering etc. Through the mapping of anisotropic properties within the mantle wedge we can establish patterns of deformation. Volatile content affects olivine alignment, so regions of anomalous volatile content may be evident. Indicators of seismic anisotropy commonly employed in upper mantle studies include shear wave birefringence and mode-conversion between compressional and shear body waves. When combined together, these techniques offer complementary constraints on the location and intensity of anisotropic properties. The eastern coast of southern Kamchatka overlies a vigorous convergent margin where the Pacific plate descends at a rate of almost 80 mm/yr towards the northwest. We extracted seismic anisotropy indicators from two data sets sensitive to the anisotropic properties of the uppermost mantle. Firstly, we evaluated teleseismic receiver functions for a number of sites, and found ample evidence for anisotropicaly-influenced P-to-S mode conversion. Secondly, we measured splitting in S waves of earthquakes with sources within the downgoing slab. The first set of observations provides constraints on the depth ranges where strong changes in anisotropic properties take place. The local splitting data provides constraints on the cumulative strength of anisotropic properties along specific pathways through the mantle wedge and possibly parts of

Contamination status and accumulation profiles of organotins in sea otters (Enhydra lutris) found dead along the coasts of California, Washington, Alaska (USA), and Kamchatka (Russia)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Murata, S.; Takahashi, S.; Agusa, T.; Thomas, N.J.; Kannan, K.; Tanabe, S.

2008-01-01

Organotin compounds (OTs) including mono- to tri-butyltins, -phenyltins, and -octyltins were determined in the liver of adult sea otters (Enhydra lutris) found dead along the coasts of California, Washington, and Alaska in the USA and Kamchatka, Russia. Total concentrations of OTs in sea otters from California ranged from 34 to 4100 ng/g on a wet weight basis. The order of concentrations of OTs in sea otters was total butyltins ??? total octyltins ??? total phenyltins. Elevated concentrations of butyltins (BTs) were found in some otters classified under 'infectious-disease' mortality category. Concentrations of BTs in few of these otters were close to or above the threshold levels for adverse health effects. Total butyltin concentrations decreased significantly in the livers of California sea otters since the 1990s. Based on the concentrations of organotins in sea otters collected from 1992 to 2002, the half-lives of tributyltin and total butyltins in sea otters were estimated to be approximately three years. ?? 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

SRTM Colored Height and Shaded Relief: Sredinnyy Khrebet, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2001-01-01

The Kamchatka Peninsula in eastern Russia is shown in this scene created from a preliminary elevation model derived from the first data collected during the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) on February 12, 2000. Sredinnyy Khrebet, the mountain range that makes up the spine of the peninsula, is a chain of active volcanic peaks. Pleistocene and recent glaciers have carved the broad valleys and jagged ridges that are common here. The relative youth of the volcanism is revealed by the topography as infilling and smoothing of the otherwise rugged terrain by lava, ash, and pyroclastic flows, particularly surrounding the high peaks in the south central part of the image. Elevations here range from near sea level up to 2,618 meters (8,590 feet).

Two visualization methods were combined to produce this image: shading and color coding of topographic height. The shade image was derived by computing topographic slope in the north-south direction. Northern slopes appear bright and southern slopes appear dark. Color coding is directly related to topographic height, with green at the lower elevations, rising through yellow, red, and magenta, to white at the highest elevations.

Elevation data used in this image was acquired by the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour, launched on February 11,2000. SRTM used the same radar instrument that comprised the Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C/X-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SIR-C/X-SAR) that flew twice on Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1994. SRTM was designed to collect three-dimensional measurements of Earth's surface. To collect the 3-D data, engineers added a 60-meter-long (200-foot) mast, installed additional C-band and X-band antennas, and improved tracking and navigation devices. The mission is a cooperative project between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA) of the U.S. Department of Defense, and the German and Italian space

Abrupt transition from fractional crystallization to magma mixing at Gorely volcano (Kamchatka) after caldera collapse

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gavrilenko, Maxim; Ozerov, Alexey; Kyle, Philip R.; Carr, Michael J.; Nikulin, Alex; Vidito, Christopher; Danyushevsky, Leonid

2016-07-01

A series of large caldera-forming eruptions (361-38 ka) transformed Gorely volcano, southern Kamchatka Peninsula, from a shield-type system dominated by fractional crystallization processes to a composite volcanic center, exhibiting geochemical evidence of magma mixing. Old Gorely, an early shield volcano (700-361 ka), was followed by Young Gorely eruptions. Calc-alkaline high magnesium basalt to rhyolite lavas have been erupted from Gorely volcano since the Pleistocene. Fractional crystallization dominated evolution of the Old Gorely magmas, whereas magma mixing is more prominent in the Young Gorely eruptive products. The role of recharge-evacuation processes in Gorely magma evolution is negligible (a closed magmatic system); however, crustal rock assimilation plays a significant role for the evolved magmas. Most Gorely magmas differentiate in a shallow magmatic system at pressures up to 300 MPa, ˜3 wt% H2O, and oxygen fugacity of ˜QFM + 1.5 log units. Magma temperatures of 1123-1218 °C were measured using aluminum distribution between olivine and spinel in Old and Young Gorely basalts. The crystallization sequence of major minerals for Old Gorely was as follows: olivine and spinel (Ol + Sp) for mafic compositions (more than 5 wt% of MgO); clinopyroxene and plagioclase crystallized at ˜5 wt% of MgO (Ol + Cpx + Plag) and magnetite at ˜3.5 wt% of MgO (Ol + Cpx + Plag + Mt). We show that the shallow magma chamber evolution of Old Gorely occurs under conditions of decompression and degassing. We find that the caldera-forming eruption(s) modified the magma plumbing geometry. This led to a change in the dominant magma evolution process from fractional crystallization to magma mixing. We further suggest that disruption of the magma chamber and accompanying change in differentiation process have the potential to transform a shield volcanic system to that of composite cone on a global scale.

[Comparative study of the population structure and population assignment of sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka from West Kamchatka based on RAPD-PCR and microsatellite polymorphism].

PubMed

Zelenina, D A; Khrustaleva, A M; Volkov, A A

2006-05-01

Using two types of molecular markers, a comparative analysis of the population structure of sockeye salmon from West Kamchatka as well as population assignment of each individual fish were carried out. The values of a RAPD-PCR-based population assignment test (94-100%) were somewhat higher than those based on microsatellite data (74-84%). However, these results seem quite satisfactory because of high polymorphism of the microsatellite loci examined. The UPGMA dendrograms of genetic similarity of three largest spawning populations, constructed using each of the methods, were highly reliable, which was demonstrated by high bootstrap indices (100% in the case of RAPD-PCR; 84 and 100%, in the case of microsatellite analysis), though the resultant trees differed from one another. The different topology of the trees, in our view, is explained by the fact that the employed methods explored different parts of the genome; hence, the obtained results, albeit valid, may not correlate. Thus, to enhance reliability of the results, several methods of analysis should be used concurrently.

The 1997 Kronotsky earthquake and tsunami and their predecessors, Kamchatka, Russia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bourgeois, Joanne; Pinegina, Tatiana K.

2018-01-01

The northern part of the Kamchatka subduction zone (KSZ) experienced three tsunamigenic earthquakes in the 20th century - February 1923, April 1923, December 1997 - events that help us better understand the behavior of this segment. A particular focus of this study is the nature and location of the 5 December 1997 Kronotsky rupture (Mw ˜ 7.8) as elucidated by tsunami runup north of Kronotsky Peninsula in southern to central Kamchatsky Bay. Some studies have characterized the subduction zone off Kronotsky Peninsula as either more locked or more smoothly slipping than surrounding areas and have placed the 1997 rupture south of this promontory. However, 1997 tsunami runup north of the peninsula, as evidenced by our mapping of tsunami deposits, requires the rupture to extend farther north. Previously reported runup (1997 tsunami) on Kronotsky Peninsula was no more than 2-3 m, but our studies indicate tsunami heights for at least 50 km north of Kronotsky Peninsula in Kamchatsky Bay, ranging from 3.4 to 9.5 m (average 6.1 m), exceeding beach ridge heights of 5.3 to 8.3 m (average 7.1 m). For the two 1923 tsunamis, we cannot distinguish among their deposits in southern to central Kamchatsky Bay, but the deposits are more extensive than the 1997 deposit. A reevaluation of the April 1923 historical tsunami suggests that its moment magnitude could be revised upward, and that the 1997 earthquake filled a gap between the two 1923 earthquake ruptures. Characterizing these historical earthquakes and tsunamis in turn contributes to interpreting the prehistoric record, which is necessary to evaluate recurrence intervals for such events. Deeper in time, the prehistoric record back to ˜ AD 300 in southern to central Kamchatsky Bay indicates that during this interval, there were no local events significantly larger than those of the 20th century. Together, the historic and prehistoric tsunami record suggests a more northerly location of the 1997 rupture compared to most other

A new record of Chironomus (Chironomus) acidophilus Keyl (Diptera, Chironomidae) from the Uzon volcanic caldera (Kronotsky Reserve, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia), its karyotype, ecology and biology.

PubMed

Orel, Oksana V; Lobkova, Ludmila E; Zhirov, Sergey V; Petrova, Ninel A

2015-07-03

Morphology, cytology, ecology and biology of Holarctic Chironomus (Chironomus) acidophilus Keyl, 1960 (Diptera, Chironomidae) was examined from material collected in the geothermal Vosmerka Lake (pH=2.0-2.5). An illustrated redescription of C. acidophilus is given on the basis of adult males reared from field-collected pupae, and of simultaneously collected larvae. Additional larvae belonging to the pseudothummi-complex were identified as C. acidophilus on the basis of their karyotype. The karyotype of C. acidophilus (2n=8) and detailed mapping of the 4 chromosome arms A, E, D and F are provided. The population of C. acidophilus from Kamchatka was found to be karyologically monomorphic. Information on distribution and ecology of C. acidophilus from Vosmerka Lake (total mineralization 1583.5 mg/l) is also given. Chironomus acidophilus is the only species of aquatic insects recorded in this lake. Lack of competition and a richness of food resources contribute to the high abundance (35161 ind./m²) and biomass (11.342 g/m²) of the larvae of C. acidophilus in Vosmerka Lake.

Description of two ubiquitous species of Desmosomatidae (Isopoda: Asellota) from the Northwest Pacific Basin east of the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench.

PubMed

Golovan, Olga A

2015-11-05

Two new species of Desmosomatidae, Eugerdella kurabyssalis sp. nov. and Parvochelus serricaudis sp. nov., are described from the Northwest Pacific open abyssal plain to the east of the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench. These species constituted about one fourth of all collected desmosomatid specimens of the KuramBio expedition (2012), indicating it may be the most abundant species of the family in this area. E. kurabyssalis sp. nov. is rather similar to E. minutula Mezhov, 1986 and E. theodori Brix, 2007, resembling them in the shape of its body segments and appendages, including the absence of the mandibular palp and morphology of the pereopod I. The new species can be distinguished from the mentioned species by the number of cusps of the mandibular incisor process and lacinia mobilis, the relatively stouter pereopods and different setation of the pereopod I ischium. P. serricaudis sp. nov. is the second species of the genus Parvochelus Brix & Kihara, 2015 (see Brix et al. 2015) and the first record of the genus from the Pacific Ocean and from the Northern Hemisphere. P. serricaudis sp. nov. can be distinguished from P. russus Brix & Kihara, 2015 by its relatively stouter pereopod I, presence of the mandibular palp and the shape of the maxilliped palp articles and female operculum. A discussion of the taxonomic characters and the modified diagnosis of the genus Parvochelus are presented.

Retrieving robust noise-based seismic velocity changes from sparse data sets: synthetic tests and application to Klyuchevskoy volcanic group (Kamchatka)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gómez-García, C.; Brenguier, F.; Boué, P.; Shapiro, N. M.; Droznin, D. V.; Droznina, S. Ya; Senyukov, S. L.; Gordeev, E. I.

2018-05-01

Continuous noise-based monitoring of seismic velocity changes provides insights into volcanic unrest, earthquake mechanisms and fluid injection in the sub-surface. The standard monitoring approach relies on measuring travel time changes of late coda arrivals between daily and reference noise cross-correlations, usually chosen as stacks of daily cross-correlations. The main assumption of this method is that the shape of the noise correlations does not change over time or, in other terms, that the ambient-noise sources are stationary through time. These conditions are not fulfilled when a strong episodic source of noise, such as a volcanic tremor for example, perturbs the reconstructed Green's function. In this paper we propose a general formulation for retrieving continuous time series of noise-based seismic velocity changes without the requirement of any arbitrary reference cross-correlation function. Instead, we measure the changes between all possible pairs of daily cross-correlations and invert them using different smoothing parameters to obtain the final velocity change curve. We perform synthetic tests in order to establish a general framework for future applications of this technique. In particular, we study the reliability of velocity change measurements versus the stability of noise cross-correlation functions. We apply this approach to a complex dataset of noise cross-correlations at Klyuchevskoy volcanic group (Kamchatka), hampered by loss of data and the presence of highly non-stationary seismic tremors.

Carboxydocella sporoproducens sp. nov., a novel anaerobic CO-utilizing/H2-producing thermophilic bacterium from a Kamchatka hot spring.

PubMed

Slepova, Tatiana V; Sokolova, Tatyana G; Lysenko, Anatoly M; Tourova, Tatyana P; Kolganova, Tatyana V; Kamzolkina, Olga V; Karpov, Genady A; Bonch-Osmolovskaya, Elizaveta A

2006-04-01

A novel anaerobic, thermophilic, CO-utilizing bacterium, strain KarT, was isolated from a hot spring of Karymskoe Lake, Kamchatka Peninsula. The cells of the novel isolate were Gram-positive, spore-forming, short rods. The bacterium grew chemolithoautotrophically on CO, producing equimolar quantities of H2 and CO2 (according to the equation CO + H2O --> CO2 + H2), and in the absence of CO, under N2 in the gas phase, chemoorganoheterotrophically with yeast extract, sucrose or pyruvate. Growth was observed in the temperature range 50-70 degrees C, with an optimum at 60 degrees C, and in the pH range 6.2-8.0, with an optimum at pH 6.8. The micro-organism did not grow on solid media; it was able to grow only in semi-solid medium containing 0.5 % agar. The generation time under optimal conditions for chemolithoautotrophic growth was 1 h. The G+C content of the DNA was 46.5+/-1 mol%. Growth was completely inhibited by penicillin, novobiocin, streptomycin, kanamycin and neomycin. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that the isolate should be assigned to the genus Carboxydocella. On the basis of the results of DNA-DNA hybridization and morphological and physiological analyses, strain KarT represents a novel species of the genus Carboxydocella, for which the name Carboxydocella sporoproducens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is KarT (=DSM 16521T = VKM B-2358T).

Carboxydothermus siderophilus sp. nov., a thermophilic, hydrogenogenic, carboxydotrophic, dissimilatory Fe(III)-reducing bacterium from a Kamchatka hot spring.

PubMed

Slepova, Tatiana V; Sokolova, Tatyana G; Kolganova, Tatyana V; Tourova, Tatyana P; Bonch-Osmolovskaya, Elizaveta A

2009-02-01

A novel anaerobic, thermophilic, Fe(III)-reducing, CO-utilizing bacterium, strain 1315(T), was isolated from a hot spring of Geyser Valley on the Kamchatka Peninsula. Cells of the new isolate were Gram-positive, short rods. Growth was observed at 52-70 degrees C, with an optimum at 65 degrees C, and at pH 5.5-8.5, with an optimum at pH 6.5-7.2. In the presence of Fe(III) or 9,10-anthraquinone 2,6-disulfonate (AQDS), the bacterium was capable of growth with CO and yeast extract (0.2 g l(-1)); during growth under these conditions, strain 1315(T) produced H(2) and CO(2) and Fe(II) or AQDSH(2), respectively. Strain 1315(T) also grew by oxidation of yeast extract, glucose, xylose or lactate under a N(2) atmosphere, reducing Fe(III) or AQDS. Yeast extract (0.2 g l(-1)) was required for growth. Isolate 1315(T) grew exclusively with Fe(III) or AQDS as an electron acceptor. The generation time under optimal conditions with CO as growth substrate was 9.3 h. The G+C content of the DNA was 41.5+/-0.5 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis placed the organism in the genus Carboxydothermus (97.8 % similarity with the closest relative). On the basis of physiological features and phylogenetic analysis, it is proposed that strain 1315(T) should be assigned to a novel species, Carboxydothermus siderophilus sp. nov., with the type strain 1315(T) (=VKPM 9905B(T) =VKM B-2474(T) =DSM 21278(T)).

Geochemistry of the 2012-2013 Tolbachik Fissure eruption (Kamchatka, Russia)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Volynets, Anna; Melnikov, Dmitry; Belousov, Alexander; Belousova, Marina; Yakushev, Anton

2014-05-01

From November 27th, 2012, until the beginning of September 2013, a fissure eruption at the southern slope of Ploskiy Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, produced more than 0.52 km3 of lava (Dvigalo et al., 2014) and covered the area about 36 km2. The eruption was named as "The Institute of Volcanology and Seismology 50th Anniversary Fissure Tolbachik Eruption" (FTE-50). This is a manifestation of the ongoing high activity in Tolbachinskiy Dol (monogenetic zone around Ploskiy Tolbachik stratovolcano), which already produced in Holocene a lava field, covering more than 900 km2. FTE-50 lasted 9 months and exhibited some peculiar features, allowing us to distinguish it as a unique for Tolbachinskiy Dol: seismic activity only in the low energy class during 5 month prior to eruption (Kugaenko et al., 2013), the unusually high discharge rate at the beginning of the eruption (about 400 m3/sec), specific geochemical composition of the erupted lava. The eruption started from two vents, named after eminent Russian volcanologists as Menyailov (upper) and Naboko (lower) vents, and after three days all activity concentrated in the lower (Naboko) vent. All products of FTE-50 are richer in alkalis and TiO2 than previously studied lavas of Tolbachinskiy Dol. After the drastic change in composition at the beginning of the eruption, associated with the shift of the eruption center from the Menyailov to Naboko vent, when silica content dropped up to 2 wt.%, the composition remained practically constant until at least May 2013. Lavas of the Menyailov Vent are more acid than any of the earlier erupted rocks of the monogenetic zone (SiO2 up to 55.35 wt.%). Lavas of the Naboko Vent, at silica content close to the Southern Vent of the Great Fissure Tolbachik Eruption (1975-76) and other alumina-rich basaltic andesites of the Dol (52.5 wt.% in average in Naboko vent lavas vs. 51.8 wt.% in high-Al lavas from Tolb.Dol), have lowered concentrations of Al2O3 (16.3 wt.% vs. 17.1 wt/%), CaO (7.5 wt

Composition, structure and properties of sediment thermal springs of Kamchatka

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shanina, Violetta; Smolyakov, Pavel; Parfenov, Oleg

2016-04-01

The paper deals with the physical and mechanical properties sediment thermal fields Mutnovsky, Lower Koshelevo and Bannyh (Kamchatka). This multi-component soils, mineral and chemical composition of which depends on the formation factors (pH, temperature, salinity of water, composition and structure of the host volcanic rocks). Samples Lower Koshelevo sediment thermal sources differ in the following composition: smectite, kaolinite, kaolinite-smectite mixed-mineral. Samples of sediment thermal springs Mutnovsky volcano in accordance with the X-ray analysis has the following composition: volcanic glass, crystalline sulfur, plagioclase, smectite, illite-smectite mixed, illite, chlorite, quartz, cristobalite, pyrite, melanterite, kaolinite. Natural moisture content samples of sediment thermal springs from 45 to 121%, hygroscopic moisture content of 1.3 to 3.7%. A large amount of native sulfur (up to 92%) and the presence of amorphous material gives low values of density of solid particles (up to 2.1 g/cm3) samples Mutnovskii thermal field. The values of the density of solids sediment Koshelevo and Bannyh hot springs close to those of the main components of mineral densities (up to 2.6-3.0 g/cm3). The results of the particle size distribution and microaggregate analysis of sediment thermal springs Lower Koshelevo field shows that the predominance observed of particles with a diameter from 0.05 mm to 0.25 mm, the coefficient of soil heterogeneity heterogeneous. In the bottom sediments of the thermal springs of the volcano Mutnovsky poorly traced predominance of one faction. Most prevalent fraction with particle size 0.01 - 0.05 mm. When analyzing the content in the soil microaggregates their content is shifted towards particles with a diameter of 0.25 mm. The contents of a large number of large (1-10 mm), porous rock fragments, due to the deposition of pyroclastic material from the eruptions of the last century. Present in large amounts rounded crystals of native sulfur

[Effective size of the early-run sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka population of Lake Azabach'e, Kamchatka Peninsula evaluation of the effect of interaction between subpopulations within a subdivided population].

PubMed

Efremov, V V

2005-05-01

The effect of subdivision on the effective size (Ne) of the early-run sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka population of Lake Azabach'e (Kamchatka Peninsula) has been studied. The mode of this effect is determined by the relative productivity of the subpopulations and its magnitude, by the rate of individual migration among subpopulations and genetic differentiation. If the contributions of subpopulations (offspring numbers) are different, genetic differentiation can reduce the Ne of the subdivided population. At equal subpopulation contributions, genetic differentiation always increases the Ne of the subdivided population in comparison with a panmictic population. We have found that all sockeye salmon subpopulations of Azabach'e Lake produce equal offspring numbers contributing to the next generation. The genetic differentiation between sockeye salmon subpopulations is low, and the subdivision increases the Ne of the early-run race with reference to the sum of the effective sizes of the subpopulations by as little as 2%.

Multilocus sequence analysis of Thermoanaerobacter isolates reveals recombining, but differentiated, populations from geothermal springs of the Uzon Caldera, Kamchatka, Russia

PubMed Central

Wagner, Isaac D.; Varghese, Litty B.; Hemme, Christopher L.; Wiegel, Juergen

2013-01-01

Thermal environments have island-like characteristics and provide a unique opportunity to study population structure and diversity patterns of microbial taxa inhabiting these sites. Strains having ≥98% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the obligately anaerobic Firmicutes Thermoanaerobacter uzonensis were isolated from seven geothermal springs, separated by up to 1600 m, within the Uzon Caldera (Kamchatka, Russian Far East). The intraspecies variation and spatial patterns of diversity for this taxon were assessed by multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) of 106 strains. Analysis of eight protein-coding loci (gyrB, lepA, leuS, pyrG, recA, recG, rplB, and rpoB) revealed that all loci were polymorphic and that nucleotide substitutions were mostly synonymous. There were 148 variable nucleotide sites across 8003 bp concatenates of the protein-coding loci. While pairwise FST values indicated a small but significant level of genetic differentiation between most subpopulations, there was a negligible relationship between genetic divergence and spatial separation. Strains with the same allelic profile were only isolated from the same hot spring, occasionally from consecutive years, and single locus variant (SLV) sequence types were usually derived from the same spring. While recombination occurred, there was an “epidemic” population structure in which a particular T. uzonensis sequence type rose in frequency relative to the rest of the population. These results demonstrate spatial diversity patterns for an anaerobic bacterial species in a relative small geographic location and reinforce the view that terrestrial geothermal springs are excellent places to look for biogeographic diversity patterns regardless of the involved distances. PMID:23801987

The Ust'-Kamchatsk "Tsunami Earthquake" of 13 April 1923: A Slow Event and a Probable Landslide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salaree, A.; Okal, E.

2016-12-01

Among the "tsunami earthquakes" having generated a larger tsunami than expected from their seismic magnitudes, the large aftershock of the great Kamchatka earthquake of 1923 remains an intriguing puzzle since waves reaching 11 m were reported by Troshin & Diagilev (1926), in the vicinity of the mouth of the Kamchatka River near the coastal settlement of Ust'-Kamchatsk. Our relocation attempts based on ISS-listed travel times would put the earthquake epicenter in Ozernoye Bay, North of the Kamchatka Peninsula, suggesting that it was triggered by stress transfer beyond the plate junction at the Kamchatka corner. Mantle magnitudes obtained from Golitsyn records at De Bilt suggest a long-period moment of 2-3 times 1027 dyn*cm, with a strong increase of moment with period, suggestive of a slow source. However, tsunami simulations based on resulting models of the earthquake source, both North and South of the Kamchatka Peninsula, fail to account for the reported run-up values. On the other hand, the model of an underwater landslide, which would have been triggered by the earthquake, can explain the general amplitude and distribution of reported run-up. This model is supported by the presence of steep bathymetry offshore of Ust'-Kamchatsk, near the area of discharge of the Kamchatka River, and the abundance of subaerial landslides along the nearby coasts of the Kamchatka Peninsula. While the scarcity of scientific data for this ancient earthquake, and of historical reports in a sparsely populated area, keep this interpretation tentative, this study contributes to improving our knowledge of the challenging family of "tsunami earthquakes".

Thermal-permeability structure and recharge conditions of the Mutnovsky high-temperature geothermal field (Kamchatka, Russia)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kiryukhin, A. V.; Polyakov, A. Y.; Usacheva, O. O.; Kiryukhin, P. A.

2018-05-01

The Mutnovsky geothermal area is part of the Eastern Kamchatka active volcano belt. Mutnovsky, 80 kY old and an aging strato-volcano (a complex of 4 composite volcanic cones), acts as a magma- and water-injector into the 25-km-long North Mutnovsky extension zone. Magmatic injection events (dykes) are associated with plane-oriented MEQ (Micro Earth Quakes) clusters, most of them occurring in the NE sector of the volcano (2 × 10 km2) at elevations from -4 to -2 km, while some magmatic injections occur at elevations from -6.0 to -4.0 km below the Mutnovsky production field. Water recharge of production reservoirs is from the Mutnovsky volcano crater glacier (+1500 to +1800 masl), which was confirmed by water isotopic data (δD, δ18O) of production wells at an earlier stage of development. The Mutnovsky (Dachny) 260-310 °C high-temperature production geothermal reservoir with a volume of 16 km3 is at the junction of NNE- and NE-striking normal faults, which coincides with the current dominant dyke injection orientation. TOUGH2-modeling estimates of the reservoir properties are as follows: the reservoir permeability is 90-600 e-15 m2, the deep upflow recharge is 80 kg/s and the enthalpy is 1420 kJ/kg. Modeling was used to reproduce the history of the Mutnovsky (Dachny) reservoir exploitation since 1983 with an effective power of 48 MWe by 2016. Modeling also showed that the reservoir is capable of yielding 65-83 MWe of sustainable production until 2055, if additional production drilling in the SE part of the field is performed. Moreover, this power value may increase to 87-105 MWe if binary technologies are applied. Modeling also shows that the predicted power is sensitive to local meteoric water influx during development. Conceptual iTOUGH2-EOS1sc thermal hydrodynamic modeling of the Mutnovsky magma-hydrothermal system as a whole reasonably explains its evolution over the last 1500-5000 years in terms of heat recharge (dyke injection from the Mutnovsky-4 funnel) and

Romanorlovite, a New Copper and Potassium Hydroxychloride from the Tolbachik Volcano, Kamchatka, Russia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pekov, I. V.; Yapaskurt, V. O.; Britvin, S. N.; Vigasina, M. F.; Lykova, I. S.; Zubkova, N. V.; Krivovichev, S. V.; Sidorov, E. G.

2017-12-01

A new mineral romanorlovite has been found in the upper, moderately hot zones of two fumaroles, Glavnaya Tenoritovaya (Major Tenorite) and Arsenatnaya (Arsenate), located at the second scoria cone of the Northern Breakthrough of the Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. It is associated with avdoninite in both fumaroles, and in Glavnaya Tenoritovaya, it is also associated with belloite, sylvite, carnallite, mitscherlichite, sanguite, chlorothionite, eriochalcite, chrysothallite, and mellizinkalite. Romanorlovite occurs as prismatic, equant, or tabular tetragonal crystals up to 0.1 mm in size, crystal clusters up to 0.5 mm, and crusts up to 2 × 2 mm in area. The mineral is transparent with vitreous luster. Its color varies from yellow-brown to dark brown, and tiny crystals are honey- or golden-yellow. Cleavage is not observed. Romanorlovite is brittle. The Mohs hardness is ca 3. The calculated density varies from 2.72 to 2.79 g/cm3 depending on the content of admixed Pb. The mineral is optically uniaxial (-), ω = 1.727(3), ɛ = 1.694(2). The Raman spectrum has been reported. The chemical composition of the holotype sample (wt %; electron microprobe data, contents of O and H calculated by stoichiometry) is as follows: 21.52 K, 0.89 Pb, 28.79 Cu, 0.02 Zn, 44.74 Cl, 4.85 Ocalc, 0.41 Hcalc, total 101.22. Its empirical formula calculated based on Cl25 with (OH)4(H2O)2 is K10.90Pb0.09Cu8.97Zn0.01Cl25(OH)4 · 2H2O. The simplified formula is K11Cu9Cl25(OH)4 · 2H2O ( Z = 4). Romanorlovite is tetragonal, space group[ I4/ mmm. The unit cell parameters are (1) holotype: a = 17.5804(7), c = 15.9075(6) Å, V = 4916.5(3) Å3; (2) the sample enriched in Pb on which the crystal structure was refined: a = 17.5538(19), c = 15.8620(17) Å, V= 4887.7(9) Å3. The strongest reflections of the powder XRD pattern ( d, Å- I[ hkl]) are 12.48-56[110], 11.74-36[101], 8.80-100[200], 7.97-34[002], 6.71-40[112], 3.165-32[512], 2.933-80[215, 433], 2

Arsenic speciation and transport associated with the release of spent geothermal fluids in Mutnovsky field (Kamchatka, Russia)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ilgen, Anastasia G.; Rychagov, Sergey N.; Trainor, Thomas P.

The use of geothermal fluids for the production of electricity poses a risk of contaminating surface waters when spent fluids are discharged into (near) surface environments. Arsenic (As) in particular is a common component in geothermal fluids and leads to a degradation of water quality when present in mobile and bioavailable forms. We have examined changes in arsenic speciation caused by quick transition from high temperature reducing conditions to surface conditions, retention mechanisms, and the extent of transport associated with the release of spent geothermal fluids at the Dachny geothermal fields (Mutnovsky geothermal region), Kamchatka, Russia -- a high temperaturemore » field used for electricity production. In the spent fluids, the arsenic concentration reaches 9 ppm, while in natural hot springs expressed in the vicinity of the field, the As concentration is typically below 10 ppb. The aqueous phase arsenic speciation was determined using Liquid Chromatography (LC) coupled to an Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS). The arsenic speciation in the bottom sediments (< 65 {mu}m fraction) of the local surface waters was analyzed using X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS). Arsenic in the geothermal source fluids is predominantly found as As(III), while a mixture of As(III)/As(V) is found in the water and sediment of the Falshivaia River downstream from the power plant. The extent of elevated arsenic concentrations in water is limited by adsorption to the bottom sediment and dilution, as determined using Cl{sup -} from the deep well fluids as a tracer. Analysis of the Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) spectra shows that sediment phase arsenic is associated with both Al- and Fe-rich phases with a bi-dentate corner sharing local geometry. The geothermal waste fluids released in the surface water create a localized area of arsenic contamination. The extent of transport of dissolved As is limited to {approx}7 km downstream from the

Time-lag of the earthquake energy release between three seismic regions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsapanos, Theodoros M.; Liritzis, Ioannis

1992-06-01

Three complete data sets of strong earthquakes ( M≥5.5), which occurred in the seismic regions of Chile, Mexico and Kamchatka during the time period 1899 1985, have been used to test the existence of a time-lag in the seismic energy release between these regions. These data sets were cross-correlated in order to determine whether any pair of the sets are correlated. For this purpose statistical tests, such as the T-test, the Fisher's transformation and probability distribution have been applied to determine the significance of the obtained correlation coefficients. The results show that the time-lag between Chile and Kamchatka is -2, which means that Kamchatka precedes Chile by 2 years, with a correlation coefficient significant at 99.80% level, a weak correlation between Kamchatka-Mexico and noncorrelation for Mexico-Chile.

Carboxydocella manganica sp. nov., a thermophilic, dissimilatory Mn(IV)- and Fe(III)-reducing bacterium from a Kamchatka hot spring.

PubMed

Slobodkina, G B; Panteleeva, A N; Sokolova, T G; Bonch-Osmolovskaya, E A; Slobodkin, A I

2012-04-01

A thermophilic, anaerobic, dissimilatory Mn(IV)- and Fe(III)-reducing bacterium (strain SLM 61T) was isolated from a terrestrial hot spring on the Kamchatka peninsula. The cells were straight rods, 0.5-0.6 µm in diameter and 1.0-6.0 µm long, and exhibited tumbling motility by means of peritrichous flagellation. The strain grew at 26-70 °C, with an optimum at 58-60 °C, and at pH 5.5-8.0, with an optimum at pH 6.5. Growth of SLM 61T was observed at 0-2.0 % (w/v) NaCl, with an optimum at 0.5 % (w/v). The generation time under optimal growth conditions was 40 min. Strain SLM 61T grew and reduced Mn(IV), Fe(III) or nitrate with a number of organic acids and complex proteinaceous compounds as electron donors. It was capable of chemolithoautotrophic growth using molecular hydrogen as an electron donor, Fe(III) but not Mn(IV) or nitrate as an electron acceptor and CO2 as a carbon source. It also was able to ferment pyruvate, yeast extract, glucose, fructose, sucrose and maltose. The G+C content of DNA of strain SLM 61T was 50.9 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the closest relative of the isolated organism was Carboxydocella thermautotrophica 41T (96.9 % similarity). On the basis of its physiological properties and phylogenetic analyses, the isolate is considered to represent a novel species, for which the name Carboxydocella manganica sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SLM 61T (=DSM 23132T=VKM B-2609T). C. manganica is the first described representative of the genus Carboxydocella that possesses the ability to reduce metals and does not utilize CO.

Environmental conditions and biological community of the Penzhina and Talovka hypertidal estuary (northwest Kamchatka) in the ice-free season

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koval, M. V.; Gorin, S. L.; Romanenko, F. A.; Lepskaya, E. V.; Polyakova, A. A.; Galyamov, R. A.; Esin, E. V.

2017-07-01

New data on the abiotic conditions; species composition; abundance, distribution, and migrations of fauna; and feeding interactions in an estuary ecosystem were obtained during expeditions in the mouths of Penzhina and Talovka rivers (northwest Kamchatka). It is revealed that in the ice-free season, the hydrological regime of the estuary is determined by seasonal fluctuations of river runoff, as well as fortnightly and daily variation of tides. The estuary is characterized by hypertidal fluctuations (up to 10-12 m); strong reverse flows (up to 1.0-1.5 m/s), considerable tidal variations in salinity (from 0 to 6-9‰ at the river boundary and from 6-8 to 14-16‰ at the offshore boundary), and high water turbidity (up to 1 000 NTU or more). Based on the spatial structure of the community, three ecological zones with mobile boundaries are distinguished: freshwater (salinity 0-0.1‰), estuarine (0-12.3‰), and neritic (11.2-18.9‰). High turbidity prevents the development of phytoplankton in the estuarine zone (EZ), and the local benthic community is significantly depleted due to the desalination and wide spread of aleuritic silts. Neritic copepods and nektobenthic brackish- water crustaceans generate the maximum abundance and biomass here. The species that have adapted to the local extreme hydrologic conditions dominate and form the basis of the estuarine food chain. Dominant among the EZ vertebrates are such groups as anadromous fishes (smelts, pacific salmons, charrs, and sticklebacks); waterfowl (terns, kittiwakes, cormorants, fulmars, puffins, guillemots, auklets, and wadepipers); and predatory marine mammals (larga, ringed seal, bearded seal, and white whale). The total abundance and biomass of these animals are much higher in the pelagic EZ in comparison to neighboring zones.

Deposits, petrology and mechanism of the 2010-2013 eruption of Kizimen volcano in Kamchatka, Russia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Auer, A.; Belousov, A.; Belousova, M.

2018-04-01

Kizimen volcano in Kamchatka is well known as a source of highly heterogeneous poorly mingled magmas ranging from dacites to basaltic andesites. In 2010-2013, the volcano produced its first historical magmatic eruption with the deposition of 0.27 km3 of block and ash pyroclastic flows accompanied by slow extrusion of a 200-m-thick, highly viscous (1010-1011 Pa s) block lava flow with a volume of 0.3 km3. The total volume of erupted magma comprised approximately 0.4 km3 DRE. We provide description of the eruption chronology, as well as the lithology and petrology of eruptive products. The erupted material is represented by banded dacite and high-silica andesite. The dacitic magma was formed during a long dormancy after the previous magmatic eruption several hundred years ago with mineral compositions indicating average pre-eruptive temperatures of 810 °C, fO2 of 0.9-1.6 log units above the nickel-nickel oxide (NNO) buffer and shallow crustal storage conditions at 123 MPa. The silica-rich andesite represents a hybrid magma, which shows signs of recent thermal and compositional disequilibrium. We suggest that the hybrid magma started to form in 1963 when a swarm of deep earthquakes indicated an input of mafic magma from depth into the 6-11-km-deep silicic magma chamber. It took the following 46 years until the magma filling the chamber reached an eruptible state. Poor mingling of the two melts is attributed to its unusually high viscosity that could be associated with the pre-eruptive long-term leakage of volatiles from the chamber through a regional tectonic fault. Our investigations have shown that shallow magma chambers of dormant volcanoes demonstrating strong persistent fumarolic activity can contain highly viscous, degassed magma of evolved composition. Reactivation of such magma chambers by injection of basic magma takes a long time (several decades). Thus, eruption forecasts at such volcanoes should include a possibility of long time lag between a swarm of

Ziminaite, Fe3+VO4, a new howardevansite-group mineral from the Bezymyannyi volcano, Kamchatka, Russia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pekov, Igor V.; Siidra, Oleg I.; Yapaskurt, Vasiliy O.; Polekhovsky, Yury S.; Kartashov, Pavel M.

2018-06-01

The new mineral ziminaite, ideally Fe3+VO4, was found in fumarole sublimates at the Bezymyannyi volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. Ziminaite occurs as lamellar, tabular or flattened prismatic crystals up to 10 × 30 × 50 μm typically epitaxially overgrowing koksharovite, and as aggregates (up to 0.15 mm) associated with bannermanite in cavities in volcanic scoria. The mineral is translucent, yellowish-brown with an adamantine luster. The calculated density is 3.45 g cm- 3. In reflected light, ziminaite is light grey. Bireflectance is weak, internal reflections are deep yellow. The reflectance values [ R max -R min, % (λ, nm)] are: 17.7-16.3 (470), 15.7-14.1 (546), 15.1-13.8 (589), 14.7-13.6 (650). Chemical composition (wt%) is: MgO 2.20, CaO 0.01, Al2O3 7.81, Fe2O3 27.18, TiO2 4.50, SiO2 0.26, P2O5 0.09, V2O5 57.01, total 99.06. The empirical formula, based on 24 O atoms, is: (Fe3 + 3.29Al1.48Ti0.54Mg0.53)Σ5.84(V6.05Si0.04P0.01)Σ6.10O24 (Z = 1). Ziminaite is triclinic, P \\overline {1}, a 8.012(4), b 9.345(5), c 6.678(3) Å, α 106.992(10), β 101.547(8), γ 96.594(11)º, V 460.4(4) Å3, Z = 6. The strongest reflections of the powder X-ray diffraction pattern [ d,Å( I)( hkl)] are: 3.751(17)(1-21, 12 - 1), 3.539(86)(120), 3.270(67)(01-2), 3.209(100)(2-20), 3.090(20)(2-11, 002), 3.041(18)(03 - 1, 02-2), 2.934(14)(12 - 2, 030) and 1.665(24)(023, 12 - 4). The crystal structure, solved from single-crystal data ( R 1 = 0.085), is based upon heteropolyhedral framework built by VO4 tetrahedra and Fe3+-centred octahedra and five-fold polyhedra. Ziminaite belongs to the howardevansite group being its first member without species-defining uni- or divalent cations and with all large cation sites vacant. The mineral is named after the Zimina volcano situated near the discovery locality.

Lava emplacements at Shiveluch volcano (Kamchatka) from June 2011 to September 2014 observed by TanDEM-X SAR-Interferometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heck, Alexandra; Kubanek, Julia; Westerhaus, Malte; Gottschämmer, Ellen; Heck, Bernhard; Wenzel, Friedemann

2016-04-01

As part of the Ring of Fire, Shiveluch volcano is one of the largest and most active volcanoes on Kamchatka Peninsula. During the Holocene, only the southern part of the Shiveluch massive was active. Since the last Plinian eruption in 1964, the activity of Shiveluch is characterized by periods of dome growth and explosive eruptions. The recent active phase began in 1999 and continues until today. Due to the special conditions at active volcanoes, such as smoke development, danger of explosions or lava flows, as well as poor weather conditions and inaccessible area, it is difficult to observe the interaction between dome growth, dome destruction, and explosive eruptions in regular intervals. Consequently, a reconstruction of the eruption processes is hardly possible, though important for a better understanding of the eruption mechanism as well as for hazard forecast and risk assessment. A new approach is provided by the bistatic radar data acquired by the TanDEM-X satellite mission. This mission is composed of two nearly identical satellites, TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X, flying in a close helix formation. On one hand, the radar signals penetrate clouds and partially vegetation and snow considering the average wavelength of about 3.1 cm. On the other hand, in comparison with conventional InSAR methods, the bistatic radar mode has the advantage that there are no difficulties due to temporal decorrelation. By interferometric evaluation of the simultaneously recorded SAR images, it is possible to calculate high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) of Shiveluch volcano and its surroundings. Furthermore, the short recurrence interval of 11 days allows to generate time series of DEMs, with which finally volumetric changes of the dome and of lava flows can be determined, as well as lava effusion rates. Here, this method is used at Shiveluch volcano based on data acquired between June 2011 and September 2014. Although Shiveluch has a fissured topography with steep slopes

Seismic structures beneath Popocatepetl (Mexico) and Gorely (Kamchatka) volcanoes derived from passive tomography studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuznetsov, Pavel; Koulakov, Ivan

2014-05-01

A number of active volcanoes are observed in different parts of the world, and they attract great interest of scientists. Comparing their characteristics helps in understanding the origin and mechanisms of their activity. One of the most effective methods for studying the deep structure beneath volcanoes is passive source seismic tomography. In this study we present results of tomographic inversions for two active volcanoes located in different parts of the world: Popocatepetl (Mexico) and Gorely (Kamchatka, Russia). In the past century both volcanoes were actively erupted that explains great interest to their detailed investigations. In both cases we made the full data analysis starting from picking the arrival times from local events. In the case of the Popocatepetl study, a temporary seismological network was deployed by GFZ for the period from December 1999 to July 2000. Note that during this period there were a very few events recorded inside the volcano. Most of recorded earthquakes occurred in surrounding areas and they probably have the tectonic nature. We performed a special analysis to ground the efficiency of using these data for studying seismic structure beneath the network installed on the volcano. The tomographic inversion was performed using the LOTOS code by Koulakov (2009). Beneath the Popocatepetl volcano we have found a zone of strong anti-correlation between P- and S-velocities that leaded to high values of Vp/Vs ratio. Similar features were found for some other volcanoes in previous studies. We interpret these anomalies as zones of high content of fluids and melts that are related to active magma sources. For the case of Gorely volcano we used the data of a temporary network just deployed in summer 2013 by our team from IPGG, Novosibirsk. Luckily, during the field works, the volcano started to manifest strong seismic activity. In this period, 100 - 200 volcanic events occurred daily. We collected the continuous seismic records from 20 stations

Earth Observations taken by Expedition 30 crewmember

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-03-15

ISS030-E-162344 (15 March 2012) --- Ice floes along the Kamchatka coastline are featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 30 crew member on the International Space Station. The vantage point from orbit frequently affords the opportunity to observe processes that are impossible to see on the ground – or in this case the northeastern Pacific Ocean. The winter season blankets the Kamchatka Peninsula of Russia in snow, but significant amounts of sea ice can also form and collect along the coastline. As ice floes grind against each other, they produce smaller floes that can be moved by wind and water currents acting along the coastline. The irregular southeastern coastline of Kamchatka helps to produce large circular eddy currents from the main southwestward-flowing Kamchatka current. Three such eddies are clearly highlighted by surface ice floe patterns at center. The ice patterns are very difficult (and dangerous) to navigate in an ocean vessel – while the floes may look thin and delicate from the space station vantage point, even the smaller ice chunks are likely several meters across. White clouds at top right are distinguished from the sea ice and snow cover in the image by their high brightness and discontinuous nature. The Kamchatka Peninsula also hosts many currently and historically active stratovolcanoes. Kliuchevskoi Volcano, the highest in Kamchatka (summit elevation 4,835 meters) and one of the most active, had its most recent confirmed eruption in June of 2011, while Karymsky Volcano to the south likely produced ash plumes days before this image was taken; the snow cover near the volcano to the south and east of the summit is darkened, probably due to a cover of fresh ash, or melted away altogether (bottom center). In contrast, Kronotsky Volcano – a “textbook” symmetrical cone-shaped stratovolcano – last erupted in 1923.

Unexpectedly higher metazoan meiofauna abundances in the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench compared to the adjacent abyssal plains

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmidt, Christina; Martínez Arbizu, Pedro

2015-01-01

We studied meiofauna standing stocks and community structure in the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench and its adjacent abyssal plains in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. In general, the Nematoda were dominant (93%) followed by the Copepoda (4%). Nematode abundances ranged from 87% to 96%; those of copepods from 2% to 7%. The most diverse deployment yielded 17 taxa: Acari, Amphipoda, Annelida, Bivalvia, Coelenterata, Copepoda, Cumacea, Gastrotricha, Isopoda, Kinorhyncha, Loricifera, Nematoda, Ostracoda, Priapulida, Tanaidacea, Tantulocarida, and Tardigrada. Nauplii were also present. Generally, the trench slope and the southernmost deployments had the highest abundances (850-1392 individuals/cm2). The results of non-metric multidimensional scaling indicated that these deployments were similar to each other in meiofauna community structure. The southernmost deployments were located in a zone of higher particulate organic carbon (POC) flux (g Corg m-2 yr-1), whereas the trench slope should have low POC flux due to depth attenuation. Also, POC and abundance were significantly correlated in the abyssal plains. This correlation may explain the higher abundances at the southernmost deployments. Lateral transport was also assumed to explain high meiofauna abundances on the trench slope. Abundances were generally higher than expected from model results. ANOSIM revealed significant differences between the trench slope and the northern abyssal plains, between the central abyssal plains and the trench slope, between the trench slope and the southern abyssal plains, between the central and the southern abyssal plains, and between the central and northern deployments. The northern and southern abyssal plains did not differ significantly. In addition, a U-test revealed highly significant differences between the trench-slope and abyssal deployments. The taxa inhabited mostly the upper 0-3 cm of the sediment layer (Nematoda 80-90%; Copepoda 88-100%). The trench-slope and abyssal did not differ

Fatty acid compositions and trophic relationships of shelled molluscs from the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench and the adjacent abyssal plain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kharlamenko, Vladimir I.; Würzberg, Laura; Peters, Janna; Borisovets, Evgeny E.

2015-01-01

Fatty acid (FA) compositions of 12 species of shelled molluscs (gastropods, bivalves, and scaphopods) from the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench and the adjacent abyssal plain were studied. According to the results of multivariate statistical analysis, molluscs were divided into three groups. Group I consisted of three scaphopod species, the bivalve Nucula profundorum and the gastropod Solariella delicata. FA compositions of this group were characterized by high levels of 20:4(n-6). We suggest that the FA pattern found in scaphopods with high values of 20:4(n-6) is most likely typical for that of benthic organisms feeding preferentially on foraminiferans. Group II included the bivalves Neilonella politissima, Bentharca asperula, and Rhinoclama filatovae. Bivalves from the second group had elevated concentrations of 22:6(n-3), and the ratio of 20:4(n-6) to 20:5(n-3) was lower than 1. Bivalves from the second group had elevated concentrations of 22:6(n-3). We propose that high concentrations of this FA can be used as a specific marker for a carnivorous feeding mode of deep-sea benthic invertebrates. The bivalve Bathyspinula calcarella as well as the scaphopod Polyschides sakuraii could not unambiguously be assigned to one group. Within the similarity analysis they rather clustered together with the foraminiferans feeders (group I), but forming an own subgroup. In the PCA on the other hand, P. sakuraii showed a position close to the other bivalves, while B. calcarella had an intermediate position between all three groups. Group III consisted of the gastropods Tacita holoserica and Paracteocina sp., which contained high concentrations of 20:5(n-3) and 22:5(n-3). Both are known to exhibit a carnivorous/scavenging feeding strategy. The very low content of DHA in both species is on first sight not consistent with the suggested carnivorous feeding behavior. A characteristic feature of Paracteocina sp. and T. holoserica was a high level of 22:5(n-3), and HUFA ratios indicate that DHA

Alaska - Russian Far East connection in volcano research and monitoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Izbekov, P. E.; Eichelberger, J. C.; Gordeev, E.; Neal, C. A.; Chebrov, V. N.; Girina, O. A.; Demyanchuk, Y. V.; Rybin, A. V.

2012-12-01

The Kurile-Kamchatka-Alaska portion of the Pacific Rim of Fire spans for nearly 5400 km. It includes more than 80 active volcanoes and averages 4-6 eruptions per year. Resulting ash clouds travel for hundreds to thousands of kilometers defying political borders. To mitigate volcano hazard to aviation and local communities, the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) and the Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (IVS), in partnership with the Kamchatkan Branch of the Geophysical Survey of the Russian Academy of Sciences (KBGS), have established a collaborative program with three integrated components: (1) volcano monitoring with rapid information exchange, (2) cooperation in research projects at active volcanoes, and (3) volcanological field schools for students and young scientists. Cooperation in volcano monitoring includes dissemination of daily information on the state of volcanic activity in neighboring regions, satellite and visual data exchange, as well as sharing expertise and technologies between AVO and the Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) and Sakhalin Volcanic Eruption Response Team (SVERT). Collaboration in scientific research is best illustrated by involvement of AVO, IVS, and KBGS faculty and graduate students in mutual international studies. One of the most recent examples is the NSF-funded Partnerships for International Research and Education (PIRE)-Kamchatka project focusing on multi-disciplinary study of Bezymianny volcano in Kamchatka. This international project is one of many that have been initiated as a direct result of a bi-annual series of meetings known as Japan-Kamchatka-Alaska Subduction Processes (JKASP) workshops that we organize together with colleagues from Hokkaido University, Japan. The most recent JKASP meeting was held in August 2011 in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and brought together more than 130 scientists and students from Russia, Japan, and the United States. The key educational component of our collaborative program

Seismic processes and migration of magma during the Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption of 1975-1976 and Tolbachik Fissure Eruption of 2012-2013, Kamchatka Peninsula

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fedotov, S. A.; Slavina, L. B.; Senyukov, S. L.; Kuchay, M. S.

2015-12-01

Seismic and volcanic processes in the area of the northern group of volcanoes (NGV) in Kamchatka Peninsula that accompanied the Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption (GTFE) of 1975-1976 and the Tolbachik Fissure Eruption (TFE, or "50 let IViS" due to anniversary of the Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Far East Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences) of 2012-2013 and the seismic activity between these events are considered. The features of evolution of seismic processes of the major NGV volcanoes (Ploskii Tolbachik, Klyuchevskoy, Bezymannyi, and Shiveluch) are revealed. The distribution of earthquakes along depth, their spatial and temporal migration, and the relation of seismic and volcanic activity are discussed. The major features of seismic activity during the GTFE preparation and evolution and a development of earthquake series preceding the origin of the northern and southern breaks are described. The character of seismic activity between the GTFE and TFE is shown. The major peculiarities of evolution of seismic activity preceding and accompanying the TFE are described. The major magma sources and conduits of the NGV volcanoes are identified, as is the existence of a main conduit in the mantle and a common intermediate source for the entire NGV, the depth of which is 25-35 km according to seismic data. The depth of a neutral buoyancy layer below the NGV is 15-20 km and the source of areal volcanism of magnesian basalts northeast of the Klyuchevskoy volcano is located at depth of ~20 km. These data support the major properties of a 2010 geophysical model of magmatic feeding system of the Klyuchevskoy group of volcanoes. The present paper covers a wider NGV area and is based on the real experimental observations.

Parametric analysis of lava dome-collapse events and pyroclastic deposits at Shiveluch volcano, Kamchatka, using visible and infrared satellite data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krippner, Janine B.; Belousov, Alexander B.; Belousova, Marina G.; Ramsey, Michael S.

2018-04-01

For the years 2001 to 2013 of the ongoing eruption of Shiveluch volcano, a combination of different satellite remote sensing data are used to investigate the dome-collapse events and the resulting pyroclastic deposits. Shiveluch volcano in Kamchatka, Russia, is one of the world's most active dome-building volcanoes, which has produced some of the largest known historical block-and-ash flows (BAFs). Globally, quantitative data for deposits resulting from such large and long-lived dome-forming eruptions, especially like those at Shiveluch, are scarce. We use Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) thermal infrared (TIR), shortwave infrared (SWIR), and visible-near infrared (VNIR) data to analyze the dome-collapse scars and BAF deposits that were formed during eruptions and collapse events in 2001, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, and two events in 2013. These events produced flows with runout distances of as far as 19 km from the dome, and with aerial extents of as much as 22.3 km2. Over the 12 years of this period of investigation, there is no trend in deposit area or runout distances of the flows through time. However, two potentially predictive features are apparent in our data set: 1) the largest dome-collapse events occurred when the dome exceeded a relative height (from dome base to top) of 500 m; 2) collapses were preceded by thermal anomalies in six of the cases in which ASTER data were available, although the areal extent of these precursory thermal areas did not generally match the size of the collapse events as indicated by scar area (volumes are available for three collapse events). Linking the deposit distribution to the area, location, and temperature profiles of the dome-collapse scars provides a basis for determining similar future hazards at Shiveluch and at other dome-forming volcanoes. Because of these factors, we suggest that volcanic hazard analysis and mitigation at volcanoes with similar BAF emplacement behavior may

Dynamics and viscosity of `a'a and pahoehoe lava flows of the 2012-2013 eruption of Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka (Russia)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belousov, Alexander; Belousova, Marina

2018-01-01

The 2012-2013 flank eruption of Tolbachik volcano (Kamchatka) lasted 9 months and produced 0.54 km3 of basaltic trachyandesite lava, thus becoming one of the most voluminous historical lava effusions of basic composition in subduction-related environments globally. From March to July 2013, the volcano monotonously erupted lava of constant composition (SiO2 = 52 wt%) with a nearly stable effusion rate of 18 m3/s. Despite the uniform eruptive and emplacement conditions, the dominant style of lava propagation throughout that time gradually changed from `a'a to pahoehoe. We report results of instrumental field measurements of the `a'a and pahoehoe flow dynamics (documented with time-lapse cameras) as well as the lava viscosity determined by flow rate and shear stress (using penetrometer) methods. Maximal propagation velocities of the `a'a fronts ranged from 2 to 25 mm/s, and those of the pahoehoe from 0.5 to 6 mm/s. The flow front velocities of both lava types experienced short-period fluctuations that were caused by complex flow mechanics of the advancing flow lobes. Minimal viscosities of lava of the `a'a lobes ranged from 1.3 × 105 to 3.3 × 107 Pa s (flow rate method), and those of the pahoehoe from to 5 × 103 to 5 × 104 Pa s (shear stress method). Our data include the first ever measured profiles of viscosity through the entire thickness of actively advancing pahoehoe lava lobes. We have found that both the `a'a and pahoehoe flows were fed by identical parental lava, which then developed contrasting rheological properties, owing to differences in the process of lava transport over the ground surface. The observed transition from the dominant `a'a to the dominant pahoehoe propagation styles occurred due to gradual elongation and branching of the lava tube system throughout the course of the eruption. Such evolution became possible because the growing lava field, composed of semisolidified flows, provided an environment for shallow subsurface intrusions and

International Volcanological Field School: Introduction to Geohazard Research and Monitoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Izbekov, P. E.; Kravchunovskaya, E. A.; Eichelberger, J. C.; Gordeev, E.; Novik, Y. O.; Chebrov, V. N.

2012-12-01

The Kurile-Kamchatka-Aleutian- Alaska portion of the Pacific Rim of Fire spans nearly 5,400 km. It is home for more than 110 active volcanoes, which produce 4-6 significant explosive eruptions per year. It is also the source of some of the largest tsunami-generating earthquakes in the history of mankind. Volcanic ash clouds and tsunami waves generated in this area travel for thousands of kilometers defying political boundaries, thus making the international cooperation crucial for mitigating geohazards in the Northern Pacifica. In 2003, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, the Vitus Bering Kamchatka State University, with strong support from the Kamchatka Branch of the Geophysical Survey of the Russian Academy of Sciences, have established the International Volcanological Field School. This field camp serves as an introduction to volcanology and covers fundamental aspects of geohazard research and monitoring. Offered at both sides of the Russia-US border, the School attracts students from various disciplines and cultures, providing a direct access to the best examples of explosive volcanism at Katmai National Park in Alaska and at Mutnovsky & Gorely volcanoes in Kamchatka. It complements our efforts to build a strong geoscience community in the Northern Pacifica and serves as an important tool to attract brightest young scientists to geohazard research and monitoring.

Earth observations taken by the Expedition 14 crew

NASA Image and Video Library

2007-03-21

ISS014-E-17165 (21 March 2007) --- A plume at Shiveluch Volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 14 crewmember on the International Space Station. Shiveluch, one of Kamchatka's most active volcanoes, began its latest activity with gas and steam emissions in mid-late March 2007. This image was captured around mid-morning on or around March 21 2007, and shows a steam plume, probably containing minor amounts of ash, blowing westward from the summit of the volcano. The crewmembers were transiting the southern tip of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula; with a clear view of the volcano about 5 degrees north of the ground track of the station. Subsequent eruptions on March 29 and 30 have been recorded by the Kamchatka Volcano Observatory and NASA. The volcano's southern flank, clearly visible in this northeast-looking oblique view, comprises a horseshoe-shaped caldera from a late Pleistocene eruption, subsequently blanketed by additional ash deposits, and highlighted by the snow cover. The peak of Shiveluch is a distinctive brown color due to the removal of snow, exposure of rock forming the summit, and deposits of new ash. The relatively smooth landscape of the south contrasts with the large, steep valleys on the northern slope of the volcano. Low clouds wrap around the eastern part of the mountain, obscuring the lower elevations.

Migration of the FDNPP-derived 134Cs and 137Cs along with 226Ra and 228Ra concentrations across the northwestern North Pacific Ocean.

PubMed

Inoue, M; Shirotani, Y; Nagao, S; Kofuji, H; Volkov, Y N; Nishioka, J

2016-10-01

We examined lateral distributions of 134 Cs, 137 Cs, 226 Ra, and 228 Ra in the surface seawaters around the Kuril Islands and the Kamchatka Peninsula in the northwestern North Pacific Ocean during June 2014. The sampling area included three water current areas, the Oyashio Current, the current from the Okhotsk Sea, and the coastal current along the east Kamchatka Peninsula. 226 Ra and 228 Ra distributions differed along the three currents. Low levels of 134 Cs were detected in the surface waters of the Oyashio Current (0.09-0.35 mBq/L), but it was <∼0.1 mBq/L at the surface along the other two currents. This indicates that the distribution of Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP)-derived radiocesium in surface waters off the Kamchatka and along the Kuril Islands is predominantly governed by the Oyashio current system. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Multiphotonic Confocal Microscopy 3D imaging: Application to mantle sulfides in sub-arc environment (Avacha Volcano, Kamchatka)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Antoine, Bénard; Luc-Serge, Doucet; Sabine, Palle; Dmitri A., Ionov

2010-05-01

Petrogenetic relations in igneous rocks are usually studied in natural samples using classical optical microscopy and subsequent geochemical data acquisition. Multiphotonic Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy (MLSCM) can be a powerful tool to section geological materials optically with sub-micrometric resolution and then generate a three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction (ca. 106 μm3 stack). MLSCM is used here to investigate textural relations of Monosulfide Solid Solution (MSS) with silicate phases in fresh spinel harzburgite xenoliths from the andesitic Avacha volcano (Kamchatka, Russia). The xenoliths contain MSS disseminated in olivine and orthopyroxene (opx) neoblasts as well as MSS-rich quenched magmatic opx veins [1]. First, Reflection Mode (RM) was tested on vein sulfides in resin-impregnated thick (120 μm) polished rock sections. Then we used a combination of Differential Interference Contrast (DIC) with a transmitted light detector, two photons-excited fluorescence (2PEF) and Second Harmonic Generation (SHG). Sequential imaging feature of the Leica TCS-SP2 software was applied. The excitation laser used for 2PEF was a COHERENT MIRA 900 with a 76Hz repetition rate and 800nm wavelength. Image stacks were analysed using ImageJ software [2]. The aim of the tests was to try to discriminate sulfides in silicate matrix as a tool for a better assessment of equilibrium conditions between the two phases. Preliminary results show that Fe-Ni rich MSS from vein and host rock have a strong auto-fluorescence in the Near UV-VIS domain (392-715 nm) whereas silicate matrix is only revealed through DIC. SHG is obtained only from dense nanocentrosymmetrical structures such as embedded medium (organic matter like glue and resin). The three images were recorded sequentially enabling efficient discrimination between the different components of the rock slices. RM permits reconstruction of the complete 3D structure of the rock slice. High resolution (ca. 0.2 μm along X-Y axis vs

Russian eruption warning systems for aviation

USGS Publications Warehouse

Neal, C.; Girina, O.; Senyukov, S.; Rybin, A.; Osiensky, J.; Izbekov, P.; Ferguson, G.

2009-01-01

More than 65 potentially active volcanoes on the Kamchatka Peninsula and the Kurile Islands pose a substantial threat to aircraft on the Northern Pacific (NOPAC), Russian Trans-East (RTE), and Pacific Organized Track System (PACOTS) air routes. The Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) monitors and reports on volcanic hazards to aviation for Kamchatka and the north Kuriles. KVERT scientists utilize real-time seismic data, daily satellite views of the region, real-time video, and pilot and field reports of activity to track and alert the aviation industry of hazardous activity. Most Kurile Island volcanoes are monitored by the Sakhalin Volcanic Eruption Response Team (SVERT) based in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. SVERT uses daily moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite images to look for volcanic activity along this 1,250-km chain of islands. Neither operation is staffed 24 h per day. In addition, the vast majority of Russian volcanoes are not monitored seismically in real-time. Other challenges include multiple time-zones and language differences that hamper communication among volcanologists and meteorologists in the US, Japan, and Russia who share the responsibility to issue official warnings. Rapid, consistent verification of explosive eruptions and determination of cloud heights remain significant technical challenges. Despite these difficulties, in more than a decade of frequent eruptive activity in Kamchatka and the northern Kuriles, no damaging encounters with volcanic ash from Russian eruptions have been recorded. ?? Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2009.

Eruption dynamics and explosive-effusive transitions during the 1400 cal BP eruption of Opala volcano, Kamchatka, Russia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andrews, Benjamin J.; Dufek, Josef; Ponomareva, Vera

2018-05-01

Deposits and pumice from the 1400 cal BP eruption of Opala volcano record activity that occurred at the explosive-effusive transition, resulting in intermittent, or stop-start, behavior, where explosive activity resumed following a pause. The eruption deposited distinctive, biotite-bearing rhyolite tephra across much of Kamchatka, and its stratigraphy consists of a lithic-rich pumice fall, overlain by pumice falls and pyroclastic density deposits, with the proportion of the latter increasing with height. This sequence repeats such that the middle of the total deposit is marked by a lithic-rich fall with abundant obsidian clasts. Notably, the eruptive pumice are poorly vesiculated, with vesicle textures that record fragmentation of a partially collapsed magmatic foam. The eruption vent, Baranii Amphitheater is filled with obsidian lavas of the same composition as the rhyolite tephra. Based upon the stratigraphic and compositional relations, we divide the eruption into four phases. Phase I initiated with eruption of a lithic-rich pumice fall, followed by eruption of Plinian falls and pyroclastic density currents. During Phase II, the eruption paused for at least 5-6 h; in this time, microlites nucleated and began to grow in the magma. Phase III essentially repeated the Phase I sequence. Obsidian lavas were emplaced during Phase IV. The pumice textures suggest that the magma ascended very near the threshold decompression rate for the transition between explosive (fast) and effusive (slow) behavior. The pause during Phase II likely occurred as decompression slowed enough for the magma to develop sufficient permeability for gas to escape resulting in collapse of the magmatic foam, stopping the eruption and temporarily sealing the conduit. After about 5-6 h, eruption resumed with, once again, magma decompressing very near the explosive-effusive transition. Phase III ended when the decompression rate slowed and lava dome emplacement began. Distributions of pumice and

Metagenomic Insights Into the Microbial Community and Nutrient Cycling in the Western Subarctic Pacific Ocean.

PubMed

Li, Yingdong; Jing, Hongmei; Xia, Xiaomin; Cheung, Shunyan; Suzuki, Koji; Liu, Hongbin

2018-01-01

The composition and metabolic functions of prokaryotic communities in the western subarctic Pacific (WSP), where strong mixing of waters from the Sea of Okhotsk and the East Kamchatka Current result in transfer to the Oyashio Current, were investigated using a shotgun metagenome sequencing approach. Functional metabolic genes related to nutrient cycling of nitrogen, sulfur, carbohydrates, iron and amino acids were differently distributed between the surface and deep waters of the WSP. Genes related to nitrogen metabolism were mainly found in deep waters, where Thaumarchaeaota, Sphingomonadales , and Pseudomonadales were closely associated and performing important roles in ammonia oxidation, assimilatory nitrate reduction, and dissimilatory nitrate reduction processes, respectively. In addition, orders affiliated to Spingobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria were crucial for sulfate reduction and abundant at 3000 m, whereas orders affiliated to Gammaproteobacteria , which harbored the most sulfate reduction genes, were abundant at 1000 m. Additionally, when compared with the East Kamchatka Current, the prokaryotes in the Oyashio Current were likely to consume more energy for synthesizing cellular components. Also, genes encoding iron transport and siderophore biosynthesis proteins were in low abundance, indicating that the iron was not a limiting factor in the Oyashio current. In contrast, in the East Kamchatka Current, prokaryotes were more likely to directly utilize the amino acids and absorb iron from the environment. Overall, our data indicated that the transformation from the East Kamchatka Current to the Oyashio Current reshapes not only the composition of microbial community, but also the function of the metabolic processes. These results extended our knowledge of the microbial composition and potential metabolism in the WSP.

Metagenomic Insights Into the Microbial Community and Nutrient Cycling in the Western Subarctic Pacific Ocean

PubMed Central

Li, Yingdong; Jing, Hongmei; Xia, Xiaomin; Cheung, Shunyan; Suzuki, Koji; Liu, Hongbin

2018-01-01

The composition and metabolic functions of prokaryotic communities in the western subarctic Pacific (WSP), where strong mixing of waters from the Sea of Okhotsk and the East Kamchatka Current result in transfer to the Oyashio Current, were investigated using a shotgun metagenome sequencing approach. Functional metabolic genes related to nutrient cycling of nitrogen, sulfur, carbohydrates, iron and amino acids were differently distributed between the surface and deep waters of the WSP. Genes related to nitrogen metabolism were mainly found in deep waters, where Thaumarchaeaota, Sphingomonadales, and Pseudomonadales were closely associated and performing important roles in ammonia oxidation, assimilatory nitrate reduction, and dissimilatory nitrate reduction processes, respectively. In addition, orders affiliated to Spingobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria were crucial for sulfate reduction and abundant at 3000 m, whereas orders affiliated to Gammaproteobacteria, which harbored the most sulfate reduction genes, were abundant at 1000 m. Additionally, when compared with the East Kamchatka Current, the prokaryotes in the Oyashio Current were likely to consume more energy for synthesizing cellular components. Also, genes encoding iron transport and siderophore biosynthesis proteins were in low abundance, indicating that the iron was not a limiting factor in the Oyashio current. In contrast, in the East Kamchatka Current, prokaryotes were more likely to directly utilize the amino acids and absorb iron from the environment. Overall, our data indicated that the transformation from the East Kamchatka Current to the Oyashio Current reshapes not only the composition of microbial community, but also the function of the metabolic processes. These results extended our knowledge of the microbial composition and potential metabolism in the WSP. PMID:29670596

Thermoanaerobacter uzonensis sp. nov., an anaerobic thermophilic bacterium isolated from a hot spring within the Uzon Caldera, Kamchatka, Far East Russia.

PubMed

Wagner, Isaac D; Zhao, Weidong; Zhang, Chuanlun L; Romanek, Christopher S; Rohde, Manfred; Wiegel, Juergen

2008-11-01

Several strains of heterotrophic, anaerobic thermophilic bacteria were isolated from hot springs of the Uzon Caldera, Kamchatka, Far East Russia. Strain JW/IW010(T) was isolated from a hot spring within the West sector of the Eastern Thermal field, near Pulsating Spring in the Winding Creek area. Cells of strain JW/IW010(T) were straight to slightly curved rods, 0.5 mum in width and variable in length from 2 to 5 mum and occasionally up to 15 mum, and formed oval subterminal spores. Cells stained Gram-negative, but were Gram-type positive. Growth was observed between 32.5 and 69 degrees C with an optimum around 61 degrees C (no growth occurred at or below 30 degrees C, or at or above 72 degrees C). The pH(60 degrees C) range for growth was 4.2-8.9 with an optimum at 7.1 (no growth occurred at or below pH(60 degrees C) 3.9, or at 9.2 or above). The shortest observed doubling-time at pH(60 degrees C) 6.9 and 61 degrees C was 30 min. Strain JW/IW010(T) was chemo-organotrophic; yeast extract, peptone, Casamino acids and tryptone supported growth. Yeast extract was necessary for the utilization of non-proteinaceous substrates, and growth was observed with inulin, cellobiose, maltose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, galactose, mannose, xylose, trehalose, mannitol, pyruvate and crotonate. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain JW/IW010(T) was 33.6 mol% (HPLC method). The major phospholipid fatty acids were iso-15 : 0 (53.5 %), 15 : 0 (11.8 %), 16 : 0 (7.3 %), 10-methyl 16 : 0 (7.3 %) and anteiso-15 : 0 (5.3 %). 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis placed strain JW/IW010(T) in the genus Thermoanaerobacter of the family 'Thermoanaerobacteriaceae' (Firmicutes), with Thermoanaerobacter sulfurigignens JW/SL-NZ826(T) (97 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Thermoanaerobacter kivui DSM 2030(T) (94.5 %) as the closest phylogenetic relatives with validly published names. The level of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain JW/IW010(T) and Thermoanaerobacter sulfurigignens JW/SL-NZ826

Shiveluch and Klyuchevskaya Volcanoes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2007-01-01

A distance of about 80 kilometers (50 miles) separates Shiveluch and Klyuchevskaya Volcanoes on Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula. Despite this distance, however, the two acted in unison on April 26, 2007, when the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) on NASA's Terra satellite caught them both erupting simultaneously. ASTER 'sees' a slightly different portion of the light spectrum than human eyes. Besides a portion of visible light, ASTER detects thermal energy, meaning it can detect volcanic activity invisible to human eyes. Inset in each image above is a thermal infrared picture of the volcano's summit. In these insets, dark red shows where temperatures are coolest, and yellowish-white shows where temperatures are hottest, heated by molten lava. Both insets show activity at the crater. In the case of Klyuchevskaya, some activity at the crater is also visible in the larger image. In the larger images, the landscapes around the volcanoes appear in varying shades of blue-gray. Dark areas on the snow surface are likely stains left over from previous eruptions of volcanic ash. Overhead, clouds dot the sky, casting their shadows on the snow, especially southeast of Shiveluch and northeast of Klyuchevskaya. To the northwest of Klyuchevskaya is a large bank of clouds, appearing as a brighter white than the snow surface. Shiveluch (sometimes spelled Sheveluch) and Klyuchevskaya (sometimes spelled Klyuchevskoy or Kliuchevskoi) are both stratovolcanoes composed of alternating layers of hardened lava, solidified ash, and rocks from earlier eruptions. Both volcanoes rank among Kamchatka's most active. Because Kamchatka is part of the Pacific 'Ring of Fire,' the peninsula experiences regular seismic activity as the Pacific Plate slides below other tectonic plates in the Earth's crust. Large-scale plate tectonic activity causing simultaneous volcanic eruptions in Kamchatka is not uncommon.

Kamchatka and North Kurile Volcano Explosive Eruptions in 2015 and Danger to Aviation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Girina, Olga; Melnikov, Dmitry; Manevich, Alexander; Demyanchuk, Yury; Nuzhdaev, Anton; Petrova, Elena

2016-04-01

There are 36 active volcanoes in the Kamchatka and North Kurile, and several of them are continuously active. In 2015, four of the Kamchatkan volcanoes (Sheveluch, Klyuchevskoy, Karymsky and Zhupanovsky) and two volcanoes of North Kurile (Alaid and Chikurachki) had strong and moderate explosive eruptions. Moderate gas-steam activity was observing of Bezymianny, Kizimen, Avachinsky, Koryaksky, Gorely, Mutnovsky and other volcanoes. Strong explosive eruptions of volcanoes are the most dangerous for aircraft because they can produce in a few hours or days to the atmosphere and the stratosphere till several cubic kilometers of volcanic ash and aerosols. Ash plumes and the clouds, depending on the power of the eruption, the strength and wind speed, can travel thousands of kilometers from the volcano for several days, remaining hazardous to aircraft, as the melting temperature of small particles of ash below the operating temperature of jet engines. The eruptive activity of Sheveluch volcano began since 1980 (growth of the lava dome) and is continuing at present. Strong explosive events of the volcano occurred in 2015: on 07, 12, and 15 January, 01, 17, and 28 February, 04, 08, 16, 21-22, and 26 March, 07 and 12 April: ash plumes rose up to 7-12 km a.s.l. and extended more 900 km to the different directions of the volcano. Ashfalls occurred at Ust'-Kamchatsk on 16 March, and Klyuchi on 30 October. Strong and moderate hot avalanches from the lava dome were observing more often in the second half of the year. Aviation color code of Sheveluch was Orange during the year. Activity of the volcano was dangerous to international and local aviation. Explosive-effusive eruption of Klyuchevskoy volcano lasted from 01 January till 24 March. Strombolian explosive volcanic activity began from 01 January, and on 08-09 January a lava flow was detected at the Apakhonchich chute on the southeastern flank of the volcano. Vulcanian activity of the volcano began from 10 January. Ashfalls

Are U-Series Disequilibria Transparent to Crustal Processing of Magma? A Case Study at Bezymianny and Klyuchevskoy Volcanoes, Kamchatka, Russia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kayzar, T. M.; Nelson, B. K.; Bachmann, O.; Portnyagin, M.; Ponomareva, V.

2010-12-01

Disequilibria in the short-lived uranium-series isotopic system can provide timescales of magma production, modification and transport in all tectonic settings. In volcanic arcs, the field has converged on the concept that (238U/230Th) and (226Ra/230Th) activities greater than one are a result of fluid fluxing from the slab to mantle wedge, and that the preservation of (226Ra/230Th) disequilibria requires rapid transport of melts from the mantle wedge to the surface (226Ra returns to equilibrium with 230Th in ~8000 years). The need for rapid transport coupled with the incompatibility of U-series elements suggest that U-series fractionation is not measurably affected by crustal processes. However, some well-studied arc systems, including the very productive Central Kamchatka Depression (CKD) of the Kamchatkan volcanic arc, show U-series data that are in conflict with this commonly accepted model. Our study focuses on two neighboring volcanic systems, Bezymianny and Klyuchevskoy volcanoes in the CKD. Separated by ~10km, these two systems are thought to share the same mantle source. Klyuchevskoy has primitive compositions (51-56 wt%) while Bezymianny erupts more differentiated andesites (57-63 wt% SiO2); therefore, by examining the U-series signals in these two systems it is possible to decouple a primary signal from one having undergone crustal processing. We record whole rock (238U/230Th) values for Bezymianny ranging from 0.94 to 0.96 in modern eruptive products, while (226Ra/230Th) are >1. We also observe a similar signal in older (212-6791BP) tephra deposits from Klyuchevskoy, measuring (238U/230Th) of 0.92-0.99 (unpublished data, collaborative research with the KALMAR project). (238U/230Th) <1 in arcs have mostly been reported from areas of thick continental crust (Andes; Sigmarsson et al. 1998, Garrison et al. 2006, Jicha et al. 2007) or from an arc where phases such as garnet and/or Al-rich clinopyroxene can retain a high U/Th in the crystalline residue (Jicha

NASA Spacecraft Spots Signs of Erupting Russian Volcano

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-05-20

Winter still grips the volcanoes on Russia Kamchatka peninsula. NASA Terra spacecraft acquired this image showing the mantle of white, disturbed by dark ash entirely covering Sheveluch volcano from recent eruptions.

Earth Observation taken by the Expedition 25 crew

NASA Image and Video Library

2010-11-19

ISS025-E-017440 (19 Nov. 2010) --- Kamchatka volcanoes are featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 25 crew member on the International Space Station. This striking photograph features several snow-covered volcanoes located on the Kamchatka Peninsula of the Russian Federation, as seen from the orbital perspective of the International Space Station (ISS). This image also illustrates one of the unique attributes provided by the ISS – the ability to view Earth landscapes at an angle, rather than the “straight down” view typical of many orbital satellite-based sensors. This oblique view, together with shadows cast by the volcanoes and other mountains provides perspective about the setting and a sense of topography of the region, especially highlighting the symmetrical cones of Kronotsky (center) and Kizimen (top right) stratovolcanoes. Kizimen Volcano last erupted in 1928, while Kronotsky Volcano—one of the largest on the peninsula—last erupted in 1923. Schmidt Volcano, located to the north of Kronotsky, has the morphology of a shield volcano and is not known to have erupted during the period of historical record. To the south of Kronotsky is Krasheninnikov Volcano, comprised of two overlapping stratovolcanoes that formed within an earlier caldera. Scientists believe Krasheninnikov may have last erupted in 1550. The two summit craters of the stratovolcanoes are clearly visible in this image (lower left). Lake Kronotsky (left) is Kamchatka’s largest lake; it was formed when lava flows from Kronotsky Volcano dammed the Listvenichnaya River. The Kamchatka Peninsula lies along the so-called “Ring of Fire” in the Pacific Ocean. The Ring of Fire is characterized by the presence of active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes; these are associated with the many active subduction and transform boundary zones that ring the Pacific tectonic plate. According to scientists, there are currently 114 volcanoes identified on the Kamchatka Peninsula that have

Introduction to the 2012-2013 Tolbachik eruption special issue

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Edwards, Benjamin R.; Belousov, Alexander; Belousova, Marina; Volynets, Anna

2015-12-01

The Tolbachik volcanic complex in central Kamchatka holds a special place in global volcanological studies. It is one of 4 areas of extensive historic volcanic activity in the northern part of the Central Kamchatka Depression (the others being Klyuchevskoy, Bezymianny, Shiveluch), and is part of the Klyuchevskoy volcanic group, which is one of the most active areas of volcanism on Earth. Tolbachik is especially well-known due largely to the massive 1975-1976 eruption that became known as the Great Tolbachik Fissure eruption (GTFE; Fedotov, 1983; Fedotov et al., 1984). This was one of the first eruptions in Russia to be predicted based on precursory seismic activity, based on M5 earthquakes approximately one week before the eruption started, and was intensively studied during its course by a large number of Russian scientists. A summary of those studies was published, first in Russian and then in English, and it became widely read for many reasons. One in particular is that the eruption was somewhat unusual for a subduction zone setting; although many subduction zone stratovolcanoes have associated basaltic tephra cone-lava fields, this was the first such Hawaiian-style eruption to be widely observed. After the end of the eruption in 1976, the complex showed no signs of activity until 27 November 2012, when increased seismic activity was registered by the Kamchatka Branch of the Russian Geophysical Survey and a red glow from the eruption site was first noticed through the snowstorm haze. This prompted them, and then the Kamchatka Volcanic Emergency Response Team (KVERT) to issue an alert that activity was coming from the south flank of Plosky Tolbachik volcano, the younger of two volcanic edifices (the older is Ostry Tolbachik) that together make up the bulk of the complex along with tephra cone-lava fields that lie along a NE-SW fissure zone that transects Plosky Tolbachik. The new eruption lasted for more than 250 days and, like the 1975-1976 eruption, was

NASA Spacecraft Spots Large Eruption of Russian Volcano

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-06-07

NASA Terra spacecraft acquired this image on June 2, 2012 of Sheveluch, one of the most active volcanoes on the Kamchatka peninsula, with frequent explosive events that can disrupt air traffic over the northern Pacific.

NASA Satellite Captures New Russian Volcanic Eruption

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-02-15

NASA Terra spacecraft reveals the still-active lava flows in the snowy winter landscape of Plosky Tolbachik volcano, which erupted for the first time in 35 years on Nov. 27, 2012, in Russia far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula.

Earth Observation

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-06-12

Earth Observation taken during a day pass by the Expedition 40 crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Folder lists this as: Moon, Japan, Kamchatka with a wild cloud. Part of a solar array is also visible.

NASA Spacecraft Captures Fury of Russian Volcano

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-01-27

This nighttime thermal infrared image from NASA Terra spacecraft shows Shiveluch volcano, one of the largest and most active volcanoes in Russia Kamchatka Peninsula; the bright, hot summit lava dome is evident in the center of the image.

[Genogeographic variability and genetic differentiation of the root vole (Microtus oeconomus Pallas, 1776, Cricetidae, Rodentia) from the Kuril Islands].

PubMed

Frisman, L V; Kartavtseva, I V; Kostenko, V A; Sheremet'eva, I N; Cherniavskiĭ, F B

2003-10-01

Electrophoretic analysis of 12 enzyme systems and 3 nonenzyme proteins (in all, 24 interpretable loci) was carried out for Microtus oeconomus from ten Kuril islands, Kamchatka Peninsula, and the vicinity of the city of Magadan. Gene geographic variation was examined and the coefficients of genetic variation and differentiation were estimated. The inter-population allozyme differentiation was low (DNEI, 1972 not higher than 0.053) and caused by variation in the allele frequencies of polymorphic loci. The greatest genetic distances were found between the populations belonging to different subspecies. Allozyme differentiation of Far Eastern M. oeconomus and M. fortis are discussed in relation to the data on the age of the island isolation and paleontological records. Karyological analysis (G-, C-, and NOR-banding) demonstrated the absence of differences between M. oeconomus from Kamchatka and the vicinity of Magadan.

Childhood in National Consciousness and National Consciousness in Childhood.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Koester, David

1997-01-01

Examines the place of national imagery and the experience of the nation in childhood. Draws a comparison between such experiences in Iceland and Kamchatka, Russia. Describes ways in which these experiences become resources for expressing a distinct national identity. (EV)

Earth Observation

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-06-12

Earth Observation taken during a day pass by the Expedition 40 crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Folder lists this as: Moon, Japan, Kamchatka with a wild cloud. Part of the U.S. Lab and PMM are also visible.

Recognizing subtle evidence for silicic magma derivation from petrochemically-similar arc crust: Isotopic and chemical evidence for the bimodal volcanic series of Gorely Volcanic Center, Kamchatka, Russia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seligman, A. N.; Bindeman, I. N.; Ellis, B. S.; Ponomareva, V.; Leonov, V.

2012-12-01

The Kamchatka Peninsula is home to some of the most prolific subduction related volcanic activity in the world. Gorely caldera and its central volcano are located in the rear of its currently active Eastern Volcanic Front. Recent work determined the presence of explosive ignimbrite eruptions sourced from Gorely volcano during the Pleistocene. We studied 32 eruptive units, including tephrochronologically-dated Holocene tephra, stratigraphically-arranged ignimbrites, as well as pre- and post-caldera lavas. We analyzed oxygen isotope ratios of pyroxene and plagioclase grains by laser fluorination, and major and trace element compositions of whole rocks. In addition, we determined 87Sr/86Sr and 143Nd/144Nd ratios of caldera-forming ignimbrite eruptions. Chemical compositions show that Gorely eruptive units range from basalt to basaltic andesite in the "Pra-Gorely" stages prior to caldera formation and the modern Gorely stages forming its current edifice. In contrast, eruptive material from earlier ignimbrites exposed at Opasny Ravine consists primarily of dacite. Whole rock analyses for Gorely indicate that silicic rocks and ignimbrites volumetrically dominate all other products, forming separate bimodal peaks in our SiO2-frequency diagram. In addition, trace element concentrations and ratios define two trends, one for more silicic and another for more mafic material. δ18Omelt values range from a low of 4.85 up to 6.22‰, where the lowest value was found in the last caldera forming eruption, suggesting incorporation of hydrothermally-altered material from earlier eruptions. 87Sr/86Sr and 143Nd/144Nd ratios range from 0.70328 to 0.70351 and from 0.51303 to 0.51309 respectively, with higher and more diverse values being characteristic of earlier ignimbrite units; again suggesting incorporation of surrounding crustal material. In contrast to these results, MELTS modeling using a variety of likely primitive basalts from Gorely shows it is possible to obtain silicic

Earth Observations taken by the Expedition 15 Crew

NASA Image and Video Library

2007-07-10

ISS015-E-16913 (10 July 2007) --- Shiveluch Volcano, Kamchatka, Russian Far East is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 15 crewmember on the International Space Station. Shiveluch is one of the biggest and most active of a line of volcanoes along the spine of the Kamchatka peninsula in easternmost Russia. In turn the volcanoes and peninsula are part of the tectonically active "Ring of Fire" that almost surrounds the Pacific Ocean, denoted by active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes. Shiveluch occupies the point where the northeast-trending Kamchatka volcanic line intersects the northwest-trending Aleutian volcanic line. Junctions such as this are typically points of intense volcanic activity. According to scientists, the summit rocks of Shiveluch have been dated at approximately 65,000 years old. Lava layers on the sides of the volcano reveal at least 60 major eruptions in the last 10,000 years, making it the most active volcano in the 2,200 kilometer distance that includes the Kamchatka peninsula and the Kuril island chain. Shiveluch rises from almost sea level to well above 3,200 miles (summit altitude 3,283 miles) and is often capped with snow. In this summer image however, the full volcano is visible, actively erupting ash and steam in late June or early July, 2007. The dull brown plume extending from the north of the volcano summit is most likely a combination of ash and steam (top). The two larger white plumes near the summit are dominantly steam, a common adjunct to eruptions, as rain and melted snow percolate down to the hot interior of the volcano. The sides of the volcano show many eroded stream channels. The south slope also reveals a long sloping apron of collapsed material, or pyroclastic flows. Such debris flows have repeatedly slid down and covered the south side of the volcano during major eruptions when the summit lava domes explode and collapse (this occurred during major eruptions in 1854 and 1964). Regrowth of the forest on the

Earth Observations taken by the Expedition 27 Crew

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-05-02

ISS027-E-020395 (2 May 2011) --- Avachinsky Volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 27 crew member on the International Space Station. The Kamchatka Peninsula, located along the Pacific ?ring of fire?, includes more than 100 identified volcanoes. While most of these volcanoes are not actively erupting, many are considered to be dangerous due to their past eruptive history and proximity to population centers and air travel corridors. This detailed photograph highlights the summit crater and snow-covered upper slopes of the Avachinsky stratovolcano exposed above a surrounding cloud deck. The 2,741-meter-high Avachinsky volcano has an extensive historical and geological record of eruptions with the latest activity observed in 2008. The large city of Petropavlovsk, Kamchatka is located approximately 25 kilometers to the southwest and, according to scientists, is built over approximately 30,000 ? 40,000 year old debris avalanche deposits that originated from Avachinsky ? suggesting that the city may be at risk from a similar hazard in the future. To the southeast (right), the large breached crater of Kozelsky Volcano is also visible above the clouds. Kozelsky is a parasitic cone, formed by the eruption of material from vents along the flank of Avachinsky volcano. The topography of the volcanoes is accentuated by shadows produced by the relatively low sun angle, and by the oblique viewing angle. Oblique images are taken looking outwards at an angle from the International Space Station, rather than the ?straight down? (or nadir) view typical of most orbital Earth-observing sensor systems.

Sea Urchin Embryogenesis as Bioindicators of Marine Pollution in Impact Areas of the Sea of Japan/East Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk.

PubMed

Lukyanova, Olga N; Zhuravel, Elena V; Chulchekov, Denis N; Mazur, Andrey A

2017-08-01

The embryogenesis of the sea urchin sand dollar Scaphechinus mirabilis was used as bioindicators of seawater quality from the impact areas of the Sea of Japan/East Sea (Peter the Great Bay) and the Sea of Okhotsk (northwestern shelf of Sakhalin Island and western shelf of Kamchatka Peninsula). Fertilization membrane formation, first cleavage, blastula formation, gastrulation, and 2-armed and 4-armed pluteus formation have been analyzed and a number of abnormalities were calculated. Number of embryogenesis anomalies in sand dollar larvae exposed to sea water from different stations in Peter the Great Bay corresponds to pollution level at each area. The Sea of Okhotsk is the main fishing area for Russia. Anthropogenic impact on the marine ecosystem is caused by fishing and transport vessels mainly. But two shelf areas are considered as "hot spots" due to oil and gas drilling. Offshore oil exploitation on the northeastern Sakhalin Island has been started and at present time oil is being drill on oil-extracting platforms continuously. Significant reserves of hydrocarbons are prospected on western Kamchatka shelf, and exploitation drilling in this area was intensified in 2014. A higher number of abnormalities at gastrula and pluteus stages (19-36%) were detected for the stations around oil platforms near Sakhalin Island. On the western Kamchatka shelf number of abnormalities was 7-21%. Such anomalies as exogastrula, incomplete development of pairs of arms were not observed at all; only the delay of development was registered. Eggs, embryos, and larvae of sea urchins are the suitable bioindicators of early disturbances caused by marine pollution in impact ecosystems.

NASA Terra Spacecraft Images Russian Volcanic Eruption

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-01-16

Plosky Tolbachik volcano in Russia far eastern Kamchatka peninsula erupted on Nov. 27, 2012, for the first time in 35 years, sending clouds of ash to the height of more than 9,800 feet 3,000 meters in this image from NASA Terra spacecraft.

78 FR 29248 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Revise Maximum Retainable Amounts of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-05-20

... (and other species in the future) to the Western Alaska Community Development Quota (CDQ) Program in... this determination will be made in future harvest specifications should new TAC categories be created... the CDQ Program in the future. These regulatory amendments are required to manage Kamchatka flounder...

75 FR 76372 - Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands; Proposed...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-08

... intends to have the information available for the assessment cycle in the fall of 2011. At the October... sole, rock sole, Kamchatka flounder, sharks, squid, sculpins, and octopus to be included in the final... flounder, Greenland turbot, rock sole, Alaska plaice, other flatfish, and rougheye rockfish. The biomass...

50 CFR Table 2a to Part 679 - Species Codes: FMP Groundfish

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

.... polyspinis) 136 Pacific Ocean Perch (S. alutus) 141 Pygmy (S. wilsoni) 179 Quillback (S. maliger) 147... Alaska plaice 133 Arrowtooth 121 Bering 116 Kamchatka 117 Starry 129 Octopus, North Pacific 870 Pacific...) 710 Sculpins 160 SHARKS Other (if salmon, spiny dogfish or Pacific sleeper shark—use specific species...

50 CFR Table 2a to Part 679 - Species Codes: FMP Groundfish

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

.... polyspinis) 136 Pacific Ocean Perch (S. alutus) 141 Pygmy (S. wilsoni) 179 Quillback (S. maliger) 147... Alaska plaice 133 Arrowtooth 121 Bering 116 Kamchatka 117 Starry 129 Octopus, North Pacific 870 Pacific...) 710 Sculpins 160 SHARKS Other (if salmon, spiny dogfish or Pacific sleeper shark—use specific species...

50 CFR Table 2a to Part 679 - Species Codes: FMP Groundfish

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

.... polyspinis) 136 Pacific Ocean Perch (S. alutus) 141 Pygmy (S. wilsoni) 179 Quillback (S. maliger) 147... Alaska plaice 133 Arrowtooth 121 Bering 116 Kamchatka 117 Starry 129 Octopus, North Pacific 870 Pacific...) 710 Sculpins 160 SHARKS Other (if salmon, spiny dogfish or Pacific sleeper shark—use specific species...

Taxonomy and Distribution of Freshwater Pearl Mussels (Unionoida: Margaritiferidae) of the Russian Far East

PubMed Central

Bolotov, Ivan N.; Bespalaya, Yulia V.; Vikhrev, Ilya V.; Aksenova, Olga V.; Aspholm, Paul E.; Gofarov, Mikhail Y.; Klishko, Olga K.; Kolosova, Yulia S.; Kondakov, Alexander V.; Lyubas, Artyom A.; Paltser, Inga S.; Konopleva, Ekaterina S.; Tumpeesuwan, Sakboworn; Bolotov, Nikita I.; Voroshilova, Irina S.

2015-01-01

The freshwater pearl mussel family Margaritiferidae includes 13 extant species, which are all listed by IUCN as endangered or vulnerable taxa. In this study, an extensive spatial sampling of Margaritifera spp. across the Russian Far East (Amur Basin, Kamchatka Peninsula, Kurile Archipelago and Sakhalin Island) was conducted for a revision of their taxonomy and distribution ranges. Based on their DNA sequences, shell and soft tissue morphology, three valid species were identified: Margaritifera dahurica (Middendorff, 1850), M. laevis (Haas, 1910) and M. middendorffi (Rosén, 1926). M. dahurica ranges across the Amur basin and some of the nearest river systems. M. laevis is distributed in Japan, Sakhalin Island and the Kurile Archipelago. M. middendorffi was previously considered an endemic species of the Kamchatka. However, it is widespread in the rivers of Kamchatka, Sakhalin Island, the Kurile Islands (across the Bussol Strait, which is the most significant biogeographical boundary within the archipelago), and, likely, in Japan. The Japanese species M. togakushiensis Kondo & Kobayashi, 2005 seems to be conspecific with M. middendorffi because of similar morphological patterns, small shell size (<100 mm long) and overlapped ranges, but it is in need of a separate revision. Phylogenetic analysis reveals that two NW Pacific margaritiferid species, M. laevis and M. middendorffi, formed a monophyletic 18S rDNA clade together with the North American species M. marrianae and M. falcata. The patterns that were found in these Margaritifera spp. are similar to those of freshwater fishes, indicating multiple colonizations of Eastern Asia by different mitochondrial lineages, including an ancient Beringian exchange between freshwater faunas across the Pacific. PMID:26011762

Space Radar Image of Kliuchevskoi, Russia

NASA Image and Video Library

1999-05-01

This is an X-band seasonal image of the Maly Semlyachik volcano, which is part of the Karymsky volcano group on Kamchatka peninsula, Russia. The image is centered at 54.2 degrees north latitude and 159.6 degrees east longitude. This image was acquired by the Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C and X-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SIR-C/X-SAR) aboard the space shuttle Endeavour on April 9, 1994, during the first flight of the radar system, and on September 30, 1994, during the second flight. The image channels have been assigned the following colors: red corresponds to data acquired on April 9; green corresponds to data acquired on September 30; and blue corresponds to the ratio between data from April 9 and September 30, 1994. Kamchatka is twice as large as England, Scotland and Wales combined and is home to approximately 470,000 residents. The region is characterized by a chain of volcanoes stretching 800 kilometers (500 miles) across the countryside. Many of the volcanoes, including the active Maly Semlyachik volcano in this image, have erupted during this century. But the most active period in creating the three characteristic craters of this volcano goes back 20,000, 12,000 and 2,000 years ago. The highest summit of the oldest crater reaches about 1,560 meters (1,650 feet). The radar images reveal the geological structures of craters and lava flows in order to improve scientists' knowledge of these sometimes vigorously active volcanoes. This seasonal composite also highlights the ecological differences that have occurred between April and October 1994. In April the whole area was snow-covered and, at the coast, an ice sheet extended approximately 5 kilometers (3 miles) into the sea. The area shown surrounding the volcano is covered by low vegetation much like scrub. Kamchatka also has extensive forests, which belong to the northern frontier of Taiga, the boreal forest ecosystem. This region plays an important role in the world's carbon cycle. Trees require 60 years to

Protecting ecotourism resources in a time of rapid economic and environmental transformation in Asia

Treesearch

Alan Watson; Dave Ostergren; Peter Fix; Bill Overbaugh; Dan McCollum; Linda Kruger; Martha Madsen; He Yang

2009-01-01

In the Far East of Russia, similar to many places in Asia, ecotourism and the environment are in transition. A science team, cooperating with the United Nations Development Programme project "Demonstrating Sustainable Conservation of Biological Diversity in Four Protected Territories in the Kamchatka Region, Russian Federation," is working to provide vital...

Ash Plume from Shiveluch

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-10-09

When NASA’s Terra satellite passed over Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula at noon local time (00:00 Universal Time) on October 6, 2012, Shilveluch Volcano was quiet. By the time NASA’s Aqua satellite passed over the area two hours later (bottom image), the volcano had erupted and sent a plume of ash over the Kamchatskiy Zaliv. The plume traveled about 90 kilometers (55 miles) toward the south-southeast, where a change in wind direction began pushing the plume toward the east. On October 6, 2012, the Kamchatka Volcanic Emergency Response Team (KVERT) reported that the ash plume from Shiveluch reached an altitude of 3 kilometers (9,800 feet) above sea level, and had traveled some 220 kilometers (140 miles) from the volcano summit. Shiveluch (also spelled Sheveluch) ranks among the biggest and most active volcanoes on the Kamchatka Peninsula. Rising to 3,283 meters (10,771 feet) above sea level, Shiveluch is a stratovolcano composed of alternating layers of hardened lava, compacted ash, and rocks ejected by previous eruptions. The beige-colored expanse of rock on the volcano’s southern slopes (visible in both images) is due to an explosive eruption that occurred in 1964. Part of Shiveluch’s southern flank collapsed, and the light-colored rock is avalanche debris left by that event. High-resolution imagery of Shiveluch shows very little vegetation within that avalanche zone. On October 6, 2012, KVERT cited observations from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instruments on Terra and Aqua in detecting the Shiveluch eruption. This was not the first time that MODIS observed a Shiveluch eruption shortly after it started. In 2007, MODIS captured an image within minutes of the eruption’s start, before winds could blow the ash away from the summit. When NASA’s Terra satellite passed over Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula at noon local time (00:00 Universal Time) on October 6, 2012, Shilveluch Volcano was quiet (top image). By the time NASA�

Exploring Paleoclimatic and -Oceanographic Consequences for Arctic Beringia by the Eocene Formation and Progressive E-W Lengthening of the Aleutian Ridge (arc) Across the North Pacific Basin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scholl, D. W.

2013-12-01

INTRODUCTION: During the past ~50 Myr, magmatic growth of the offshore Aleutian Ridge (AR) or arc and its progressive tectonic lengthening to the west cordoned off the NW corner of the Pacific Basin to formed the deep water (3000-4000 m), marginal sea of the Bering Sea Basin (BSB). Cordoning continuously altered the paths, depths, and locations of water-exchange passes controlling the circulation of waters between the north Pacific and the Bering Sea (BS), and, via the fixed Bering Strait, that entering the Pacific sector of the Arctic Basin. PRESENT PATTERN OF PACIFIC-BERING-ARCTIC WATER EXCHANGE: Cool, low salinity water of the Alaska Stream flowing west along the Pacific side of the AR crosses northward into the BS via tectonically controlled, inter-island passes. The largest volume (~9 SV) enters near the western end of the AR via Near Pass. Flow turns back to the east and CCW northward over the BSB. Surface water exits southward around the western end of the AR through the far western, deep-water (~4000 m) pass of Kamchatka Strait. Because water salinity is low, vertical thermohaline circulation (THC) does not occur over the BSB. However, the deposition of the larger Meiji Drift body, which is charged with Bering-sourced, detritus, on the Pacific side of Kamchatka Strait implies THC may have occurred in the past. Deep-water circulation is presently linked to the inflow of Pacific abyssal water via Kamchatka Strait. A small volume (~0.8 SV) of cool, low salinity water entering the BS mainly through eastern, shallow-silled passes continues northward across the broad Beringian shelf to enter the Arctic Ocean via the Bering Strait. EVOLUTION OF ALEUTIAN RIDGE: At it's inception, the arc massif of the AR likely extended only about 1200 km west of Alaska. Because convergence is increasingly oblique to the west, plate-boundary-driven, right-lateral strike-slip faulting extensionally fragmented the AR and progressively rotated and transported blocks and slivers

Earth Observation taken by the Expedition 33 crew

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-11-09

ISS033-E-019822 (9 Nov. 2012) --- An eruption plume from the Karymsky volcano on the Kamchatka Peninsula in the Russian Federation is visible in this image photographed by an Expedition 33 crew member on the International Space Station. The Karymsky stratovolcano stands 1,536 meters above sea level, with most eruptions and occasional lava flows originating from the summit. Karymsky is the most active of Kamchatka’s eastern volcanoes, with almost constant (on a geologic time scale) volcanism occurring since at least the late 18th century when the historical record for the region begins. In light of the high levels of volcanic activity on the Kamchatka Peninsula, the Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) monitors the activity levels of several volcanoes and issues updates including aviation alerts and webcams. KVERT reported moderate seismic activity at Karymsky during 2-9 Nov. 2012; such activity can indicate movement of magma beneath or within a volcanic structure and can indicate that an eruption is imminent. The Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC) subsequently reported an explosive eruption at Karymsky on Nov. 9, 2012 at 22:15 GMT. This photograph of the resulting ash plume was taken approximately one hour and 35 minutes after the eruption began. The plume extends from the summit of Karymsky (bottom center) to the southeast, with brown ash deposits darkening the snow cover below the plume. The Akademia Nauk caldera – now filled with water to form the present-day Karymsky Lake - is located to the south of Karymsky volcano. Calderas are formed by explosive eruption and emptying of a volcano’s magma chamber – leading to collapse of the structure to form a large crater-like depression. Akademia Nauk last erupted in 1996.

Onekotan Island, Kurile Chain, Russia as seen from STS-59

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1994-01-01

The narrow end of Onekotan Island is to the north by northeast. This is one of several volcanic islands extending south by southwest between the southern tip of Kamchatka and Japan. The exposure was stopped down to provide extremely fine detail in the totally snow-covered landscape, at the same time making the dark sea look completely black.

On the carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon benzo(a)pyrene in volcano exhausts.

PubMed

Ilnitsky, A P; Belitsky, G A; Shabad, L M

1976-05-01

The content of benzo(a)pyrene in the juvenile ashes of the volcano Tyatya (Kunashir Island, Kuriles) and in the soil, vegetation and volcanic mud collected near volcanos in Kamchatka was studied. It was concluded that volcanic activity does not play a large role in forming the background level of this carcinogen in the human environment.

Seismic Propagation in the Kuriles/Kamchatka Region

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-07-25

model the final profile is well-represented by a spline interpolation. Figure 7 shows the sampling grid used to input velocity perturbations due to the...A modification of Cagniard’s method for s~ lving seismic pulse problems, Appl. Sci. Res. B., 8, p. 349, 1960. Fuchs, K. and G. Muller, Computation of

Chlorine and fluorine partition coefficients and abundances in sub-arc mantle xenoliths (Kamchatka, Russia): Implications for melt generation and volatile recycling processes in subduction zones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bénard, A.; Koga, K. T.; Shimizu, N.; Kendrick, M. A.; Ionov, D. A.; Nebel, O.; Arculus, R. J.

2017-02-01

We report chlorine (Cl) and fluorine (F) abundances in minerals, interstitial glasses, and melt inclusions in 12 andesite-hosted, spinel harzburgite xenoliths and crosscutting pyroxenite veins exhumed from the sub-arc lithospheric mantle beneath Avacha volcano in the Kamchatka Arc (NE Russia). The data are used to calculate equilibrium mineral-melt partition coefficients (D mineral / melt) for Cl and F relevant to subduction-zone processes and unravel the history of volatile depletion and enrichment mechanisms in an arc setting. Chlorine is ∼100 times more incompatible in pyroxenes (DClmineral/melt = 0.005-0.008 [±0.002-0.003]) than F (DFmineral/melt = 0.50-0.57 [±0.21-0.24]), which indicates that partial melting of mantle sources leads to strong depletions in Cl relative to F in the residues. The data set in this study suggests a strong control of melt composition on DCl,Fpyroxene/melt, in particular H2O contents and Al/(Al + Si), which is in line with recent experiments. Fluorine is compatible in Ca-amphibole in the 'wet' sub-arc mantle (DFamphibole/melt = 3.5-3.7 [±1.5]) but not Cl (DClamphibole/melt = 0.03-0.05 [±0.01-0.03]), indicating that amphibole may fractionate F from Cl in the mantle wedge. The inter-mineral partition coefficients for Cl and F in this study are consistent amongst different harzburgite samples, whether they contain glass or not. In particular, disseminated amphibole hosts much of the Cl and F bulk rock budgets of spinel harzburgites (DClamphibole/pyroxene up to 14 and DFamphibole/pyroxene up to 40). Chlorine and fluorine are variably enriched (up to 1500 ppm Cl and 750 ppm F) in the parental arc picrite and boninite melts of primitive pyroxenite veins (and related melt inclusions) crosscutting spinel harzburgites. Based on the data in this study, the main inferences on the behaviour of Cl and F during melting and metasomatic processes in the sub-arc mantle are as follow: (i) Melting models show that most depleted mantle protoliths

Catastrophic fires in Russian forests

Treesearch

A. I. Sukhinin; D. J. McRae; B. J. Stocks; S. G. Conard; WeiMin Hao; A. J. Soja; D. Cahoon

2010-01-01

We evaluated the contribution of catastrophic fires to the total burned area and the amount of tree mortality in Russia since the 1970’s. Such fires occurred in the central regions of European Russia (1972, 1976, 1989, 2002, 2010), Khabarovsk krai (1976, 1988, 1998), Amur region (1997-2002), Republics of Yakutia and Tuva (2002), Magadan and Kamchatka oblast (1984, 2001...

Klyuchevskaya Volcano

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2007-01-01

The Klyuchevskaya Volcano on Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula continued its ongoing activity by releasing another plume on May 24, 2007. The same day, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA's Terra satellite captured this image, at 01:00 UTC. In this image, a hotspot marks the volcano's summit. Outlined in red, the hotspot indicates where MODIS detected unusually warm surface temperatures. Blowing southward from the summit is the plume, which casts its shadow on the clouds below. Near the summit, the plume appears gray, and it lightens toward the south. With an altitude of 4,835 meters (15,863 feet), Klyuchevskaya (sometimes spelled Klyuchevskoy or Kliuchevskoi) is both the highest and most active volcano on the Kamchatka Peninsula. As part of the Pacific 'Ring of Fire,' the peninsula experiences regular seismic activity as the Pacific Plate slides below other tectonic plates in the Earth's crust. Klyuchevskaya is estimated to have experienced more than 100 flank eruptions in the past 3,000 years. Since its formation 6,000 years ago, the volcano has seen few periods of inactivity. NASA image courtesy the MODIS Rapid Response Team at NASA GSFC. The Rapid Response Team provides daily images of this region.

Northern Russian chironomid-based modern summer temperature data set and inference models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nazarova, Larisa; Self, Angela E.; Brooks, Stephen J.; van Hardenbroek, Maarten; Herzschuh, Ulrike; Diekmann, Bernhard

2015-11-01

West and East Siberian data sets and 55 new sites were merged based on the high taxonomic similarity, and the strong relationship between mean July air temperature and the distribution of chironomid taxa in both data sets compared with other environmental parameters. Multivariate statistical analysis of chironomid and environmental data from the combined data set consisting of 268 lakes, located in northern Russia, suggests that mean July air temperature explains the greatest amount of variance in chironomid distribution compared with other measured variables (latitude, longitude, altitude, water depth, lake surface area, pH, conductivity, mean January air temperature, mean July air temperature, and continentality). We established two robust inference models to reconstruct mean summer air temperatures from subfossil chironomids based on ecological and geographical approaches. The North Russian 2-component WA-PLS model (RMSEPJack = 1.35 °C, rJack2 = 0.87) can be recommended for application in palaeoclimatic studies in northern Russia. Based on distinctive chironomid fauna and climatic regimes of Kamchatka the Far East 2-component WAPLS model (RMSEPJack = 1.3 °C, rJack2 = 0.81) has potentially better applicability in Kamchatka.

Tactical EO/IE System for Ground Forces

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-09-01

this thesis is based on these ideas. We will give the guidelines to a project manager or to a beginner in EW research about EO/IR system acquisition...1982 Syria vs Israel Syria: 1 Syria 5+ By Syria: 89 by 96+ Sparrow AIM-9G/L PYTHON Korea: 1 B- Kamchatka 1983 Korea vs USSR 0 0 747(KAL-(07) by AA-3 or

Variability of the Bering Sea Circulation in the Period 1992-2010

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-06-09

mas- sive sources of data (satellite altimetry, Argo drifters) may improve the accuracy of these estimates in the near future. Large-scale...Combining these data with in situ observations of temperature, salinity and subsurface currents allowed obtaining increasingly accurate estimates ...al. (2006) esti- mated the Kamchatka Current transport of 24 Sv (1 Sv = 106 m?/s), a value significantly higher than pre- vious estimates of

Space Radar Image of Kliuchevskoi Volcano, Russia

NASA Image and Video Library

1999-05-01

This is an image of the Kliuchevskoi volcano, Kamchatka, Russia, which began to erupt on September 30, 1994. Kliuchevskoi is the bright white peak surrounded by red slopes in the lower left portion of the image. The image was acquired by the Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C and X-band Synthetic Aperture Radar aboard the space shuttle Endeavour on its 25th orbit on October 1, 1994. The image shows an area approximately 30 kilometers by 60 kilometers (18.5 miles by 37 miles) that is centered at 56.18 degrees north latitude and 160.78 degrees east longitude. North is toward the top of the image. The Kamchatka volcanoes are among the most active volcanoes in the world. The volcanic zone sits above a tectonic plate boundary, where the Pacific plate is sinking beneath the northeast edge of the Eurasian plate. The Endeavour crew obtained dramatic video and photographic images of this region during the eruption, which will assist scientists in analyzing the dynamics of the current activity. The colors in this image were obtained using the following radar channels: red represents the L-band (horizontally transmitted and received); green represents the L-band (horizontally transmitted and vertically received); blue represents the C-band (horizontally transmitted and vertically received). The Kamchatka River runs from left to right across the image. An older, dormant volcanic region appears in green on the north side of the river. The current eruption included massive ejections of gas, vapor and ash, which reached altitudes of 20,000 meters (65,000 feet). New lava flows are visible on the flanks of Kliuchevskoi, appearing yellow/green in the image, superimposed on the red surfaces in the lower center. Melting snow triggered mudflows on the north flank of the volcano, which may threaten agricultural zones and other settlements in the valley to the north. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA01731

Earth observations taken during the STS-59 mission

NASA Image and Video Library

1994-04-12

STS059-81-095 (9-20 April 1994) --- View southwestward across the Kamchatka Peninsula. The cluster of volcanoes in the middle distance are active, including Klutchevskaya whose summit reaches 15,580 feet. Changes in volcanic deposits, snow, and ice are being studied by Russian and American SRL investigators. Seasonal changes in sea ice are also of interest, for example, in Kamchatskiy Bay (upper left). Hasselblad camera, 40mm lens.

Formation, distribution and variability in snow cover on the Asian territory of the USSR

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pupkov, V. N.

1985-01-01

A description is given of maps compiled for annual and average multiple-year water reserves. The annual and average multiple-year maximum snow cover height for winter, extreme values of maximum snow reserves, and the average height and snow reserves at the end of each decade are shown. These maps were made for the entire Asian territory of the USSR, excluding Central Asia, Kamchatka Peninsula, and the Sakhalin Islands.

Nano-inclusions in diamond: Evidence of diamond genesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wirth, R.

2015-12-01

The use of Focused Ion Beam technology (FIB) for TEM sample preparation introduced approximately 15 years ago revolutionized the application of TEM in Geosciences. For the first time, FIB enabled cutting samples for TEM use from exactly the location we are interested in. Applied to diamond investigation, this technique revealed the presence of nanometre-sized inclusions in diamond that have been simply unknown before. Nanoinclusions in diamond from different location and origin such as diamonds from the Lower and Upper Mantle, metamorphic diamonds (Kazakhstan, Erzgebirge, Bohemia), diamonds from ophiolites (Tibet, Mongolia, Xinjiang, Ural Mountains), diamonds from igneous rocks (Hawaii, Kamchatka) and impact diamonds (Popigai Crater, Siberia) have been investigated during the last 15 years. The major conclusion of all these TEM studies is, that the nanoinclusions, their phases and phase composition together with the micro- and nanostructure evidence the origin of diamond and genesis of diamond. We can discriminate Five different mechanisms of diamond genesis in nature are observed: Diamond crystallized from a high-density fluid (Upper mantle and metamorphic diamond). Diamond crystallized from carbonatitic melt (Lower mantle diamond). Diamond precipitates from a metal alloy melt (Diamond from ophiolites). Diamond crystallized by gas phase condensation or chemical vapour condensation (CVD) (Lavas from Kamchatka, xenoliths in Hawaiian lavas). Direct transformation of graphite into diamond.

Eruption of Kliuchevskoi volcano

NASA Image and Video Library

1994-10-05

STS068-155-094 (30 September-11 October 1994) --- (Kliuchevskoi Volcano) The crewmembers used a Linhof large format Earth observation camera to photograph this nadir view of the Kamchatka peninsula's week-old volcano. The eruption and the follow-up environmental activity was photographed from 115 nautical miles above Earth. Six NASA astronauts spent a week and a half aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in support of the Space Radar Laboratory 2 (SRL-2) mission.

USSR Report Earth Sciences.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-05-22

Autonomous Digital Recording Tiltmeter Station (V. M. Ivshin, V. S. Kuznetsov, et al.; VULKANOLOGIYA I SEYSMOLOGIYA, No 6, Nov-Dec 86) 83 Influence of...2 Western. 6508/12955 CS0: 1865/303 UDC 550.34.038.8:528.087.4 AUTONOMOUS DIGITAL RECORDING TILTMETER STATION Moscow VULKANOLOGIYA I...point in the Kamchatka region, an autonomous tiltmeter station has been developed on the basis of the TM-1V tiltmeter . Measured data are registered

On calculation of a steam-water flow in a geothermal well

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shulyupin, A. N.; Chermoshentseva, A. A.

2013-08-01

Approaches to calculation of a steam-water flow in a geothermal well are considered. For hydraulic applications, a WELL-4 model of a steam-water well is developed. Data obtained using this model are compared with experimental data and also with calculations by similar models including the well-known HOLA model. The capacity of the A-2 well in the Mutnovskoe flash-steam field (Kamchatka half-island, Russia) after planned reconstruction is predicted.

Organic compounds in hydrothermal systems on the Russian Far East: relevance to the origin of life

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kompanichenko, Vladimir

In 70th of the last century L. Mukhin with co-authors (1) explored amino acids in the hot springs and water-steam mixture from the boreholes in Kamchatka peninsula of eastern Rus-sia. According to their results, 12 amino acids of biological origination were detected in hot springs inhabited by thermophiles and hyperthermophiles. Only a single amino acid -glycine -was found in the lifeless condensate of water-steam mixture. These authors proposed its abiotic genesis. Our research is devoted to exploration of moderately volatile organic com-pounds in the hot springs and water-steam mixture in Kamchatka peninsula, Kuriles and intracontinental part of eastern Russia. Samples were taken from hot springs far from poten-tial sources of contamination by human populations, and from boreholes 60 to 1200 meters in depth. The temperature ranged from 175C (sterile water-steam mixture) to 55C (hot water with thermophile populations). The samples were analyzed by the gas chromatomass-spectrometer Shimatsu (GCMS-QP20105). Lifeless condensate of water-steam mixture (t = 108-175C) con-tains aromatic hydrocarbons (naphthalene, 1,2-methylnaphtaline biphenyl, phenathrene, fluo-rene,squalene, 1,3-diethylbenzene, and trichlorobenzene)., n-alkanes (decane, dodecane, tride-cane, tetradecane, pentadecane, hexadecane, and geptadecane), aldehyde (oktadekanal), ketone (2-geptadekanon), and alcohol (2-undetsenol-1). 10 homologous series have been found in hot solutions (t = 55-99C) inhabited by thermophilic and hyperthermophilic microorganisms hav-ing low concentrations: aromatic hydrocarbons, n-alkanes, alkenes, aldehydes, dietoxyalkanes, naphthenes, fatty acids, methyl ethers of fatty acids, monoglycerides, and steroids. Especially diverse organic substance is detected in alkaline lower-temperature solutions (pH 9-9.5, t up to 72C). The source of these compounds is not yet established. They may represent pre-existing organic material that has been chemically degraded by pyrolysis. For

Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT), Russia: preventing the danger of volcanic eruptions to aviation.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Girina, O.; Neal, Ch.

2012-04-01

The Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) has been a collaborative project of scientists from the Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, the Kamchatka Branch of Geophysical Surveys, and the Alaska Volcano Observatory (IVS, KB GS and AVO). The purpose of KVERT is to reduce the risk of costly, damaging, and possibly deadly encounters of aircraft with volcanic ash clouds. To reduce this risk, KVERT collects all possible volcanic information and issues eruption alerts to aviation and other emergency officials. KVERT was founded by Institute of Volcanic Geology and Geochemistry FED RAS in 1993 (in 2004, IVGG merged with the Institute of Volcanology to become IVS). KVERT analyzes volcano monitoring data (seismic, satellite, visual and video, and pilot reports), assigns the Aviation Color Code, and issues reports on eruptive activity and unrest at Kamchatkan (since 1993) and Northern Kurile (since 2003) volcanoes. KVERT receives seismic monitoring data from KB GS (the Laboratory for Seismic and Volcanic Activity). KB GS maintains telemetered seismic stations to investigate 11 of the most active volcanoes in Kamchatka. Data are received around the clock and analysts evaluate data each day for every monitored volcano. Satellite data are provided from several sources to KVERT. AVO conducts satellite analysis of the Kuriles, Kamchatka, and Alaska as part of it daily monitoring and sends the interpretation to KVERT staff. KVERT interprets MODIS and MTSAT images and processes AVHRR data to look for evidence of volcanic ash and thermal anomalies. KVERT obtains visual volcanic information from volcanologist's field trips, web-cameras that monitor Klyuchevskoy (established in 2000), Sheveluch (2002), Bezymianny (2003), Koryaksky (2009), Avachinsky (2009), Kizimen (2011), and Gorely (2011) volcanoes, and pilots. KVERT staff work closely with staff of AVO, AMC (Airport Meteorological Center) at Yelizovo Airport and the Tokyo Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (VAAC), the

Space Radar Image of Kiluchevskoi, Volcano, Russia

NASA Image and Video Library

1999-05-01

This is an image of the area of Kliuchevskoi volcano, Kamchatka, Russia, which began to erupt on September 30, 1994. Kliuchevskoi is the blue triangular peak in the center of the image, towards the left edge of the bright red area that delineates bare snow cover. The image was acquired by the Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C/X-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SIR-C/X-SAR) aboard the space shuttle Endeavour on its 88th orbit on October 5, 1994. The image shows an area approximately 75 kilometers by 100 kilometers (46 miles by 62 miles) that is centered at 56.07 degrees north latitude and 160.84 degrees east longitude. North is toward the bottom of the image. The radar illumination is from the top of the image. The Kamchatka volcanoes are among the most active volcanoes in the world. The volcanic zone sits above a tectonic plate boundary, where the Pacific plate is sinking beneath the northeast edge of the Eurasian plate. The Endeavour crew obtained dramatic video and photographic images of this region during the eruption, which will assist scientists in analyzing the dynamics of the recent activity. The colors in this image were obtained using the following radar channels: red represents the L-band (horizontally transmitted and received); green represents the L-band (horizontally transmitted and vertically received); blue represents the C-band (horizontally transmitted and vertically received). In addition to Kliuchevskoi, two other active volcanoes are visible in the image. Bezymianny, the circular crater above and to the right of Kliuchevskoi, contains a slowly growing lava dome. Tolbachik is the large volcano with a dark summit crater near the upper right edge of the red snow covered area. The Kamchatka River runs from right to left across the bottom of the image. The current eruption of Kliuchevskoi included massive ejections of gas, vapor and ash, which reached altitudes of 15,000 meters (50,000 feet). Melting snow mixed with volcanic ash triggered mud flows on the

The 2005 eruption of Kliuchevskoi volcano: Chronology and processes derived from ASTER spaceborne and field-based data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rose, Shellie; Ramsey, Michael

2009-07-01

Kliuchevskoi volcano, located on the Kamchatka peninsula of eastern Russia, is one of the largest and most active volcanoes in the world. Its location and diversity of eruption styles make satellite-based monitoring and characterization of its eruptive activity essential. In 2005, the Kamchatka Volcano Emergency Response Team (KVERT) first reported that seismic activity of Kliuchevskoi increased above background levels on 12 January (Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) Report, 2005. Kliuchevskoi Volcano, 14 January through 13 May 2005. ( http://www.avo.alaska.edu/activity/avoreport.php?view=kam info&id=&month=January&year=2005). Cited January 2007). By 15 January Kliuchevskoi entered an explosive-effusive phase, which lasted for five months and produced basaltic lava flows, lahar deposits, and phreatic explosions along its northwestern flank. We present a comparison between field observations and multispectral satellite image data acquired by the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) instrument in order to characterize the eruptive behavior. The ASTER instrument was targeted in an automated urgent request mode throughout the eruption timeline in order to collect data at the highest observation frequency possible. Brightness temperatures were calculated in all three ASTER wavelength regions during lava flow emplacement. The maximum lava flow brightness temperatures, calculated from the 15 m/pixel visible near infrared (VNIR) data, were in excess of 800 °C. The shortwave infrared (SWIR) data were radiometrically and geometrically corrected, normalized to the same gain settings, and used to estimate an eruptive volume of 2.35 × 10 - 2 km 3 at the summit. These data were also used to better constrain errors arising in the thermal infrared (TIR) data due to sub-pixel thermal heterogeneities. Based on all the ASTER data, the eruption was separated into three phases: an initial explosive phase (20 January-31 January), an

High-latitude regions of Siberia and Northeast Russia in the Paleogene: Stratigraphy, flora, climate, coal accumulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akhmetiev, M. A.

2015-07-01

The geological structure and development history of superposed depressions on the Arctic coast of East Siberia and Bering Sea region (Chukotka, Koryakiya, northern Kamchatka) in the Early Paleogene are considered with the analysis of their flora and climatic parameters. The paleofloral analysis revealed thermophilic assemblages that reflect phases of maximum warming at the Paleocene-Eocene transition and in the Early Eocene. The appearance of thermophilic plants (Magnoliaceae, Myrtaceae, Lauraceae, Araliaceae, Loranthaceae, and others) in the Siberian segment of the Arctic region is explained by the stable atmospheric heat transfer from the Tethys to higher latitudes and absence of the latitudinal orographic barrier (Alpine-Himalayan belt). The plants migrated to high latitudes also along the meridional seaway that connected the Tethys with the Arctic Ocean via marine basins of the Eastern Paratethys, Turgai Strait, and West Siberia. The migration from the American continent was realized along the southern coast of Beringia under influence of a warm current flowing from low latitudes along the western coast of North America. The palm genus Sabal migrated to northern Kamchatka and Koryakiya precisely in this way via southern Alaska. In the Oligocene, shallow-water marine sediments in high-latitude regions were replaced by terrestrial facies. The Late Oligocene was marked by maximum cooling. Coal accumulation in Northeast Russia through the Paleogene is reviewed.

Geologic evolution of the Bering Sea Komandorksy deep basin

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bogdanov, N.A.

1986-07-01

The deep-water Komandorsky basin is located in the southwestern part of the Bering Sea. On the east, it is separated from the Aleutian basin by the submerged Shirshov Ridge; on the west, it is bordered by structures of the north Kamchatka accretionary prism. The Komandorsky basin is characterized by strongly dissected relief of it acoustic basement, which is overlain by a 1.5 to 2.0-km thick sedimentary cover. The western part of the basin is occupied by a rift zone, which is characterized by modern seismicity and high heat flow. It is considered to be the axial zone of Miocene-Pleistocene spreading.more » On the north terrace of the Komandorsky island arc, traced active volcanos provide evidence that subduction is occurring under the arc from the north. The spreading rift zone is reflected on the continent in Miocene-Pleistocene volcanic rocks, characterized by typical oceanic tholeiitic composition. The Komandorsky basin formed as a result of spreading during the Maestrichtian. Spreading within the basin occurred during the early and middle Oligocene and the late Miocene. East and west of the spreading axis, accretionary prisms formed. The latter are observed along the western flank of the Shirshov Ridge and on the eastern sides of the Kamchatka Peninsula and Koraginsky Island.« less

Earth observations taken from shuttle orbiter Atlantis during STS-84 mission

NASA Image and Video Library

1997-05-20

STS084-712-003 (15-24 May 1997) --- Early morning sun highlights the volcanic features on Onekotan Island which is one of several volcanic islands in the Russian owned Kurile Island chain. Onekotan lies just south of Kamchatka. Two volcanoes are active on the island -- the small island surrounded by a moat-like lake in the south (Tao-Rusyr caldera) last erupted in 1952, and the cone-shaped peak at the north end of the island, Nemo peak, erupted in 1938.

Earth observations taken during the STS-59 mission

NASA Image and Video Library

1994-04-14

STS059-219-065 (9-20 April 1994) --- The narrow end of the island is to the north by northeast. This is one of several volcanic islands extending south by southwest between the southern tip of Kamchatka and Japan. The exposure was stopped down to provide extremely fine detail in the totally snow-covered landscape, at the same time making the dark sea look completely black. Compare to STS047-90-087, taken in September, which shows a green ground cover. Hasselblad photograph.

Earth observations during Space Shuttle Mission STS-42 - Discovery's mission to planet earth

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lulla, Kamlesh P.; Helfert, Michael; Amsbury, David; Pitts, David; Jaklitch, Pat; Wilkinson, Justin; Evans, Cynthia; Ackleson, Steve; Helms, David; Chambers, Mark

1993-01-01

The noteworthy imagery acquired during Space Shuttle Mission STS-42 is documented. Attention is given to frozen Tibetan lakes, Merapi Volcano in Java, Mt. Pinatubo in the Philippines, the coastline east of Tokyo Japan, land use in southern India, and the Indus River Delta. Observations of Kamchatka Peninsula, Lake Baikal, Moscow, Katmai National Park and Mt. Augustine, Alaska, the Alaskan coast by the Bering Sea, snow-covered New York, the Rhone River valley, the Strait of Gibraltar, and Mt. Ararat, Turkey, are also reported.

PIRE Experience Reaches out to the Russian Far East and Augments Graduate Education Abroad

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Almberg, L. D.; Eichelberger, J. C.; Izbekov, P.; Ushakov, S.; Vesna, E.

2006-12-01

NSF's Partners in International Research and Education (PIRE) program seeks to introduce American students to collaborative international science early in their graduate careers. The intent is that the next generation of American scientists will be better prepared to work at the international level. The emphases on partnership and learning about the culture of the host country is a welcome and productive change from the `grab and dash' approach that can characterize `Winter national' projects. Our PIRE project, US-Russia-Japan Partnership in Volcanological Research and Education, is an interdisciplinary investigation of the magma systems at Bezymianny and Shiveluch Volcanoes in Kamchatka, Russia and Mount St Helens in Washington, USA. We wish to understand how massive edifice collapse at all three volcanoes perturbed the magma systems and influenced subsequent and continuing eruptive behavior. Seven American graduate students from the universities of Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, and Stanford embarked on a personal and professional development adventure in July and August, 2006. Their experience began in Fairbanks, AK with preparations for remote foreign field work and research planning with mentor scientists. The adventure continued in Petropavlosk-Kamchatsky, Kamchatka, which required circumnavigation of the world as no airlines fly between Anchorage and Petropavlovsk. Faculty at Kamchatka State University provided intensive short courses for two weeks, introducing students to Russian language, culture, geography and history while they adjusted to the new environment and met Russian counterparts at the Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. Afternoon discussions with Russian experts in volcanology, seismology, tectonics and tephrachronology were enlightening and influenced the research plans. Russian graduate and advanced undergraduate students joined the group at the helicopter accessed camp on Bezymianny volcano. Two young Russian scientists headed the

Earth Observation taken by the Expedition 33 crew

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-11-03

ISS033-E-018010 (3 Nov. 2012) --- Volcanoes in central Kamchatka are featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 33 crew member on the International Space Station. The snow-covered peaks of several volcanoes of the central Kamchatka Peninsula are visible standing above a fairly uniform cloud deck that obscures the surrounding lowlands. In addition to the rippled cloud patterns caused by interactions of air currents and the volcanoes, a steam and ash plume is visible at center extending north-northeast from the relatively low summit (2,882 meters above sea level) of Bezymianny volcano. Volcanic activity in this part of Russia is relatively frequent, and well monitored by Russia’s Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT). The KVERT website provides updated information about the activity levels on the peninsula, including aviation alerts and webcams. Directly to the north and northeast of Bezymianny, the much larger and taller stratovolcanoes Kamen (4,585 meters above sea level) and Kliuchevskoi (4,835 meters above sea level) are visible. Kliuchevskoi, Kamchatka’s most active volcano, last erupted in 2011 whereas neighboring Kamen has not erupted during the recorded history of the region. An explosive eruption from the summit of the large volcanic massif of Ushkovsky (3,943 meters above sea level; left) northwest of Bezymianny occurred in 1890; this is the most recent activity at this volcano. To the south of Bezymianny, the peaks of Zimina (3,081 meters above sea level) and Udina (2,923 meters above sea level) volcanoes are just visible above the cloud deck; no historical eruptions are known from either volcanic center. While the large Tobalchik volcano to the southwest (bottom center) is largely formed from a basaltic shield volcano, its highest peak (3,682 meters above sea level) is formed from an older stratovolcano. Tobalchik last erupted in 1976. While this image may look like it was taken from the normal altitude of a passenger jet, the

Geodynamic evolution of the lithosphere of the Sea of Okhotsk region from geophysical data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Verzhbitsky, E. V.; Kononov, M. V.

2006-06-01

The tectonic structure and anomalous distributions of geophysical fields of the Sea of Okhotsk region are considered; the lack of reliable data on the age of the lithosphere beneath basins of various origins in the Sea of Okhotsk is noted. Model calculations based on geological and geophysical data yielded an age of 65 Ma (the Cretaceous-Paleocene boundary) for the Central Okhotsk rise underlain by the continental lithosphere. This estimate agrees with the age (the end of the Cretaceous) derived from seismostratigraphic data. A comparative analysis of theoretical and measured heat fluxes in the Akademii Nauk Rise, underlain by a thinned continental crust, is performed. The analysis points to a higher (by 20%) value of the measured thermal background of the rise, which is consistent with a high negative gradient of gravity anomalies in this area. Calculations yielded an age of 36 Ma (the Early Oligocene) and a lithosphere thickness of 50 km for the South Okhotsk depression, whose seafloor was formed by processes of backarc spreading. The estimated age of the depression is supported by kinematic data on the region; the calculated thickness of the lithosphere coincides with the value estimated from data of magnetotelluric sounding here. This indicates that the formation time (36 Ma) of the South Okhotsk depression was estimated correctly. Numerical modeling performed for the determination of the basement age of rifting basins in the Sea of Okhotsk gave the following estimates: 18 Ma (the Early Miocene) for the Deryugin basin, 12 Ma (the Middle Miocene) for the TINRO basin, and 23 Ma (the Late Oligocene) for the West Kamchatka trough. These estimates agree with the formation time (Oligocene-Quaternary) of the sedimentary cover in rifting basins of the Sea of Okhotsk derived from geological and geophysical data. Model temperature estimates are obtained for lithologic and stratigraphic boundaries of the sedimentary cover in the Deryugin and TINRO basins and the West

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kravtsov, A.I.

To determine the effect of geologic factors on the composition of abyssal derivates (complementing existing information on the geochemistry of volcanic gases) isotopic analysis of carbon was used to obtain physicochemical criteria of the origin of gases, independent of geologic-petrographic data. The investigations include component analysis of all the gases, particularly hydrocarbon compounds, repeatedly found in the fumarole emanations of pyroclastic streams. Volcanic carbon dioxide which is the principal component of gases of active volcanoes and hot springs in the Kuril-Kamchatka volcanic arc and of other volcanoes was investigated.

Space Radar Image of Kliuchevskoi, Russia

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1994-01-01

This is an X-band seasonal image of the Maly Semlyachik volcano, which is part of the Karymsky volcano group on Kamchatka peninsula, Russia. The image is centered at 54.2 degrees north latitude and 159.6 degrees east longitude. This image was acquired by the Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C and X-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SIR-C/X-SAR) aboard the space shuttle Endeavour on April 9, 1994, during the first flight of the radar system, and on September 30, 1994, during the second flight. The image channels have been assigned the following colors: red corresponds to data acquired on April 9; green corresponds to data acquired on September 30; and blue corresponds to the ratio between data from April 9 and September 30, 1994. Kamchatka is twice as large as England, Scotland and Wales combined and is home to approximately 470,000 residents. The region is characterized by a chain of volcanoes stretching 800 kilometers (500 miles) across the countryside. Many of the volcanoes, including the active Maly Semlyachik volcano in this image, have erupted during this century. But the most active period in creating the three characteristic craters of this volcano goes back 20,000, 12,000 and 2,000 years ago. The highest summit of the oldest crater reaches about 1,560 meters (1,650 feet). The radar images reveal the geological structures of craters and lava flows in order to improve scientists' knowledge of these sometimes vigorously active volcanoes. This seasonal composite also highlights the ecological differences that have occurred between April and October 1994. In April the whole area was snow-covered and, at the coast, an ice sheet extended approximately 5 kilometers (3 miles) into the sea. The area shown surrounding the volcano is covered by low vegetation much like scrub. Kamchatka also has extensive forests, which belong to the northern frontier of Taiga, the boreal forest ecosystem. This region plays an important role in the world's carbon cycle. Trees require 60 years to

Earth Observations taken by Expedition 38 crewmember

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-11-16

ISS038-E-005515 (16 Nov. 2013) --- Activity at Kliuchevskoi Volcano on Kamchatka Peninsula in the Russian Federation is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 38 crew member on the International Space Station. When viewing conditions are favorable, crew members onboard the space station can take unusual and striking images of Earth. This photograph provides a view of an eruption plume emanating from Kliuchevskoi Volcano, one of the many active volcanoes on the Kamchatka Peninsula. Nadir views – looking “straight down”—that are typical of orbital satellite imagery tend to flatten the appearance of the landscape by reducing the sense of three dimensions of the topography. In contrast, this image was taken from the ISS with a very oblique viewing angle that gives a strong sense of three dimensions, which is accentuated by the shadows cast by the volcanic peaks. This resulted in a view similar to what a person might see from a low-altitude airplane. The image was taken when the space station was located over a ground position more than 1,500 kilometers to the southwest. The plume – likely a combination of steam, volcanic gases, and ash – is extended to the east-southeast by prevailing winds; the dark region to the north-northwest of the plume is likely a product of both shadow and ash settling out. Several other volcanoes are visible in the image, including Ushkovsky, Tolbachik, Zimina, and Udina. To the south-southwest of Kliuchevskoi lies Bezymianny Volcano which appears to be emitting a small steam plume (visible at center).

Evaluating screening effects and Tusnami danger in bays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ivanov, V. V.; Simonov, K. V.; Garder, O. I.

1985-06-01

In selecting sites for new construction in the Kuril Islands it is important to evaluate the tsunami danger of the pertinent parts of the coastline. Recommendations for the Kuril Islands have been published, but they are only preliminary. An effort has now been made to improve them by formulatating a more adequate model of the source with defining of those peculiarities of the specific position of a bay which exert the most significant influence on formation of the maximum tsunami wave in the analyzed coastal zone. The analysis was based on observational data for the Kamchatka tsunami of 1952, which was catastrophic for the shores of Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands. The data used were for Pearl Harbor, Honolulu and Hilo. The processing method involved breakdown of the record into the signal at the source and the impulse function for penetration of the wave into a bay. it was found that the record can be represented in the form of the convolution of the source function common for all the records of one tsunami and the specific impulse function for the propagation path specific for each bay. It was found that the signal at the tsunami source is a periodic process with beats of great duration with a relatively narrow spectrum. The impulse function for the paths for closed bays contains a small number of oscillations and varies in characteristic times on the order of 1 to 1.5 hours. The characteristic time of tsunami filling of a bay is important to know for shielding the bay against a tsunami wave.

Earth Observations taken by the Expedition 39 Crew

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-04-22

ISS039-E-014807 (22 April 2014) --- As the International Space Station passed over the Bering Sea on Earth Day, one of the Expedition 39 crew members aboard the orbital outpost shot this panoramic scene looking toward Russia. The Kamchatka Peninsula can be seen in the foreground. Sunglint is visible on the left side of the frame. Only two points of view from Earth orbit were better for taking in this scene than that of the crew member with the camera inside, and those belonged to the two spacewalking astronauts -- Flight Engineers Rick Mastracchio and Steve Swanson of NASA.

The Relative Rates of Secondary Hydration in Basalt and Rhyolite, and the use of δD as a Paleoclimate Indicator: Implications for Paleoenvironmental and Volcanic Degassing Studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seligman, A. N.; Bindeman, I. N.

2014-12-01

The δD-H2O correlation is important for volcanic degassing and secondary hydration trends. We utilize the caibration of the TC/EA - MAT 253 continuous flow system, which permits us to analyze wt.% H2O and its δD extracted from 1-8 mg of glass with as little as 0.1 wt% H2O. Tephra that has been secondarily hydrated with meteoric water is widely used as a paleoenvironmental tool, but the rate of secondary hydration, the relative amounts of primary magmatic (degassed) and secondary meteoric water, and the retention of primary and secondary δD values are not well understood. To quantify these processes, we use a natural experiment involving dated Holocene tepha in Kamchatka and Oregon. Our research illustrates the drastic difference in hydration rates between silicic (hydrated after ~1.5 ka) and mafic tephra, which is not hydrated in the Holocene (similar to results for submarine volcanic glasses), and andesitic tephra with intermediate degrees of hydration. The 0.05-7.3 ka basaltic scoria from Klyuchevskoy volcano retains ≤0.45 wt.% primary magmatic H2O, with δD values from -99 to -121 ‰. Four other 0.05-7.6 ka basaltic tephra units from Kamchatka with <57 wt.% SiO2 all have wt.% H2O 0.21-0.84 and δD values ranging from -90 - -145 ‰. The 1.0-7.6 ka andesitic tephra have slightly higher water contents (0.9-3.0 %) and slightly lower δD values (-113 - -146 ‰). Seven 0.3-7.9 ka silicic samples with SiO2 >65 wt.% have higher (1.5 -3.4) wt.% H2O and δD values between -115 - -160 ‰. We interpret the lower δD values and higher water contents (opposite of the magmatic degassing trend) to be a characteristic of secondary hydration in regions of higher latitude such as Kamchatka and Oregon. We are also investigating 7.7 ka Mt. Mazama tephra in Oregon that are known to be fully hydrated and cover nearly 5000 km2 northeast of Crater Lake and range in elevation from ~1.3-1.9 km to understand the δD and δ18O details of the hydrated water's correspondence with

February 27, 2010 Chilean Tsunami in Pacific and its Arrival to North East Asia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zaytsev, Andrey; Pelinovsky, EfiM.; Yalciner, Ahmet C.; Ozer, Ceren; Chernov, Anton; Kostenko, Irina; Shevchenko, Georgy

2010-05-01

The outskirts of the fault plane broken by the strong earthquake on February 27, 2010 in Chili with a magnitude 8.8 at the 35km depth of 35.909°S, 72.733°W coordinates generated a moderate size tsunami. The initial amplitude of the tsunami source is not so high because of the major area of the plane was at land. The tsunami waves propagated far distances in South and North directions to East Asia and Wet America coasts. The waves are also recorded by several gauges in Pacific during its propagation and arrival to coastal areas. The recorded and observed amplitudes of tsunami waves are important for the potential effects with the threatening amplitudes. The event also showed that a moderate size tsunami can be effective even if it propagates far distances in any ocean or a marginal sea. The far east coasts of Russia at North East Asia (Sakhalin, Kuriles, Kamchatka) are one of the important source (i.e. November 15, 2006, Kuril Island Tsunami) and target (i.e. February, 27, 2010 Chilean tsunami) areas of the Pacific tsunamis. Many efforts have been spent for establishment of the monitoring system and assessment of tsunamis and development of the mitigation strategies against tsunamis and other hazards in the region. Development of the computer technologies provided the advances in data collection, transfer, and processing. Furthermore it also contributed new developments in computational tools and made the computer modeling to be an efficient tool in tsunami warning systems. In this study the tsunami numerical model NAMI DANCE Nested version is used. NAMI-DANCE solves Nonlinear form of Long Wave (Shallow water) equations (with or without dispersion) using finite difference model in nested grid domains from the source to target areas in multiprocessor hardware environment. It is applied to 2010 Chilean tsunami and its propagation and coastal behavior at far distances near Sakhalin, Kuril and Kamchatka coasts. The main tide gauge records used in this study are from

Could the Mantle Under Island Arcs Contribute to Long Wavelength Magnetic Anomalies?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Friedman, S. A.; Ferre, E. C.; Martin-Hernandez, F.; Feinberg, J. M.; Conder, J. A.

2016-12-01

Some island arcs show significant long-wavelength positive magnetic anomalies with potential sources in the mantle wedge while others do not. Here we compare the magnetic properties of mantle xenoliths form metasomatized mantle wedges with counterparts from pristine unaltered mantle and we discuss the role mantle processes may play in producing these anomalies. Samples for this study originate from four localities displaying different degrees of metasomatism, as evidenced by the presence of phlogophite, pargasite, and secondary minerals (olv, cpx, opx): a) Five samples from Ichinomegata crater, Megata volcano, in NE Japan are characteristically lherzolitic with metasomatic pargasite present; b) Six samples from Kurose, SW Japan are mainly harzburgites that contain rare, late stage metasomatic sulfides; c) Ten samples from the Iraya volcano, Batan Island, in the Philippines are lherzolites, harzburgites, and dunites that contain metasomatic olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene and pargasite; and d) Ten samples from Avacha and Shiveluch volcanoes in Kamchatka, consists of unaltered harzburgites supported by an LOI <1%. Sample localities come from subduction zones of the western Pacific Ocean, where the angle of subduction varies (from 10° in SW Japan to 55° in the Kamchatka and Taiwan-Luzon arcs). When present, ferromagnetic minerals include stoichiometric magnetite with occasional pyrrhotite only in metasomatized samples. Ultimately, metasomatized mantle material has a Koenigsberger ratio less than 1.0 indicating it would not primarily contribute to satellite-altitude magnetic anomalies. While unaltered mantle material may produce a Koenigsberger ratio greater than 1.0, and would thus, contribute to long wavelength magnetic anomalies. The presence of both metasomatized and unaltered mantle material beneath island arcs would be supportive of the positive magnetic anomaly found in some subduction zones.

From integrated observation of pre-earthquake signals towards physical-based forecasting: A prospective test experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ouzounov, D.; Pulinets, S. A.; Tramutoli, V.; Lee, L.; Liu, J. G.; Hattori, K.; Kafatos, M.

2013-12-01

We are conducting an integrated study involving multi-parameter observations over different seismo- tectonics regions in our investigation of phenomena preceding major earthquakes. Our approach is based on a systematic analysis of several selected parameters namely: gas discharge; thermal infrared radiation; ionospheric electron concentration; and atmospheric temperature and humidity, which we suppose are associated with earthquake preparation phase. We intended to test in prospective mode the set of geophysical measurements for different regions of active earthquakes and volcanoes. In 2012-13 we established a collaborative framework with the leading projects PRE-EARTHQUAKE (EU) and iSTEP3 (Taiwan) for coordinate measurements and prospective validation over seven test regions: Southern California (USA), Eastern Honshu (Japan), Italy, Turkey, Greece, Taiwan (ROC), Kamchatka and Sakhalin (Russia). The current experiment provided a 'stress test' opportunity to validate the physical based approach in teal -time over regions of high seismicity. Our initial results are: (1) Prospective tests have shown the presence in real time of anomalies in the atmosphere before most of the significant (M>5.5) earthquakes in all regions; (2) False positive rate alarm is different for each region and varying between 50% (Italy, Kamchatka and California) to 25% (Taiwan and Japan) with a significant reduction of false positives when at least two parameters are contemporary used; (3) One of most complex problem, which is still open, was the systematic collection and real-time integration of pre-earthquake observations. Our findings suggest that the physical based short-term forecast is feasible and more tests are needed. We discus the physical concept we used, the future integration of data observations and related developments.

Tsunami Hazard Assessment in Guam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arcas, D.; Uslu, B.; Titov, V.; Chamberlin, C.

2008-12-01

The island of Guam is located approximately 1500 miles south of Japan, in the vicinity of the Mariana Trench. It is surrounded in close proximity by three subduction zones, Nankai-Taiwan, East Philippines and Mariana Trench that pose a considerable near to intermediate field tsunami threat. Tsunami catalogues list 14 tsunamigenic earthquake with Mw≥8.0 since 1900 only in this region, (Soloviev and Go, 1974; Lander, 1993; Iida, 1984; Lander and Lowell, 2002), however the island has not been significantly affected by some of the largest far-field events of the past century, such as the 1952 Kamchatka, 1960 Chile, and the 1964 Great Alaska earthquake. An assessment of the tsunami threat to the island from both near and far field sources, using forecast tools originally developed at NOAA's Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) for real-time forecasting of tsunamis is presented here. Tide gauge records from 1952 Kamchatka, 1964 Alaska, and 1960 Chile earthquakes at Apra Harbor are used to validate our model set up, and to explain the limited impact of these historical events on Guam. Identification of worst-case scenarios, and determination of tsunamigenic effective source regions are presented for five vulnerable locations on the island via a tsunami sensitivity study. Apra Harbor is the site of a National Ocean Service (NOS) tide gauge and the biggest harbor on the island. Tumon Bay, Pago Bay, Agana Bay and Inarajan Bay are densely populated areas that require careful investigation. The sensitivity study shows that earthquakes from Eastern Philippines present a major threat to west coast facing sites, whereas the Marina Trench poses the biggest concern to the east coast facing sites.

Validating of Atmospheric Signals Associated with some of the Major Earthquakes in Asia (2003-2009)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ouzounov, D. P.; Pulinets, S.; Liu, J. Y.; Hattori, K.; Oarritm N,; Taylor, P. T.

2010-01-01

The recent catastrophic earthquake in Haiti (January 2010) has provided and renewed interest in the important question of the existence of precursory signals related to strong earthquakes. Latest studies (VESTO workshop in Japan 2009) have shown that there were precursory atmospheric signals observed on the ground and in space associated with several recent earthquakes. The major question, still widely debated in the scientific community is whether such signals systematically precede major earthquakes. To address this problem we have started to validate the anomalous atmospheric signals during the occurrence of large earthquakes. Our approach is based on integration analysis of several physical and environmental parameters (thermal infrared radiation, electron concentration in the ionosphere, Radon/ion activities, air temperature and seismicity) that were found to be associated with earthquakes. We performed hind-cast detection over three different regions with high seismicity Taiwan, Japan and Kamchatka for the period of 2003-2009. We are using existing thermal satellite data (Aqua and POES); in situ atmospheric data (NOAA/NCEP); and ionospheric variability data (GPS/TEC and DEMETER). The first part of this validation included 42 major earthquakes (M greater than 5.9): 10 events in Taiwan, 15 events in Japan, 15 events in Kamchatka and four most recent events for M8.0 Wenchuan earthquake (May 2008) in China and M7.9 Samoa earthquakes (Sep 2009). Our initial results suggest a systematic appearance of atmospheric anomalies near the epicentral area, 1 to 5 days prior to the largest earthquakes, that could be explained by a coupling process between the observed physical parameters, and the earthquake preparation processes.

Volcanic Activity at Shiveluch and Plosky Tolbachik

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-12-08

On March 7, 2013 the Terra satellite passed over eastern Russia, allowing the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) flying aboard to capture volcanic activity at Shiveluch and Plosky Tolbachik, on the Kamchatka Peninsula, in eastern Russia. This image was captured at 0050 UTC. Credit: NASA/GSFC/Jeff Schmaltz/MODIS Land Rapid Response Team NASA image use policy. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Find us on Instagram

NASA Satellite Images Erupting Russian Volcano

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-08-22

Klyuchevskoi, one of the world's most active volcanoes, is seen poking through above a solid cloud deck, with an ash plume streaming to the west. Located on the Kamchatka Peninsula in far eastern Russia, it is one of many active volcanoes on the Peninsula. Nearby, to the south, the smaller Bezymianny volcano can be seem with a small steam plume coming from its summit. The image was acquired Aug. 20, 2017, covers an area of 12 by 14 miles (19.5 by 22.7 kilometers), and is located at 56.1 degrees north, 160.6 degrees east. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA21878

Klyuchevskaya Volcano

NASA Image and Video Library

2010-03-11

Shiveluch volcano on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. This is a false-color satellite image, acquired by the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) on March 10, 2010. To download a full high res version of this image and to learn more go to: earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/view.php?id=43103 Credit: NASA Earth Observatory image by Jesse Allen and Robert Simmon, based on data from the NASA/GSFC/METI/ERSDAC/JAROS, and U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team. Instrument: Terra - ASTER For more information about the Goddard Space Flight Center go here: www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/home/index.html

Backscattering of decametric waves on magnetically oriented ionosphere inhomogeneities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sivokon', V. P.

2017-05-01

The method of study of magnetically oriented ionosphere inhomogeneities based on the analysis of radar decametric emission backscattering on inhomogeneities is proposed. It is shown that certain conditions, including the orientation of the propagation route relative to the Earth's magnetic field lines and the polarization and frequency of the emitted wave, make possible resonant backscattering of radiolocation system emission on magnetically oriented ionosphere inhomogeneities. The paper presents the results of experimental observation of scattering in Kamchatka Peninsula. They demonstrated the opportunity to evaluate the extension of the scattering region, the vertical and horizontal components of the velocities of magnetically oriented inhomogeneities, and the frequency dependence of these parameters.

Geothermal resources and energy complex use in Russia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Svalova, V.

2009-04-01

Geothermal energy use is the perspective way to clean sustainable development of the world. Russia has rich high and low temperature geothermal resources and makes good steps in their use. In Russia the geothermal resources are used predominantly for heat supply both heating of several cities and settlements on Northern Caucasus and Kamchatka with a total number of the population 500000. Besides in some regions of country the deep heat is used for greenhouses of common area 465000 m2. Most active the hydrothermal resources are used in Krasnodar territory, Dagestan and on Kamchatka. The approximately half of extracted resources is applied for heat supply of habitation and industrial puttings, third - to a heating of greenhouses, and about 13 % - for industrial processes. Besides the thermal waters are used approximately on 150 health resorts and 40 factories on bottling mineral water. The most perspective direction of usage of low temperature geothermal resources is the use of heat pumps. This way is optimal for many regions of Russia - in its European part, on Ural and others. The electricity is generated by some geothermal power plants (GeoPP) only in the Kamchatka Peninsula and Kuril Islands. At present three stations work in Kamchatka: Pauzhetka GeoPP (11MW e installed capacity) and two Severo-Mutnovka GeoPP ( 12 and 50 MWe). Moreover, another GeoPP of 100 MVe is now under preparation in the same place. Two small GeoPP are in operation in Kuril's Kunashir Isl, and Iturup Isl, with installed capacity of 2,б MWe and 6 MWe respectively. There are two possible uses of geothermal resources depending on structure and properties of thermal waters: heat/power and mineral extraction. The heat/power direction is preferable for low mineralized waters when valuable components in industrial concentration are absent, and the general mineralization does not interfere with normal operation of system. When high potential geothermal waters are characterized by the high

Testing new methodologies for short -term earthquake forecasting: Multi-parameters precursors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ouzounov, Dimitar; Pulinets, Sergey; Tramutoli, Valerio; Lee, Lou; Liu, Tiger; Hattori, Katsumi; Kafatos, Menas

2014-05-01

We are conducting real-time tests involving multi-parameter observations over different seismo-tectonics regions in our investigation of phenomena preceding major earthquakes. Our approach is based on a systematic analysis of several selected parameters, namely: gas discharge; thermal infrared radiation; ionospheric electron density; and atmospheric temperature and humidity, which we believe are all associated with the earthquake preparation phase. We are testing a methodology capable to produce alerts in advance of major earthquakes (M > 5.5) in different regions of active earthquakes and volcanoes. During 2012-2013 we established a collaborative framework with PRE-EARTHQUAKE (EU) and iSTEP3 (Taiwan) projects for coordinated measurements and prospective validation over seven testing regions: Southern California (USA), Eastern Honshu (Japan), Italy, Greece, Turkey, Taiwan (ROC), Kamchatka and Sakhalin (Russia). The current experiment provided a "stress test" opportunity to validate the physical based earthquake precursor approach over regions of high seismicity. Our initial results are: (1) Real-time tests have shown the presence of anomalies in the atmosphere and ionosphere before most of the significant (M>5.5) earthquakes; (2) False positives exist and ratios are different for each region, varying between 50% for (Southern Italy), 35% (California) down to 25% (Taiwan, Kamchatka and Japan) with a significant reduction of false positives as soon as at least two geophysical parameters are contemporarily used; (3) Main problems remain related to the systematic collection and real-time integration of pre-earthquake observations. Our findings suggest that real-time testing of physically based pre-earthquake signals provides a short-term predictive power (in all three important parameters, namely location, time and magnitude) for the occurrence of major earthquakes in the tested regions and this result encourages testing to continue with a more detailed analysis of

The First Historical Eruption of Kambalny Volcano in 2017 .

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gordeev, E.

2017-12-01

The first historical eruption at Kambalny volcano began about 21:20 UTC on March 24, 2017 with powerful ash emissions up to 6 km above sea level from the pre-summit crater. According to tephrochronological data, it is assumed that the strong eruptions of the volcano occurred 200 (?) and 600 years ago. KVERT (Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team) of the Institute of Volcanology and Seismology FEB RAS has been monitoring Kambalny volcano since 2002. KVERT worked closely with AMC Elizovo and Tokyo VAAC during the eruption at Kambalny volcano in 2017. The maximum intensity of ash emissions occurred on 25-26 March: a continuous plume laden with ash particles spread over several thousand kilometers, changing the direction of propagation from the volcano from the south-west to the south and south-east. On 27-29 March, the ash plume extended to the west, on 30 March - to the southeast of the volcano. On March 31 and April 01, the volcano was relatively quiet. The resumption of the volcano activity after two days of rest was expressed in powerful ash emissions up to 7 km above sea level. Gas-steam plumes containing some amount of ash were noted on 02-05 April, and powerful ash emissions up to 7 km above sea level occurred on 09 April. The explosive activity at the volcano ended on 11 April. The area of ash deposits was about 1500 km2, the total area covered by ash falls, for example, on 25 March, was about 650 thousand km2. To monitor and study the Kambalny volcano eruption we mainly used satellite images of medium resolution available in the information system "Monitoring volcanic activity in Kamchatka and Kurile Islands" (VolSatView). This work was supported by the Russian Science Foundation, project No. 16-17-00042.

Age Specific Survival Rates of Steller Sea Lions at Rookeries with Divergent Population Trends in the Russian Far East

PubMed Central

Altukhov, Alexey V.; Andrews, Russel D.; Calkins, Donald G.; Gelatt, Thomas S.; Gurarie, Eliezer D.; Loughlin, Thomas R.; Mamaev, Evgeny G.; Nikulin, Victor S.; Permyakov, Peter A.; Ryazanov, Sergey D.; Vertyankin, Vladimir V.; Burkanov, Vladimir N.

2015-01-01

After a dramatic population decline, Steller sea lions have begun to recover throughout most of their range. However, Steller sea lions in the Western Aleutians and Commander Islands are continuing to decline. Comparing survival rates between regions with different population trends may provide insights into the factors driving the dynamics, but published data on vital rates have been extremely scarce, especially in regions where the populations are still declining. Fortunately, an unprecedented dataset of marked Steller sea lions at rookeries in the Russian Far East is available, allowing us to determine age and sex specific survival in sea lions up to 22 years old. We focused on survival rates in three areas in the Russian range with differing population trends: the Commander Islands (Medny Island rookery), Eastern Kamchatka (Kozlov Cape rookery) and the Kuril Islands (four rookeries). Survival rates differed between these three regions, though not necessarily as predicted by population trends. Pup survival was higher where the populations were declining (Medny Island) or not recovering (Kozlov Cape) than in all Kuril Island rookeries. The lowest adult (> 3 years old) female survival was found on Medny Island and this may be responsible for the continued population decline there. However, the highest adult survival was found at Kozlov Cape, not in the Kuril Islands where the population is increasing, so we suggest that differences in birth rates might be an important driver of these divergent population trends. High pup survival on the Commander Islands and Kamchatka Coast may be a consequence of less frequent (e.g. biennial) reproduction there, which may permit females that skip birth years to invest more in their offspring, leading to higher pup survival, but this hypothesis awaits measurement of birth rates in these areas. PMID:26016772

Ice core profiles of saturated fatty acids (C12:0-C30:0) and oleic acid (C18:1) from southern Alaska since 1734 AD: A link to climate change in the Northern Hemisphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pokhrel, Ambarish; Kawamura, Kimitaka; Seki, Osamu; Matoba, Sumio; Shiraiwa, Takayuki

2015-01-01

An ice core drilled at Aurora Peak in southeast Alaska was analyzed for homologous series of straight chain fatty acids (C12:0-C30:0) including unsaturated fatty acid (oleic acid) using gas chromatography (GC/FID) and GC/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Molecular distributions of fatty acids are characterized by even carbon number predominance with a peak at palmitic acid (C16:0, av. 20.3 ± SD. 29.8 ng/g-ice) followed by oleic acid (C18:1, 19.6 ± 38.6 ng/g-ice) and myristic acid (C14:0, 15.3 ± 21.9 ng/g-ice). The historical trends of short-chain fatty acids, together with correlation analysis with inorganic ions and organic tracers suggest that short-chain fatty acids (except for C12:0 and C15:0) were mainly derived from sea surface micro layers through bubble bursting mechanism and transported over the glacier through the atmosphere. This atmospheric transport process is suggested to be linked with Kamchatka ice core δD record from Northeast Asia and Greenland Temperature Anomaly (GTA). In contrast, long-chain fatty acids (C20:0-C30:0) are originated from terrestrial higher plants, soil organic matter and dusts, which are also linked with GTA. Hence, this study suggests that Alaskan fatty acids are strongly influenced by Pacific Decadal Oscillation/North Pacific Gyre Oscillation and/or extra tropical North Pacific surface climate and Arctic oscillation. We also found that decadal scale variability of C18:1/C18:0 ratios in the Aurora Peak ice core correlate with the Kamchatka ice core δD, which reflects climate oscillations in the North Pacific. This study suggests that photochemical aging of organic aerosols could be controlled by climate periodicity.

Lightning and electrical activity during the Shiveluch volcano eruption on 16 November 2014

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shevtsov, Boris M.; Firstov, Pavel P.; Cherneva, Nina V.; Holzworth, Robert H.; Akbashev, Renat R.

2016-03-01

According to World Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN) data, a sequence of lightning discharges was detected which occurred in the area of the explosive eruption of Shiveluch volcano on 16 November 2014 in Kamchatka. Information on the ash cloud motion was confirmed by the measurements of atmospheric electricity, satellite observations and meteorological and seismic data. It was concluded that WWLLN resolution is enough to detect the earlier stage of volcanic explosive eruption when electrification processes develop the most intensively. The lightning method has the undeniable advantage for the fast remote sensing of volcanic electric activity anywhere in the world. There is a good opportunity for the development of WWLLN technology to observe explosive volcanic eruptions.

Space Radar Image of Kliuchevskoi Volcano, Russia

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1994-01-01

This is an image of the Kliuchevskoi volcano, Kamchatka, Russia, which began to erupt on September 30, 1994. Kliuchevskoi is the bright white peak surrounded by red slopes in the lower left portion of the image. The image was acquired by the Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C and X-band Synthetic Aperture Radar aboard the space shuttle Endeavour on its 25th orbit on October 1, 1994. The image shows an area approximately 30 kilometers by 60 kilometers (18.5 miles by 37 miles) that is centered at 56.18 degrees north latitude and 160.78 degrees east longitude. North is toward the top of the image. The Kamchatka volcanoes are among the most active volcanoes in the world. The volcanic zone sits above a tectonic plate boundary, where the Pacific plate is sinking beneath the northeast edge of the Eurasian plate. The Endeavour crew obtained dramatic video and photographic images of this region during the eruption, which will assist scientists in analyzing the dynamics of the current activity. The colors in this image were obtained using the following radar channels: red represents the L-band (horizontally transmitted and received); green represents the L-band (horizontally transmitted and vertically received); blue represents the C-band (horizontally transmitted and vertically received). The Kamchatka River runs from left to right across the image. An older, dormant volcanic region appears in green on the north side of the river. The current eruption included massive ejections of gas, vapor and ash, which reached altitudes of 20,000 meters (65,000 feet). New lava flows are visible on the flanks of Kliuchevskoi, appearing yellow/green in the image, superimposed on the red surfaces in the lower center. Melting snow triggered mudflows on the north flank of the volcano, which may threaten agricultural zones and other settlements in the valley to the north. Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C and X-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SIR-C/X-SAR) is part of NASA's Mission to Planet Earth. The radars

Compositional Variation of Terrestrial Mantle Apatites and Implications for the Halogen and Water Budgets of the Terrestrial Mantle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roden, M.; Patino Douce, A. E.; Chaumba, J. B.; Fleisher, C.; Yogodzinski, G. M.

2011-12-01

Apatite in ultramafic xenoliths from various tectonic enviroments including arc (Kamchatka), plume (Hawaii), and intraplate (Lunar Crater, Nunivak, Colorado Plateau) were analyzed by electron microprobe with the aim of characterizing the Cl and F contents, and from these measured compositions to infer the nature of fluids/melts that the apatites equilibrated with. The impetus for the study derived from the generalization of O'Reilly and Griffin (1) that mantle-derived metasomatic apatites tend to be Cl-rich and mantle-derived igneous apatites tend to be F-rich. Our work largely corroborates their generalization with Cl- and/or H2O-rich compositions characterizing the apatites from Nunivak and Kamchatka while apatites from igneous or Group II xenoliths tend to be Cl-poor and be either nearly pure fluorapatite or a mix of hydroxylapatite and fluorapatite. We attribute the Cl-rich nature of the Kamchatka apatites to formation from Cl-rich fluids generated from subducted lithosphere; however the Nunivak occurrence is far removed from subducted lithosphere and may reflect a deep seated source for Cl as also indicated by brine inclusions in diamonds, Cl-rich apatites in carbonate-bearing xenoliths and a Cl-rich signature in some plumes such as Iceland, Azores and Samoa. One curious aspect of mantle-derived apatite compositions is that xenoliths with evidence of carbonatitic metasomatism commonly have Cl-rich apatites while apatites from carbonatites are invariably Cl-poor - perhaps reflecting loss of Cl in fluids evolved from the carbonatitic magma. Apatites from Group II xenoliths at Hawaii are solid solutions between fluorapatite and hydroxylapatite and show no evidence for deep-seated Cl at Hawaii. Samples of the terrestrial mantle are almost uniformly characterized by mineral assemblages with a single Ca-rich phosphate phase but the mantles of Mars, Vesta and the Moon have two Ca-rich phosphates, apatite and volatile-poor merrillite - apatite compositions existing

Finite-difference time-domain modeling of transient infrasonic wavefields excited by volcanic explosions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, K.; Lees, J. M.

2011-03-01

Numerical modeling of waveform diffractions along the rim of a volcano vent shows high correlation to observed explosion signals at Karymsky Volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. The finite difference modeling assumed a gaussian source time function and an axisymmetric geometry. A clear demonstration of the significant distortion of infrasonic wavefronts was caused by diffraction at the vent rim edge. Data collected at Karymsky in 1997 and 1998 were compared to synthetic waveforms and variations of vent geometry were determined via grid search. Karymsky exhibited a wide range of variation in infrasonic waveforms, well explained by the diffraction, and modeled as changing vent geometry. Rim diffraction of volcanic infrasound is shown to be significant and must be accounted for when interpreting source physics from acoustic observations.

[The effect of reproduction biotopes on the genetic differentiation of populations of sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka].

PubMed

Brykov, V A; Poliakova, N E; Podlesnykh, A V; Golub', E V; Golub', A P; Zhdanova, O L

2005-05-01

Variation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was examined in nine populations from three lake-river systems of Chukotka and Kamchatka. Significant differences were found between most of the sockeye salmon samples studied. The genetic differences among populations were not high and often did not correlate with the geographical distances between them. The low population divergence is explained by a short time of existence of most of them, having been formed after the recession of the upper Pleistocene glacier. When the populations were grouped according to their spawning biotopes (river or lake), they in general appeared more genetically similar than upon their grouping by geographical location (the lake-river systems). The differences between the river and lake populations in the lake--river systems increased from north to south.

Space Radar Image of Kliuchevskoi Volcano,Russia

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1994-01-01

This photograph of the eruption of Kliuchevskoi volcano, Kamchatka, Russia was taken by space shuttle Endeavour astronauts during the early hours of the eruption on September 30, 1994. The ash plume, which reached heights of more than 18 kilometers (50,000 feet), is emerging from a vent on the north flank of Kliuchevskoi, partially hidden by the plume and its shadow in this view. The photograph is oriented with north toward the bottom, for comparison with the Spaceborne Imaging Radar C/X-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SIR-C/X-SAR) image (P-44823) that was acquired a few days later. Near the center of the photo, a small whitish steam plume may be seen emanating from the growing lava dome of a companion volcano, Bezymianny.

Magmatic Complexes of the Vetlovaya Marginal Sea Paleobasin (Kamchatka): Composition and Geodynamic Setting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsukanov, N. V.; Saveliev, D. P.; Kovalenko, D. V.

2018-01-01

This study presents new geochemical and isotope data on igneous rocks of the Vetlovaya marginal sea paleobasin (part of the Late Mesozoic-Cenozoic margin of the northwestern Pacific). The results show that the rock complexes of this marginal sea basin comprise igneous rocks with geochemical compositions similar to those of normal oceanic tholeiites, enriched transitional tholeiites, and ocean island and back-arc basin basalts. Island-arc tholeiitic basalts are present only rarely. The specific geochemical signatures of these rocks are interpreted as being related to mantle heterogeneity and the geodynamic conditions in the basin.

New Data on the Composition of Ophiolite Complexes on Karaginskii Island (Eastern Kamchatka)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skolotnev, S. G.; Tsukanov, N. V.; Sidorov, E. G.

2018-03-01

The geochemistry and composition of peridotite rock-forming minerals from blocks in the serpentinite mélange of Karaginskii Island have been studied. The composition features of the rock-forming minerals are indicative of the fact that they represent abyssal peridotites of the mid-oceanic ridges that did not undergo remelting under suprasubduction conditions. According to the geochemical data, these rocks were subject to metasomatic alterations under mantle conditions in the suprasubduction setting, which were caused by metasomatizing melts and/or fluids generated in the subduction zone.

Movements by juvenile and immature Steller's Sea Eagles Haliaeetus pelagicus tracked by satellite

USGS Publications Warehouse

McGrady, M.J.; Ueta, M.; Potapov, E.R.; Utekhina, I.; Marterov, V.; Ladyguine, A.; Zykov, V.; Cibor, J.; Fuller, Mark R.; Seegar, J.K.

2003-01-01

Twenty-four juvenile Steller's Sea Eagles Haliaeetus pelagicus were tracked via satellite from natal areas in Magadan, Kabarovsk, Amur, Sakhalin and Kamchatka. Nestling dispersal occurred between 9 September and 6 December (n = 24), mostly 14 September-21 October, and did not differ among regions or years. Most eagles made stopovers of 4-28 days during migration. Migration occurred 9 September-18 January, mostly along previously described routes, taking 4-116 days to complete (n = 18). Eagles averaged 47.8 km/day excluding stopovers; 22.9 km/day including stopovers. The mean degrees of latitude spanned during migration was: Kamchatka, 2.1; Magadan, 11.6; Amur, 7.3; and Sakhalin, 1.1. Eagle winter range sizes varied. Eagles concentrated in 1-3 subareas within overall winter ranges. The mean size of the first wintering subareas was 274 km2, the second 529 km2, and the third 1181 km2. Second wintering areas were south of first wintering areas. Spring migration started between 2 February and 31 March. Two eagles from Magadan were tracked onto summering grounds, well south of their natal areas. Both had early and late summering areas. One bird was followed for 25 months. It initiated its second autumn migration in the first half of October and arrived on its wintering grounds on 26 December. The second autumn migration covered 1839 km (20.9-22.4 km/day). Unlike its first winter when it used two subareas, this bird used only one subarea in 1998-99, but this was located near wintering areas used in 1997-98. It left its wintering ground between 13 April and 13 May, and arrived on its summering grounds between 7 June and 8 July. Unlike most satellite radiotracking studies, data are presented from a relatively large number of birds from across their breeding range, including new information on eagle movements on the wintering grounds and during the second year

Waveform inversion for 3-D S-velocity structure of D'' beneath the Northern Pacific: possible evidence for a remnant slab and a passive plume

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suzuki, Yuki; Kawai, Kenji; Geller, Robert J.; Borgeaud, Anselme F. E.; Konishi, Kensuke

2016-12-01

We conduct waveform inversion to infer the three-dimensional (3-D) S-velocity structure in the lowermost 400 km of the mantle (the D'' region) beneath the Northern Pacific region. Our dataset consists of about 20,000 transverse component broadband body-wave seismograms observed at North American stations for 131 intermediate and deep earthquakes which occurred beneath the western Pacific subduction region. We use S, ScS, and other phases that arrive between them. Resolution tests indicate that our methods and dataset can resolve the velocity structure in the target region with a horizontal scale of about 150 km and a vertical scale of about 50 km. The 3-D S-velocity model obtained in this study shows three prominent features: (1) prominent sheet-like lateral high-velocity anomalies up to ˜3% faster than the Preliminary Reference Earth Model (PREM) with a thickness of ˜200 km, whose lower boundary is ˜150 km above the core-mantle boundary (CMB). (2) A prominent low-velocity anomaly block located to the west of the Kamchatka peninsula, which is ˜2.5% slower than PREM, immediately above the CMB beneath the high-velocity anomalies. (3) A relatively thin (˜300 km) low-velocity structure continuous from the low-velocity anomaly "(2)" to at least 400 km above the CMB. We also detect a continuous low-velocity anomaly from the east of the Kamchatka peninsula at an altitude of 50 km above the CMB to the far east of the Kuril islands at an altitude of 400 km above the CMB. We interpret these features respectively as: (1) remnants of slab material where the bridgmanite to Mg-post-perovskite phase transition may have occurred within the slab, (2, 3) large amounts of hot and less dense materials beneath the cold Kula or Pacific slab remnants just above the CMB which ascend and form a passive plume upwelling at the edge of the slab remnants.[Figure not available: see fulltext.

Russian-American Experience in Science Education and Volcanological Research

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eichelberger, J. C.; Gordeev, E. I.; Vesna, E. B.

2007-12-01

After five years experience in bringing American students to meet and learn with Russian students in Kamchatka and bringing Russian students to meet and learn with American students in Alaska, it is possible to make some generalizations about the problems and benefits this growing program. Some 200 students, including many from other countries besides the United States and Russian Federation, have now had this experience. The context of their collaboration is the International Volcanological Field School, sponsored by the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Kamchatka State University, and the Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, and also a comparison of Mount St Helens, Bezymianny, and Shiveluch volcanoes under the National Science Foundation's Partnerships in International Research in Education, with important support from the Russian Academy of Sciences, Far East Division. Elements of these two projects are adaptation to unfamiliar, harsh, and remote environments; intensive courses in Russian language, history, geography, and culture; and sharing of research and education experiences among students. The challenges faced by the program are: · Slow and complex visa processes. · Demise of a direct airline connection, necessitating round-the-world travel to go 3000 km. · Adequately communicating to students beforehand the need for physical fitness, mental fortitude in uncomfortable conditions, and patience when bad weather limits mobility. Benefits of the projects have been: · Experiences that students report to be career- and life-changing. · Much more positive perceptions of Russia and Russian people by American students and of America and Americans by Russian students. · Introduction to the "expedition style" volcanology necessary in challenging environments. · Development of long-lasting collaborations and friendships in the context of international science. Students often comment that hearing about what their peers have done or are doing in research at

Volcanic Ash on Slopes of Karymsky

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2007-01-01

A volcanic eruption can produce gases, lava, bombs of rock, volcanic ash, or any combination of these elements. Of the volcanic products that linger on the land, most of us think of hardened lava flows, but volcanic ash can also persist on the landscape. One example of that persistence appeared on Siberia's Kamchatka Peninsula in spring 2007. On March 25, 2007, the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) on NASA's Terra satellite captured this image of the area around the Karymsky Volcano. In this image, volcanic ash from earlier eruptions has settled onto the snowy landscape, leaving dark gray swaths. The ash stains are confined to the south of the volcano's summit, one large stain fanning out toward the southwest, and another toward the east. At first glance, the ash stain toward the east appears to form a semicircle north of the volcano and sweep back east. Only part of this dark shape, however, is actually volcanic ash. Near the coast, the darker color may result from thicker vegetation. Similar darker coloring appears to the south. Volcanic ash is not really ash at all, but tiny, jagged bits of rock and glass. These jagged particles pose serious health risks to humans and animals who might inhale them. Likewise, the ash poses hazards to animals eating plants that have been coated with ash. Because wind can carry volcanic ash thousands of kilometers, it poses a more far-reaching hazard than other volcanic ejecta. Substantial amounts of ash can even affect climate by blocking sunlight. Karymsky is a stratovolcano composed of alternating layers of solidified ash, hardened lava, and volcanic rocks. It is one of many active volcanoes on Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, which is part of the 'Ring of Fire' around the Pacific Rim. NASA image created by Jesse Allen, using data provided courtesy of the NASA/GSFC/MITI/ERSDAC/JAROS, and U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team.

Possible precursors to the 2011 3/11 Japan earthquake:

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hayakawa, M.; Hobara, Y.; Schekotov, A.; Rozhnoi, A.; Solovieva, M.

2012-04-01

The purpose of this paper is to present a possible precursor to the 2011 March 11 Japan earthquake. First of all, we present the results on subionospheric VLF/LF propagation anomaly (ionospheric perturbation) by means of Japan-Russia VLF network. It is found that the ionospheric perturbation is clearly detected on March 4, 5 and 6 on the propagation paths of NLK (Seattle, USA) to Japanese stations and on a path of JJI (Miyazaki, Kyushu) to Kamchatka. Next, we present the results on the ULF depression (horizontal component) on the same days, which is interpreted in terms of the absorption in the disturbed lower ionosphere of the downgoing magnetospheric Alfve'n waves. These two precursors are considered to be due to the same effect of the lower ionospheric perturbation about one week before the earthquake.

Space Radar Image of Kliuchevskoi Volcano,Russia

NASA Image and Video Library

1999-05-01

This photograph of the eruption of Kliuchevskoi volcano, Kamchatka, Russia was taken by space shuttle Endeavour astronauts during the early hours of the eruption on September 30, 1994. The ash plume, which reached heights of more than 18 kilometers (50,000 feet), is emerging from a vent on the north flank of Kliuchevskoi, partially hidden by the plume and its shadow in this view. The photograph is oriented with north toward the bottom, for comparison with the Spaceborne Imaging Radar C/X-Band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SIR-C/X-SAR) image (P-44823) that was acquired a few days later. Near the center of the photo, a small whitish steam plume may be seen emanating from the growing lava dome of a companion volcano, Bezymianny. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA01766

Volcanic activity in Alaska: summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory 1993

USGS Publications Warehouse

Neal, Christina A.; McGimsey, Robert G.; Doukas, Michael P.

1996-01-01

During 1993, the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) responded to episodes of eruptive activity or false alarms at nine volcanic centers in the state of Alaska. Additionally, as part of a formal role in KVERT (the Kamchatkan Volcano Eruption Response Team), AVO staff also responded to eruptions on the Kamchatka Peninsula, details of which are summarized in Miller and Kurianov (1993). In 1993, AVO maintained seismic instrumentation networks on four volcanoes of the Cook Inlet region--Spurr, Redoubt, Iliamna, and Augustine--and two stations at Dutton Volcano near King Cove on the Alaska Peninsula. Other routine elements of AVO's volcano monitoring program in Alaska include periodic airborne measurement of volcanic SO2 and CO2 at Cook Inlet volcanoes (Doukas, 1995) and maintenance of a lightning detection system in Cook Inlet (Paskievitch and others, 1995).

Properties of volcanic soils in cold climate conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuznetsova, Elena

2017-04-01

Layers of volcanic ash and the Andosol soils derived from them may play an important role in preserving snow and ice as well as developing permafrost conditions in the immediate vicinity of volcanoes of high elevation or those situated at high latitudes, and land areas, often distant from volcanic activity that are either prone to permafrost or covered by snow and ice, but are affected by the deposition of subaerial ash. The special properties of volcanic ash that are responsible are critically reviewed particularly in relation to recent research in Kamchatka in the Far East of Russia. Of particular importance are the thermal properties and the unfrozen water contents of ash layers and the rate at which the weathering of volcanic glass takes place. Volcanic glass is the most easily weathered component of volcanic ejecta (Shoji et al., 1993; Kimble et al., 2000). There are many specific environmental conditions, including paleoclimate and present-day climate, the composition of volcanic tephra and glaciation history, which cause the differences in weathering and development of volcanic ash soils (Zehetner et al., 2003). The preservation of in situ, unweathered, and unaltered surficial ash-fall deposits in the cold regions has important implications for paleoclimate and glacial history. Ash-fall deposits, which trap and preserve the soils, sediments, and landforms on which they fall, can be used to resolve local climate conditions (temperature and moisture) at the ash site during ash-fall deposition. The preservation of detailed sedimentary features (e.g. bedding in the ash, sharpness of stratigraphic contacts) can tell us about their post-depositional history, whether they have been redeposited by wind or water, or overridden by glaciers (Marchant et al., 1996). Weathering of volcanic glass results in the development of amorphous clay minerals (e.g. allophane, opal, palagonite) but this takes place much slower in cold than under warmer climate conditions. Only few

Eruption of Kliuchevskoi volcano

NASA Image and Video Library

1994-10-04

STS068-273-060 (4 October 1994) --- Astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour recorded this follow-up 70mm frame of the Kliuchevskoi volcano on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia. The volcano was near its peak on launch day, five days earlier, but only a small steam plume was rising from the summit in this Day 5 photo. Tendrils of ash are airborne on the northern flank of the volcano. Scientists feel that the source of these plumes is from a flow down the mountain's northern flank. The entire summit region is covered in ash. As various members of the six-person crew were using handheld cameras to record the various stages of the volcano, hardware in Endeavour's cargo bay was taking radar data of the event in support of the Space Radar Laboratory (SRL-2) mission.

The late Cretaceous Arman flora of Magadan oblast, Northeastern Russia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Herman, A. B.; Golovneva, L. B.; Shczepetov, S. V.; Grabovsky, A. A.

2016-12-01

The Arman flora from the volcanogenic-sedimentary beds of the Arman Formation is systematically studied using materials from the Arman River basin and the Nelkandya-Khasyn interfluve (Magadan oblast, Northeastern Russia). Seventy-three species of fossil plants belonging to 49 genera are described. They consist of liverworts, horsetails, ferns, seed ferns, cycadaleans, bennettitaleans, ginkgoaleans, czekanowskialeans, conifers, gymnosperms of uncertain systematic affinity, and angiosperms. The Arman flora shows a unique combination, with relatively ancient Early Cretaceous ferns and gymnosperms occurring alongside younger Late Cretaceous plants, primarily angiosperms. The similarity of the Arman flora to the Penzhina and Kaivayam floras of northwestern Kamchatka and the Tylpegyrgynai flora of the Pekul'nei Ridge allows the Arman flora to be dated as Turonian and Coniacian (Late Cretaceous), which is corroborated by isotopic (U-Pb and 40Ar/39Ar) age determination for the plant-bearing layers.

A novel thermophilic methane-oxidizing bacteria from thermal springs of Uzon volcano caldera, Kamchatka

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dvorianchikova, E.; Kizilova, A.; Kravchenko, I.; Galchenko, V.

2012-04-01

Methane is a radiatively active trace gas, contributing significantly to the greenhouse effect. It is 26 times more efficient in absorbing and re-emitting infrared radiation than carbon dioxide. Methanotrophs play an essential role in the global carbon cycle by oxidizing 50-75% of the biologically produced methane in situ, before it reaches the atmosphere. Methane-oxidizing bacteria are isolated from the various ecosystems and described at present. Their biology, processes of methane oxidation in fresh-water, marsh, soil and marine habitats are investigated quite well. Processes of methane oxidation in places with extreme physical and chemical conditions (high or low , salinity and temperature values) are studied in much smaller degree. Such ecosystems occupy a considerable part of the Earth's surface. The existence of aerobic methanotrophs inhabiting extreme environments has been verified so far by cultivation experiments and direct detection of methane monooxygenase genes specific to almost all aerobic methanotrophs. Thermophilic and thermotolerant methanotrophs have been isolated from such extreme environments and consist of the gammaproteobacterial (type I) genera Methylothermus, Methylocaldum, Methylococcus and the verrucomicrobial genus Methylacidiphilum. Uzon volcano caldera is a unique area, where volcanic processes still happen today. Hydrothermal springs of the area are extreme ecosystems which microbial communities represent considerable scientific interest of fundamental and applied character. A thermophilic aerobic methane-oxidising bacterium was isolated from a sediment sample from a hot spring (56.1; 5.3) of Uzon caldera. Strain S21 was isolated using mineral low salt medium. The headspace gas was composed of CH4, Ar, CO2, and O2 (40:40:15:5). The temperature of cultivation was 50, pH 5.5. Cells of strain S21 in exponential and early-stationary phase were coccoid bacilli, about 1 μm in diameter, and motile with a single polar flagellum. PCR and molecular cloning of a pmoA gene fragment have shown that strain S21 was moderately related to the genus Methylothermus; the closest organism is Methylothermus subterraneus. The further studying of strain S21 will expand our knowledge of this group of organisms, important from the ecological point of view.

Space Radar Image of Kiluchevskoi, Volcano, Russia

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1994-01-01

This is an image of the area of Kliuchevskoi volcano, Kamchatka, Russia, which began to erupt on September 30, 1994. Kliuchevskoi is the blue triangular peak in the center of the image, towards the left edge of the bright red area that delineates bare snow cover. The image was acquired by the Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C/X-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SIR-C/X-SAR) aboard the space shuttle Endeavour on its 88th orbit on October 5, 1994. The image shows an area approximately 75 kilometers by 100 kilometers (46 miles by 62 miles) that is centered at 56.07 degrees north latitude and 160.84 degrees east longitude. North is toward the bottom of the image. The radar illumination is from the top of the image. The Kamchatka volcanoes are among the most active volcanoes in the world. The volcanic zone sits above a tectonic plate boundary, where the Pacific plate is sinking beneath the northeast edge of the Eurasian plate. The Endeavour crew obtained dramatic video and photographic images of this region during the eruption, which will assist scientists in analyzing the dynamics of the recent activity. The colors in this image were obtained using the following radar channels: red represents the L-band (horizontally transmitted and received); green represents the L-band (horizontally transmitted and vertically received); blue represents the C-band (horizontally transmitted and vertically received). In addition to Kliuchevskoi, two other active volcanoes are visible in the image. Bezymianny, the circular crater above and to the right of Kliuchevskoi, contains a slowly growing lava dome. Tolbachik is the large volcano with a dark summit crater near the upper right edge of the red snow covered area. The Kamchatka River runs from right to left across the bottom of the image. The current eruption of Kliuchevskoi included massive ejections of gas, vapor and ash, which reached altitudes of 15,000 meters (50,000 feet). Melting snow mixed with volcanic ash triggered mud flows on the

The vanadium isotope compositions of subduction zone lavas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tian, S.; Huang, F.

2017-12-01

Vanadium is a redox sensitive element with multiple oxidation states, and thus it has the potential to trace redox-related processes. With the advancement of analytical method for V isotopes, we are now able to recognize V isotope fractionation for igneous rocks. Subduction zones are critical zones on the Earth for the interaction between crust and mantle where undergo complex geological processes. However, V isotope data of subduction zone lavas are still rare except those reported in [1]. To investigate the V isotope variations of subduction zones and discuss the potential to apply V to trace mantle redox state. In this contribution, we report δ51V for three subduction zone lavas from Kamchatka, Lesser Antilles, and Aleutians which are characterized by well-documented magmatic evolutionary series. 47 arc lava samples have been analyzed and the δ51V data of them range from -0.91‰ to -0.53‰ (2sd = 0.10 ‰). Among these samples, primitive arc basalts with MgO > 6 wt. % have an average δ51V of -0.80 ± 0.15‰ (2sd, n = 20), broadly consistent with δ51V data of MORB [2, 3]. Within the single arc of Kamchatka, δ51V data of primitive basalts from the arc front to the back-arc is almost constant, suggesting limited influences of mantle melting and source heterogeneity on V isotopes. δ51V data of these samples show no correlation with Ba/Nb, suggesting that fluids have little impact on V isotopes. On the other hand, δ51V data of the more involved samples with MgO < 6 wt. % are negatively correlated with MgO contents, indicating that the 50V preferentially enters crystalline minerals, which produces heavier V isotope compositions of residual melts. Distinct to the observation showing 2‰ fractionation reported in [1], the magnitude of V isotope fractionation in arc lavas is much smaller (0.38‰) in this study. Future works are needed for better understanding the V isotope fractionation mechanisms of subduction zone lavas. [1]Prytulak et al., 2017, Geochem

Statistical Analysis of the Correlation between Microwave Emission Anomalies and Seismic Activity Based on AMSR-E Satellite Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

qin, kai; Wu, Lixin; De Santis, Angelo; Zhang, Bin

2016-04-01

Pre-seismic thermal IR anomalies and ionosphere disturbances have been widely reported by using the Earth observation system (EOS). To investigate the possible physical mechanisms, a series of detecting experiments on rock loaded to fracturing were conducted. Some experiments studies have demonstrated that microwave radiation energy will increase under the loaded rock in specific frequency and the feature of radiation property can reflect the deformation process of rock fracture. This experimental result indicates the possibility that microwaves are emitted before earthquakes. Such microwaves signals are recently found to be detectable before some earthquake cases from the brightness temperature data obtained by the microwave-radiometer Advanced Microwave-Scanning Radiometer for the EOS (AMSR-E) aboard the satellite Aqua. This suggested that AMSR-E with vertical- and horizontal-polarization capability for six frequency bands (6.925, 10.65, 18.7, 23.8, 36.5, and 89.0 GHz) would be feasible to detect an earthquake which is associated with rock crash or plate slip. However, the statistical analysis of the correlation between satellite-observed microwave emission anomalies and seismic activity are firstly required. Here, we focus on the Kamchatka peninsula to carry out a statistical study, considering its high seismicity activity and the dense orbits covering of AMSR-E in high latitudes. 8-years (2003-2010) AMSR-E microwave brightness temperature data were used to reveal the spatio-temporal association between microwave emission anomalies and 17 earthquake events (M>5). Firstly, obvious spatial difference of microwave brightness temperatures between the seismic zone at the eastern side and the non-seismic zone the western side within the Kamchatka peninsula are found. Secondly, using both vertical- and horizontal-polarization to extract the temporal association, it is found that abnormal changes of microwave brightness temperatures appear generally 2 months before the

[Principal stages in the Cenozoic diversification of shallow-water molluscan faunas in the North Pacific].

PubMed

Kafanov, A I

2006-01-01

Cluster analysis of bivalve species recorded in Cenozoic deposits in Sakhalin Island, western Kamchatka, Hokkaido, and California was used to determine geological age of the modem North Pacific biogeographic region and its constituent subregions (Japan-Mandchurian, Beringian, and Oregon-Sitkan). The North Pacific region developed during the Paleogene-Neogene transition due to Drake Passage opening to deep-water movement, formation of the deep-water Antarctic Circumpolar Current, and the change in climate from greenhouse to psychospheric. Differentiation of the three subregions within the North Pacific Region seems to have occurred in late Miocene-early Pliocene, about 5.6 millions years ago and was probably due to the flooding of the Bering Land Bridge and development of the present configuration of circulation in the North Pacific. In the Northwest Pacific, during Paleogene and early Neogene, the faunal diversification occurred more rapidly and was more extensive than in the Northeast Pacific.

Amplitude of foreshocks as a possible seismic precursor to earthquakes

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lindh, A.G.

1978-01-01

In recent years, we have made significant progress in being able to recognize the long-range pattern of events that precede large earthquakes. For example, in a recent issue of the Earthquake Information Bulletin, we saw how the pioneering work of S.A. Fedotov of the U.S.S.R in the Kamchatka-Kurile Islands region has been applied worldwide to forecast where large, shallow earthquakes might occur in the next decades. Indeed, such a "seismic gap" off the coast of Alaska was filled by the 1972 Sitka earthquake. Promising results are slowly accumulating from other techniques that suggest that intermediate-term precursors might also be seen: among these are tilt and geomagnetic anomalies and anomalous land uplift. But the crucial point remains that short-term precursors (days to hours) will be needed in many cases if there is to be a significant saving of lives. 

Biodiversity of thermophilic prokaryotes with hydrolytic activities in hot springs of Uzon Caldera, Kamchatka (Russia).

PubMed

Kublanov, Ilya V; Perevalova, Anna A; Slobodkina, Galina B; Lebedinsky, Aleksander V; Bidzhieva, Salima K; Kolganova, Tatyana V; Kaliberda, Elena N; Rumsh, Lev D; Haertlé, Thomas; Bonch-Osmolovskaya, Elizaveta A

2009-01-01

Samples of water from the hot springs of Uzon Caldera with temperatures from 68 to 87 degrees C and pHs of 4.1 to 7.0, supplemented with proteinaceous (albumin, casein, or alpha- or beta-keratin) or carbohydrate (cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, chitin, or agarose) biological polymers, were filled with thermal water and incubated at the same sites, with the contents of the tubes freely accessible to the hydrothermal fluid. As a result, several enrichment cultures growing in situ on different polymeric substrates were obtained. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis of 16S rRNA gene fragments obtained after PCR with Bacteria-specific primers showed that the bacterial communities developing on carbohydrates included the genera Caldicellulosiruptor and Dictyoglomus and that those developing on proteins contained members of the Thermotogales order. DGGE analysis performed after PCR with Archaea- and Crenarchaeota-specific primers showed that archaea related to uncultured environmental clones, particularly those of the Crenarchaeota phylum, were present in both carbohydrate- and protein-degrading communities. Five isolates obtained from in situ enrichments or corresponding natural samples of water and sediments represented the bacterial genera Dictyoglomus and Caldanaerobacter as well as new archaea of the Crenarchaeota phylum. Thus, in situ enrichment and consequent isolation showed the diversity of thermophilic prokaryotes competing for biopolymers in microbial communities of terrestrial hot springs.

[Occurrence of helminths in amphipods Gammarus lacustris Sars, 1863 (Amphipoda: Gammaridae) from Kronotskoe Lake (Kamchatka)].

PubMed

Sokolov, S G; Gordeev, I I

2014-01-01

Metacercariae of Crepidostomum metoecus (prevalence 2.0%), procercoids of Cyathocephalus truncatus (2.9%), and nematodes of the family Cystidicolidae (17.6%) were found in the body cavity of amphipods Gammarus lacustris from the Kronotskoe Lake. The nematodes were presented by Cystidicola farionis (third-stage juvenile) and Ascarophis sp. (adult and fourth-stage juvenile).

Dwarf char, a new form of chars (the genus Salvelinus) in Lake Kronotskoe

USGS Publications Warehouse

Pavlov, S.D.; Pivovarov, E.A.; Ostberg, C.O.

2012-01-01

Lake Kronotskoe is situated in the Kronotskii State Nature Reserve and is a unique natural heritage of Kamchatka. The lake–river system of the reserve includes numerous springs and small streams and three large inflowing rivers, Listvennichnaya, Unana, and Uzon, which form the main bays of Lake Kronotskoe; one river (Kronotskaya) flows from the lake. This river is characterized by several rapids, which are assumed to be unsurmountable barriers for fish migration. The ichthyofauna of the lake has been isolated for a long time, and some endemic fishes appeared, including char of the genus Salvelinus and the residential form of red salmon Oncorhynchus nerka (the local name is kokanee). These species are perfect model objects to study microevolution processes. Char of Lake Kronotskoe are characterized by significant polymorphism and plasticity [1–3]; therefore, they are extremely valuable for studying the processes of speciation and form development. That is why the populations of char in Lake Kronotskoe are unique and attract special attention of researchers. 

Amchitka, Alaska Site Fact Sheet

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

None

2011-12-15

Amchitka Island is near the western end of the Aleutian Island chain and is the largest island in the Rat Island Group that is located about 1,340 miles west-southwest of Anchorage, Alaska, and 870 miles east of the Kamchatka Peninsula in eastern Russia. The island is 42 miles long and 1 to 4 miles wide, with an area of approximately 74,240 acres. Elevations range from sea level to more than 1,100 feet above sea level. The coastline is rugged; sea cliffs and grassy slopes surround nearly the entire island. Vegetation on the island is low-growing, meadow-like tundra grasses at lowermore » elevations. No trees grow on Amchitka. The lowest elevations are on the eastern third of the island and are characterized by numerous shallow lakes and heavily vegetated drainages. The central portion of the island has higher elevations and fewer lakes. The westernmost 3 miles of the island contains a windswept rocky plateau with sparse vegetation.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hinz, Nick; Coolbaugh, Mark; Shevenell, Lisa

There are currently 74 productive geothermal systems associated with volcanic centers (VCs) in arcs globally, including actively producing systems, past producing systems, and systems with successful flow tests. The total installed or tested capacity of these 74 geothermal systems is 7,605 MWe, ranging from 0.7 MWe each at Copahue, Chile and Barkhatnaya Sopka, Kamchatka to 795 MWe, Larderello, Italy, and averaging 90.5 MWe per system. These 74 productive VCs constitute 10% of 732 VCs distributed across more than a dozen major arcs around the world. The intra-arc (within-arc) tectonic setting is highly variable globally, ranging from extension to transtension, transpression,more » or compression. Furthermore, the shear strain associated with oblique plate convergence can be accommodated by either intra-arc or arc-marginal deformation. The structural-tectonic settings of these 74 productive VCs were characterized to add to a global catalog of parameters to help guide future exploration, development, and regional resource potential.« less

Lava and Snow on Klyuchevskaya Volcano [detail

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-12-08

This false-color (shortwave infrared, near infrared, green) satellite image reveals an active lava flow on the western slopes of Klyuchevskaya Volcano. Klyuchevskaya is one of several active volcanoes on the Kamchatka Peninsula in far eastern Russia. The lava flow itself is bright red. Snow on Klyuchevskaya and nearby mountains is cyan, while bare ground and volcanic debris is gray or brown. Vegetation is green. The image was collected by Landsat 8 on September 9, 2013. NASA Earth Observatory image by Jesse Allen and Robert Simmon, using Instrument: Landsat 8 - OLI More info: 1.usa.gov/1evspH7 NASA image use policy. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Find us on Instagram

Lava and Snow on Klyuchevskaya Volcano [high res

NASA Image and Video Library

2013-09-20

IDL TIFF file This false-color (shortwave infrared, near infrared, green) satellite image reveals an active lava flow on the western slopes of Klyuchevskaya Volcano. Klyuchevskaya is one of several active volcanoes on the Kamchatka Peninsula in far eastern Russia. The lava flow itself is bright red. Snow on Klyuchevskaya and nearby mountains is cyan, while bare ground and volcanic debris is gray or brown. Vegetation is green. The image was collected by Landsat 8 on September 9, 2013. NASA Earth Observatory image by Jesse Allen and Robert Simmon, using Instrument: Landsat 8 - OLI More info: 1.usa.gov/1evspH7 NASA image use policy. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Find us on Instagram

Paradoxes of the comparative analysis of ground-based and satellite geodetic measurements in recent geodynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuzmin, Yu. O.

2017-11-01

The comparative analysis of the Earth's surface deformations measured by ground-based and satellite geodetic methods on the regional and zonal measurement scales is carried out. The displacement velocities and strain rates are compared in the active regions such as Turkmenian-Iranian zone of interaction of the Arabian and Eurasian lithospheric plates and the Kamchatka segment of the subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath the Okotsk Plate. The comparison yields a paradoxical result. With the qualitatively identical kinematics of the motion, the quantitative characteristics of the displacement velocities and rates of strain revealed by the observations using the global navigational satellite system (GNSS) are by 1-2 orders of magnitude higher than those estimated by the more accurate methods of ground-based geodesy. For resolving the revealed paradoxes, it is required to set up special studies on the joint analysis of ground-based and satellite geodetic data from the combined observation sites.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lam, P.J.; Bishop, J.K.B

Here we show that labile particulate iron and manganese concentrations in the upper 500m of the Western Subarctic Pacific, an iron-limited High Nutrient Low Chlorophyll (HNLC) region, have prominent subsurface maxima between 100-200 m, reaching 3 nM and 600 pM, respectively. The subsurface concentration maxima in particulate Fe are characterized by a more reduced oxidation state, suggesting a source from primary volcagenic minerals such as from the Kuril/Kamchatka margin. The systematics of these profiles suggest a consistently strong lateral advection of labile Mn and Fe from redox-mobilized labile sources at the continental shelf supplemented by a more variable source ofmore » Fe from the upper continental slope. This subsurface supply of iron from the continental margin is shallow enough to be accessible to the surface through winter upwelling and vertical mixing, and is likely a key source of bioavailable Fe to the HNLC North Pacific.« less

Barium isotope geochemistry of subduction-zone magmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, H.; Nan, X.; Huang, J.; Wörner, G.; Huang, F.

2017-12-01

Subduction zones are crucial tectonic setting to study material exchange between crust and mantle, mantle partial melting with fluid addition, and formation of ore-deposits1-3. The geochemical characteristics of arc lavas from subduction zones are different from magmas erupted at mid-ocean ridges4, because there are addition of fluids/melts from subducted AOC and its overlying sediments into their source regions in the sub-arc mantle4. Ba is highly incompatible during mantle melting5, and it is enriched in crust (456 ppm)6 relative to the mantle (7.0 ppm)7. The subducted sediments are also enriched in Ba (776 ppm of GLOSS)8. Moreover, because Ba is fluid soluble during subduction, it has been used to track contributions of subduction-related fluids to arc magmas9 or recycled sediments to the mantle10-11. To study the Ba isotope fractionation behavior during subduction process, we analyzed well-characterized, chemically-diverse arc lavas from Central American, Kamchatka, Central-Eastern Aleutian, and Southern Lesser Antilles. The δ137/134Ba of Central American arc lavas range from -0.13 to 0.24‰, and have larger variation than the arc samples from other locations. Except one sample from Central-Eastern Aleutian arc with obviously heavy δ137/134Ba values (0.27‰), all other samples from Kamchatka, Central-Eastern Aleutian, Southern Lesser Antilles arcs are within the range of OIB. The δ137/134Ba is not correlated with the distance to trench, partial melting degrees (Mg#), or subducting slab-derived components. The samples enriched with heavy Ba isotopes have low Ba contents, indicating that Ba isotopes can be fractionated at the beginning of dehydration process with small amount of Ba releasing to the mantle wedge. With the dehydration degree increasing, more Ba of the subducted slab can be added to the source of arc lavas, likely homogenizing the Ba isotope signatures. 1. Rudnick, R., 1995 Nature; 2. Tatsumi, Y. & Kogiso, T., 2003; 3. Sun, W., et al., 2015 Ore

Changes in detrital input, ventilation and productivity in the central Okhotsk Sea during the marine isotope stage 5e, penultimate interglacial period

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jimenez-Espejo, Francisco J.; García-Alix, Antonio; Harada, Naomi; Bahr, André; Sakai, Saburo; Iijima, Koichi; Chang, Qing; Sato, Keiko; Suzuki, Katsuhiko; Ohkouchi, Naohiko

2018-05-01

By presenting benthic foraminifera isotope profiles and bulk geochemical composition of core sediments, we offer a mutiproxy reconstruction of the central Okhotsk Sea oceanography between ∼130 to and ∼115 kyr, related to the marine isotopic stage 5e (MIS 5e). Sediments from the site MR0604-PC7A have been compared with paleo- sea surface temperatures and other records. This multiparameter approach allowed to recognize three periods for MIS 5e evolution, characterized by variations in marine productivity and bottom oxygenation. These variations have been ultimately associated with the production of Okhotsk Sea Intermediate Water and the presence or absence of nutrient contribution from the Pacific Deep Water into central Okhotsk Sea. Aeolian input reconstructed by Th/Sc ratio indicates higher values during the MIS 6 and MIS 5d compared with the MIS 5e. Eu∗ values indicate an input of detrital material from Kurile Islands and East-Kamchatka during the late MIS 5e, absent during the early MIS 5e and glacial periods.

Improving geothermal power plants with a binary cycle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tomarov, G. V.; Shipkov, A. A.; Sorokina, E. V.

2015-12-01

The recent development of binary geothermal technology is analyzed. General trends in the introduction of low-temperature geothermal sources are summarized. The use of single-phase low-temperature geothermal fluids in binary power plants proves possible and expedient. The benefits of power plants with a binary cycle in comparison with traditional systems are shown. The selection of the working fluid is considered, and the influence of the fluid's physicochemical properties on the design of the binary power plant is discussed. The design of binary power plants is based on the chemical composition and energy potential of the geothermal fluids and on the landscape and climatic conditions at the intended location. Experience in developing a prototype 2.5 MW Russian binary power unit at Pauzhetka geothermal power plant (Kamchatka) is outlined. Most binary systems are designed individually for a specific location. Means of improving the technology and equipment at binary geothermal power plants are identified. One option is the development of modular systems based on several binary systems that employ the heat from the working fluid at different temperatures.

Water in melt inclusions from phenocrysts of dacite pumice of the Vetrovoy Isthmus (Iturup Island, Southern Kuriles)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kotov, A. A.; Smirnov, S. Z.; Maksimovich, I. A.; Plechov, P. Yu; Chertkova, N. V.; Befus, A. I.

2017-12-01

This work is devoted to the study of one of the largest caldera eruptions of the Kurile-Kamchatka island-arc system that occurred on the island of Iturup. The object of investigation of this work are phenocrysts of quartz and plagioclase from dacite pumice of the Isthmus of the Isthmus, which is located on the island of Iturup. The purpose of this work is to determine the water content in the melts that participated in the caldera eruption of the Vetrovoy Isthmus and the patterns of their changes during the crystallization of magma. In the course of the work, the following were carried out: 1) adaptation and calibration of the Raman spectroscopy method for determining water in rhyolite melt’s inclusions glasses in quartz and plagioclase from pumice stone; 2) determination of composition and estimation of water content in melt inclusions in quartz and plagioclase according to x-ray spectral analysis; 3) establishment of the regularities of the change in the water content during the evolution of the magmatic melt; 4) evaluation of fluid pressure by comparison with experimental data

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fedotov, S.A.

Using geophysical data, the mechanism of deep-seated magmatic and volcanic activity was studied in the region of the island arcs and associated structures. Data on magmatic activity below the volcanic belt of East Kamchatka, obtained during geophysical investigations, mainly during detailed seismological investigations and deep seismic sounding, provide evidence for an association between the volcanoes and the processes in the Pacific Ocean focal layer of earthquakes, and for the accumulation of magmas below the volcanic belt at depths less than 60 km. Anomalous columnar bodies more than 5 to 7 km across were found linking the volcanoes with the focalmore » layer. There was also a very large concentration of convective heat flow and volatiles in the magma columns feeding the volcanoes. As to the role of different forces in the uprise of magmas into the volcanoes, hydrostatic forces probably predominate in the asthenosphere, supplemented by tectonic pressure in the lithosphere and forces associated with boiling of magmas during release of volatiles in the crust, especially in its upper layers.« less

Airborne photogrammetry and geomorphological analysis of the 2001-2012 exogenous dome growth at Molodoy Shiveluch Volcano, Kamchatka

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shevchenko, A. V.; Dvigalo, V. N.; Svirid, I. Yu.

2015-10-01

In 2001, after a six-year pause in extrusive activity, lava dome growth resumed at Molodoy Shiveluch Volcano. The new period of dome growth (2001-present) has morphological features that were uncommon during the previous periods of the dome formation (1980-1981, 1993-1995): numerous lava lobes and crease structures. Thus, the current dome growth is mostly of an exogenous type with short periods of endogenous growth that occurred in 2003, 2005, and 2010. Geomorphological interpretation of stereo photo images has revealed elements of the dome that are hardly distinguishable in single photographs. We have made detailed descriptions of the dome morphology covering all the dates of the available images. By using photogrammetric processing of aerial photographs, we created Digital Terrain Models and topographic maps of the lava dome and defined its volumes for 2001 (0.19 km3), 2003 (0.47 km3), 2005 (0.48 km3), 2010 (0.54 km3), and 2012 (0.63 km3). We also defined other morphometric characteristics: absolute and relative heights, as well as the dimensions of the dome and its elements for the investigated period. Taking into account large partial failures of the dome in 2005 (>0.11 km3) and 2010 (0.28 km3), we suggest that the volume of the extruded material for the whole 1980-2012 period was no less than 1.02 km3. The average extrusion rate over the 2001-2012 period exceeded 225,000 m3/day. The transition from endogenous to exogenous dome growth was possibly caused by change in extruded material physical properties due to an increase of SiO2. On the basis of geomorphological analysis of the current lava dome features, we suggest the possible process of the exogenous dome formation at Molodoy Shiveluch. The crease structures detected at Molodoy Shiveluch were classified into three groups according to their shapes: radial, bilaterally symmetrical, and irregular. These crease structures are morphologically similar to those formed at Unzen Volcano during the 1990-1995 eruption. Some revealed morphological features of the crease structures show that the role of gravity is insignificant in their formation. We assume that the crease structures at Molodoy Shiveluch were formed by inner stresses due to thermal and solidification gradients.

1995 volcanic activity in Alaska and Kamchatka: summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory

USGS Publications Warehouse

McGimsey, Robert G.; Neal, Christina A.

1996-01-01

The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) responded to eruptive activity or suspected volcanic activity (SVA) at 6 volcanic centers in 1995: Mount Martin (Katmai Group), Mount Veniaminof, Shishaldin, Makushin, Kliuchef/Korovin, and Kanaga. In addition to responding to eruptive activity at Alaska volcanoes, AVO also disseminated information for the Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) on the 1995 eruptions of 2 Russian volcanoes: Bezymianny and Karymsky. This report summarizes volcanic activity in Alaska during 1995 and the AVO response, as well as information on the 2 Kamchatkan eruptions. Only those reports or inquiries that resulted in a "significant" investment of staff time and energy (here defined as several hours or more for reaction, tracking, and follow-up) are included. AVO typically receives dozens of phone calls throughout the year reporting steaming, unusual cloud sightings, or eruption rumors. Most of these are resolved quickly and are not tabulated here as part of the 1995 response record.

Progressive reactivation of the volcanic plumbing system beneath Tolbachik volcano (Kamchatka, Russia) revealed by long-period seismicity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frank, William B.; Shapiro, Nikolaï M.; Gusev, Alexander A.

2018-07-01

After lying dormant for 36 yr, the Tolbachik volcano of the Klyuchevskoy group started to erupt on 27 November 2012. We investigate the preparatory phase of this eruption via a statistical analysis of the temporal behavior of long-period (LP) earthquakes that occurred beneath this volcanic system. The LP seismicity occurs close to the surface beneath the main volcanic edifices and at 30 km depth in the vicinity of a deep magmatic reservoir. The deep LP earthquakes and those beneath the Klyuchevskoy volcano occur quasi-periodically, while the LP earthquakes beneath Tolbachik are clustered in time. As the seismicity rate increased beneath Tolbachik days before the eruption, the level of the time clustering decreased. We interpret this as a manifestation of the evolution of the volcano plumbing system. We suggest that when a plumbing system awakes after quiescence, multiple cracks and channels are reactivated simultaneously and their interaction results in the strong time clustering of LP earthquakes. With time, this network of channels and cracks evolves into a more stable state with an overall increased permeability, where fluids flow uninhibited throughout the plumbing system except for a few remaining impediments that continue to generate seismic radiation. The inter-seismic source interaction and the level of earthquake time clustering in this latter state is weak. This scenario suggests that the observed evolution of the statistical behavior of the shallow LP seismicity beneath Tolbachik is an indicator of the reactivation and consolidation of the near-surface plumbing system prior to the Tolbachik eruption. The parts of the plumbing system above the deep magmatic reservoir and beneath the Klyuchevskoy volcano remain in nearly permanent activity, as demonstrated by the continuous occurrence of the deep LP earthquakes and very frequent Klyuchevskoy eruptions. This implies that these parts of the plumbing system remain in a stable permeable state and contain a few weakly interacting seismogenic sources. Our results provide new constraints on future mechanical models of the magmatic plumbing systems and demonstrate that the level of time clustering of LP earthquakes can be a useful parameter to infer information about the state of the plumbing system.

1997 volcanic activity in Alaska and Kamchatka: summary of events and response of the Alaska Volcano Observatory

USGS Publications Warehouse

McGimsey, Robert G.; Wallace, Kristi L.

1999-01-01

The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) monitors over 40 historically active volcanoes along the Aleutian Arc. Twenty are seismically monitored and for the rest, the AVO monitoring program relies mainly on pilot reports, observations of local residents and ship crews, and daily analysis of satellite images. In 1997, AVO responded to eruptive activity or suspect volcanic activity at 11 volcanic centers: Wrangell, Sanford, Shrub mud volcano, Iliamna, the Katmai group (Martin, Mageik, Snowy, and Kukak volcanoes), Chiginagak, Pavlof, Shishaldin, Okmok, Cleveland, and Amukta. Of these, AVO has real-time, continuously recording seismic networks at Iliamna, the Katmai group, and Pavlof. The phrase “suspect volcanic activity” (SVA), used to characterize several responses, is an eruption report or report of unusual activity that is subsequently determined to be normal or enhanced fumarolic activity, weather-related phenomena, or a non-volcanic event. In addition to responding to eruptive activity at Alaska volcanoes, AVO also disseminated information for the Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) about the 1997 activity of 5 Russian volcanoes--Sheveluch, Klyuchevskoy, Bezymianny, Karymsky, and Alaid (SVA). This report summarizes volcanic activity and SVA in Alaska during 1997 and the AVO response, as well as information on the reported activity at the Russian volcanoes. Only those reports or inquiries that resulted in a “significant” investment of staff time and energy (here defined as several hours or more for reaction, tracking, and follow-up) are included. AVO typically receives dozens of reports throughout the year of steaming, unusual cloud sightings, or eruption rumors. Most of these are resolved quickly and are not tabulated here as part of the 1997 response record.

Laboratory-based educational and outreach activities in the framework of a CAREER award at the University of Oregon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bindeman, I. N.

2011-12-01

The Stable Isotope Laboratory at the University of Oregon has been used as a learning and outreach center in the framework of the 09 award entitled "Stable isotope insights into large-volume volcanic eruptions". The PI and other members of the group have actively recruitted undergraduate students, summer session and catalytic outreach undergraduates, and hosted international students, visitors, and collaborators from Russia, Iceland, France, the UK, Australia, and Switzerland. We also integrated closely with the Oregon-wide summer program that brings community college students to the University of Oregon for 2.5 months summer research residence (UCORE). In total we gave supervised five undergraduate students and three UCORE students. Additionally, we recruited undergraduates from U of Chicago, Colorado and Pomona Colleges to spend summers in the lab and in the field. In conjunction with the NSF funded PIRE program, two female graduate and one female undergraduate students participated in fieldwork in Kamchatka, and three Kamchatka undergraduates, and one Moscow graduate student visited the University Oregon. Students performed their own projects or Senior Theses and reported their results locally and at AGU conferences. We developed a management structure in which graduate students, a postdoc, and lab technician co-supervised students and visitors and this exposed them into the supervisory roles, contributed to the project progress, and liberated PI from micromanagement duties. The talk will present our experience with this management concept of a lab-based-learning initiative, which defines roles for each member of the lab. Our outreach activities included public lectures at community colleges by PI and a graduate student, and the topical Penrose conference co-organized by the PI, which attracted many students and visitors who collected their data in the lab. PI has introduced a voluntary fieldtrip as a part of his Volcanoes and Earthquake large enrollment class

Inverse Modeling of the Thermal Hydrodynamic and Chemical Processes During Exploitation of the Mutnovsky Geothermal Field (Kamchatka, Russia)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kiryukhin, A. V.

2012-12-01

A TOUGH2-EOS1 3D rectangular numerical model of the Mutnovsky geothermal field (Kiryukhin, 1996) was re-calibrated using natural state and history exploitation data during the time period 1984-2006 years. Recalibration using iTOUGH2-EOS1+tracer inversion modeling capabilities, was useful to remove outliers from calibration data, identify sets of the estimated parameters of the model, and perform estimations. Chloride ion was used as a "tracer" in this modeling. Thermal hydrodynamic observational data which were used for model recalibration are as follows: 37 temperature and 1 pressure calibration points - for natural state, 13 production wells with monthly averaged enthalpies (650 values during the time period 1983-1987, 2000-2006 years) and 1 transient pressure monitoring wells (57 values during 2003-2006 years) - for exploitation history match. Chemical observational data includes transient mass chloride concentrations from 10 production wells and chloride hot spring sampling data (149 values during 1999-2006 years). The following features of Mutnovsky geothermal reservoir based on integrated inverse modeling analysis of natural state and exploitation data were estimated and better understood: 1. Reservoir permeability was found to be one order more comparable to model-1996, especially the lower part coinciding with intrusion contact zone (600-800 mD at -750 - -1250 masl); 2. Local meteoric inflow in the central part of the field accounting for 45 - 80 kg/s since year 2002; 3. Reinjection rates were estimated significantly lower, than officially reported as 100% of total fluid withdrawal; 4. Upflow fluid flows were estimated hotter (314oC) and the rates are larger (+50%), than assumed before; 5. Global double porosity parameters estimates are: fracture spacing - 5 - 10 m, void fraction N 10-3; 6. Main upflow zone chloride mass concentration estimate is 150 ppm. Conversion of the calibrated TOUGH2-EOS1+tracer model into electrical resistivity model using TOUGH2-EOS9 (L. Magnusdottir, 2012) may significantly improve efficiency of Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ETR) applications to detect spatial features of infiltration downflows and chloride enriched reinjected flows during reservoir exploitation.

[Downstream migration, behavior, and distribution of fish fry in the lower reaches of the Ozernaya River (southwestern Kamchatka)].

PubMed

Pavlov, D S; Kirillova, E A; Kirillov, P I; Nezdoliĭ, V K

2015-01-01

Fry of five species of salmonids are found in the lower reaches of the Ozernaya River. The most abundant are chum salmon and pink salmon which compose the bulk of fry which migrate downstream from the river to the sea. The dates and duration of migration of particular species differed according to the specific traits of their biology. Pink salmon is characterized by a simple migration strategy: it migrated downstream in a short time after emergence from theground. Chum salmon has two strategies of downstream migration: some fry start migration soon after emergence, and others remained in the river for several weeks. Downstream migration of pink salmon occurred mainly at night in contrast to that of chum salmon, over 24 h, the part of daytime increased with growth, of the fish. Migration of pink salmon was passive. Passive migration of chum salmon changed into active-passive with growth of the fish. The ratio of fish in the inshore zone and in the current was different in the course of 24 h. The number of fish in the inshore zone decreased in the period of intensive downstream migration.

Comparison of polyunsaturated fatty acids content in filets of anadromous and landlocked sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka.

PubMed

Gladyshev, Michail I; Lepskaya, Ekaterina V; Sushchik, Nadezhda N; Makhutova, Olesia N; Kalachova, Galina S; Malyshevskaya, Kseniya K; Markevich, Grigory N

2012-12-01

Fatty acid composition and content of 2 forms of sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka from lakes in Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) were compared. One form of sockeye salmon was anadromous ("marine"), that is, adult fish migrated in ocean to feed and grow and than return in the lake to breed. Fish of another form, kokanee, never migrate in the ocean. Per cent levels of the main indicators of nutritive value, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3), were significantly higher in the landlocked O. nerka. However, concentrations of EPA and DHA per wet weight of filets were higher in the marine form, because of the relatively higher content of sum of fatty acids in their muscle tissue. As concluded, fish fed in marine environment had higher contents of long-chain n-3 fatty acids per wet weight than fish of the same species, fed in fresh waters. In general, both the anadromous sockeye salmon and the landlocked kokanee salmon can be recommended for human diet as a valuable product concerning contents of EPA and DHA. © 2012 Institute of Food Technologists®

A Summary of the History and Achievements of the Alaska Volcano Observatory.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, R. W.

2008-12-01

Volcanoes of the Aleutian Islands, Kamchatka and the Kurile Islands present a serious threat to aviation on routes from North America to the Far East. On March 27, 1986, an eruption of Augustine Volcano deposited ash over Anchorage and disrupted air traffic in south-central Alaska. The consequences of the colocation of an active volcano and the largest city in Alaska were clearly evident. That event led to a three-way partnership between the US Geological Survey, the University of Alaska Geophysical Institute and the Alaska State Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys that now maintains a continuous watch through ground instrumentation and satellite imagery providing data from which warnings of eruptions can be issued to airline operators and pilots. The eruption of Redoubt Volcano in December 1989 was AVO's first big test. It spewed volcanic ash to a height of 14,000 m (45,000 feet) and managed to catch KLM 867, a Boeing 747 aircraft in its plume under dark conditions while approaching Anchorage Airport. Further details of the early days of the Alaska Volcano Observatory will be described, along with its recent successes and challenges.

The importance of radiocarbon dates and tephra for developing chronologies of Holocene environmental changes from lake sediments, North Far East

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lozhkin, Anatoly V.; Brown, Thomas A.; Anderson, Patricia M.

One problem with developing continuous chronologies of paleoenvironmental change in northern areas of the Far East using 14C is the low organic content in lake sediments. However, Holocene age-models can be supplemented by widespread tephra deposits reported in the Magadan region. The best documented of these tephras has been correlated to the KO tephra from southern Kamchatka dated to 7600 BP. Though a key chronostratigraphic marker, no detailed compendium of the distribution of this tephra and its associated 14C dates has been available from sites in the northern Far East. We provide such a summary. Known locally as the Elikchanmore » tephra, lake cores indicate an ash fall that extended ~1800 km north of the Kamchatkan caldera with a ~500 km wide trajectory in the Magadan region. Other Holocene tephras preserved in lake sediments have poorer age control and possibly date to ~2500 BP, ~2700 BP and ~6000 BP. These ashes seem to be restricted to coastal or near-coastal sites. Finally, a single record of a ~25,000 BP tephra has also been documented ~100 km to the northeast of Magadan.« less

The importance of radiocarbon dates and tephra for developing chronologies of Holocene environmental changes from lake sediments, North Far East

DOE PAGES

Lozhkin, Anatoly V.; Brown, Thomas A.; Anderson, Patricia M.; ...

2016-08-12

One problem with developing continuous chronologies of paleoenvironmental change in northern areas of the Far East using 14C is the low organic content in lake sediments. However, Holocene age-models can be supplemented by widespread tephra deposits reported in the Magadan region. The best documented of these tephras has been correlated to the KO tephra from southern Kamchatka dated to 7600 BP. Though a key chronostratigraphic marker, no detailed compendium of the distribution of this tephra and its associated 14C dates has been available from sites in the northern Far East. We provide such a summary. Known locally as the Elikchanmore » tephra, lake cores indicate an ash fall that extended ~1800 km north of the Kamchatkan caldera with a ~500 km wide trajectory in the Magadan region. Other Holocene tephras preserved in lake sediments have poorer age control and possibly date to ~2500 BP, ~2700 BP and ~6000 BP. These ashes seem to be restricted to coastal or near-coastal sites. Finally, a single record of a ~25,000 BP tephra has also been documented ~100 km to the northeast of Magadan.« less

Unusually large earthquakes inferred from tsunami deposits along the Kuril trench

USGS Publications Warehouse

Nanayama, F.; Satake, K.; Furukawa, R.; Shimokawa, K.; Atwater, B.F.; Shigeno, K.; Yamaki, S.

2003-01-01

The Pacific plate converges with northeastern Eurasia at a rate of 8-9 m per century along the Kamchatka, Kuril and Japan trenches. Along the southern Kuril trench, which faces the Japanese island of Hokkaido, this fast subduction has recurrently generated earthquakes with magnitudes of up to ???8 over the past two centuries. These historical events, on rupture segments 100-200 km long, have been considered characteristic of Hokkaido's plate-boundary earthquakes. But here we use deposits of prehistoric tsunamis to infer the infrequent occurrence of larger earthquakes generated from longer ruptures. Many of these tsunami deposits form sheets of sand that extend kilometres inland from the deposits of historical tsunamis. Stratigraphic series of extensive sand sheets, intercalated with dated volcanic-ash layers, show that such unusually large tsunamis occurred about every 500 years on average over the past 2,000-7,000 years, most recently ???350 years ago. Numerical simulations of these tsunamis are best explained by earthquakes that individually rupture multiple segments along the southern Kuril trench. We infer that such multi-segment earthquakes persistently recur among a larger number of single-segment events.

Potential future studies on the nutritional status among indigenous peoples in Alaska and the Russian Far East: preliminary assessment of the Social Transition in the North data set.

PubMed

Hamrick, Kari J; Smith, Janell

2004-01-01

The purpose of this assessment is to examine the nutrition-related health data collected during the Social Transitions of the North (STN) study for understanding cultural differences between nations and the impact on nutritional status. The nutrition data in the STN study was collected in two regions of Alaska (Northwest Arctic and the Aleutian Islands) and in two regions of the Russian Far East (Kamchatka and Chukotka). The health questionnaire explored several factors that may contribute to identifying the nutritional status of the study populations. These factors were appetite, weight, subsistence food consumption, vitamin or mineral supplements use self-perception of health, special diets, and number of meals consumed with relatives. US populations were heavier than the Russian population (p = 0.0001). Both the Alaskan and Russian populations are frequent users of subsistence foods. The US respondents reported consuming 75% or more of the total protein as subsistence protein more often (40%) than the Russian respondents (25%). US respondents perceive themselves as healthier than their Russian counterparts. The US respondents consumed greater amounts of subsistence foods in general, and more of their diet over the year is made up of Native protein.

DNA analysis of a 30,000-year-old Urocitellus glacialis from northeastern Siberia reveals phylogenetic relationships between ancient and present-day arctic ground squirrels

PubMed Central

Faerman, Marina; Bar-Gal, Gila Kahila; Boaretto, Elisabetta; Boeskorov, Gennady G.; Dokuchaev, Nikolai E.; Ermakov, Oleg A.; Golenishchev, Fedor N.; Gubin, Stanislav V.; Mintz, Eugenia; Simonov, Evgeniy; Surin, Vadim L.; Titov, Sergei V.; Zanina, Oksana G.; Formozov, Nikolai A.

2017-01-01

In contrast to the abundant fossil record of arctic ground squirrels, Urocitellus parryii, from eastern Beringia, only a limited number of fossils is known from its western part. In 1946, unnamed GULAG prisoners discovered a nest with three mummified carcasses of arctic ground squirrels in the permafrost sediments of the El’ga river, Yakutia, Russia, that were later attributed to a new species, Citellus (Urocitellus) glacialis Vinogr. To verify this assignment and to explore phylogenetic relationships between ancient and present-day arctic ground squirrels, we performed 14C dating and ancient DNA analyses of one of the El’ga mummies and four contemporaneous fossils from Duvanny Yar, northeastern Yakutia. Phylogenetic reconstructions, based on complete cytochrome b gene sequences of five Late Pleistocene arctic ground squirrels and those of modern U. parryii from 21 locations across western Beringia, provided no support for earlier proposals that ancient arctic ground squirrels from Siberia constitute a distinct species. In fact, we observed genetic continuity of the glacialis mitochondrial DNA lineage in modern U. parryii of the Kamchatka peninsula. When viewed in a broader geographic perspective, our findings provide new insights into the genetic history of U. parryii in Late Pleistocene Beringia. PMID:28205612

Carbonaceous aerosol tracers in ice-cores record multi-decadal climate oscillations

PubMed Central

Seki, Osamu; Kawamura, Kimitaka; Bendle, James A. P.; Izawa, Yusuke; Suzuki, Ikuko; Shiraiwa, Takayuki; Fujii, Yoshiyuki

2015-01-01

Carbonaceous aerosols influence the climate via direct and indirect effects on radiative balance. However, the factors controlling the emissions, transport and role of carbonaceous aerosols in the climate system are highly uncertain. Here we investigate organic tracers in ice cores from Greenland and Kamchatka and find that, throughout the period covered by the records (1550 to 2000 CE), the concentrations and composition of biomass burning-, soil bacterial- and plant wax- tracers correspond to Arctic and regional temperatures as well as the warm season Arctic Oscillation (AO) over multi-decadal time-scales. Specifically, order of magnitude decreases (increases) in abundances of ice-core organic tracers, likely representing significant decreases (increases) in the atmospheric loading of carbonaceous aerosols, occur during colder (warmer) phases in the high latitudinal Northern Hemisphere. This raises questions about causality and possible carbonaceous aerosol feedback mechanisms. Our work opens new avenues for ice core research. Translating concentrations of organic tracers (μg/kg-ice or TOC) from ice-cores, into estimates of the atmospheric loading of carbonaceous aerosols (μg/m3) combined with new model constraints on the strength and sign of climate forcing by carbonaceous aerosols should be a priority for future research. PMID:26411576

Clouds off the Aleutian Islands

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-12-08

March 23, 2010 - Clouds off the Aleutian Islands Interesting cloud patterns were visible over the Aleutian Islands in this image, captured by the MODIS on the Aqua satellite on March 14, 2010. Turbulence, caused by the wind passing over the highest points of the islands, is producing the pronounced eddies that swirl the clouds into a pattern called a vortex "street". In this image, the clouds have also aligned in parallel rows or streets. Cloud streets form when low-level winds move between and over obstacles causing the clouds to line up into rows (much like streets) that match the direction of the winds. At the point where the clouds first form streets, they're very narrow and well-defined. But as they age, they lose their definition, and begin to spread out and rejoin each other into a larger cloud mass. The Aleutians are a chain of islands that extend from Alaska toward the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia. For more information related to this image go to: modis.gsfc.nasa.gov/gallery/individual.php?db_date=2010-0... For more information about Goddard Space Flight Center go here: www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/home/index.html

Do beaver dams reduce habitat connectivity and salmon productivity in expansive river floodplains?

PubMed

Malison, Rachel L; Kuzishchin, Kirill V; Stanford, Jack A

2016-01-01

Beaver have expanded in their native habitats throughout the northern hemisphere in recent decades following reductions in trapping and reintroduction efforts. Beaver have the potential to strongly influence salmon populations in the side channels of large alluvial rivers by building dams that create pond complexes. Pond habitat may improve salmon productivity or the presence of dams may reduce productivity if dams limit habitat connectivity and inhibit fish passage. Our intent in this paper is to contrast the habitat use and production of juvenile salmon on expansive floodplains of two geomorphically similar salmon rivers: the Kol River in Kamchatka, Russia (no beavers) and the Kwethluk River in Alaska (abundant beavers), and thereby provide a case study on how beavers may influence salmonids in large floodplain rivers. We examined important rearing habitats in each floodplain, including springbrooks, beaver ponds, beaver-influenced springbrooks, and shallow shorelines of the river channel. Juvenile coho salmon dominated fish assemblages in all habitats in both rivers but other species were present. Salmon density was similar in all habitat types in the Kol, but in the Kwethluk coho and Chinook densities were 3-12× lower in mid- and late-successional beaver ponds than in springbrook and main channel habitats. In the Kol, coho condition (length: weight ratios) was similar among habitats, but Chinook condition was highest in orthofluvial springbrooks. In the Kwethluk, Chinook condition was similar among habitats, but coho condition was lowest in main channel versus other habitats (0.89 vs. 0.99-1.10). Densities of juvenile salmon were extremely low in beaver ponds located behind numerous dams in the orthofluvial zone of the Kwethluk River floodplain, whereas juvenile salmon were abundant in habitats throughout the entire floodplain in the Kol River. If beavers were not present on the Kwethluk, floodplain habitats would be fully interconnected and theoretically

Suspended sediment load below open-cast mines for ungauged river basin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuksina, L.

2011-12-01

Placer mines are located in river valleys along river benches or river ancient channels. Frequently the existing mining sites are characterized by low contribution of the environmental technologies. Therefore open-pit mining alters stream hydrology and sediment processes and enhances sediment transport. The most serious environmental consequences of the sediment yield increase occur in the rivers populated by salmon fish community because salmon species prefer clean water with low turbidity. For instance, placer mining located in Kamchatka peninsula (Far East of Russia) which is regarded to be the last global gene pool of wild salmon Oncorhynchus threatens rivers ecosystems significantly. Impact assessment is limited by the hydrological observations scarcity. Gauging network is rare and in many cases whole basins up to 200 km length miss any hydrological data. The main purpose of the work is elaboration of methods for sediment yield estimation in rivers under mining impact and implementation of corresponding calculations. Subjects of the study are rivers of the Vivenka river basin where open-cast platinum mine is situated. It's one of the largest platinum mines in Russian Federation and in the world. This mine is the most well-studied in Kamchatka (research covers a period from 2003 to 2011). Empirical - analytical model of suspended sediment yield estimation was elaborated for rivers draining mine's territories. Sediment delivery at the open-cast mine happens due to the following sediment processes: - erosion in the channel diversions; - soil erosion on the exposed hillsides; - effluent from settling ponds; - mine waste water inflow; - accident mine waste water escape into rivers. Sediment washout caused by erosion was estimated by repeated measurements of the channel profiles in 2003, 2006 and 2008. Estimation of horizontal deformation rates was carried out on the basis of erosion dependence on water discharge rates, slopes and composition of sediments. Soil

Breeding-season sympatry facilitates genetic exchange among allopatric wintering populations of Northern Pintails in Japan and California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Flint, Paul L.; Ozaki, Kiyoaki; Pearce, John M.; Guzzetti, Brian; Higuchi, Hiroyoshi; Fleskes, Joseph P.; Shimada, Tetsuo; Derksen, Dirk V.

2009-01-01

The global redistribution of pathogens, such as highly pathogenic avian influenza, has renewed interest in the connectivity of continental populations of birds. Populations of the Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) wintering in Japan and California are considered separate from a management perspective. We used data from band recoveries and population genetics to assess the degree of biological independence of these wintering populations. Distributions of recoveries in Russia of Northern Pintails originally banded during winter in North America overlapped with distributions of Northern Pintails banded during winter in Japan. Thus these allopatric wintering populations are partially sympatric during the breeding season. The primary areas of overlap were along the Chukotka and Kamchatka peninsulas in Russia. Furthermore, band recoveries demonstrated dispersal of individuals between wintering populations both from North America to Japan and vice versa. Genetic analyses of samples from both wintering populations showed little evidence of population differentiation. The combination of banding and genetic markers demonstrates that these two continental populations are linked by low levels of dispersal as well as likely interbreeding in eastern Russia. Although the levels of dispersal are inconsequential for population dynamics, the combination of dispersal and interbreeding represents a viable pathway for exchange of genes, diseases, and/or parasites.

Limnology and fish ecology of sockeye salmon nursery lakes of the world

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hartman, Wilbur L.; Burgner, R.L.

1972-01-01

Many important, recently glaciated oligotrophic lakes that lie in coastal regions around the northern rim of the Pacific Ocean produce anadromous populations of sockeye salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka. This paper describes the limnology and fish ecology of two such lakes in British Columbia, five in Alaska, and one in Kamchatka. Then we discuss the following general topics: the biogenic eutrophication of nursery lakes from the nutrients released from salmon carcasses wherein during years of highest numbers of spawners, lake phosphate balances in Lakes Babine, Iliamna, and Dalnee are significantly affected; the use of nursery lakes by young sockeye that reveals five patterns related to size and configuration of lake basins and the distribution of spawning areas; the interactions between various life history stages of sockeye salmon and such resident predators, competitors, and prey as Arctic char, lake trout, Dolly Varden, cutthroat trout, lake whitefish, pygmy whitefish, pond smelt, sticklebacks, and sculpins; the self-regulation of sockeye salmon abundance in these nursery lakes as controlled by density-dependent processes; the interrelations between young sockeye salmon biomass and growth rates, and zooplankton abundance in Babine Lake; and finally, the diel, vertical, pelagial migratory behavior of young sockeye in Babine Lake and the new hypothesis dealing with bioenergetic conservation.

Is killer whale dialect evolution random?

PubMed

Filatova, Olga A; Burdin, Alexandr M; Hoyt, Erich

2013-10-01

The killer whale is among the few species in which cultural change accumulates over many generations, leading to cumulative cultural evolution. Killer whales have group-specific vocal repertoires which are thought to be learned rather than being genetically coded. It is supposed that divergence between vocal repertoires of sister groups increases gradually over time due to random learning mistakes and innovations. In this case, the similarity of calls across groups must be correlated with pod relatedness and, consequently, with each other. In this study we tested this prediction by comparing the patterns of call similarity between matrilines of resident killer whales from Eastern Kamchatka. We calculated the similarity of seven components from three call types across 14 matrilines. In contrast to the theoretical predictions, matrilines formed different clusters on the dendrograms made by different calls and even by different components of the same call. We suggest three possible explanations for this phenomenon. First, the lack of agreement between similarity patterns of different components may be the result of constraints in the call structure. Second, it is possible that call components change in time with different speed and/or in different directions. Third, horizontal cultural transmission of call features may occur between matrilines. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Soils and the soil cover of the Valley of Geysers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kostyuk, D. N.; Gennadiev, A. N.

2014-06-01

The results of field studies of the soil cover within the tourist part of the Valley of Geysers in Kamchatka performed in 2010 and 2011 are discussed. The morphology of soils, their genesis, and their dependence on the degree of hydrothermal impact are characterized; the soil cover patterns developing in the valley are analyzed. On the basis of the materials provided by the Kronotskii Biospheric Reserve and original field data, the soil map of the valley has been developed. The maps of vegetation conditions, soil temperature at the depth of 15 cm, and slopes of the surface have been used for this purpose together with satellite imagery and field descriptions of reference soil profiles. The legend to the soil map includes nine soil units and seven units of parent materials and their textures. Soil names are given according to the classification developed by I.L. Goldfarb (2005) for the soils of hydrothermal fields. The designation of soil horizons follows the new Classification and Diagnostic System of Russian Soils (2004). It is suggested that a new horizon—a thermometamorphic horizon TRM—can be introduced into this system by analogy with other metamorphic (transformed in situ) horizons distinguished in this system. This horizon is typical of the soils partly or completely transformed by hydrothermal impacts.

Activity at Klyuchevskaya Volcano Resumes

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-12-08

NASA image acquired December 4, 2010 After a respite of less than a month, Klyuchevskaya Volcano resumed erupting in late November 2010. The Global Volcanism Program reported several ash plumes that rose up to 7.9 kilometers (26,000 feet) above sea level from November 25–29. According to the Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) seismicity was “slightly above background levels” on November 26th and 27th, and they reported observations of strombolian activity on December 1st and 2nd. A plume of ash, steam, and other volcanic gases streamed from Klyuchevskaya on December 4, 2010, visible in this natural-color image acquired by the Advanced Land Imager (ALI) aboard the Earth Observing-1 (EO-1) satellite. In the large image, a much smaller plume is visible above neighboring Bezymianny Volcano. NASA Earth Observatory image by Jesse Allen & Robert Simmon, using ALI data from the NASA EO-1 team. Caption by Robert Simmon. Instrument: EO-1 - ALI Credit: NASA Earth Observatory NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. Follow us on Twitter Join us on Facebook

Nanoparticles of volcanic ash as a carrier for toxic elements on the global scale.

PubMed

Ermolin, Mikhail S; Fedotov, Petr S; Malik, Natalia A; Karandashev, Vasily K

2018-06-01

At present, there is concern about engineered nanoparticles in the environment, whereas natural nanoparticles (NPs) and their impact are often neglected. In our paper, we demonstrate the important role of nanoparticles of volcanic ash in transport of toxic elements on a global scale. A single volcanic eruption can eject millions of tons of ash. NPs of volcanic ash reach the upper troposphere and the stratosphere and may "travel" around the world for years affecting human health, environment, and even climate. So far, there is a gap in exposure assessment of volcanic ash NPs since their chemical composition remains largely unknown. Here we show for the first time that volcanic ash NPs can serve as an important carrier for potentially toxic elements. The concentrations of Ni, Zn, Cd, Ag, Sn, Se, Te, Hg, Tl, Pb, Bi in volcanic ash NPs (<100 nm) were found to be 10-500 times higher than total contents of these elements in bulk samples. This is valid for volcanoes from different regions of the world (Kamchatka, Far East of Russia and Andes, Chile). The work opens a new door into studies on biogeochemical impact of volcanic ash. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dynamic Assessment of Seismic Risk (DASR) by Multi-parametric Observations: Preliminary Results of PRIME experiment within the PRE-EARTHQUAKES EU-FP7 Project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tramutoli, V.; Inan, S.; Jakowski, N.; Pulinets, S. A.; Romanov, A.; Filizzola, C.; Shagimuratov, I.; Pergola, N.; Ouzounov, D. P.; Papadopoulos, G. A.; Parrot, M.; Genzano, N.; Lisi, M.; Alparlsan, E.; Wilken, V.; Tsybukia, K.; Romanov, A.; Paciello, R.; Zakharenkova, I.; Romano, G.

2012-12-01

The integration of different observations together with the refinement of data analysis methods, is generally expected to improve our present knowledge of preparatory phases of earthquakes and of their possible precursors. This is also the main goal of PRE-EARTHQUAKES (Processing Russian and European EARTH observations for earthQUAKE precursors Studies) the FP7 Project which, to this aim, committed together, different international expertise and observational capabilities, in the last 2 years. In the learning phase of the project, different parameters (e.g. thermal anomalies, total electron content, radon concentration, etc.), measured from ground and satellite systems and analyzed by using different data analysis approaches, have been studied for selected geographic areas and specific seismic events in the past. Since July 2012 the PRIME (PRE-EARTHQUAKES Real-time Integration and Monitoring Experiment) started attempting to perform, on the base of independent observations collected and integrated in real-time through the PEG (PRE-EARTHQUAKES Geo-portal), a Dynamic Assessment of Seismic Risk (DASR) on selected geographic areas of Europe (Italy-Greece-Turkey) and Asia (Kamchatka, Sakhalin, Japan). In this paper, results so far achieved as well as the potential and opportunities they open for a worldwide Earthquake Observation System (EQuOS) - as a dedicated component of GEOSS (Global Earth Observation System of Systems) - will be presented.

Nemerteans of the Vema-TRANSIT expedition: First data on diversity with description of two new genera and species

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chernyshev, Alexei V.; Polyakova, Neonila E.

2018-02-01

Approximately 30 nemertean specimens were obtained from the samples collected with an epibenthic sledge during the Vema-TRANSIT expedition (2014-2015) to the Vema Fracture Zone. A preliminary molecular phylogenetic analysis of eight samples revealed four eumonostiliferan and three tubulanid species. Abyssonemertes kajiharai gen. et sp. nov. and Nemertovema hadalis gen. et sp. nov. are described based on morphological and DNA (16S, 18S, 28S, COI, and H3) data; the latter species is the deepest known nemertean to date. It was collected in the Puerto Rico Trench from a depth of 8336-8339 m. A preliminary molecular phylogenetic analysis based on the five genes indicates that three tubulanid species form a monophyletic group with the only previously known abyssal tubulanid (Tubulanidae gen. sp. IZ 45557) from the abyssal plain adjacent to the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench, but the four eumonostiliferan species belong to three different clades. Additionally, a roadmap on the most pressing questions and issues on abyssal and hadal nemerteans is provided. This is based on the processing of the nemertean material collected during the four deep-sea expeditions SoJaBio, KuramBio I, SokhoBio, and KuramBio II and shall provide a direction for future studies.

Underestimated risks of recurrent long-range ash dispersal from northern Pacific Arc volcanoes.

PubMed

Bourne, A J; Abbott, P M; Albert, P G; Cook, E; Pearce, N J G; Ponomareva, V; Svensson, A; Davies, S M

2016-07-21

Widespread ash dispersal poses a significant natural hazard to society, particularly in relation to disruption to aviation. Assessing the extent of the threat of far-travelled ash clouds on flight paths is substantially hindered by an incomplete volcanic history and an underestimation of the potential reach of distant eruptive centres. The risk of extensive ash clouds to aviation is thus poorly quantified. New evidence is presented of explosive Late Pleistocene eruptions in the Pacific Arc, currently undocumented in the proximal geological record, which dispersed ash up to 8000 km from source. Twelve microscopic ash deposits or cryptotephra, invisible to the naked eye, discovered within Greenland ice-cores, and ranging in age between 11.1 and 83.7 ka b2k, are compositionally matched to northern Pacific Arc sources including Japan, Kamchatka, Cascades and Alaska. Only two cryptotephra deposits are correlated to known high-magnitude eruptions (Towada-H, Japan, ca 15 ka BP and Mount St Helens Set M, ca 28 ka BP). For the remaining 10 deposits, there is no evidence of age- and compositionally-equivalent eruptive events in regional volcanic stratigraphies. This highlights the inherent problem of under-reporting eruptions and the dangers of underestimating the long-term risk of widespread ash dispersal for trans-Pacific and trans-Atlantic flight routes.

Water contents of clinopyroxenes from sub-arc mantle peridotites

USGS Publications Warehouse

Turner, Michael; Turner, Simon; Blatter, Dawnika; Maury, Rene; Perfit, Michael; Yogodzinski, Gene

2017-01-01

One poorly constrained reservoir of the Earth's water budget is that of clinopyroxene in metasomatised, mantle peridotites. This study presents reconnaissance Sensitive High-Resolution, Ion Microprobe–Stable Isotope (SHRIMP–SI) determinations of the H2O contents of (dominantly) clinopyroxenes in rare mantle xenoliths from four different subduction zones, i.e. Mexico, Kamchatka, Philippines, and New Britain (Tabar-Feni island chain) as well as one intra-plate setting (western Victoria). All of the sub-arc xenoliths have been metasomatised and carry strong arc trace element signatures. Average measured H2O contents of the pyroxenes range from 70 ppm to 510 ppm whereas calculated bulk H2O contents range from 88 ppm to 3 737 ppm if the variable presence of amphibole is taken into account. In contrast, the intra-plate, continental mantle xenolith from western Victoria has higher water contents (3 447 ppm) but was metasomatised by alkali and/or carbonatitic melts and does not carry a subduction-related signature. Material similar to the sub-arc peridotites can either be accreted to the base of the lithosphere or potentially be transported by convection deeper into the mantle where it will lose water due to amphibole breakdown.

Optical satellite data volcano monitoring: a multi-sensor rapid response system

USGS Publications Warehouse

Duda, Kenneth A.; Ramsey, Michael; Wessels, Rick L.; Dehn, Jonathan

2009-01-01

In this chapter, the use of satellite remote sensing to monitor active geological processes is described. Specifically, threats posed by volcanic eruptions are briefly outlined, and essential monitoring requirements are discussed. As an application example, a collaborative, multi-agency operational volcano monitoring system in the north Pacific is highlighted with a focus on the 2007 eruption of Kliuchevskoi volcano, Russia. The data from this system have been used since 2004 to detect the onset of volcanic activity, support the emergency response to large eruptions, and assess the volcanic products produced following the eruption. The overall utility of such integrative assessments is also summarized. The work described in this chapter was originally funded through two National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Earth System Science research grants that focused on the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) instrument. A skilled team of volcanologists, geologists, satellite tasking experts, satellite ground system experts, system engineers and software developers collaborated to accomplish the objectives. The first project, Automation of the ASTER Emergency Data Acquisition Protocol for Scientific Analysis, Disaster Monitoring, and Preparedness, established the original collaborative research and monitoring program between the University of Pittsburgh (UP), the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO), the NASA Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center (LP DAAC) at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center, and affiliates on the ASTER Science Team at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) as well as associates at the Earth Remote Sensing Data Analysis Center (ERSDAC) in Japan. This grant, completed in 2008, also allowed for detailed volcanic analyses and data validation during three separate summer field campaigns to Kamchatka Russia. The second project, Expansion and synergistic use

Possible physicochemical facies of wehrlitization of ultramafic rocks in the mantle wedge under volcanoes of the Kuril-Kamchatka frontal zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharapov, V. N.; Kuznetsov, G. V.; Chudnenko, K. V.

2016-04-01

A quantitative model describing the dynamics of the process of metasomatic wehrlitization of ultramafics is put forward. It is elaborated for the process taking place in permeable fault zones over a time span of 50 kyr with fluid source depths in the range of 150-50 km at initial temperatures of 1000-1200°C. The possibility of existence of two physical-chemical facies of this process has been demonstrated: one occurs at the level of garnet and the other is at the level of spinel depth facies. Their realization is related to the dependence of the activity of Mg-Ca-Si metasomatism against variation in the composition of low-molecular hydrocarbons in a fluid under conditions of changing T and P in a system.

Practical Application and Obstacles of AVHRR Thermal Data for Estimation of Effusion Rates at Tolbachik Volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russian Federation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McAlpin, D. B.; Meyer, F. J.; Webley, P. W.

2017-12-01

Using thermal data from Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) sensors, we investigated algorithms to estimate the effusive volume of lava flows from the 2012-13 eruption of Tolbachik Volcano with high temporal resolution. AVHRR are polar orbiting, radiation detection instruments that provide reflectance and radiance data in six spectral bands with a ground resolution of 1.1 km². During the Tolbachik eruption of 2012-13, active AVHRR instruments were available aboard four polar orbiting platforms. Although the primary purpose of the instruments is climate and ocean studies, their multiple platforms provide global coverage at least twice daily, with data for all regions of the earth no older than six hours. This frequency makes the AVHRR instruments particularly suitable for the study of volcanic activity. While methods for deriving effusion rates from thermal observations have been previously published, a number of topics complicate their practical application. In particular, these include (1) unknown material parameters used in the estimation process; (2) relatively coarse resolution of thermal sensors; (3) optimizing a model to describe the number of thermal regimes within each pixel and (4) frequent saturation issues in thermal channels. We present ongoing investigations into effusion rate estimation from AVHRR data using the 2012-13 eruption of Tolbachik Volcano as a test event. For this eruption we studied approaches for coping with issues (1) - (4) to pave the way to a more operational implementation of published techniques. To address (1), we used Monte Carlo simulations to understand the sensitivity of effusion rate estimates to changes in material parameters. To study (2) and (3) we compared typical two-component (exposed lava on ambient background) and three-component models (exposed lava, cooled crust, ambient background) for their relative performance. To study issue (4), we compared AVHRR-derived effusion rates to reference data derived from multi-temporal digital elevation models. In our workflow, we correct for scan angle of the sensor and the transmissivity of the atmosphere before including include corrected temperatures in heat equations to determine the effusion volume necessary to satisfy the equations.

Habitability of Mars: hyperthermophiles in permafrost

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gilichinsky, David; Rivkina, Elizaveta; Vishnivetskaya, Tatiana; Felipe, Gomez; Mironov, Vasilii; Blamey, Jenny; Ramos, Miguel; Ángel de Pablo, Miguel; Castro, Miguel; Boehmwald, Freddy

This is a first microbiological study of volcanic permafrost carried out on Kluchevskaya volcano group (Kamchatka Peninsula) and Deception Island (Antarctica). By culture-and culture-independent methods we showed the presence of viable hyper(thermophilic) microorganisms and their genes within volcanic permafrost. The optimal temperature for sulfide producing bacteria was 65, whereas acetogens and methanogens were able to produce acetate and methane at temperatures up to 75o C, while sulphur-reducers showed optimal growth at 85-92o C. Hy-per(thermophiles) were never found in permafrost outside the volcanic areas before. The only way they are to appear within a frozen material is a concurrent deposition during the eruption, together with products associated with volcano heated subsurface geothermal oases. The elo-quent evidence to the hypothesis is the presence among clones of the sequences affiliated with (hyper)thermophilic bacteria, both, aerobic and anaerobic, in the environmental DNA derived from ashes freshly deposited on snow in close proximity to volcano Shiveluch (Kamchatka) and aerobic bacteria incubated at 80o C from ashes freshly deposited on the top of Llaima Vol-cano glacier (Andes). Thus, in the areas of active volcanism the catastrophic geological events transports the life from the depths to the surface and this life from high-temperature ecological niches might survive in permafrost over a long period of time. The results obtained give insights for habitability of Mars. Terrestrial permafrost represents a possible ecosystem for Mars as an Earth-like cryogenic planet. But permafrost on Earth and Mars vary in age, from a few million years on Earth to a few billion years on Mars. Because such difference in age, the longevity of life forms preserved within terrestrial permafrost may only serve as an approximate model for Mars. On the other hand, numerous ancient extinct volcanoes are known on Mars. Their past eruptions periodically burn-through the

Do beaver dams reduce habitat connectivity and salmon productivity in expansive river floodplains?

PubMed Central

Kuzishchin, Kirill V.; Stanford, Jack A.

2016-01-01

Beaver have expanded in their native habitats throughout the northern hemisphere in recent decades following reductions in trapping and reintroduction efforts. Beaver have the potential to strongly influence salmon populations in the side channels of large alluvial rivers by building dams that create pond complexes. Pond habitat may improve salmon productivity or the presence of dams may reduce productivity if dams limit habitat connectivity and inhibit fish passage. Our intent in this paper is to contrast the habitat use and production of juvenile salmon on expansive floodplains of two geomorphically similar salmon rivers: the Kol River in Kamchatka, Russia (no beavers) and the Kwethluk River in Alaska (abundant beavers), and thereby provide a case study on how beavers may influence salmonids in large floodplain rivers. We examined important rearing habitats in each floodplain, including springbrooks, beaver ponds, beaver-influenced springbrooks, and shallow shorelines of the river channel. Juvenile coho salmon dominated fish assemblages in all habitats in both rivers but other species were present. Salmon density was similar in all habitat types in the Kol, but in the Kwethluk coho and Chinook densities were 3–12× lower in mid- and late-successional beaver ponds than in springbrook and main channel habitats. In the Kol, coho condition (length: weight ratios) was similar among habitats, but Chinook condition was highest in orthofluvial springbrooks. In the Kwethluk, Chinook condition was similar among habitats, but coho condition was lowest in main channel versus other habitats (0.89 vs. 0.99–1.10). Densities of juvenile salmon were extremely low in beaver ponds located behind numerous dams in the orthofluvial zone of the Kwethluk River floodplain, whereas juvenile salmon were abundant in habitats throughout the entire floodplain in the Kol River. If beavers were not present on the Kwethluk, floodplain habitats would be fully interconnected and theoretically

Spatial Patterns of Geomorphic Surface Features and Fault Morphology Based on Diffusion Equation Modeling of the Kumroch Fault Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heinlein, S. N.

2013-12-01

Remote sensing data sets are widely used for evaluation of surface manifestations of active tectonics. This study utilizes ASTER GDEM and Landsat ETM+ data sets with Google Earth images draped over terrain models. This study evaluates 1) the surrounding surface geomorphology of the study area with these data sets and 2) the morphology of the Kumroch Fault using diffusion modeling to estimate constant diffusivity (κ) and estimate slip rates by means of real ground data measured across fault scarps by Kozhurin et al. (2006). Models of the evolution of fault scarp morphology provide time elapsed since slip initiated on a faults surface and may therefore provide more accurate estimates of slip rate than the rate calculated by dividing scarp offset by the age of the ruptured surface. Profile modeling of scarps collected by Kozhurin et al. (2006) formed by several events distributed through time and were evaluated using a constant slip rate (CSR) solution which yields a value A/κ (1/2 slip rate/diffusivity). Time elapsed since slip initiated on the fault is determined by establishing a value for κ and measuring total scarp offset. CSR nonlinear modeling estimated of κ range from 8m2/ka - 14m2/ka on the Kumroch Fault which indicates a slip rates of 0.6 mm/yr - 1.0 mm/yr since 3.4 ka -3.7 ka. This method provides a quick and inexpensive way to gather data for a regional tectonic study and establish estimated rates of tectonic activity. Analyses of the remote sensing data are providing new insight into the role of active tectonics within the region. Results from fault scarp diffusion models of Mattson and Bruhn (2001) and DuRoss and Bruhn (2004) and Kozhurin et al. (2006), Kozhurin (2007), Kozhurin et al. (2008) and Pinegina et al. 2012 trench profiles of the KF as calibrated age fault scarp diffusion rates were estimated. (-) mean that no data could be determined.

Spatiotemporal variability of snow depth across the Eurasian continent from 1966 to 2012

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhong, Xinyue; Zhang, Tingjun; Kang, Shichang; Wang, Kang; Zheng, Lei; Hu, Yuantao; Wang, Huijuan

2018-01-01

Snow depth is one of the key physical parameters for understanding land surface energy balance, soil thermal regime, water cycle, and assessing water resources from local community to regional industrial water supply. Previous studies by using in situ data are mostly site specific; data from satellite remote sensing may cover a large area or global scale, but uncertainties remain large. The primary objective of this study is to investigate spatial variability and temporal change in snow depth across the Eurasian continent. Data used include long-term (1966-2012) ground-based measurements from 1814 stations. Spatially, long-term (1971-2000) mean annual snow depths of >20 cm were recorded in northeastern European Russia, the Yenisei River basin, Kamchatka Peninsula, and Sakhalin. Annual mean and maximum snow depth increased by 0.2 and 0.6 cm decade-1 from 1966 through 2012. Seasonally, monthly mean snow depth decreased in autumn and increased in winter and spring over the study period. Regionally, snow depth significantly increased in areas north of 50° N. Compared with air temperature, snowfall had greater influence on snow depth during November through March across the former Soviet Union. This study provides a baseline for snow depth climatology and changes across the Eurasian continent, which would significantly help to better understanding climate system and climate changes on regional, hemispheric, or even global scales.

Indirect Reciprocity, Resource Sharing, and Environmental Risk: Evidence from Field Experiments in Siberia

PubMed Central

Howe, E. Lance; Murphy, James J.; Gerkey, Drew; West, Colin Thor

2016-01-01

Integrating information from existing research, qualitative ethnographic interviews, and participant observation, we designed a field experiment that introduces idiosyncratic environmental risk and a voluntary sharing decision into a standard public goods game. Conducted with subsistence resource users in rural villages on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Northeast Siberia, we find evidence consistent with a model of indirect reciprocity and local social norms of helping the needy. When participants are allowed to develop reputations in the experiments, as is the case in most small-scale societies, we find that sharing is increasingly directed toward individuals experiencing hardship, good reputations increase aid, and the pooling of resources through voluntary sharing becomes more effective. We also find high levels of voluntary sharing without a strong commitment device; however, this form of cooperation does not increase contributions to the public good. Our results are consistent with previous experiments and theoretical models, suggesting strategic risks tied to rewards, punishments, and reputations are important. However, unlike studies that focus solely on strategic risks, we find the effects of rewards, punishments, and reputations are altered by the presence of environmental factors. Unexpected changes in resource abundance increase interdependence and may alter the costs and benefits of cooperation, relative to defection. We suggest environmental factors that increase interdependence are critically important to consider when developing and testing theories of cooperation PMID:27442434

Microbial Diversity-Based Novel Crop Protection Products

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc.; DuPont Experimental Station; Yalpani, Ronald Flannagan, Rafael Herrmann, James Presnail, Tamas Torok, and Nasser

Extremophilic microorganisms are adapted to survive in ecological niches with high temperatures, extremes of pH, high salt concentrations, high pressure, radiation, etc. Extremophiles produce unique biocatalysts and natural products that function under extreme conditions comparab le to those prevailing in various industrial processes. Therefore, there is burgeoning interest in bioprospecting for extremophiles with potential immediate use in agriculture, the food, chemical, and pharm aceutical industries, and environmental biotechnology. Over the years, several thousand extremophilic bacteria, archaea, and filamentous fungi were collected at extreme environmental sites in the USA, the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone surrounding the faeild nuclear power plant in Ukraine,more » in and around Lake Baikal in Siberia, and at geothermal sites on the Kamchatka peninsula in Russia. These organisms were cultured under proprietary conditions, and the cell- free supernatants were screened for biological activities against plant pathogenic fungi and major crop damaging insects. Promising peptide lead molecules were isolated, characterized, and sequenced. Relatively high hit rates characterized the tested fermentation broths. Of the 26,000 samples screened, over thousand contained biological activity of interest. A fair number of microorganisms expressed broad- spectrum antifungal or insecticidal activity. Two- dozen broadly antifungal peptides (AFPs) are alr eady patent protected, and many more tens are under further investigation. Tapping the gene pool of extremophilic microorganisms to provide novel ways of crop protection proved a successful strategy.« less

Microbial survival of space vacuum and extreme ultraviolet irradiation: strain isolation and analysis during a rocket flight.

PubMed

Saffary, Roya; Nandakumar, Renu; Spencer, Dennis; Robb, Frank T; Davila, Joseph M; Swartz, Marvin; Ofman, Leon; Thomas, Roger J; DiRuggiero, Jocelyne

2002-09-24

We have recovered new isolates from hot springs, in Yellowstone National Park and the Kamchatka Peninsula, after gamma-irradiation and exposure to high vacuum (10(-6) Pa) of the water and sediment samples. The resistance to desiccation and ionizing radiation of one of the isolates, Bacillus sp. strain PS3D, was compared to that of the mesophilic bacterium, Deinococcus radiodurans, a species well known for its extraordinary resistance to desiccation and high doses of ionizing radiation. Survival of these two microorganisms was determined in real and simulated space conditions, including exposure to extreme UV radiation (10-100 nm) during a rocket flight. We found that up to 15 days of desiccation alone had little effect on the viability of either bacterium. In contrast, exposure to space vacuum ( approximately 10(-6) Pa) decreased cell survival by two and four orders of magnitude for Bacillus sp. strain PS3D and D. radiodurans, respectively. Simultaneous exposure to space vacuum and extreme UV radiation further decreased the survival of both organisms, compared to unirradiated controls. This is the first report on the isolated effect of extreme UV at 30 nm on cell survival. Extreme UV can only be transmitted through high vacuum, therefore its penetration into the cells may only be superficial, suggesting that in contrast to near UV, membrane proteins rather than DNA were damaged by the radiation.

1854-2014: 160 years of far-field tsunami detection and warning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okal, Emile

2014-05-01

The first scientific study of a tsunami as generated by a distant earthquake can be traced to Bache [1856] who correctly identified waves from the 1854 Nankai earthquake on California tidal gauges. We will review developments in the study of the relationship between earthquake source and far field tsunami, with their logical application to distant warning. Among the principal milestones, we discuss Hochstetter's [1869] work on the 1868 Arica tsunami, Jaggar's real-time, but ignored, warning of the 1923 Kamchatka tsunami in Hawaii, his much greater success with the 1933 Showa Sanriku event, the catastrophic 1946 Aleutian event, which led to the implementation of PTWC, the 1960 events in Hilo, and the 1964 Alaska tsunami, which led to the development of the A[now N]TWC. From the scientific standpoint, we will review the evolution of our attempts to measure the seismic source (in practice its seismic moment), always faster, and at always lower frequencies, culminating in the W-phase inversion, heralded by Kanamori and co-workers in the wake of the Sumatra disaster. Specific problems arise from events violating scaling laws, such as the so-called "tsunami earthquakes", and we will review methodologies to recognize them in real time, such as energy-to-moment ratios. Finally, we will discuss briefly modern technologies aimed at directly detecting the tsunami independently of the seismic source.

Mid-depth temperature maximum in an estuarine lake

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stepanenko, V. M.; Repina, I. A.; Artamonov, A. Yu; Gorin, S. L.; Lykossov, V. N.; Kulyamin, D. V.

2018-03-01

The mid-depth temperature maximum (TeM) was measured in an estuarine Bol’shoi Vilyui Lake (Kamchatka peninsula, Russia) in summer 2015. We applied 1D k-ɛ model LAKE to the case, and found it successfully simulating the phenomenon. We argue that the main prerequisite for mid-depth TeM development is a salinity increase below the freshwater mixed layer, sharp enough in order to increase the temperature with depth not to cause convective mixing and double diffusion there. Given that this condition is satisfied, the TeM magnitude is controlled by physical factors which we identified as: radiation absorption below the mixed layer, mixed-layer temperature dynamics, vertical heat conduction and water-sediments heat exchange. In addition to these, we formulate the mechanism of temperature maximum ‘pumping’, resulting from the phase shift between diurnal cycles of mixed-layer depth and temperature maximum magnitude. Based on the LAKE model results we quantify the contribution of the above listed mechanisms and find their individual significance highly sensitive to water turbidity. Relying on physical mechanisms identified we define environmental conditions favouring the summertime TeM development in salinity-stratified lakes as: small-mixed layer depth (roughly, ~< 2 m), transparent water, daytime maximum of wind and cloudless weather. We exemplify the effect of mixed-layer depth on TeM by a set of selected lakes.

Earth Observations taken by Expedition 26 crewmember

NASA Image and Video Library

2011-01-09

ISS026-E-016287 (9 Jan. 2011) --- Onekotan Island, part of the Russian Federation in the western Pacific Ocean, is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 26 crew member on the International Space Station. Snow cover highlights calderas and volcanic cones that form the northern and southern ends of the island. Calderas are depressions formed when a volcano empties its magma chamber in an explosive eruption, followed by collapse of the overlaying material into the newly evacuated space. The northern end of the island is dominated by the Nemo Peak volcano that began forming within an older caldera approximately 9,500 years ago, according to scientists. The last recorded eruptive activity at Nemo Peak occurred in the early 18th century. The southern end of the island is formed by the 7.5 kilometer wide Tao-Rusyr Caldera. The caldera is filled by Kal’tsevoe Lake and Krenitzyn Peak, a volcano that has only erupted once in recorded history during 1952. Extending between northeastern Japan and the Kamchatka Peninsula of Russia, the Kuril Islands are an island arc located along the Pacific “Ring of Fire”. Island arcs form along an active boundary between two tectonic plates where one plate is being driven beneath the other (subduction). Magma generated by the subduction process feeds volcanoes—which eventually form volcanic islands—over the subduction boundary.

A decade of global volcanic SO2 emissions measured from space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carn, S. A.; Fioletov, V. E.; McLinden, C. A.; Li, C.; Krotkov, N. A.

2017-03-01

The global flux of sulfur dioxide (SO2) emitted by passive volcanic degassing is a key parameter that constrains the fluxes of other volcanic gases (including carbon dioxide, CO2) and toxic trace metals (e.g., mercury). It is also a required input for atmospheric chemistry and climate models, since it impacts the tropospheric burden of sulfate aerosol, a major climate-forcing species. Despite its significance, an inventory of passive volcanic degassing is very difficult to produce, due largely to the patchy spatial and temporal coverage of ground-based SO2 measurements. We report here the first volcanic SO2 emissions inventory derived from global, coincident satellite measurements, made by the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) on NASA’s Aura satellite in 2005-2015. The OMI measurements permit estimation of SO2 emissions from over 90 volcanoes, including new constraints on fluxes from Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, the Aleutian Islands, the Kuril Islands and Kamchatka. On average over the past decade, the volcanic SO2 sources consistently detected from space have discharged a total of ~63 kt/day SO2 during passive degassing, or ~23 ± 2 Tg/yr. We find that ~30% of the sources show significant decadal trends in SO2 emissions, with positive trends observed at multiple volcanoes in some regions including Vanuatu, southern Japan, Peru and Chile.

Arman' Flora of the magadan region and development of floras in the North Pacific during the Albian-Paleocene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Herman, A. B.

2011-02-01

The Arman' Flora from volcanogenic-sedimentary deposits in the Arman' River basin and Naraula Formation in the Nel'kandzha-Khasyn interfluve includes 82 species of fossil plants comprising liverworts, horsetails, ferns, caytonealeans, cycadaleans, ginkgoaleans, czekanowskialeans, conifers, gymnosperms incertae sedis, and angiosperms. The Arman' Flora appears to be of Turonian-Coniacian age, as it is close to the reliably dated Penzhina and Kaivayam floras from the Northwest Kamchatka and to Tyl'pegyrgynai Flora of the Pekul'nei Ridge. The dating is consistent with isotopic dates (40Ar/39Ar and U-Pb SHRIMP) characterizing the age of plant-bearing sequences. Based on the considered position of the Arman' Flora in the scheme of Cretaceous florogenesis, a leading role in that florogenesis was played by the gradual invasion of floras by new, angiosperm dominated, plant communities. These communities initially populated unstable habitats in the coastal lowlands of Northeast Asia and Alaska, gradually invading with time the Asiatic intracontinental areas. The peculiar combination of Early and Late Cretaceous plants characteristic of the Arman' Flora is strong evidence that Cenophytic plant communities dominated by angiosperms colonized areas still populated in the Late Cretaceous by Mesophytic communities. Absence of Mesophytic and Cenophytic taxa mixing in the Arman' Flora burials suggests a replacement of plant communities as whole rather than of separate plants by more advanced taxa.

A decade of global volcanic SO2 emissions measured from space

PubMed Central

Carn, S. A.; Fioletov, V. E.; McLinden, C. A.; Li, C.; Krotkov, N. A.

2017-01-01

The global flux of sulfur dioxide (SO2) emitted by passive volcanic degassing is a key parameter that constrains the fluxes of other volcanic gases (including carbon dioxide, CO2) and toxic trace metals (e.g., mercury). It is also a required input for atmospheric chemistry and climate models, since it impacts the tropospheric burden of sulfate aerosol, a major climate-forcing species. Despite its significance, an inventory of passive volcanic degassing is very difficult to produce, due largely to the patchy spatial and temporal coverage of ground-based SO2 measurements. We report here the first volcanic SO2 emissions inventory derived from global, coincident satellite measurements, made by the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) on NASA’s Aura satellite in 2005–2015. The OMI measurements permit estimation of SO2 emissions from over 90 volcanoes, including new constraints on fluxes from Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, the Aleutian Islands, the Kuril Islands and Kamchatka. On average over the past decade, the volcanic SO2 sources consistently detected from space have discharged a total of ~63 kt/day SO2 during passive degassing, or ~23 ± 2 Tg/yr. We find that ~30% of the sources show significant decadal trends in SO2 emissions, with positive trends observed at multiple volcanoes in some regions including Vanuatu, southern Japan, Peru and Chile. PMID:28275238

A Decade of Global Volcanic SO2 Emissions Measured from Space

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carn, S. A.; Fioletov, V. E.; McLinden, C. A.; Li, C.; Krotkov, N. A.

2017-01-01

The global flux of sulfur dioxide (SO2) emitted by passive volcanic degassing is a key parameter that constrains the fluxes of other volcanic gases (including carbon dioxide, CO2) and toxic trace metals (e.g., mercury). It is also a required input for atmospheric chemistry and climate models, since it impacts the tropospheric burden of sulfate aerosol, a major climate-forcing species. Despite its significance, an inventory of passive volcanic degassing is very difficult to produce, due largely to the patchy spatial and temporal coverage of ground-based SO2 measurements. We report here the first volcanic SO2 emissions inventory derived from global, coincident satellite measurements, made by the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) on NASA's Aura satellite in 2005-2015. The OMI measurements permit estimation of SO2 emissions from over 90 volcanoes, including new constraints on fluxes from Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, the Aleutian Islands, the Kuril Islands and Kamchatka. On average over the past decade, the volcanic SO2 sources consistently detected from space have discharged a total of approximately 63 kt/day SO2 during passive degassing, or approximately 23 +/- 2 Tg/yr. We find that approximately 30% of the sources show significant decadal trends in SO2 emissions, with positive trends observed at multiple volcanoes in some regions including Vanuatu, southern Japan, Peru and Chile.

A decade of global volcanic SO2 emissions measured from space.

PubMed

Carn, S A; Fioletov, V E; McLinden, C A; Li, C; Krotkov, N A

2017-03-09

The global flux of sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ) emitted by passive volcanic degassing is a key parameter that constrains the fluxes of other volcanic gases (including carbon dioxide, CO 2 ) and toxic trace metals (e.g., mercury). It is also a required input for atmospheric chemistry and climate models, since it impacts the tropospheric burden of sulfate aerosol, a major climate-forcing species. Despite its significance, an inventory of passive volcanic degassing is very difficult to produce, due largely to the patchy spatial and temporal coverage of ground-based SO 2 measurements. We report here the first volcanic SO 2 emissions inventory derived from global, coincident satellite measurements, made by the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) on NASA's Aura satellite in 2005-2015. The OMI measurements permit estimation of SO 2 emissions from over 90 volcanoes, including new constraints on fluxes from Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, the Aleutian Islands, the Kuril Islands and Kamchatka. On average over the past decade, the volcanic SO 2 sources consistently detected from space have discharged a total of ~63 kt/day SO 2 during passive degassing, or ~23 ± 2 Tg/yr. We find that ~30% of the sources show significant decadal trends in SO 2 emissions, with positive trends observed at multiple volcanoes in some regions including Vanuatu, southern Japan, Peru and Chile.

Underestimated risks of recurrent long-range ash dispersal from northern Pacific Arc volcanoes

PubMed Central

Bourne, A. J.; Abbott, P. M.; Albert, P. G.; Cook, E.; Pearce, N. J. G.; Ponomareva, V.; Svensson, A.; Davies, S. M.

2016-01-01

Widespread ash dispersal poses a significant natural hazard to society, particularly in relation to disruption to aviation. Assessing the extent of the threat of far-travelled ash clouds on flight paths is substantially hindered by an incomplete volcanic history and an underestimation of the potential reach of distant eruptive centres. The risk of extensive ash clouds to aviation is thus poorly quantified. New evidence is presented of explosive Late Pleistocene eruptions in the Pacific Arc, currently undocumented in the proximal geological record, which dispersed ash up to 8000 km from source. Twelve microscopic ash deposits or cryptotephra, invisible to the naked eye, discovered within Greenland ice-cores, and ranging in age between 11.1 and 83.7 ka b2k, are compositionally matched to northern Pacific Arc sources including Japan, Kamchatka, Cascades and Alaska. Only two cryptotephra deposits are correlated to known high-magnitude eruptions (Towada-H, Japan, ca 15 ka BP and Mount St Helens Set M, ca 28 ka BP). For the remaining 10 deposits, there is no evidence of age- and compositionally-equivalent eruptive events in regional volcanic stratigraphies. This highlights the inherent problem of under-reporting eruptions and the dangers of underestimating the long-term risk of widespread ash dispersal for trans-Pacific and trans-Atlantic flight routes. PMID:27445233

Comparative phylogeography of two crow species: jungle crow Corvus macrorhynchos and carrion crow Corvus corone.

PubMed

Kryukov, Alexey; Spiridonova, Liudmila; Nakamura, Sumio; Haring, Elisabeth; Suzuki, Hitoshi

2012-08-01

The jungle crow Corvus macrorhynchos Wagler, 1827, and the carrion crow Corvus corone L., 1758, are two closely related species with similar ecological requirements that occupy wide distribution ranges in the Palearctic. We studied patterns of their genetic variation by using sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Corvus macrorhynchos demonstrates a low level of variation and differentiation throughout its range, except for a highly diverged population of Cheju Island (Korea). The haplotype network shows two haplogroups. The island group comprises populations of Sakhalin, Hokkaido, Honshu, and Kyushu, while the haplotypes of Taiwan and Ryukyu Islands proved to be closer to the mainland group, which also includes populations from the Primorye, Khabarovsk, Amur, and Magadan regions in the Russian Far East. This pattern allowed us to develop a phylogeographic hypothesis regarding the two modes of settling of the island populations. Concerning C. corone, the presence of two distinct haplogroups was confirmed within the range of C. c. orientalis. Both haplogroups are found within the same populations in Kamchatka and North Sakhalin, which implies secondary contacts there. Populations of C. corone are found to be rather stable in the western parts of its range, while in the Far East populations experienced recent growth, as was observed for C. macrorhynchos in general. The two species appear to have passed through different evolutionary scenarios.

Atlas of Nonindigenous Marine and Estuarine Species in the ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

The product consists of a report synthesizing available information on nonindigenous species in the North Pacific. We note that while this product focuses on invasive species, the tools and approaches developed for this research are the precursors on how we will address identifying species vulnerable to climate change. The hierarchical “Marine Ecoregions of the World” (MEOW) biogeographic schema was used as the framework for assessing species’ distributions, with the modification that we added a “region” level to differentiate eastern and western sides of oceans in the North Pacific. The two North Pacific regions are the Northeast Pacific (NEP), which extends from the Gulf of California to Aleutian Islands, and the Northwest Pacific (NWP), which extends from the East China Sea to the Kamchatka Shelf. To have complete coverage of the United States, we included the MEOW Hawaii ecoregion as a separate reporting unit. To have complete coverage of Japan and China, we combined five MEOW ecoregions in southern China and Japan into the North Central-Indo Pacific (NCIP) Region The various types of information were synthesized in a Microsoft Access database, the “PICES Nonindigenous Species Information System”, which is further described in the “User’s Guide and Metadata for the PICES Nonindigenous Species Information System” (Lee et al., 2012). The PICES database was then used to generate two-page individual “species profiles” that map the native

Desulfothermobacter acidiphilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a thermoacidophilic sulfate-reducing bacterium isolated from a terrestrial hot spring.

PubMed

Frolov, E N; Zayulina, K S; Kopitsyn, D S; Kublanov, I V; Bonch-Osmolovskaya, E A; Chernyh, N A

2018-03-01

An anaerobic sulfate-reducing micro-organism, strain 3408-1 T , was isolated from a terrestrial hot spring in Kamchatka peninsula (Russia). The cells were spore-forming rods with a Gram-positive type of cell wall. The new isolate was a moderately thermoacidophilic anaerobe able to grow either by sulfate or thiosulfate respiration with H2 or formate as substrates, or by fermenting yeast extract, maltose, sucrose, glucose and pyruvate. The fermentation products were acetate, CO2 and H2. The pH range for growth was 2.9-6.5, with an optimum at 4.5. The temperature range for growth was 42-70 °C, with an optimum at 55 °C. The G+C content of DNA was 58 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene showed that strain 3408-1 T belongs to the family Thermoanaerobacteraceae, order Thermoanaerobacterales and was distantly related to the species of the genus Ammonifex(93-94 % sequence similarity). On the basis of physiological properties and results of phylogenetic analysis, strain 3408-1 T is considered to represent a novel species of a new genus, for which the name Desulfothermobacter acidiphilus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 3408-1 T (=DSM 105356 T =VKM B-3183 T ).

A catalog of tsunamis in New Caledonia from 28 March 1875 to 30 September 2009

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sahal, Alexandre; Pelletier, Bernard; Chatelier, Jean; Lavigne, Franck; Schindelé, François

2010-06-01

In order to establish a tsunami alert system in New Caledonia in April 2008, the French Secretary of State for Overseas Affairs, with the aid of the UNESCO French Commission, mandated an investigation to build a more complete record of the most recent tsunamis. To complete this task, a call for witnesses was broadcast through various media and in public locations. These witnesses were then interviewed onsite about the phenomenon they had observed. Previous witness reports that had been obtained in the last few years were also used. For the most recent events, various archives were consulted. In total, 18 events were documented, of which 12 had not been previously mentioned in past work. These results confirm an exposure to a hazard of: (1) local origin (the southern part of the Vanuatu arc) with a very short post-seismic delay (< 30 min) before the arrival of wave trains; (2) regional origin (Solomon Islands arc, northern part of the Vanuatu arc) with a delay of several hours; and (3) an exposure to trans-oceanic tsunamis (Kamchatka 1952, South Chile 1960, Kuril Islands 2006, North Tonga 2009), unknown until today. These results highlight the necessity for New Caledonia to adopt an alert system, coupled with ocean tide gauges, that liaises with the main alert system for the Pacific (Pacific Tsunami Warning Center), and brings to light the importance of establishing a prevention campaign.

Metagenomic mining for thermostable esterolytic enzymes uncovers a new family of bacterial esterases.

PubMed

Zarafeta, Dimitra; Moschidi, Danai; Ladoukakis, Efthymios; Gavrilov, Sergey; Chrysina, Evangelia D; Chatziioannou, Aristotelis; Kublanov, Ilya; Skretas, Georgios; Kolisis, Fragiskos N

2016-12-19

Biocatalysts exerting activity against ester bonds have a broad range of applications in modern biotechnology. Here, we have identified a new esterolytic enzyme by screening a metagenomic sample collected from a hot spring in Kamchatka, Russia. Biochemical characterization of the new esterase, termed EstDZ2, revealed that it is highly active against medium chain fatty acid esters at temperatures between 25 and 60 °C and at pH values 7-8. The new enzyme is moderately thermostable with a half-life of more than six hours at 60 °C, but exhibits exquisite stability against high concentrations of organic solvents. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that EstDZ2 is likely an Acetothermia enzyme that belongs to a new family of bacterial esterases, for which we propose the index XV. One distinctive feature of this new family, is the presence of a conserved GHSAG catalytic motif. Multiple sequence alignment, coupled with computational modelling of the three-dimensional structure of EstDZ2, revealed that the enzyme lacks the largest part of the "cap" domain, whose extended structure is characteristic for the closely related Family IV esterases. Thus, EstDZ2 appears to be distinct from known related esterolytic enzymes, both in terms of sequence characteristics, as well as in terms of three-dimensional structure.

Geophysical Evidence for the Locations, Shapes and Sizes, and Internal Structures of Magma Chambers beneath Regions of Quaternary Volcanism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iyer, H. M.

1984-04-01

This paper is a review of seismic, gravity, magnetic and electromagnetic techniques to detect and delineate magma chambers of a few cubic kilometres to several thousand cubic kilometres volume. A dramatic decrease in density and seismic velocity, and an increase in seismic attenuation and electrical conductivity occurs at the onset of partial melting in rocks. The geophysical techniques are based on detecting these differences in physical properties between solid and partially molten rock. Although seismic refraction techniques, with sophisticated instrumentation and analytical procedures, are routinely used for detailed studies of crustal structure in volcanic regions, their application for magma detection has been quite limited. In one study, in Yellowstone National Park, U.S.A., fan-shooting and time-term techniques have been used to detect an upper-crustal magma chamber. Attenuation and velocity changes in seismic waves from explosions and earthquakes diffracted around magma chambers are observed near some volcanoes in Kamchatka. Strong attenuation of shear waves from regional earthquakes, interpreted as a diffraction effect, has been used to model magma chambers in Alaska, Kamchatka, Iceland, and New Zealand. One of the most powerful techniques in modern seismology, the seismic reflection technique with vibrators, was used to confirm the existence of a strong reflector in the crust near Socorro, New Mexico, in the Rio Grande Rift. This reflector, discovered earlier from data from local earthquakes, is interpreted as a sill-like magma body. In the Kilauea volcano, Hawaii, mapping seismicity patterns in the upper crust has enabled the modelling of the complex magma conduits in the crust and upper mantle. On the other hand, in the Usu volcano, Japan, the magma conduits are delineated by zones of seismic quiescence. Three-dimensional modelling of laterally varying structures using teleseismic residuals is proving to be a very promising technique for detecting and

Tomography and Dynamics of Western-Pacific Subduction Zones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, D.

2012-01-01

the Japan Sea and the East Asia margin may be related to a metastable olivine wedge in the subducting Pacific slab. The Pacific slab becomes stagnant in the mantle transition zone under East Asia, and a big mantle wedge (BMW) has formed above the stagnant slab. Convective circulations and fluid and magmatic processes in the BMW may have caused intraplate volcanism (e.g., Changbai and Wudalianchi), reactivation of the North China craton, large earthquakes, and other active tectonics in East Asia. Deep subduction and dehydration of continental plates (such as the Eurasian plate, Indian plate and Burma microplate) are also found, which have caused intraplate magmatism (e.g., Tengchong) and geothermal anomalies above the subducted continental plates. Under Kamchatka, the subducting Pacific slab shortens toward the north and terminates near the Aleutian-Kamchatka junction. The slab loss was induced by friction with the surrounding asthenosphere, as the Pacific plate rotated clockwise 30 Ma ago, and then it was enlarged by the slab-edge pinch-off by the asthenospheric flow. The stagnant slab finally collapses down to the bottom of the mantle, which may trigger upwelling of hot mantle materials from the lower mantle to the shallow mantle. Suggestions are also made for future directions of the seismological research of subduction zones.

Characteristics of suspended sediment and river discharge during the beginning of snowmelt in volcanically active mountainous environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mouri, Goro; Ros, Faizah Che; Chalov, Sergey

2014-05-01

To better understand instream suspended sediment delivery and transformation processes, we conducted field measurements and laboratory experiments to study the natural function of spatial and temporal variation, sediment particles, stable isotopes, particle size, and aspect ratio from tributary to mainstream flows of the Sukhaya Elizovskaya River catchment at the beginning of and during snowmelt. The Sukhaya Elizovskaya River is located in the Kamchatka Peninsula of Russia and is surrounded by active volcanic territory. The study area has a range of hydrological features that determine the extreme amounts of washed sediments. Sediment transported to the river channels in volcanic mountainous terrain is believed to be strongly influenced by climate conditions, particularly when heavy precipitation and warmer climate trigger mudflows in association with the melting snow. The high porosity of the channel bottom material also leads to interactions with the surface water, causing temporal variability in the daily fluctuations in water and sediment flow. Field measurements revealed that suspended sediment behaviour and fluxes decreased along the mainstream Sukhaya Elizovskaya River from inflows from a tributary catchment located in the volcanic mountain range. In laboratory experiments, water samples collected from tributaries were mixed with those from the mainstream flow of the Sukhaya Elizovskaya River to examine the cause of debris flow and characteristics of suspended sediment in the mainstream. These findings and the geological conditions of the tributary catchments studied led us to conclude that halloysite minerals likely comprise the majority of suspended sediments and play a significant role in phosphate adsorption. The experimental results were upscaled and verified using field measurements. Our results indicate that the characteristics of suspended sediment and river discharge in the Sukhaya Elizovskaya River can be attributed primarily to the beginning of

Intensity of geomorphological processes in NW sector of Pacific rim marginal mountain belts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lebedeva, Ekaterina; Shvarev, Sergey; Gotvansky, Veniamin

2014-05-01

marginal-continental mountain systems and also offer to give them extra points of tension, the number of which increases depending on the strength of the shock. Such approach allows to identify clearly the most potentially hazardous areas where there may be various, sometimes unpredictable scale catastrophic processes, provoked intense underground tremors. We also consider the impact of the depth of topography dissection and the total amount of precipitation. The marginal-continental mountain systems have often radically different moistening of coastal and inland slopes. And this difference can be 500, 1000 mm and more, that, undoubtedly, affects the course and intensity of geomorphological processes on slopes of different exposures. The total evaluation of intensity of geomorphologic processes exceeding 15 points is considered to be potentially catastrophic. At 10-15 points tension geomorphologic processes is extremely high, and at 5-10 points - high, less than 5 points - low. The maps of the key areas of the Russian Far East - Kamchatka and the north of Kuril Islands, Sakhalin and the Western Okhotsk region were compiled. These areas have differences in geodynamic regimes, landscape-climatic and anthropogenic conditions and highly significant in relation to the differentiated estimation of geomorphologic tension. The growth of intensity of geomorphological processes toward the Pacific Ocean was recorded: from 7-10 points in Western Okhotsk region to 10-13 at Sakhalin and to 13-15 points for Kamchatka.

Sediment processes modelling below hydraulic mining: towards environmental impact mitigation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chalov, Sergey R.

2010-05-01

Placer mining sites are located in the river valleys so the rivers are influenced by mining operations. Frequently the existing mining sites are characterized by low contribution to the environmental technologies. Therefore hydraulic mining alters stream hydrology and sediment processes and increases water turbidity. The most serious environmental sequences of the sediment yield increase occur in the rivers populated by salmon fish community because salmon species prefer clean water with low turbidity. For instance, the placer mining in Kamchatka peninsula (Far East of Russia) which is regarded to be the last global gene pool of wild salmon Oncorhynchus threatens the rivers ecosystems. System of man-made impact mitigation could be done through the exact recognition of the human role in hydrological processes and sediment transport especially. Sediment budget of rivers below mining sites is transformed according to the appearance of the man-made non-point and point sediment sources. Non-point source pollution occurs due to soil erosion on the exposed hillsides and erosion in the channel diversions. Slope wash on the hillsides is absent during summer days without rainfalls and is many times increased during rainfalls and snow melting. The nearness of the sources of material and the rivers leads to the small time of suspended load increase after rainfalls. The average time of material intake from exposed hillsides to the rivers is less than 1 hour. The main reason of the incision in the channel diversion is river-channel straightening. The increase of channel slopes and transport capacity leads to the intensive incision of flow. Point source pollution is performed by effluents both from mining site (mainly brief effluents) and from settling ponds (permanent effluents), groundwater seepage from tailing pits or from quarries. High rate of groundwater runoff is the main reason of the technological ponds overfilling. Intensive filtration from channel to ponds because of

Remote sensing and petrological observations on the 2012-2013 fissure eruption at Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka: Implications for reconstruction of the eruption chronology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Melnikov, Dmitry; Volynets, Anna O.

2015-12-01

We present a reconstruction of the chronological sequence of events that took place during the first days of the 2012-2013 Tolbachik fissure eruption using petrological data and remote sensing methods. We were forced to use this approach because bad weather conditions did not allow direct observations during the first two days of the eruption. We interpreted infrared images from the scanning radiometer VIIRS Suomi NPP and correlated the output with the results of the geochemical study, including comparison of the ash, deposited at the period from 27 to 29 November, with the samples of lava and bombs erupted from the Menyailov and Naboko vents. We argue that the compositional change observed in the eruption products (the decrease of SiO2 concentration and K2O/MgO ratio, increase of MgO concentration and Mg#) started approximately 24 h after the eruption began. At this time the center of activity moved to the southern part of the fissure, where the Naboko group of vents was formed; therefore, this timeframe also characterizes the timing of the Naboko vent opening. The Naboko group of vents remained active until the end of eruption in September 2013.

Deep Structure of the Zone of Tolbachik Fissure Eruptions (Kamchatka, Klyuchevskoy Volcano Group): Evidence from a Complex of Geological and Geophysical Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kugaenko, Yu. A.; Saltykov, V. A.; Gorvatikov, A. V.; Stepanova, M. Yu.

2018-05-01

With the use of the method of low-frequency microseismic sounding, the configuration of the magmatic feeding system of the Tolbachinsky Dol—a regional zone of areal basaltic volcanism in the southern part of the Klyuchevskoy volcano group in Kamchatka—is studied. The initial data are obtained by a stepby-step recording of the background microseismic noise in 2010-2015 within a thoroughly marked-out survey area covering the zones of fissure eruptions in 1975-1976 and 2012-2013 and, partly, the edifice of the Ploskii (flat) Tolbachik volcano. The depth sections reflecting the distributions of the relative velocities of seismic waves in the Earth's crust are constructed. For a more reliable interpretation of the revealed deep anomalies, the results of independent geological and geophysical studies are used. The ascertained low-velocity structures are closely correlated to the manifestations of present-day volcanism. It is shown that the feeding structure of the Tolbachinsky Dol is spatially heterogeneous, incorporating subvertical and lateral pipeshaped magma conduits, closely spaced magma feeding channels, and shallow magma reservoirs. A longlived local transcrustal magma conducting zone is revealed, and regularities in the deep structure of the feeding systems of fissure eruptions are identified. The configuration of the established subvertical magma conduits permits basalts moving to rise to the surface by different paths, which, inter alia, explains the contrasting magma compositions observed during a single eruption. Thus, based on the instrumental data, it is shown that the magmatic feeding structure of the Tolbachinsky Dol has a number of specific peculiarities and is significantly more complicated than has been previously thought about the areal volcanic fields.

Host specificity and ecology of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) in Pacific salmonids

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kurath, G.; Garver, A.; Purcell, M.K.; Penaranda, Ma.; Rudakova,; Cipriano, R.C.; Bruckner, A.W.; Shchelkunov, I.S.

2011-01-01

Some circumstances IHNV infection can cause acute disease with mortality ranging from 5-90% in host populations. Genetic typing of IHNV field isolates has shown that three major genetic groups of the virus occur in North America. These groups are designated the U, M, and L virus genogroups because they occur in the upper, middle, and lower portions of the geographic range of IHNV in western North America. Among field isolates there is some indication of host specificity: most IHNV isolated from sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) is in the U genogroup, and most IHNV isolated from rainbow and steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is in the M genogroup. Experimental challenges confirm that U isolates are highly virulent for sockeye salmon, but not rainbow trout. In contrast, M isolates are virulent in rainbow trout but not in sockeye salmon. Studies comparing U and M virus infections show that virulence is associated with more rapid virus replication in the first few days after infection. In addition, high virulence isolates persist at higher viral loads in the host, while low virulence isolates do not persist. These host-specific aspects of the different IHNV genogroups are important for understanding the ecology of IHNV emergence events in the field. The recent emergence of U IHNV in Russian sockeye salmon of the Kamchatka Peninsula, and the emergence of M IHNV in steelhead trout on the Olympic Peninsula in the U.S.A, serve as examples of the relevance of IHNV host specificity.

Scoria cone formation through a violent Strombolian eruption: Irao Volcano, SW Japan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kiyosugi, Koji; Horikawa, Yoshiyuki; Nagao, Takashi; Itaya, Tetsumaru; Connor, Charles B.; Tanaka, Kazuhiro

2014-01-01

Scoria cones are common volcanic features and are thought to most commonly develop through the deposition of ballistics produced by gentle Strombolian eruptions and the outward sliding of talus. However, some historic scoria cones have been observed to form with phases of more energetic violent Strombolian eruptions (e.g., the 1943-1952 eruption of Parícutin, central Mexico; the 1975 eruption of Tolbachik, Kamchatka), maintaining volcanic plumes several kilometers in height, sometimes simultaneous with active effusive lava flows. Geologic evidence shows that violent Strombolian eruptions during cone formation may be more common than is generally perceived, and therefore it is important to obtain additional insights about such eruptions to better assess volcanic hazards. We studied Irao Volcano, the largest basaltic monogenetic volcano in the Abu Monogenetic Volcano Group, SW Japan. The geologic features of this volcano are consistent with a violent Strombolian eruption, including voluminous ash and fine lapilli beds (on order of 10-1 km3 DRE) with simultaneous scoria cone formation and lava effusion from the base of the cone. The characteristics of the volcanic products suggest that the rate of magma ascent decreased gradually throughout the eruption and that less explosive Strombolian eruptions increased in frequency during the later stages of activity. During the eruption sequence, the chemical composition of the magma became more differentiated. A new K-Ar age determination for phlogopite crystallized within basalt dates the formation of Irao Volcano at 0.4 ± 0.05 Ma.

Multi-Sensor Observations of Earthquake Related Atmospheric Signals over Major Geohazard Validation Sites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ouzounov, D.; Pulinets, S.; Davindenko, D.; Hattori, K.; Kafatos, M.; Taylor, P.

2012-01-01

We are conducting a scientific validation study involving multi-sensor observations in our investigation of phenomena preceding major earthquakes. Our approach is based on a systematic analysis of several atmospheric and environmental parameters, which we found, are associated with the earthquakes, namely: thermal infrared radiation, outgoing long-wavelength radiation, ionospheric electron density, and atmospheric temperature and humidity. For first time we applied this approach to selected GEOSS sites prone to earthquakes or volcanoes. This provides a new opportunity to cross validate our results with the dense networks of in-situ and space measurements. We investigated two different seismic aspects, first the sites with recent large earthquakes, viz.- Tohoku-oki (M9, 2011, Japan) and Emilia region (M5.9, 2012,N. Italy). Our retrospective analysis of satellite data has shown the presence of anomalies in the atmosphere. Second, we did a retrospective analysis to check the re-occurrence of similar anomalous behavior in atmosphere/ionosphere over three regions with distinct geological settings and high seismicity: Taiwan, Japan and Kamchatka, which include 40 major earthquakes (M>5.9) for the period of 2005-2009. We found anomalous behavior before all of these events with no false negatives; false positives were less then 10%. Our initial results suggest that multi-instrument space-borne and ground observations show a systematic appearance of atmospheric anomalies near the epicentral area that could be explained by a coupling between the observed physical parameters and earthquake preparation processes.

Geochemical evidence for the melting of subducting oceanic lithosphere at plate edges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yogodzinski, G. M.; Lees, J. M.; Churikova, T. G.; Dorendorf, F.; Wöerner, G.; Volynets, O. N.

2001-01-01

Most island-arc magmatism appears to result from the lowering of the melting point of peridotite within the wedge of mantle above subducting slabs owing to the introduction of fluids from the dehydration of subducting oceanic crust. Volcanic rocks interpreted to contain a component of melt (not just a fluid) from the subducting slab itself are uncommon, but possible examples have been recognized in the Aleutian islands, Baja California, Patagonia and elsewhere. The geochemically distinctive rocks from these areas, termed `adakites', are often associated with subducting plates that are young and warm, and therefore thought to be more prone to melting. But the subducting lithosphere in some adakite locations (such as the Aleutian islands) appears to be too old and hence too cold to melt. This implies either that our interpretation of adakite geochemistry is incorrect, or that our understanding of the tectonic context of adakites is incomplete. Here we present geochemical data from the Kamchatka peninsula and the Aleutian islands that reaffirms the slab-melt interpretation of adakites, but in the tectonic context of the exposure to mantle flow around the edge of a torn subducting plate. We conclude that adakites are likely to form whenever the edge of a subducting plate is warmed or ablated by mantle flow. The use of adakites as tracers for such plate geometry may improve our understanding of magma genesis and thermal structure in a variety of subduction-zone environments.

A Database and Synthesis of Northern Peatland Soil Properties and Holocene Carbon and Nitrogen Accumulation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Loisel, Julie; Yu, Zicheng; Beilman, David W.; Camill, Philip; Alm, Jukka; Amesbury, Matthew J.; Anderson, David; Andersson, Sofia; Bochicchio, Christopher; Barber, Keith;

Study of interaction of ELF-ULF range (0.1-200 Hz) electromagnetic waves with the earth's crust and the ionosphere in the field of industrial power transmission lines (FENICS experiment)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhamaletdinov, A. A.; Shevtsov, A. N.; Velikhov, E. P.; Skorokhodov, A. A.; Kolesnikov, V. E.; Korotkova, T. G.; Ryazantsev, P. A.; Efimov, B. V.; Kolobov, V. V.; Barannik, M. B.; Prokopchuk, P. I.; Selivanov, V. N.; Kopytenko, Yu. A.; Kopytenko, E. A.; Ismagilov, V. S.; Petrishchev, M. S.; Sergushin, P. A.; Tereshchenko, P. E.; Samsonov, B. V.; Birulya, M. A.; Smirnov, M. Yu.; Korja, T.; Yampolski, Yu. M.; Koloskov, A. V.; Baru, N. A.; Poljakov, S. V.; Shchennikov, A. V.; Druzhin, G. I.; Jozwiak, W.; Reda, J.; Shchors, Yu. G.

2015-12-01

This article is devoted to describing the theory, technique, and first experimental results of a control source electromagnetic (CSEM) study of the Earth's crust and ionosphere with the use of two mutually orthogonal industrial transmission lines 109 and 120 km in length in the frame of FENICS (Fennoscandian Electrical Conductivity from Natural and Induction Control Source Soundings) experiment. The main part of the measurements is executed on the territory of the Fennoscandian shield at distances from the first hundreds kilometers up to 856 km from the source with the purpose of the deep electromagnetic sounding of the Earth's crust and upper mantle. According to the results of these studies clarifying the parameters of "normal" (standard) geoelectric section of the lithosphere to a depth of 60-70 km, the anisotropy parameters are evaluated and a geothermal and rheological interpretation in conjunction with the analysis of the seismic data is executed. Furthermore, to study the propagation of ELF-LLF waves (0.1-200 Hz) in an "Earth-Ionosphere" waveguide, the measurements are carried out apart from Fennoscandian shield at distances up to 5600 km from the source (in Ukraine, Spitsbergen, Poland, Kamchatka, and other areas). According to the results of these studies, the experimental estimates of the influence of the ionosphere and of the displacement currents on the propagation of ELF-ULF waves in the upper half-space at the different azimuths generation of the primary field are obtained.

Caldanaerobacter uzonensis sp. nov., an anaerobic, thermophilic, heterotrophic bacterium isolated from a hot spring.

PubMed

Kozina, Irina V; Kublanov, Ilya V; Kolganova, Tatyana V; Chernyh, Nikolai A; Bonch-Osmolovskaya, Elizaveta A

2010-06-01

An anaerobic thermophilic bacterium, strain K67(T), was isolated from a terrestrial hot spring of Uzon Caldera, Kamchatka Peninsula. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence revealed that the novel isolate belongs to the genus Caldanaerobacter, with 95 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Caldanaerobacter subterraneus subsp. subterraneus SEBR 7858(T), suggesting that it represents a novel species of the genus Caldanaerobacter. Strain K67(T) was characterized as an obligate anaerobe, a thermophile (growth at 50-75 degrees capital ES, Cyrillic; optimum 68-70 degrees C), a neutrophile (growth at pH(25 degrees C) 4.8-8.0; optimum pH(25 degrees C) 6.8) and an obligate organotroph (growth by fermentation of various sugars, peptides and polysaccharides). Major fermentation products were acetate, H2 and CO2; ethanol, lactate and l-alanine were formed in smaller amounts. Thiosulfate stimulated growth and was reduced to hydrogen sulfide. Nitrate, sulfate, sulfite and elemental sulfur were not reduced and did not stimulate growth. Thus, according to the strain's phylogenetic position and phenotypic novelties (lower upper limit of temperature range for growth, the ability to grow on arabinose, the inability to reduce elemental sulfur and the formation of alanine as a minor fermentation product), the novel species Caldanaerobacter uzonensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain K67(T) (=DSM 18923(T) =VKM capital VE, Cyrillic-2408(T)).

Distribution and color variation of gyrfalcons in Russia

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ellis, D.H.; Ellis, Catherine H.; Pendleton, G.W.; Panteleyev, A.V.; Rebrova, I.V.; Markin, Y.M.

1992-01-01

Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) museum specimens in Moscow (73) and St. Petersburg (132) were divided into four color classes (gray, light gray, white gray, and white) and four longitudinal belts representing major physiographic regions of northern Russia. Gray variants predominated in the west and central regions. White birds were most common in extreme eastern Siberia, but were occasionally found even west of the Ural Mountains. Frequencies were as follows: European Russia 4% white, 50% gray (the remainder were intermediates); western Siberia 0% white, 58% gray; central Siberia 15% white, 42% gray; and eastern Siberia 47% white, 33% gray. Remarkably, in the easternmost subregion, white birds predominated even near the southernmost extension. Because the northernmost portions of the species' range in continental Russia are in central Siberia where white variants were rare, we propose that a better predictor of the white variant is longitude, not latitude. White birds were most frequent at the eastern reaches of both the Palearctic and Nearctic. The best environmental correlates of this distribution pattern may be the southward bending thermal isoclines proceeding eastward toward Greenland or Kamchatka, where both land masses are bathed by cold oceanic currents of Arctic origin. By contrast, the western reaches of both land masses are bathed by warm currents. In these western reaches, Gyrfalcon summer distribution is displaced northward and dark variants predominate. The breeding range of the Gyrfalcon, determined by mapping the locations of the specimens we examined, differs little from the range proposed in 1951.

CRISPR Associated Diversity within a Population of Sulfolobus islandicus

PubMed Central

Held, Nicole L.; Herrera, Alfa; Cadillo-Quiroz, Hinsby; Whitaker, Rachel J.

2010-01-01

Background Predator-prey models for virus-host interactions predict that viruses will cause oscillations of microbial host densities due to an arms race between resistance and virulence. A new form of microbial resistance, CRISPRs (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) are a rapidly evolving, sequence-specific immunity mechanism in which a short piece of invading viral DNA is inserted into the host's chromosome, thereby rendering the host resistant to further infection. Few studies have linked this form of resistance to population dynamics in natural microbial populations. Methodology/Principal Findings We examined sequence diversity in 39 strains of the archeaon Sulfolobus islandicus from a single, isolated hot spring from Kamchatka, Russia to determine the effects of CRISPR immunity on microbial population dynamics. First, multiple housekeeping genetic markers identify a large clonal group of identical genotypes coexisting with a diverse set of rare genotypes. Second, the sequence-specific CRISPR spacer arrays split the large group of isolates into two very different groups and reveal extensive diversity and no evidence for dominance of a single clone within the population. Conclusions/Significance The evenness of resistance genotypes found within this population of S. islandicus is indicative of a lack of strain dominance, in contrast to the prediction for a resistant strain in a simple predator-prey interaction. Based on evidence for the independent acquisition of resistant sequences, we hypothesize that CRISPR mediated clonal interference between resistant strains promotes and maintains diversity in this natural population. PMID:20927396

Taxonomic analyses of members of the Streptomyces cinnabarinus cluster, description of Streptomyces cinnabarigriseus sp. nov. and Streptomyces davaonensis sp. nov.

PubMed

Landwehr, Wiebke; Kämpfer, Peter; Glaeser, Stefanie P; Rückert, Christian; Kalinowski, Jörn; Blom, Jochen; Goesmann, Alexander; Mack, Matthias; Schumann, Peter; Atasayar, Ewelina; Hahnke, Richard L; Rohde, Manfred; Martin, Karin; Stadler, Marc; Wink, Joachim

2018-01-01

Roseoflavin is the only known riboflavin (vitamin B2) analog with antibiotic properties. It is actively taken up by many micro-organisms and targets flavinmononucleotide riboswitches and flavoproteins. It is described as the product of the tentatively named 'Streptomyces davawensis' JCM 4913. Taxonomic analysis of this strain with a polyphasic approach showed that it is very closely related to Streptomyces cinnabarinus (DSM 40467). The two Streptomyces isolates were obtained from different geographical locations (the Philippines and the Kamchatka Peninsula, respectively), their genomes have been sequenced and the question was whether or not the two isolates were representatives of the same species. As we also worked with another isolate of Streptomyces cinnabarinus JS 360, the producer of the cinnabaramides, we wanted to clarify the taxonomic position of the three isolates by using a polyphasic approach. After analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence, we found in total 23 species of the genus Streptomyces that showed a similarity higher than 98.5 % to the three strains. We showed that 'S. davawensis' JCM 4913 and S. cinnabarinus DSM 40467 were very closely related but belong to two different species. Hence, we validate 'S. davawensis' as Streptomyces davaonensis sp. nov. with the type strain JCM 4913 T (=DSM 101723 T ). In addition, the cinnabaramide producer can be clearly differentiated from S. davaonensis and this isolate is described as Streptomyces cinnabarigriseus sp. nov. with strain JS360 T (=NCCB 100590 T =DSM 101724 T ) as the type strain.

Trends and challenges in global arms control regimes: Implications for the Mediterranean, North Africa, and the Middle East

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lehman, R.F. II

In another sense, however, the nuclear age and ballistic missiles long ago created a much smaller world in which the distinctions between global and regional security have been lessened. In an age of weapons of mass destruction, any point on the earth can find itself suddenly at the center of world attention. This makes it all the more important that we understand all of the arms control tools available, including global approaches. In discussing global arms control regimes, I will focus primarily on those that are open to universal membership such as the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) or which havemore » global reach, such as certain export control and supplier regimes. It is important to remember, however, that certain regional, bilateral, and even unilateral arms control measures can have a global impact as well. One need only witness the impact of the Treaty on Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE). Despite its mere {open_quotes}Atlantic to the Urals{close_quotes} focus, the CFE treaty helped change the political and strategic calculations of the entire world. Likewise, the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE), with its headquarters in Vienna, is centered on Europe but spreads from Vancouver to Vladivostok (or perhaps we should say from Amchitka to Kamchatka), circumnavigating much of the northern hemisphere when measured the long way around via North America. The political significance of its successes and failures outdistance CSCE`s geographical spread.« less

Geochemical evidence for the melting of subducting oceanic lithosphere at plate edges.

PubMed

Yogodzinski, G M; Lees, J M; Churikova, T G; Dorendorf, F; Wöerner, G; Volynets, O N

2001-01-25

Most island-arc magmatism appears to result from the lowering of the melting point of peridotite within the wedge of mantle above subducting slabs owing to the introduction of fluids from the dehydration of subducting oceanic crust. Volcanic rocks interpreted to contain a component of melt (not just a fluid) from the subducting slab itself are uncommon, but possible examples have been recognized in the Aleutian islands, Baja California, Patagonia and elsewhere. The geochemically distinctive rocks from these areas, termed 'adakites, are often associated with subducting plates that are young and warm, and therefore thought to be more prone to melting. But the subducting lithosphere in some adakite locations (such as the Aleutian islands) appears to be too old and hence too cold to melt. This implies either that our interpretation of adakite geochemistry is incorrect, or that our understanding of the tectonic context of adakites is incomplete. Here we present geochemical data from the Kamchatka peninsula and the Aleutian islands that reaffirms the slab-melt interpretation of adakites, but in the tectonic context of the exposure to mantle flow around the edge of a torn subducting plate. We conclude that adakites are likely to form whenever the edge of a subducting plate is warmed or ablated by mantle flow. The use of adakites as tracers for such plate geometry may improve our understanding of magma genesis and thermal structure in a variety of subduction-zone environments.

Controls on the iron isotopic composition of global arc magmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Foden, John; Sossi, Paolo A.; Nebel, Oliver

2018-07-01

We determined the iron isotope composition of 130 mafic lavas from 15 arcs worldwide with the hypothesis that the results would reflect the relatively high oxidation state of arc magmas. Although this expectation was not realized, this Fe isotope data set reveals important insights into the geodynamic controls and style of the melting regimes in the sub-arc mantle. Samples are from oceanic arcs from the circum-Pacific, the Indonesian Sunda-Banda islands, Scotia and the Lesser Antilles as well as from the eastern Pacific Cascades. Their mean δ57Fe value is +0.075 ± 0.05‰, significantly lighter than MORB (+0.15 ± 0.03‰). Western Pacific arcs extend to very light δ57Fe (Kamchatka = -0.11 ± 0.04‰). This is contrary to expectation, because Fe isotope fractionation factors (Sossi et al., 2016, 2012) and the incompatibility of ferric versus ferrous iron during mantle melting, predict that melts of more oxidized sources will be enriched in heavy Fe isotopes. Subducted oxidation capacity flux may correlate with hydrous fluid release from the slab. If so, a positive correlation between each arc's thermal parameter (ϕ) and δ57Fe is predicted. On the contrary, the sampled arcs mostly contribute to a negative array with the ϕ value. High ϕ arcs, largely in the western Pacific, have primary magmas with lower δ57Fe values than the low ϕ, eastern Pacific arcs. Arcs with MORB-like Sr-, Nd- and Pb-isotopes, show a large range of δ57Fe from heavy MORB-like values (Scotia or the Cascades) to very light values (Kamchatka, Tonga). Although all basalts with light δ57Fe values have MORB-like Pb-, Nd- and Sr-isotope ratios some, particularly those from eastern Indonesia, have heavier δ57Fe and higher Pb- and Sr- and lower Nd-isotope ratios reflecting sediment contamination of the mantle wedge. Because basalts with MORB-like radiogenic isotopes range all the way from heavy to light δ57Fe values this trend is process-, not source composition-driven. Neither the slab

Estimates of the temperatures of hydrocarbon generation in the region of the Sea of Okhotsk

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Verzhbitsky, E. V.; Berlin, Yu. M.; Kononov, M. V.; Marina, M. M.

2006-07-01

Particular features of the tectonic structure and anomalous distribution of the geothermal, geomagnetic, and gravity fields in the region of the Sea of Okhotsk are considered. On the basis of heat flow data, the ages of large-scale structures in the Sea of Okhotsk are estimated at 65 Ma for the Central Okhotsk Rise and 36 Ma for the South Okhotsk Basin. The age of the South Okhotsk Basin is confirmed by the data on the kinematics and corresponds to a 50-km thickness of the lithosphere. This is in accordance with the thickness value obtained by magnetotelluric soundings. A comparative analysis of the model geothermal background and the measured heat flow values on the Akademii Nauk Rise is performed. The analysis points to an abnormally high (by approximately 20%) measured heat flow, which agrees with the high negative gradient of gravity anomalies. The estimates of the deep heat flow and the basement age of the riftogenic basins in the Sea of Okhotsk were carried out in the following areas: the Deryugin Basin (18 Ma, Early Miocene), the TINRO Basin (12 Ma, Middle Miocene), and the West Kamchatka Basin (23 Ma, Late Oligocene). The temperatures at the boundaries of the main lithological complexes of the sedimentary cover are calculated and the zones of oil and gas generation are defined. On the basis of geothermal, magnetic, structural, and other geological-geophysical data, a kinematic model of the region of the Sea of Okhotsk for a period of 36 Ma was calculated and constructed.

Satellite monitoring of remote volcanoes improves study efforts in Alaska

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dean, K.; Servilla, M.; Roach, A.; Foster, B.; Engle, K.

Satellite monitoring of remote volcanoes is greatly benefitting the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO), and last year's eruption of the Okmok Volcano in the Aleutian Islands is a good case in point. The facility was able to issue and refine warnings of the eruption and related activity quickly, something that could not have been done using conventional seismic surveillance techniques, since seismometers have not been installed at these locations.AVO monitors about 100 active volcanoes in the North Pacific (NOPAC) region, but only a handful are observed by costly and logistically complex conventional means. The region is remote and vast, about 5000 × 2500 km, extending from Alaska west to the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia (Figure 1). Warnings are transmitted to local communities and airlines that might be endangered by eruptions. More than 70,000 passenger and cargo flights fly over the region annually, and airborne volcanic ash is a threat to them. Many remote eruptions have been detected shortly after the initial magmatic activity using satellite data, and eruption clouds have been tracked across air traffic routes. Within minutes after eruptions are detected, information is relayed to government agencies, private companies, and the general public using telephone, fax, and e-mail. Monitoring of volcanoes using satellite image data involves direct reception, real-time monitoring, and data analysis. Two satellite data receiving stations, located at the Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), are capable of receiving data from the advanced very high resolution radiometer (AVHRR) on National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) polar orbiting satellites and from synthetic aperture radar (SAR) equipped satellites.

Introduction to "Global Tsunami Science: Past and Future, Volume III"

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rabinovich, Alexander B.; Fritz, Hermann M.; Tanioka, Yuichiro; Geist, Eric L.

2018-04-01

Twenty papers on the study of tsunamis are included in Volume III of the PAGEOPH topical issue "Global Tsunami Science: Past and Future". Volume I of this topical issue was published as PAGEOPH, vol. 173, No. 12, 2016 and Volume II as PAGEOPH, vol. 174, No. 8, 2017. Two papers in Volume III focus on specific details of the 2009 Samoa and the 1923 northern Kamchatka tsunamis; they are followed by three papers related to tsunami hazard assessment for three different regions of the world oceans: South Africa, Pacific coast of Mexico and the northwestern part of the Indian Ocean. The next six papers are on various aspects of tsunami hydrodynamics and numerical modelling, including tsunami edge waves, resonant behaviour of compressible water layer during tsunamigenic earthquakes, dispersive properties of seismic and volcanically generated tsunami waves, tsunami runup on a vertical wall and influence of earthquake rupture velocity on maximum tsunami runup. Four papers discuss problems of tsunami warning and real-time forecasting for Central America, the Mediterranean coast of France, the coast of Peru, and some general problems regarding the optimum use of the DART buoy network for effective real-time tsunami warning in the Pacific Ocean. Two papers describe historical and paleotsunami studies in the Russian Far East. The final set of three papers importantly investigates tsunamis generated by non-seismic sources: asteroid airburst and meteorological disturbances. Collectively, this volume highlights contemporary trends in global tsunami research, both fundamental and applied toward hazard assessment and mitigation.

Introduction to “Global tsunami science: Past and future, Volume III”

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rabinovich, Alexander B.; Fritz, Hermann M.; Tanioka, Yuichiro; Geist, Eric L.

2018-01-01

Twenty papers on the study of tsunamis are included in Volume III of the PAGEOPH topical issue “Global Tsunami Science: Past and Future”. Volume I of this topical issue was published as PAGEOPH, vol. 173, No. 12, 2016 and Volume II as PAGEOPH, vol. 174, No. 8, 2017. Two papers in Volume III focus on specific details of the 2009 Samoa and the 1923 northern Kamchatka tsunamis; they are followed by three papers related to tsunami hazard assessment for three different regions of the world oceans: South Africa, Pacific coast of Mexico and the northwestern part of the Indian Ocean. The next six papers are on various aspects of tsunami hydrodynamics and numerical modelling, including tsunami edge waves, resonant behaviour of compressible water layer during tsunamigenic earthquakes, dispersive properties of seismic and volcanically generated tsunami waves, tsunami runup on a vertical wall and influence of earthquake rupture velocity on maximum tsunami runup. Four papers discuss problems of tsunami warning and real-time forecasting for Central America, the Mediterranean coast of France, the coast of Peru, and some general problems regarding the optimum use of the DART buoy network for effective real-time tsunami warning in the Pacific Ocean. Two papers describe historical and paleotsunami studies in the Russian Far East. The final set of three papers importantly investigates tsunamis generated by non-seismic sources: asteroid airburst and meteorological disturbances. Collectively, this volume highlights contemporary trends in global tsunami research, both fundamental and applied toward hazard assessment and mitigation.

On the relationship between Arctic ice clouds and polluted air masses over the North Slope of Alaska in April 2008

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jouan, C.; Pelon, J.; Girard, E.; Ancellet, G.; Blanchet, J. P.; Delanoë, J.

2014-02-01

Recently, two types of ice clouds (TICs) properties have been characterized using the Indirect and Semi-Direct Aerosol Campaign (ISDAC) airborne measurements (Alaska, April 2008). TIC-2B were characterized by fewer (< 10 L-1) and larger (> 110 μm) ice crystals, and a larger ice supersaturation (> 15%) compared to TIC-1/2A. It has been hypothesized that emissions of SO2 may reduce the ice nucleating properties of ice nuclei (IN) through acidification, resulting in a smaller concentration of larger ice crystals and leading to precipitation (e.g., cloud regime TIC-2B). Here, the origin of air masses forming the ISDAC TIC-1/2A (1 April 2008) and TIC-2B (15 April 2008) is investigated using trajectory tools and satellite data. Results show that the synoptic conditions favor air masses transport from three potential SO2 emission sources into Alaska: eastern China and Siberia where anthropogenic and biomass burning emissions, respectively, are produced, and the volcanic region of the Kamchatka/Aleutians. Weather conditions allow the accumulation of pollutants from eastern China and Siberia over Alaska, most probably with the contribution of acidic volcanic aerosol during the TIC-2B period. Observation Monitoring Instrument (OMI) satellite observations reveal that SO2 concentrations in air masses forming the TIC-2B were larger than in air masses forming the TIC-1/2A. Airborne measurements show high acidity near the TIC-2B flight where humidity was low. These results support the hypothesis that acidic coating on IN could be at the origin of the formation of TIC-2B.

Earth Observations taken by the Expedition 31 Crew

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-05-18

ISS031-E-041959 (18 May 2012) --- Alaid Volcano in the Kuril Islands of the Russian Federation is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 31 crew member on the International Space Station. The Kurils chain extends from the Kamchatka Peninsula to the islands of Japan, and contains numerous active volcanoes along its length. Alaid is the highest (2,339 meters above sea level) volcano in the Kuril chain, as well as being the northernmost. The textbook conic morphology of this stratovolcano is marred only by the summit crater, which is breached to the south (center) and highlighted by snow cover. The volcano rises 3,000 meters directly from the floor of the Sea of Okhotsk, with the uppermost part of the volcanic edifice exposed as an island. Much of the sea surface surrounding the volcano has a silver-gray appearance. This mirror-like appearance is due to sunglint, where light reflects off the sea surface and is scattered directly towards the observer onboard the space station. Sunglint is largely absent from a zone directly to the west of the volcano, most likely due to surface wind or water current patterns that change the roughness?and light scattering properties?of the water surface in this area. Volcanoes in the Kurils, and similar island arcs in the Pacific ?ring of fire?, are fed by magma generated along the boundary between two tectonic plates, where one plate is being driven beneath the other (a process known as subduction). Alaid Volcano has been historically active with the most recent confirmed explosive activity occurring in 1996.

Biogeochemical cycling in the Bering Sea over the onset of major Northern Hemisphere Glaciation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Swann, George E. A.; Snelling, Andrea M.; Pike, Jennifer

2016-09-01

The Bering Sea is one of the most biologically productive regions in the marine system and plays a key role in regulating the flow of waters to the Arctic Ocean and into the subarctic North Pacific Ocean. Cores from Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Expedition 323 to the Bering Sea provide the first opportunity to obtain reconstructions from the region that extend back to the Pliocene. Previous research at Bowers Ridge, south Bering Sea, has revealed stable levels of siliceous productivity over the onset of major Northern Hemisphere Glaciation (NHG) (circa 2.85-2.73 Ma). However, diatom silica isotope records of oxygen (δ18Odiatom) and silicon (δ30Sidiatom) presented here demonstrate that this interval was associated with a progressive increase in the supply of silicic acid to the region, superimposed on shift to a more dynamic environment characterized by colder temperatures and increased sea ice. This concluded at 2.58 Ma with a sharp increase in diatom productivity, further increases in photic zone nutrient availability and a permanent shift to colder sea surface conditions. These transitions are suggested to reflect a gradually more intense nutrient leakage from the subarctic northwest Pacific Ocean, with increases in productivity further aided by increased sea ice- and wind-driven mixing in the Bering Sea. In suggesting a linkage in biogeochemical cycling between the south Bering Sea and subarctic Northwest Pacific Ocean, mainly via the Kamchatka Strait, this work highlights the need to consider the interconnectivity of these two systems when future reconstructions are carried out in the region.

Volcano geodesy: The search for magma reservoirs and the formation of eruptive vents

USGS Publications Warehouse

Dvorak, J.J.; Dzurisin, D.

1997-01-01

Routine geodetic measurements are made at only a few dozen of the world's 600 or so active volcanoes, even though these measurements have proven to be a reliable precursor of eruptions. The pattern and rate of surface displacement reveal the depth and rate of pressure increase within shallow magma reservoirs. This process has been demonstrated clearly at Kilauea and Mauna Loa, Hawaii; Long Valley caldera, California; Campi Flegrei caldera, Italy; Rabaul caldera, Papua New Guinea; and Aira caldera and nearby Sakurajima, Japan. Slower and lesser amounts of surface displacement at Yellowstone caldera, Wyoming, are attributed to changes in a hydrothermal system that overlies a crustal magma body. The vertical and horizontal dimensions of eruptive fissures, as well as the amount of widening, have been determined at Kilauea, Hawaii; Etna, Italy; Tolbachik, Kamchatka; Krafla, Iceland; and Asal-Ghoubbet, Djibouti, the last a segment of the East Africa Rift Zone. Continuously recording instruments, such as tiltmeters, extensometers, and dilatometers, have recorded horizontal and upward growth of eruptive fissures, which grew at rates of hundreds of meters per hour, at Kilauea; Izu-Oshima, Japan; Teishi Knoll seamount, Japan; and Piton de la Fournaise, Re??union Island. In addition, such instruments have recorded the hour or less of slight ground movement that preceded small explosive eruptions at Sakurajima and presumed sudden gas emissions at Galeras, Colombia. The use of satellite geodesy, in particular the Global Positioning System, offers the possibility of revealing changes in surface strain both local to a volcano and over a broad region that includes the volcano.

[The comprehensive evaluation of the bioclimatic comfort at the territories of the Russian Far East with reference to winter-time recreational activities and primary wellness tourism].

PubMed

Pestereva, N M; Khechumyan, A F; Vorozbit, N

2018-05-21

in the framework of the current tendency toward the further development of the socio-economic sphere in the Russian Far East (RFE), the relevant investigations aimed at creating the comfortable conditions for recreational and touristic activities as well as for rehabilitative therapy of the local population acquire the increasingly greater importance. The objective of the present study was the comprehensive evaluation of the bioclimatic comfort at the territories of interest with special reference to winter-time recreational activities and primary wellness tourism. This study was designed to evaluate the health resort, recreational, and therapeutic resources of the selected areas of the Russian Far East with special reference to the data provided by the climate monitoring stations during the periods from December to March of 1965-2014. The following methods were used for the purpose: the comparative analysis of climatic information and elementary methods of mathematical statistics. The evaluation of the study territory in terms of the bioclimatic comfort gave evidence that the southern regions of Primorye as well as Sakhalin island, and Kamchatka peninsula provide the most favorable conditions for the therapeutic and recreational activities, leisure and sports in the winter seasons. The analysis of the studied bioclimatic indices of comfort at different territories of the Russian Far East has demonstrated their great potential for the further development of recreation services, rehabilitation, sporting and touristic activities. The study has revealed the new opportunities for the enhancement of bioclimatic comfort of the region and for the improvement of the quality of life and employment of the local population.

Deep Bering Sea Circulation and Variability, 2001-2016, From Argo Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, Gregory C.; Stabeno, Phyllis J.

2017-12-01

The mean structure, seasonal cycle, and interannual variability of temperature and salinity are analyzed in the deep Bering Sea basin using Argo profile data collected from 2001 to 2016. Gyre transports are estimated using geostrophic stream function maps of Argo profile data referenced to a 1,000 dbar nondivergent absolute velocity stream function mapped from Argo parking pressure displacement data. Relatively warm and salty water from the North Pacific enters the basin through the Near Strait and passages between Aleutian Islands to the east. This water then flows in a cyclonic (counterclockwise) direction around the region, cooling (and freshening) along its path. Aleutian North Slope Current transports from 0 to 1,890 dbar are estimated at 3-6 Sverdrups (1 Sv = 106 m3 s-1) eastward, feeding into the northwestward Bering Slope Current with transports of mostly 5-6 Sv. The Kamchatka Current has transports of ˜6 Sv north of Shirshov Ridge, increasing to 14-16 Sv south of the ridge, where it is augmented by westward flow from Near Strait. Temperature exhibits strong interannual variations in the upper ocean, with warm periods in 2004-2005 and 2015-2016, and cold periods around 2009 and 2012. In contrast, upper ocean salinity generally decreases from 2001 to 2016. As a result of this salinity decrease, the density of the subsurface temperature minimum decreased over this time period, despite more interannual variability in the minimum temperature value. The subsurface temperature maximum also exhibits interannual variability, but with values generally warmer than those previously reported for the 1970s and 1980s.

Insights and issues with estimating Holocene peatland carbon stocks: a synthesis and review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Loisel, Julie; Yu, Zicheng

2014-05-01

Of all terrestrial ecosystems, peatlands are arguably the most efficient at sequestering carbon (C) over long time scales. However, ongoing and projected climate change could shift the balance between peat production and organic matter decomposition, potentially impacting the peat C sink capacity and modifying peat C fluxes to the atmosphere. Yet, the sign and magnitude of the peatland - C - climate feedback remain uncertain and difficult to assess because of large uncertainties in regional peat C stocks and limited understanding of peatland responses to climate change. Here we present results from the most comprehensive compilation of Holocene peat soil properties with associated carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) accumulation rates for northern peatlands. Our database consists of 268 peat cores from 215 sites located north of 45N. It encompasses regions within which peat C data have only recently become available, such as the West Siberia Lowlands, the Hudson Bay Lowlands, Kamchatka in Far East Russia, and the Tibetan Plateau. The database is publicly available at https://peatlands.lehigh.edu. Several scaling-up methods for estimating present-day peatland C stocks are presented, and uncertainties associated with each one of them are addressed. Likewise, the assumptions for calculating peat C volumes are discussed in light of conceptual models of spatial heterogeneity in peatland structure and function. We also examine the theoretical basis and underlying assumptions for the models of peatland lateral expansion and peat vertical growth used in estimating paleo peatland C stocks. Finally, we explore the importance of the fen-to-bog transition and of permafrost aggradation on C sequestration.

A model for the motion of the Philippine Sea plate consistent with NUVEL-1 and geological data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Seno, Tetsuzo; Stein, Seth; Gripp, Alice E.

1993-01-01

We investigate angular velocity vectors of the Philippine Sea (PH) plate relative to the adjacent major plates, Eurasia (EU) and Pacific (PA), and the smaller Caroline (CR) plate. Earthquake slip vector data along the Philippine Sea plate are inverted, subject to the constraint that EU-PA motion equals that predicted by the global relative plate model NUVEL-1. The resulting solution fails to satisfy geological constraints along the Caroline-Pacific boundary: convergence along the Mussau Trench and divergence along the Sorol Trough. We then seek solutions satisfying both the CR-PA boundary conditions and the Philippine Sea slip vector data, by adjusting the PA-PH and EU-PH best fitting poles within their error ellipses. We also consider northern Honshu to be part of the North American plate and impose the constraint that the Philippine Sea plate subducts beneath northern Honshu along the Sagmi Trough in a NNW-NW direction. Of the solutions satisfying these conditions, we select the best EU-PH as 48.2 deg N, 157.0 deg E, 1.09 deg/my, corresponding to a pole far from Japan and south of Kamchatka, and PA-PH, 1.2 deg N, 134.2 deg E, 1.00 deg/my. Predicted NA-PH and EU-PH convergence rates in central Honshu are consistent with estimated seismic slip rates. Previous estimates of the EU-PH pole close to central Honshu are inconsistent with extension within the Bonin backarc implied by earthquake slip vectors and NNW-NW convergence of the Bonin forearc at the Sagami Trough.

2013 certified IMS infrasound stations: IS37 (Bardufoss, Norway) and IS58 (Midway, USA)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haralabus, Georgios; Marty, Julien; Kramer, Alfred; Mialle, Pierrick; Robertson, James

2014-05-01

The Infrasound component of the International Monitoring System (IMS) of the Comprehensive Nuclear?Test?Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) includes 60 infrasound stations out of which 47 are currently certified. The latest two additions to this Infrasound network, namely IS58 on Sand Island, Midway Atoll, United States of America (USA), and IS37 in Bardufoss, Norway, are presented here. Both stations were certified in 2013. IS58 is a 4 element infrasound array arranged in a triangular geometry with a central component. The triangular bases vary from 1.1 to 1.8 km. The micropressure sensors deployed at each element were Chaparral 50A microbarometers. Signals from IS58 were processed by the International Data Centre (IDC) and detection associated not only with microbaroms but also with the activity of the Kliuchevskoi volcano in the Russian Peninsula Kamchatka were built. These initial results indicate good detection capability of the IS58 station for low wind conditions. In Norway the topography allowed for a large element array, so IS37 was built with 10-elements that have average spacing of 1 km. This design allows the formation of several triangles with baseline of 1 to 2 km and also a triangular sub array with spacing of approximately 360 m. The sensors utilized in IS37 elements were MB2005 microbarometers. Initial data analysis by IDC identified distant microbarom sources with strong azimuth and frequency content variability as well as strong detections from local sources, namely the Finnfjord ferro-alloy plant in Norway and the Kiruna iron mine in Sweden.

Halophilic Archaea determined from geothermal steam vent aerosols.

PubMed

Ellis, Dean G; Bizzoco, Richard W; Kelley, Scott T

2008-06-01

Hydrothermal vents, known as 'fumaroles', are ubiquitous features of geothermal areas. Although their geology has been extensively characterized, little is known about the subsurface microbial ecology of fumaroles largely because of the difficulty in collecting sufficient numbers of cells from boiling steam water for DNA extraction and culture isolation. Here we describe the first collection, molecular analysis and isolation of microbes from fumarole steam waters in Russia (Kamchatka) and the USA (Hawaii, New Mexico, California and Wyoming). Surprisingly, the steam vent waters from all the fumaroles contained halophilic Archaea closely related to the Haloarcula spp. found in non-geothermal salt mats, saline soils, brine pools and salt lakes around the world. Microscopic cell counting estimated the cell dispersal rate at approximately 1.6 x 10(9) cells year(-1) from a single fumarole. We also managed to enrich microbes in high-salt media from every vent sample, and to isolate Haloarcula from a Yellowstone vent in a 20% salt medium after a month-long incubation, demonstrating both salt tolerance and viability of cells collected from high-temperature steam. Laboratory tests determined that microbes enriched in salt media survived temperatures greater than 75 degrees C for between 5 and 30 min during the collection process. Hawaiian fumaroles proved to contain the greatest diversity of halophilic Archaea with four new lineages that may belong to uncultured haloarchaeal genera. This high diversity may have resulted from the leaching of salts and minerals through the highly porous volcanic rock, creating a chemically complex saline subsurface.

Catalytic properties of volcanic rocks in the synthesis of hydrocarbons from carbon monoxide and hydrogen

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Taran, Yu.A.; Novak, F.I.; Antoshchuk, I.A.

1981-10-01

Results obtained from studying the catalytic properties of effusive rocks of various chemical compositions, extracted from lava flows of several Kamchatka volcanos, in the process of synthesis from carbon monoxide and hydrogen, are presented. It was evident that samples of volcanic rock display catalytic properties in the process of synthesis from CO and H/sub 2/ in which liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons and an insignificant amount of oxygen-containing compounds are formed as products of the reactions. At a synthesis temperature of 350/sup 0/C the catalytic activity of the samples is characterized by the conversion of CO at a level of 70more » to 80%, and H/sub 2/ at 50 to 60%. The yield of oil, gasoline, and natural gas reached 40, 11, and 3 ml/m/sup 3/, respectively. The light synthetic products were presented based on saturated hydrocarbons of an aliphatic series with significant contents of olefins and insignificant quantities of alcohols and carbonyl compounds. The composition of gaseous products is characterized by significant unsaturation (approx. 33%) and a high content of butane-butylenic fractions (to approx. 55%). The data obtained showed that volcanic rocks were able to catalyze the synthesis of hydrocarbons from CO and H/sub 2/. The sources of the catalytic properties of the rocks shown are evidently iron compounds, and the remaining ingredients of the rocks are able to fulfill the role of structural or chemical promoters influencing the properties of the catalysts and the composition of the reaction products formed. 2 tables. (DP)« less

Linking Plagioclase Zoning Patterns to Active Magma Processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Izbekov, P. E.; Nicolaysen, K. P.; Neill, O. K.; Shcherbakov, V.; Eichelberger, J. C.; Plechov, P.

2016-12-01

Plagioclase, one of the most common and abundant mineral phases in volcanic products, will vary in composition in response to changes in temperature, pressure, composition of the ambient silicate melt, and melt H2O concentration. Changes in these parameters may cause dissolution or growth of plagioclase crystals, forming characteristic textural and compositional variations (zoning patterns), the complete core-to-rim sequence of which describes events experienced by an individual crystal from its nucleation to the last moments of its growth. Plagioclase crystals in a typical volcanic rock may look drastically dissimilar despite their spatial proximity and the fact that they have erupted together. Although they shared last moments of their growth during magma ascent and eruption, their prior experiences could be very different, as plagioclase crystals often come from different domains of the same magma system. Distinguishing similar zoning patterns, correlating them across the entire population of plagioclase crystals, and linking these patterns to specific perturbations in the magmatic system may provide additional perspective on the variety, extent, and timing of magma processes at active volcanic systems. Examples of magma processes, which may be distinguished based on plagioclase zoning patterns, include (1) cooling due to heat loss, (2) heating and/or pressure build up due to an input of new magmatic material, (3) pressure drop in response to magma system depressurization, and (4) crystal transfer between different magma domains/bodies. This review will include contrasting examples of zoning patters from recent eruptions of Augustine and Cleveland Volcanoes in Alaska, Sakurajima Volcano in Japan, Karymsky, Bezymianny, and Tolbachik Volcanoes in Kamchatka, as well as from the drilling into an active magma body at Krafla, Iceland.

Linking Plagioclase Zoning Patterns to Active Magma Processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Izbekov, P. E.; Nicolaysen, K. P.; Neill, O. K.; Shcherbakov, V.; Plechov, P.; Eichelberger, J. C.

2015-12-01

Plagioclase, one of the most common and abundant mineral phases in volcanic products, will vary in composition in response to changes in temperature, pressure, composition of the ambient silicate melt, and melt H2O concentration. Changes in these parameters may cause dissolution or growth of plagioclase crystals, forming characteristic textural and compositional variations (zoning patterns), the complete core-to-rim sequence of which describes events experienced by an individual crystal from its nucleation to the last moments of its growth. Plagioclase crystals in a typical volcanic rock may look drastically dissimilar despite their spatial proximity and the fact that they have erupted together. Although they shared last moments of their growth during magma ascent and eruption, their prior experiences could be very different, as plagioclase crystals often come from different domains of the same magma system. Distinguishing similar zoning patterns, correlating them across the entire population of plagioclase crystals, and linking these patterns to specific perturbations in the magmatic system may provide additional perspective on the variety, extent, and timing of magma processes at active volcanic systems. Examples of magma processes, which may be distinguished based on plagioclase zoning patterns, include (1) cooling due to heat loss, (2) heating and/or pressure build up due to an input of new magmatic material, (3) pressure drop in response to magma system depressurization, and (4) crystal transfer between different magma domains/bodies. This review will include contrasting examples of zoning patters from recent eruptions of Karymsky, Bezymianny, and Tolbachik Volcanoes in Kamchatka, Augustine and Cleveland Volcanoes in Alaska, as well as from the drilling into an active magma body at Krafla, Iceland.

Significant Variation of Post-critical SsPmp Amplitude as a Result of Variation in Near-surface Velocity: Observations from the Yellowknife Array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ferragut, G.; Liu, T.; Klemperer, S. L.

2017-12-01

In recent years Virtual Deep Seismic Sounding (VDSS) emerged as a novel method to image the Moho, which uses the post-critical reflection P waves at the Moho generated by teleseismic S waves at the free surface near the receivers (SsPmp). However, observed SsPmp sometimes have significantly lower amplitude than predicted, raising doubts among the seismic community on the theoretical basis of the method. With over two decades of continuous digital broadband records and major subduction zones in the range of 30-50 degrees, the Yellowknife Array in northern Canada provides a rich opportunity for observation of post-critical SsPmp. We analyze S wave coda of events with epicenter distances of 30-50°, and pay special attention to earthquakes in a narrow azimuth range that ­­­encompasses the Kamchatka Peninsula. Among 21 events with strong direct S energy on the radial components, we observe significant variation of SsPmp energy. After associating the SsPmp energy with the virtual source location of each event, we observe a general trend of decreasing SsPmp energy from NE to SW. As the trend coincides with the transition from exposed basement of the Slave Craton to Paleozoic platform covered by Phanerozoic sediment, we interpret the decreasing SsPmp energy as a result of lower S velocity at the virtual sources, which reduces S-to-P reflection coefficients. We plan to include more events from the Aleutian Islands, the virtual sources of which are primarily located in the Paleozoic platform. This will allow us to further investigate the relationship between SsPmp amplitude and near-surface velocity.

On the relationship between Arctic ice clouds and polluted air masses over the north slope of Alaska in April 2008

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jouan, C.; Pelon, J.; Girard, E.; Ancellet, G.; Blanchet, J. P.; Delanoë, J.

2013-02-01

Recently, two Types of Ice Clouds (TICs) properties have been characterized using ISDAC airborne measurements (Alaska, April 2008). TIC-2B were characterized by fewer (<10 L-1) and larger (>110 μm) ice crystals, a larger ice supersaturation (>15%) and a fewer ice nuclei (IN) concentration (<2 order of magnitude) when compared to TIC-1/2A. It has been hypothesized that emissions of SO2 may reduce the ice nucleating properties of IN through acidification, resulting to a smaller concentration of larger ice crystals and leading to precipitation (e.g. cloud regime TIC-2B) because of the reduced competition for the same available moisture. Here, the origin of air masses forming the ISDAC TIC-1/2A (1 April 2008) and TIC-2B (15 April 2008) is investigated using trajectory tools and satellite data. Results show that the synoptic conditions favor air masses transport from the three potentials SO2 emission areas to Alaska: eastern China and Siberia where anthropogenic and biomass burning emission respectively are produced and the volcanic region from the Kamchatka/Aleutians. Weather conditions allow the accumulation of pollutants from eastern China/Siberia over Alaska, most probably with the contribution of acid volcanic aerosol during the TIC-2B period. OMI observations reveal that SO2 concentrations in air masses forming the TIC-2B were larger than in air masses forming the TIC-1/2A. Airborne measurements show high acidity near the TIC-2B flight where humidity was low. These results strongly support the hypothesis that acidic coating on IN are at the origin of the formation of TIC-2B.

Factors Controlling the Distribution of Archaeal Tetraethers in Terrestrial Hot Springs▿

PubMed Central

Pearson, Ann; Pi, Yundan; Zhao, Weidong; Li, WenJun; Li, Yiliang; Inskeep, William; Perevalova, Anna; Romanek, Christopher; Li, Shuguang; Zhang, Chuanlun L.

2008-01-01

Glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs) found in hot springs reflect the abundance and community structure of Archaea in these extreme environments. The relationships between GDGTs, archaeal communities, and physical or geochemical variables are underexamined to date and when reported often result in conflicting interpretations. Here, we examined profiles of GDGTs from pure cultures of Crenarchaeota and from terrestrial geothermal springs representing a wide distribution of locations, including Yellowstone National Park (United States), the Great Basin of Nevada and California (United States), Kamchatka (Russia), Tengchong thermal field (China), and Thailand. These samples had temperatures of 36.5 to 87°C and pH values of 3.0 to 9.2. GDGT abundances also were determined for three soil samples adjacent to some of the hot springs. Principal component analysis identified four factors that accounted for most of the variance among nine individual GDGTs, temperature, and pH. Significant correlations were observed between pH and the GDGTs crenarchaeol and GDGT-4 (four cyclopentane rings, m/z 1,294); pH correlated positively with crenarchaeol and inversely with GDGT-4. Weaker correlations were observed between temperature and the four factors. Three of the four GDGTs used in the marine TEX86 paleotemperature index (GDGT-1 to -3, but not crenarchaeol isomer) were associated with a single factor. No correlation was observed for GDGT-0 (acyclic caldarchaeol): it is effectively its own variable. The biosynthetic mechanisms and exact archaeal community structures leading to these relationships remain unknown. However, the data in general show promise for the continued development of GDGT lipid-based physiochemical proxies for archaeal evolution and for paleo-ecology or paleoclimate studies. PMID:18390673

Factors controlling the distribution of archaeal tetraethers in terrestrial hot springs.

PubMed

Pearson, Ann; Pi, Yundan; Zhao, Weidong; Li, WenJun; Li, Yiliang; Inskeep, William; Perevalova, Anna; Romanek, Christopher; Li, Shuguang; Zhang, Chuanlun L

2008-06-01

Glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs) found in hot springs reflect the abundance and community structure of Archaea in these extreme environments. The relationships between GDGTs, archaeal communities, and physical or geochemical variables are underexamined to date and when reported often result in conflicting interpretations. Here, we examined profiles of GDGTs from pure cultures of Crenarchaeota and from terrestrial geothermal springs representing a wide distribution of locations, including Yellowstone National Park (United States), the Great Basin of Nevada and California (United States), Kamchatka (Russia), Tengchong thermal field (China), and Thailand. These samples had temperatures of 36.5 to 87 degrees C and pH values of 3.0 to 9.2. GDGT abundances also were determined for three soil samples adjacent to some of the hot springs. Principal component analysis identified four factors that accounted for most of the variance among nine individual GDGTs, temperature, and pH. Significant correlations were observed between pH and the GDGTs crenarchaeol and GDGT-4 (four cyclopentane rings, m/z 1,294); pH correlated positively with crenarchaeol and inversely with GDGT-4. Weaker correlations were observed between temperature and the four factors. Three of the four GDGTs used in the marine TEX(86) paleotemperature index (GDGT-1 to -3, but not crenarchaeol isomer) were associated with a single factor. No correlation was observed for GDGT-0 (acyclic caldarchaeol): it is effectively its own variable. The biosynthetic mechanisms and exact archaeal community structures leading to these relationships remain unknown. However, the data in general show promise for the continued development of GDGT lipid-based physiochemical proxies for archaeal evolution and for paleo-ecology or paleoclimate studies.

A generalized formulation for noise-based seismic velocity change measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gómez-García, C.; Brenguier, F.; Boué, P.; Shapiro, N.; Droznin, D.; Droznina, S.; Senyukov, S.; Gordeev, E.

2017-12-01

The observation of continuous seismic velocity changes is a powerful tool for detecting seasonal variations in crustal structure, volcanic unrest, co- and post-seismic evolution of stress in fault areas or the effects of fluid injection. The standard approach for measuring such velocity changes relies on comparison of travel times in the coda of a set of seismic signals, usually noise-based cross-correlations retrieved at different dates, and a reference trace, usually a averaged function over dates. A good stability in both space and time of the noise sources is then the main assumption for reliable measurements. Unfortunately, these conditions are often not fulfilled, as it happens when ambient-noise sources are non-stationary, such as the emissions of low-frequency volcanic tremors.We propose a generalized formulation for retrieving continuous time series of noise-based seismic velocity changes without any arbitrary reference cross-correlation function. We set up a general framework for future applications of this technique performing synthetic tests. In particular, we study the reliability of the retrieved velocity changes in case of seasonal-type trends, transient effects (similar to those produced as a result of an earthquake or a volcanic eruption) and sudden velocity drops and recoveries as the effects of transient local source emissions. Finally, we apply this approach to a real dataset of noise cross-correlations. We choose the Klyuchevskoy volcanic group (Kamchatka) as a case study where the recorded wavefield is hampered by loss of data and dominated by strongly localized volcanic tremor sources. Despite the mentioned wavefield contaminations, we retrieve clear seismic velocity drops associated with the eruptions of the Klyuchevskoy an the Tolbachik volcanoes in 2010 and 2012, respectively.

Brockia lithotrophica gen. nov., sp. nov., an anaerobic thermophilic bacterium from a terrestrial hot spring.

PubMed

Perevalova, Anna A; Kublanov, Ilya V; Baslerov, R V; Zhang, Gengxin; Bonch-Osmolovskaya, Elizaveta A

2013-02-01

A novel thermophilic bacterium, strain Kam1851(T), was isolated from a terrestrial hot spring of the Uzon Caldera, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia. Cells of strain Kam1851(T) were spore-forming rods with a gram-positive type of cell wall. Growth was observed between 46 and 78 °C, and pH 5.5-8.5. The optimal growth (doubling time, 6.0 h) was at 60-65 °C and pH 6.5. The isolate was an obligate anaerobe growing in pre-reduced medium only. It grew on mineral medium with molecular hydrogen or formate as electron donors, and elemental sulfur, thiosulfate or polysulfide as electron acceptors. The main cellular fatty acids were C(16 : 0) (34.2 %), iso-C(16 : 0) (18 %), C(18 : 0) (12.8 %) and iso-C(17 : 0) (11.1 %). The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain Kam1851(T) was 63 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain Kam1851(T) belonged to the order Thermoanaerobacterales, but it was not closely related to representatives of any genera with validly published names. The most closely related strains, which had no more than 89.2 % sequence similarity, were members of the genera Ammonifex and Caldanaerobacter. On the basis of its phylogenetic position and novel phenotypic features, isolate Kam1851(T) is proposed to represent a novel species in a new genus, Brockia lithotrophica gen. nov., sp. nov.; the type strain of Brockia lithotrophica is Kam1851(T) ( = DSM 22653(T) = VKM B-2685(T)).

Paternal phylogeographic structure of the brown bear (Ursus arctos) in northeastern Asia and the effect of male-mediated gene flow to insular populations.

PubMed

Hirata, Daisuke; Mano, Tsutomu; Abramov, Alexei V; Baryshnikov, Gennady F; Kosintsev, Pavel A; Murata, Koichi; Masuda, Ryuichi

2017-01-01

Sex-biased dispersal is widespread among mammals, including the brown bear ( Ursus arctos ). Previous phylogeographic studies of the brown bear based on maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA have shown intraspecific genetic structuring around the northern hemisphere. The brown bears on Hokkaido Island, northern Japan, comprise three distinct maternal lineages that presumably immigrated to the island from the continent in three different periods. Here, we investigate the paternal genetic structure across northeastern Asia and assess the connectivity among and within intraspecific populations in terms of male-mediated gene flow. We analyzed paternally inherited Y-chromosomal DNA sequence data and Y-linked microsatellite data of 124 brown bears from Hokkaido, the southern Kuril Islands (Kunashiri and Etorofu), Sakhalin, and continental Eurasia (Kamchatka Peninsula, Ural Mountains, European Russia, and Tibet). The Hokkaido brown bear population is paternally differentiated from, and lacked recent genetic connectivity with, the continental Eurasian and North American populations. We detected weak spatial genetic structuring of the paternal lineages on Hokkaido, which may have arisen through male-mediated gene flow among natal populations. In addition, our results suggest that the different dispersal patterns between male and female brown bears, combined with the founder effect and subsequent genetic drift, contributed to the makeup of the Etorofu Island population, in which the maternal and paternal lineages show different origins. Brown bears on Hokkaido and the adjacent southern Kuril Islands experienced different maternal and paternal evolutionary histories. Our results indicate that sex-biased dispersal has played a significant role in the evolutionary history of the brown bear in continental populations and in peripheral insular populations, such as on Hokkaido, the southern Kuril Islands, and Sakhalin.

Mineral Systems, Their Types, and Distribution in Nature: 2. Products of Contemporary Fumarole Activity at Tolbachik Volcano (Russia) and Vulcano (Italy)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krivovichev, V. G.; Charykova, M. V.

2017-12-01

The number of mineral species in which a certain chemical element is species-defining (according to statistical data up to 2015) has been specified. Seventy chemical elements are species-defining for 5044 minerals. The following chemical elements lead in the composition of minerals (number of mineral species in parentheses): oxygen (4115), hydrogen (2800), silicon (1471), calcium (1167), sulfur (1056), aluminium (985), sodium (949), iron (945), copper (636), phosphorus (597), arsenic (594), and magnesium (571). The distribution of mineral species by various systems in the products of contemporary fumarole activity at two volcanoes, Tolbachik in Kamchatka, Russia, and Vulcano in Sicily, Italy, has been compared. These locations were also compared for the distribution of species-defining elements. Thus, it has been determined that in fumaroles of both volcanoes, Tl, S, Cl, F and Na are "excessive," present in minerals in elevated amounts, whereas H, Ca, Fe, and Mn are "deficient." The abundance of Cu, Se, V, Mg, Zn, As, and F in minerals at Tolbachik is higher than the global mean values of these elements in the Earth's crust, whereas the abundance is significantly lower at Vulcano. Sn, I, Br, K, Pb, Al, Fe, and Bi demonstrate the opposite behavior. Comparison of the Yadovitaya and Arsenatnaya fumaroles at the Tolbachik volcano showed that the products of the former are richer in H, Cl, Cu, S, K, O, Al, Fe, and Pb, and poorer in As, Ca, Mg, and Na as species-defining elements. In addition, V-and Mo-bearing minerals are found only at Yadovitaya, whereas minerals containing F, Ti, B, Te, and Zn are known only at Arsenatnaya.

Calculation of the 3D density model of the Earth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Piskarev, A.; Butsenko, V.; Poselov, V.; Savin, V.

2009-04-01

the depth 15-17 km and intracrustal Konrad surface - at the depth 8-9 km. Thickness of sediment cover in the South-Okhotsk depression is up to 4-6 km. Type of the Earth's crust in the South-Okhotsk depression has to be defined as suboceanic. Steep slope with the more than 1.5 km depth difference separates South-Okhotsk depression from mega-block including Academy of Sciences and Institute of Oceanology Uplifts and Central Okhotsk and Deryugin Depression. Sea depths in this area are alterating mostly between 1000 and 1500 m. Moho surface in this mega-block is at the depth 23-25 km and intracrustal Konrad surface - at the depth 13-14 km with the exception of Deryugin Depression (10 km). Thickness of sediment cover varies up to 2-4 km and only in the Deryugin Depression reaches 9 km. Type of the Earth's crust in this mega-block has to be defined as continental. Northern and north-eastern parts of the Sea of Okhotsk is characteristics by 200-300 m sea depths (with the exclusion of the Tinro depression). Moho surface in this area is at the depth 28-32 km and intracrustal Konrad surface - at the depth 13-18 km with the exception of Tinro Depression (10 km). Thickness of sediment cover is minimal and only in the Tinro Depression reaches 8-9 km. Complete similarity of the potential field anomaly distribution in this region and in the western Kamchatka region is remarkable. The distribution of the potential field anomalies and features of the constructed Earth's crust density model give us evidences of Pre-Late Cretaceous consolidation of basement in northern and north-eastern parts of the Sea of Okhotsk as well as in the Russian territory of western Kamchatka peninsula.

The Use of Artificial Neural Networks for Forecasting the Electric Demand of Stand-Alone Consumers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ivanin, O. A.; Direktor, L. B.

2018-05-01

The problem of short-term forecasting of electric power demand of stand-alone consumers (small inhabited localities) situated outside centralized power supply areas is considered. The basic approaches to modeling the electric power demand depending on the forecasting time frame and the problems set, as well as the specific features of such modeling, are described. The advantages and disadvantages of the methods used for the short-term forecast of the electric demand are indicated, and difficulties involved in the solution of the problem are outlined. The basic principles of arranging artificial neural networks are set forth; it is also shown that the proposed method is preferable when the input information necessary for prediction is lacking or incomplete. The selection of the parameters that should be included into the list of the input data for modeling the electric power demand of residential areas using artificial neural networks is validated. The structure of a neural network is proposed for solving the problem of modeling the electric power demand of residential areas. The specific features of generation of the training dataset are outlined. The results of test modeling of daily electric demand curves for some settlements of Kamchatka and Yakutia based on known actual electric demand curves are provided. The reliability of the test modeling has been validated. A high value of the deviation of the modeled curve from the reference curve obtained in one of the four reference calculations is explained. The input data and the predicted power demand curves for the rural settlement of Kuokuiskii Nasleg are provided. The power demand curves were modeled for four characteristic days of the year, and they can be used in the future for designing a power supply system for the settlement. To enhance the accuracy of the method, a series of measures based on specific features of a neural network's functioning are proposed.

Post-breeding movements of Ancient Murrelet Synthliboramphus antiquus family groups, subsequent migration of adults and implications for management.

PubMed

Gaston, Anthony J; Hashimoto, Yuriko; Wilson, Laurie

2017-01-01

Increased shipping in British Columbia (BC) waters poses risks for marine birds from marine oil spills. Ancient Murrelets (Synthliboramphus antiquus), small marine diving birds of which half of the world's population breeds in BC, are especially susceptible to oiling immediately after departing from their breeding colonies, as their offspring are flightless, constraining their parents to remain with them. In 2014 we deployed geolocator loggers on Ancient Murrelets at four breeding colonies, two on the east and two on the west coast of Haida Gwaii to investigate patterns of post-breeding dispersal and subsequent migratory movements. Birds from east coast colonies moved south and east after leaving their colonies, remaining in Queen Charlotte Sound and adjacent waters for 4-6 weeks, whereas those from west coast colonies moved steadily north and west, so that they left BC waters earlier than those from east coast colonies. These movements were consistent with being driven by surface currents. In June, all birds moved rapidly to the eastern Aleutians, SE Bering Sea, and waters off Kamchatka, where they probably moulted. In August, most moved north, some passing through Bering Straits into the Chukchi Sea. In October-November some birds returned to waters off western N America (33%) and the remainder carried on westwards to waters off Japan, Korea and NE China. For the former group the movement to the Bering Sea in June constituted a moult migration and, as such, is the first described for an auk. Those birds wintering in Asia began moving east in February and arrived off BC in March, when observations at colonies show that burrow visits begin in Haida Gwaii. Our data suggest that, immediately after colony departure, birds from the east coast colonies (about half the population of Haida Gwaii) are at higher risk from potential oil spills in northern British Columbia waters than those breeding on the west coast.

Geological Structure and History of the Arctic Ocean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petrov, Oleg; Morozov, Andrey; Shokalsky, Sergey; Sobolev, Nikolay; Kashubin, Sergey; Pospelov, Igor; Tolmacheva, Tatiana; Petrov, Eugeny

2016-04-01

New data on geological structure of the deep-water part of the Arctic Basin have been integrated in the joint project of Arctic states - the Atlas of maps of the Circumpolar Arctic. Geological (CGS, 2009) and potential field (NGS, 2009) maps were published as part of the Atlas; tectonic (Russia) and mineral resources (Norway) maps are being completed. The Arctic basement map is one of supplements to the tectonic map. It shows the Eurasian basin with oceanic crust and submerged margins of adjacent continents: the Barents-Kara, Amerasian ("Amerasian basin") and the Canada-Greenland. These margins are characterized by strained and thinned crust with the upper crust layer, almost extinct in places (South Barents and Makarov basins). In the Central Arctic elevations, seismic studies and investigation of seabed rock samples resulted in the identification of a craton with the Early Precambrian crust (near-polar part of the Lomonosov Ridge - Alpha-Mendeleev Rise). Its basement presumably consists of gneiss granite (2.6-2.2 Ga), and the cover is composed of Proterozoic quartzite sandstone and dolomite overlain with unconformity and break in sedimentation by Devonian-Triassic limestone with fauna and terrigenous rocks. The old crust is surrounded by accretion belts of Timanides and Grenvillides. Folded belts with the Late Precambrian crust are reworked by Caledonian-Ellesmerian and the Late Mesozoic movements. Structures of the South Anuy - Angayucham ophiolite suture reworked in the Early Cretaceous are separated from Mesozoides proper of the Pacific - Verkhoyansk-Kolyma and Koryak-Kamchatka belts. The complicated modern ensemble of structures of the basement and the continental frame of the Arctic Ocean was formed as a result of the conjugate evolution and interaction of the three major oceans of the Earth: Paleoasian, Paleoatlantic and Paleopacific.

Integration of NASA/GSFC and USGS Rock Magnetic Databases.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nazarova, K. A.; Glen, J. M.

2004-05-01

A global Magnetic Petrology Database (MPDB) was developed and continues to be updated at NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center. The purpose of this database is to provide the geomagnetic community with a comprehensive and user-friendly method of accessing magnetic petrology data via the Internet for a more realistic interpretation of satellite (as well as aeromagnetic and ground) lithospheric magnetic anomalies. The MPDB contains data on rocks from localities around the world (about 19,000 samples) including the Ukranian and Baltic Shields, Kamchatka, Iceland, Urals Mountains, etc. The MPDB is designed, managed and presented on the web as a research oriented database. Several database applications have been specifically developed for data manipulation and analysis of the MPDB. The geophysics unit at the USGS in Menlo Park has over 17,000 rock-property data, largely from sites within the western U.S. This database contains rock-density and rock-magnetic parameters collected for use in gravity and magnetic field modeling, and paleomagnetic studies. Most of these data were taken from surface outcrops and together they span a broad range of rock types. Measurements were made either in-situ at the outcrop, or in the laboratory on hand samples and paleomagnetic cores acquired in the field. The USGS and NASA/GSFC data will be integrated as part of an effort to provide public access to a single, uniformly maintained database. Due to the large number of data and the very large area sampled, the database can yield rock-property statistics on a broad range of rock types; it is thus applicable to study areas beyond the geographic scope of the database. The intent of this effort is to provide incentive for others to further contribute to the database, and a tool with which the geophysical community can entertain studies formerly precluded.

ArcticDEM; A Publically Available, High Resolution Elevation Model of the Arctic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morin, Paul; Porter, Claire; Cloutier, Michael; Howat, Ian; Noh, Myoung-Jong; Willis, Michael; Bates, Brian; Willamson, Cathleen; Peterman, Kennith

2016-04-01

A Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of the Arctic is needed for a large number of reasons, including: measuring and understanding rapid, ongoing changes to the Arctic landscape resulting from climate change and human use and mitigation and adaptation planning for Arctic communities. The topography of the Arctic is more poorly mapped than most other regions of Earth due to logistical costs and the limits of satellite missions with low-latitude inclinations. A convergence of civilian, high-quality sub-meter stereo imagery; petascale computing and open source photogrammetry software has made it possible to produce a complete, very high resolution (2 to 8-meter posting), elevation model of the Arctic. A partnership between the US National Geospatial-intelligence Agency and a team led by the US National Science Foundation funded Polar Geospatial Center is using stereo imagery from DigitalGlobe's Worldview-1, 2 and 3 satellites and the Ohio State University's Surface Extraction with TIN-based Search-space Minimization (SETSM) software running on the University of Illinois's Blue Water supercomputer to address this challenge. The final product will be a seemless, 2-m posting digital surface model mosaic of the entire Arctic above 60 North including all of Alaska, Greenland and Kamchatka. We will also make available the more than 300,000 individual time-stamped DSM strip pairs that were used to assemble the mosaic. The Arctic DEM will have a vertical precision of better than 0.5m and can be used to examine changes in land surfaces such as those caused by permafrost degradation or the evolution of arctic rivers and floodplains. The data set can also be used to highlight changing geomorphology due to Earth surface mass transport processes occurring in active volcanic and glacial environments. When complete the ArcticDEM will catapult the Arctic from the worst to among the best mapped regions on Earth.

NASA Sees Typhoon Kilo Maintaining its Eye

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-12-08

Typhoon Kilo continues to thrive in the Northwestern Pacific and imagery from NASA's Terra satellite late on September 7 showed that the storm still maintained a clear eye. The MODIS or Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer instrument that flies aboard Terra provided a visible-light image of Kilo on September 7 at 23:50 UTC (7:50 p.m. EDT). The image showed thick bands of thunderstorms wrapping around the eastern and northern quadrants of the visible eye. At 0900 UTC (5 a.m. EDT) on September 9, Typhoon Kilo had maximum sustained winds near 65 knots (74.8 mph/120.4 kph). Kilo is expected to strengthen to 75 knots (86.3 mph/ 138.9 kph) later in the day before weakening. It was centered near 26.8 North latitude and 158.5 East longitude, about 289 nautical miles northeast of Minami Tori Shima, Japan. Kilo was moving to the west-northwest at 18 knots (20.7 mph/33.3 kph). The Joint Typhoon Warning Center noted that Kilo is expected to take more of a northerly track by September 10. Thereafter, Kilo is expected to become extra-tropical and curve to the northeast near the Kuril Islands in Russia's Sakhalin Oblast region. The islands form an 808 mile (1,300 kilometer) volcanic archipelago that stretches northeast from Hokkaido, Japan, to Kamchatka, Russia. For updated watches and warnings from the Japan Meteorological Agency, visit: www.jma.go.jp/en/warn/ NASA image use policy. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Find us on Instagram

Searching for a paleotsunami record in the Hawaiian Islands

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

La Selle, S.; Richmond, B. M.; Arcos, M. E. M.; Jaffe, B. E.; Lunghino, B.; Kane, H. H.; Bishop, J. M.; Habel, S. L.

2016-12-01

Historical records of tsunamis over the last 200 years in the state of Hawai'i demonstrate that earthquakes in subduction zones around the Pacific (Aleutian, Kuril-Kamchatka, Chile, Japan, and Alaska) can cause significant tsunami inundation on multiple Hawaiian islands. Deposits found along these subduction zones provide evidence for older tsunamis, but it is unclear if any of these prehistoric far-field events have impacted the Hawaiian islands because no study has successfully correlated Hawaiian paleotsunami deposits between sites or islands. We cored coastal marshlands on Óahu, Maui, and Kauái searching for tsunami deposits in order to determine the viability of extending the record of tsunami inundation in the state of Hawai'i. Sites were selected based on historical tsunami runup, numerical inundation modeling results, the presence of a coastal marsh in close proximity to a sandy shoreline, the extent of undisturbed wetlands, and the breadth of prior geological investigations. Several possible tsunami deposits were identified on the north and northeast shores of Kauái and Óahu as marine sand layers within marsh peat or mud. At some sites, the presence of deposits from the 1946 and 1957 Aleutian tsunamis aided identification of the deeper candidate tsunami deposits. Radiocarbon ages of the deeper sand layers suggest deposition around 800-600 cal yr B.P., which may coincide with a tsunami deposit in the eastern Aleutians that was deposited 660-560 cal yr B.P. (Witter et al., 2016). Further dating and analyses of the deposits is needed to determine whether or not deposition was synchronous on O'ahu and Kaua'i and to determine from sedimentological and micropaleontological characteristics that a tsunami formed the deposits.

Developing framework to constrain the geometry of the seismic rupture plane on subduction interfaces a priori - A probabilistic approach

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hayes, G.P.; Wald, D.J.

2009-01-01

A key step in many earthquake source inversions requires knowledge of the geometry of the fault surface on which the earthquake occurred. Our knowledge of this surface is often uncertain, however, and as a result fault geometry misinterpretation can map into significant error in the final temporal and spatial slip patterns of these inversions. Relying solely on an initial hypocentre and CMT mechanism can be problematic when establishing rupture characteristics needed for rapid tsunami and ground shaking estimates. Here, we attempt to improve the quality of fast finite-fault inversion results by combining several independent and complementary data sets to more accurately constrain the geometry of the seismic rupture plane of subducting slabs. Unlike previous analyses aimed at defining the general form of the plate interface, we require mechanisms and locations of the seismicity considered in our inversions to be consistent with their occurrence on the plate interface, by limiting events to those with well-constrained depths and with CMT solutions indicative of shallow-dip thrust faulting. We construct probability density functions about each location based on formal assumptions of their depth uncertainty and use these constraints to solve for the ‘most-likely’ fault plane. Examples are shown for the trench in the source region of the Mw 8.6 Southern Sumatra earthquake of March 2005, and for the Northern Chile Trench in the source region of the November 2007 Antofagasta earthquake. We also show examples using only the historic catalogues in regions without recent great earthquakes, such as the Japan and Kamchatka Trenches. In most cases, this method produces a fault plane that is more consistent with all of the data available than is the plane implied by the initial hypocentre and CMT mechanism. Using the aggregated data sets, we have developed an algorithm to rapidly determine more accurate initial fault plane geometries for source inversions of future

Analysis of Distribution of Volcanoes around the Korean Peninsula and the Potential Effects on Korea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, Eun-kyeong; Kim, Sung-wook

2017-04-01

Since the scale and disaster characteristics of volcanic eruptions are determined by their geological features, it is important not only to grasp the current states of the volcanoes in neighboring countries around the Korean Peninsula, but also to analyze the tectonic settings, tectonic regions, geological features, volcanic types, and eruption histories of these volcanoes. Volcanic data were based on the volcano information registered with the Global Volcanism Program at the Smithsonian Institute. We created a database of 289 volcanoes around Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan, and the Kamchatka area in Russia, and then identified a high-risk group of 29 volcanoes that are highly likely to affect the region, based on conditions such as volcanic activity, types of rock at risk of eruption, distance from Seoul, and volcanoes having Plinian eruption history with volcanic explosivity index (VEI) of 4 or more. We selected 29 hazardous volcanoes, including Baekdusan, Ulleungdo, and 27 Japanese volcanoes that can cause widespread ashfall on the Korean peninsula by potentially explosive eruptions. In addition, we identified ten volcanoes that should be given the highest priority, through an analysis of data available in literature, such as volcanic ash dispersion results from previous Japanese eruptions, the definition of a large-scale volcano used by Japan's Cabinet Office, and examination of cumulative magma layer volumes from Japan's quaternary volcanoes. We expect that predicting the extent of the spread of ash caused by this hazardous activity and analyzing its impact on the Korean peninsula will be help to predict volcanic ash damage as well as provide direction for hazard mitigation research. Acknowledgements This research was supported by a grant [MPSS-NH-2015-81] through the Disaster and Safety Management Institute funded by Ministry of Public Safety and Security of Korean government.

Smoke over the Bering Sea

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-12-08

Smoke from Far Eastern Russia’s spring wildfires reached the Bering Sea by May 11, 2012. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer aboard NASA’s Terra satellite passed over the region at 23:30 UTC on that same day and acquired this true-color image of a broad band of smoke stretching across the blue waters. In this image, the plume of smoke appears light gray while banks of cloud are bright white. Snow covers much of Kamchatka the land mass in the west. Karaginsky Island, just off Kamchatka’s eastern shore, is surrounded by sea ice. Clouds stream off the southwest shores of Beringa and Medny Islands. To the east, Attu Station, Alaska, is surrounded by cloud. In early May, numerous wildfires burned near Lake Baikal, in Siberia. These fires billowed heavy smoke across eastern Mongolia, China and Russia’s Far East. An image of the smoke and fires was captured on May 8 and appeared as the MODIS image of the day on May 11. That image can be viewed here: modis.gsfc.nasa.gov/gallery/individual.php?db_date=2012-0.... According to a model by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), it is possible that smoke from the Lake Baikal region could take just a few days to reach the Bering Sea. Credit: NASA/GSFC/Jeff Schmaltz/MODIS Land Rapid Response Team NASA image use policy. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Find us on Instagram

Earth Observations taken by the Expedition 15 Crew

NASA Image and Video Library

2007-09-01

ISS015-E-26171 (1 Sept. 2007) --- Simushir Island, Kuril Archipelago, Russian Far East, is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 15 crewmember on the International Space Station. Simushir is a deserted, 5-mile-wide volcanic island in the Kuril island chain, half way between northern Japan and the Kamchatka Peninsula of Russia. Four volcanoes - Milne, Prevo, Urataman and Zavaritski - have built cones that are high enough to rise above the altitude of green forest. The remaining remnant of Zavaritski volcano is a caldera -- a structure formed when a volcano collapses into its emptied magma chamber. A small lake fills the innermost of three nested calderas which make up Zavaritski Caldera. The larger caldera of Urataman Volcano is connected to the sea. A defunct Soviet naval base occupies the northern tip of the island next to this caldera. The islands and volcanoes of the Kuril chain are part of the Pacific Rim of Fire, marking the edge of the Pacific tectonic plate. Low stratus clouds approaching from the northwest (from the Sea of Okhotsk--top left) bank up against the northwest side of the island, making complex cloud patterns. A small finger of cloud can be seen entering the northernmost caldera (Urataman) at sea level. When this image was taken, the cloud layer had stopped at the northwest coast of the island, not flowing over even the low points of the island between the volcanoes. The cloud pattern suggests that the air mass flowed up and over the island, descending on the southeast side. This descending motion was enough--under stable atmospheric conditions--to warm up the atmosphere locally so that a cloud-free zone formed on the southeastern, lee side of the island.

Modeling of influence from remote tsunami at the coast of Sakhalin and Kuriles islands.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zaytsev, Andrey; Pelinovsky, Efim; Yalciner, Ahmet; Chernov, Anton; Kostenko, Irina

2010-05-01

The Far East coast of Russia (Kuriles islands, Sakhalin, Kamchatka) is the area where the dangerous natural phenomena as tsunami is located. A lot of works are established for decreasing of tsunami's influence. Tsunami mapping and mitigation strategy are given for some regions. The centers of Tsunami Warning System are opened, enough plenty of records of a tsunami are collected. The properties of local tsunami are studied well. At the same time, the catastrophic event of the Indonesian tsunami, which had happened in December, 2004, when the sufficient waves have reached the coasts of Africa and South America, it is necessary to note, that the coats, which was far from the epicenter of earthquakes can be effected by catastrophic influence. Moreover, it is practically unique case, when using Tsunami Warning System can reduce the number of human victims to zero. Development of the computer technologies, numerical methods for the solution of systems of the nonlinear differential equations makes computer modeling real and hypothetical tsunamis is the basic method of studying features of distribution of waves in water areas and their influence at coast. Numerical modeling of distribution of historical tsunami from the seismic sources in the Pacific Ocean was observed. The events with an epicenter, remote from Far East coast of Russia were considered. The estimation of the remote tsunami waves propagation was developed. Impact force of tsunamis was estimated. The features of passage of tsunami through Kuril Straits were considered. The spectral analysis of records in settlements of Sakhalin and Kuriles is lead. NAMI-DANCE program was used for tsunami propagation numerical modeling. It is used finite element numerical schemes for Shallow Water Equations and Nonlinear-Dispersive Equations, with use Nested Grid.

Tilting of the Puy de Dome by a forced fold

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van Wyk de Vries, Benjamin; Petronis, Michael; Garza, Daniel

2017-04-01

The Puy de Dome, like the leaning tower of Pisa, has one side steeper than the other. Paleomagnetic data from 14 sites show a consistent horizontal-axis rotation of 15° from the expected 11 ka paleomagnetic pole position for the site location. Morphological data further support these data: the south west side of the dome is steep, rugged and scarred with landslides, and has a breccia apron only at the base made of mass flow deposits: this side has steepened and lost material. In contrast, the northeast side of the dome is smooth and less steep, and is mantled by breccia on the upper flanks: this side has become more stable. In addition, the north flank of the Puy de Dôme has a deep gully that extends down in line with a fault scarp of the summit graben of an uplifted area that trends across the Petit Puy de Dôme. This uplift has been interpreted as a forced fold that developed over a trachyte intrusion. Stratigraphic data further show that the fold formed after the Puy de Dôme was formed. We conclude that the volcano was deformed, faulted, then shed the south west flank's carapace as it was tilted by the bulge. Monogenetic volcanoes, like the Puy de Dôme display in miniature processes, such tilting, that could feasibly provoke large scale landsliding at much larger volcanic edifices. The collapses at Bezimyanny (Kamchatka) and Mt St Helens (Oregon), involved the forced folding deformation of the edifice by internal intrusions. However, we argue that, it is possible that sills are preferentially intruded at the margins of volcanic centres, and hence whole volcano tilting could be more common occurrence than previously recognised.

Froude space: An aquatic currency derived from remote sensing data for assessing ecological potential of river floodplains

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lorang, M. S.; Stanford, J.; Steele, B.

2009-12-01

In this research we take a systems ecology approach to the evaluation of river floodplains by ranking them according to their energetic complexity at or near base flow conditions. The underlying hypothesis is that energetic complexity equates to a higher potential for sustaining maximum biological diversity, in particular as it relates to Salmonids. Fr number is a hydraulic index of relative specific energy in a flowing water column ranging from calm, no flow conditions where Fr = 0 to 0.8 at the onset of rapids and higher values approaching 1 or > at locations of breaking waves and hydraulic jumps. Most of the water flowing in a gravel-bed river exists in the transition range of Fr = 0.1 to 0.8, creating a complex array of potential hydrologic habitat commonly described through observation as riffles, runs, pools eddies, and so on. We use 1.6 m2 resolution multispectral satellite imagery to predict and map water depth (h), mean flow velocity (V) and Froude number (Fr=V/(gh)^0.5) by using a distribution-free statistical learner and error analysis approach. This approach links measures of V and h made from a raft deploying an acoustic Doppler profiler (ADP) and GPS with the reflectance characteristics from the satellite imagery (4 bands) that correspond to each ADP profile. This analysis of Fr space in combination with independent classification of depth and velocity provides physical metrics related to the energetic state of flow in the river at the time of image acquisition. We use these metrics, determined from a suite of 23 floodplains spread across the rim of the North Pacific (including British Columbia, Alaska and the Kamchatka Peninsula of Russia) and covering the range in fluvial geomorphic type from braided to meandering, to rank them in terms of energetic complexity.

Infrasonic observations of the June 2009 Sarychev Peak eruption, Kuril Islands: Implications for infrasonic monitoring of remote explosive volcanism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matoza, Robin S.; Le Pichon, Alexis; Vergoz, Julien; Herry, Pascal; Lalande, Jean-Marie; Lee, Hee-il; Che, Il-Young; Rybin, Alexander

2011-02-01

Sarychev Peak (SP), located on Ostrov Matua, Kurils, erupted explosively during 11-16 June 2009. Whereas remote seismic stations did not record the eruption, we report atmospheric infrasound (acoustic wave ~ 0.01-20 Hz) observations of the eruption at seven infrasound arrays located at ranges of ~ 640-6400 km from SP. The infrasound arrays consist of stations of the International Monitoring System global infrasound network and additional stations operated by the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources. Signals at the three closest recording stations IS44 (643 km, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy, Kamchatka Krai, Russia), IS45 (1690 km, Ussuriysk, Russia), and IS30 (1774 km, Isumi, Japan) represent a detailed record of the explosion chronology that correlates well with an eruption chronology based on satellite data (TERRA, NOAA, MTSAT). The eruption chronology inferred from infrasound data has a higher temporal resolution than that obtained with satellite data. Atmosphere-corrected infrasonic source locations determined from backazimuth cross-bearings of first-arrivals have a mean centroid ~ 15 km from the true location of SP. Scatter in source locations of up to ~ 100 km result from currently unresolved details of atmospheric propagation and source complexity. We observe systematic time-variations in trace-velocity, backazimuth deviation, and signal frequency content at IS44. Preliminary investigation of atmospheric propagation from SP to IS44 indicates that these variations can be attributed to solar tide variability in the thermosphere. It is well known that additional information about active volcanic processes can be learned by deploying infrasonic sensors with seismometers at erupting volcanoes. This study further highlights the significant potential of infrasound arrays for monitoring volcanic regions such as the Kurils that have only sparse seismic network coverage.

Frequency Based Volcanic Activity Detection through Remotely Sensed Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Worden, A. K.; Dehn, J.; Webley, P. W.

2015-12-01

Satellite remote sensing has proved to offer a useful and relatively inexpensive method for monitoring large areas where field work is logistically unrealistic, and potentially dangerous. Current sensors are able to detect the majority of explosive volcanic activity; those that tend to effect and represent larger scale changes in the volcanic systems, eventually relating to ash producing periods of extended eruptive activity, and effusive activity. As new spaceborne sensors are developed, the ability to detect activity improves so that a system to gauge the frequency of volcanic activity can be used as a useful monitoring tool. Four volcanoes were chosen for development and testing of a method to monitor explosive activity: Stromboli (Italy); Shishaldin and Cleveland (Alaska, USA); and Karymsky (Kamchatka, Russia). Each volcano studied had similar but unique signatures of pre-cursory and eruptive activity. This study has shown that this monitoring tool could be applied to a wide range of volcanoes and still produce useful and robust data. Our method deals specifically with the detection of small scale explosive activity. The method described here could be useful in an operational setting, especially at remote volcanoes that have the potential to impact populations, infrastructure, and the aviation community. A number of important factors will affect the validity of application of this method. They are: (1) the availability of a continuous and continually populated dataset; (2) appropriate and reasonable sensor resolutions; (3) a recorded history of the volcano's previous activity; and, if available, (4) some ground-based monitoring system. We aim to develop the method further to be able to capture and evaluate the frequency of other volcanic processes such as lava flows, phreatomagmatic eruptions and dome growth and collapse. The work shown here has served to illustrate the capability of this method and monitoring tool for use at remote, un-instrumented volcanoes.

Eruption cycles in a basaltic andesite system: insights from numerical modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smekens, J. F.; Clarke, A. B.; De'Michieli Vitturi, M.

2015-12-01

Persistently active explosive volcanoes are characterized by short explosive bursts, which often occur at periodic intervals numerous times per day, spanning years to decades. Many of these systems present relatively evolved compositions (andesite to rhyolite), and their cyclic activity has been the subject of extensive work (e.g., Soufriere Hills Volcano, Montserrat). However, the same periodic behavior can also be observed at open systems of more mafic compositions, such as Semeru in Indonesia or Karymsky in Kamchatka for example. In this work, we use DOMEFLOW, a 1D transient numerical model of magma ascent, to identify the conditions that lead to and control periodic eruptions in basaltic andesite systems, where the viscosity of the liquid phase can be drastically lower. Periodic behavior occurs for a very narrow range of conditions, for which the mass balance between magma flux and open-system gas escape repeatedly generates a viscous plug, pressurizes the magma beneath the plug, and then explosively disrupts it. The characteristic timescale and magnitude of the eruptive cycles are controlled by the overall viscosity of the magmatic mixture, with higher viscosities leading to longer cycles and lower flow rates at the top of the conduit. Cyclic eruptions in basaltic andesite systems are observed for higher crystal contents, smaller conduit radii, and over a wider range of chamber pressures than the andesitic system, all of which are the direct consequence of a decrease in viscosity of the melt phase, and in turn in the intensity of the viscous forces generated by the system. Results suggest that periodicity can exist in more mafic systems with relatively lower chamber pressures than andesite and rhyolite systems, and may explain why more mafic magmas sometimes remain active for decades.

Forearc serpentinites as probes into the chemical, petrological and biological diversity of subduction zones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Savov, I. P.

2017-12-01

The mantle region that cover the variously fluid-saturated and heated subducted slabs is a site where colossal serpentinization processes occur. Nowhere this is more evident than in the forearcs of convergent plate margins, where the amount of fluids leaving the slabs and intermingling with the overlaying mantle wedge is maximized. The nature of this forearc serpentinization processes can be studied at accretionary prisms, serpentinite mud volcanoes (ODP Sites 125 and 195; IODP Exp. 366- all in the Marianas), or via tectonically exhumed, Proterozoic to modern, forearc melange complexes worldwide (Greenland, California, Kamchatka, Armenia, Cuba, Colombia, among others). I shall review the marine and continental settings hosting forearc serpentinites (FS) with emphasis on the FS fluid and mineral chemistry, imaging of isotopes/elements/molecules and textures (via ToF SIMS), and the environment and the P-T conditions that may lead to stable microbial communities like the recently discovered one under S.Chamorro Seamount that suggests life can exist in the forearcs as deep as 12 km (Plumper et al., 2017; PNAS). FS are very similar to classical abyssal serpentinites (from FZ or TF on the seafloor). They have similar mineralogy, textures, are major reservoir of fluid mobile trace elements (B, Li, Cs, As, Sb, I, Br) and also are a host of often vast isotope fractionations (B, Li, I). Yet differences exist and need to be further explored as both of these serpentinite types may take part of the subducted slab inventory and affect the input-output budgets across the "Subduction Factory". FS are often associated with blueschists, which combined with the FS may help us more fully explore the P-T-t evolution of the entire forearc region.

Thermal-hydrodynamic-chemical (THC) modeling based on geothermal field data

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kiryukhin, Alexey; Xu, Tianfu; Pruess, Karsten

Data on fluid chemistry and rock mineralogy are evaluated for a number of geothermal fields located in the volcanic arc of Japan and Kamchatka, Russia, Common chemical characteristics are identified and used to define scenarios for detailed numerical modeling of coupled thermal hydrodynamic chemical (THC) processes. The following scenarios of parental geothermal fluid upflow were studied: (1) single-phase conditions, 260 C at the bottom ( Ogiri type); (2) two-phase conditions, 300 C at the bottom ( Hatchobaru type); and (3) heat pipe conditions, 260 C at the bottom ( Matsukawa type). THC modeling for the single-phase upflow scenario shows wairakite,more » quartz, K-feld spar and chlorite formed as the principal secondary minerals in the production zone, and illite-smectite formed below 230 C. THC modeling of the two-phase upflow shows that quartz, K-feldspar (microcline), wairakite and calcite precipitate in the model as principal secondary minerals in the production zone. THC modeling of heat pipe conditions shows no significant secondary deposition of minerals (quartz, K-feldspar, zeolites) in the production zone. The influence of thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of chemical interaction, and of mass fluxes on mineral phase changes, was found to be significant, depending on the upflow regime. It was found that no parental geothermal fluid inflow is needed for zeolite precipitation, which occurs above 140 C in saturated andesite, provided that the porosity is greater than 0.001. In contrast, quartz and K-feldspar precipitation may result in a significant porosity reduction over a hundred-year time scale under mass flux conditions, and complete fracture sealing will occur given sufficient time under either single-phase or two-phase upflow scenarios. A heat pipe scenario shows no significant porosity reduction due to lack of secondary mineral phase deposition.« less

Analysis of Degree of Similarity among Crude Oils, the Upper and the Lower Crust, Organic Matter, Clays, and Different Caustobioliths by the Content of Their Main and Trace Elements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodkin, Mikhail; Punanova, Svetlana

2016-04-01

The goal of this research was to estimate, based on the content of Trace Elements, the level of contribution of the lower and the upper crust as well as the organic matter into ontogenesis of hydrocarbons. The analysis of degree of similarity of the main and trace element (TE) content among the upper and lower continental crust, clays, organic matter, and different caustobioliths (oil, coal, oil-and-black shales) is performed by calculating coefficients of correlation of logarithms of concentrations of a large number of different chemical elements. Different oils from a number of oil bearing provinces in Russia and from the volcanic caldera Uzon (Kamchatka, Russia) were examined. It has been shown that the content of main elements and TEs of coals and oil-and-black shales is better correlated with the chemical composition of the upper crust, while the TE content of oils correlates better with the composition of the lower continental crust. The TE content of oils correlates with the chemical content of living organisms but the correlation in the most cases is weaker than the one with the lower crust. The results of the examination of different samples from the same oil-bearing province were found to be similar. The mean results for different oil-bearing provinces can vary considerably. The results of the examination of young oil from the Uzon volcanic caldera were found to be rather specific and different from the other oils. We also suggest a set of a small number of "characteristic" elements (Cs, Rb, K, U, V, Cr and Ni), which allows to compare the degree of similarity between an oil sample and upper or lower continental crust using only a few chemical elements. Some interpretation of the results is presented.

Inter-plate aseismic slip on the subducting plate boundaries estimated from repeating earthquakes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Igarashi, T.

2015-12-01

Sequences of repeating earthquakes are caused by repeating slips of small patches surrounded by aseismic slip areas at plate boundary zones. Recently, they have been detected in many regions. In this study, I detected repeating earthquakes which occurred in Japan and the world by using seismograms observed in the Japanese seismic network, and investigated the space-time characteristics of inter-plate aseismic slip on the subducting plate boundaries. To extract repeating earthquakes, I calculate cross-correlation coefficients of band-pass filtering seismograms at each station following Igarashi [2010]. I used two data-set based on USGS catalog for about 25 years from May 1990 and JMA catalog for about 13 years from January 2002. As a result, I found many sequences of repeating earthquakes in the subducting plate boundaries of the Andaman-Sumatra-Java and Japan-Kuril-Kamchatka-Aleutian subduction zones. By applying the scaling relations among a seismic moment, recurrence interval and slip proposed by Nadeau and Johnson [1998], they indicate the space-time changes of inter-plate aseismic slips. Pairs of repeating earthquakes with the longest time interval occurred in the Solomon Islands area and the recurrence interval was about 18.5 years. The estimated slip-rate is about 46 mm/year, which correspond to about half of the relative plate motion in this area. Several sequences with fast slip-rates correspond to the post-seismic slips after the 2004 Sumatra-Andaman earthquake (M9.0), the 2006 Kuril earthquake (M8.3), the 2007 southern Sumatra earthquake (M8.5), and the 2011 Tohoku-oki earthquake (M9.0). The database of global repeating earthquakes enables the comparison of the inter-plate aseismic slips of various plate boundary zones of the world. I believe that I am likely to detect more sequences by extending analysis periods in the area where they were not found in this analysis.

Subduction dynamics: From the trench to the core-mantle boundary

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kincaid, Chris

1995-07-01

Subduction occurs along convergent plate boundaries where one of the colliding lithospheric plates descends into the mantle. Subduction zones are recognized where plates converge at ˜2-15 cm/yr, although well developed trenches and volcanic arcs (e.g. the line of active volcanoes lying parallel to most ocean trenches, such as the Aleutian Islands in the North Pacific) occur when convergence rates are higher, 4-10 cm/yr. This report is meant to provide a brief review on the general topic of subduction dynamics. A recent spin on subduction studies is the growing realization that the need to understand this global Earth process may be argued not only on purely scientific grounds, but also in terms of societal relevance. While subducting slabs of oceanic lithosphere clearly provide the dominant driving force for mantle dynamics and plate tectonics, over half of the Earth's present 40,000 km of subduction zones are associated with continental margins where a large and rapidly increasing percentage of the Earth's population resides. Subductioninduced hazards along active continental margins include those associated with volcanic hazards (Blong, 1984; Tilling, 1989) such as lava flows, pyroclastic flows and ash fallout and tectonic processes, such as faulting, tsunamis and earthquakes. With regards to earthquake hazards, all of the great (magnitude >9) earthquakes in recorded history have occurred at subduction zones, with 50% of all energy released since 1900 being in four events (1964-Alaska; 1960-Chile; 1957- Aleutians; 1952-Kamchatka). Subduction zone hazards have significant impact on long time scales, such as contributions to global climate change (Robock, 1991; Simarski, 1992; Johnson, 1993; Bluth et al., 1993) and short time scales such as airline safety (Casadevall, 1992). Moreover, accretionary wedges are important in terms of resource potential and trenches have occasionally been suggested as nuclear waste disposal sites.

Virtual source reflection imaging of the Socorro Magma Body, New Mexico, using a dense seismic array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Finlay, T. S.; Worthington, L. L.; Schmandt, B.; Hansen, S. M.; Bilek, S. L.; Aster, R. C.; Ranasinghe, N. R.

2017-12-01

The Socorro Magma Body (SMB) is one of the largest known actively inflating continental magmatic intrusions. Previous studies have relied on sparse instrument coverage to determine its spatial extent, depth, and seismic signature, which characterized the body as a thin sill with a surface at 19 km below the Earth's surface. However, over the last two decades, InSAR and magneto-telluric (MT) studies have shed new light on the SMB and invigorated the scientific debate of the spatial distribution and uplift rate of the SMB. We return to seismic imaging of the SMB with the Sevilleta Array, a 12-day deployment of approximately 800 vertical component, 10-Hz geophones north of Socorro, New Mexico above and around the estimated northern half of the SMB. Teleseismic virtual source reflection profiling (TVR) employs the free surface reflection off of a teleseismic P as a virtual source in dense arrays, and has been used successfully to image basin structure and the Moho in multiple tectonic environments. The Sevilleta Array recorded 62 teleseismic events greater than M5. Applying TVR to the data collected by the Sevilleta Array, we present stacks from four events that produced the with high signal-to-noise ratios and simple source-time functions: the February 11, 2015 M6.7 in northern Argentina, the February 19, 2015 M5.4 in Kamchatka, Russia, and the February 21, 2015 M5.1 and February 22, 2015 M5.5 in western Colombia. Preliminary results suggest eastward-dipping reflectors at approximately 5 km depth near the Sierra Ladrones range in the northwestern corner of the array. Further analysis will focus on creating profiles across the area of maximum SMB uplift and constraining basin geometry.

Migration of Tundra Swans (Cygnus columbianus) Wintering in Japan Using Satellite Tracking: Identification of the Eastern Palearctic Flyway.

PubMed

Chen, Wenbo; Doko, Tomoko; Fujita, Go; Hijikata, Naoya; Tokita, Ken-Ichi; Uchida, Kiyoshi; Konishi, Kan; Hiraoka, Emiko; Higuchi, Hiroyoshi

2016-02-01

Migration through the Eastern Palearctic (EP) flyway by tundra swans (Cygnus columbianus) has not been thoroughly documented. We satellite-tracked the migration of 16 tundra swans that winter in Japan. The objectives of this study were 1) to show the migration pattern of the EP flyway of tundra swans; 2) to compare this pattern with the migration pattern of whooper swans; and 3) to identify stopover sites that are important for these swans' conservation. Tundra swans were captured at Kutcharo Lake, Hokkaido, in 2009-2012 and satellite-tracked. A new method called the "MATCHED (Migratory Analytical Time Change Easy Detection) method" was developed. Based on median, the spring migration began on 18 April and ended on 27 May. Autumn migration began on 9 September and ended on 2 November. The median duration of the spring and autumn migrations were 48 and 50 days, respectively. The mean duration at one stopover site was 5.5 days and 6.8 days for the spring and autumn migrations, respectively. The number of stopover sites was 3.0 and 2.5 for the spring and autumn migrations, respectively. The mean travel distances for the spring and autumn migrations were 6471 and 6331 km, respectively. Seven migration routes passing Sakhalin, the Amur River, and/or Kamchatka were identified. There were 15, 32, and eight wintering, stopover, and breeding sites, respectively. The migration routes and staging areas of tundra swans partially overlap with those of whooper swans, whose migration patterns have been previously documented. The migration patterns of these two swan species that winter in Japan confirm the importance of the Amur River, Udyl' Lake, Shchastya Bay, Aniva Bay, zaliv Chayvo Lake, zal Piltun Lake, zaliv Baykal Lake, Kolyma River, Buyunda River, Sen-kyuyel' Lake, and northern coastal areas of the Sea of Okhotsk.

Tao-Rusyr Caldera, Onekotan Island, Kuril Islands

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-12-08

More than 9,000 years ago, a catastrophic volcanic eruption created a huge caldera on the southern end of Onekotan Island, one of the Kuril Islands, located off the southern tip of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. Today, the ancient Tao-Rusyr Caldera is filled by the deep blue waters of Kal’tsevoe Lake. The Advanced Land Imager (ALI) on NASA’s Earth Observing-1 (EO-1) satellite acquired this true-color image of southern Onekotan on June 10, 2009. In this late-spring shot, snow or ice lingers on the land, forming white streaks on a brown-and-green land surface. In the northwest quadrant of the caldera is Krenitzyn Peak, which rises to a height of 1,325 meters (4,347 feet). Like the other Kuril Islands, Onekotan lies along the Pacific “Ring of Fire.” The Kuril Island volcanoes are fueled by magma generated by the subduction of the Pacific Plate under the Eurasian Plate, which takes place along a deep trench about 200 kilometers (120 miles) to the islands’ east. The only historical eruption at Krenitzyn Peak occurred in 1952, a week after a magnitude 9.0 earthquake along the subduction fault. NASA Earth Observatory image created by Robert Simmon, using EO-1 ALI data provided courtesy of the NASA EO-1 team. Caption by Michon Scott and Rebecca Lindsey. NASA image use policy. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Find us on Instagram

Geochemistry and origin of Puschino hot springs, Kamchaka Peninsula, Russia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalacheva, Elena

2017-04-01

Puschino hot springs are located in the valley of Kashkan River, Central Kamchatka (N54o2.938', E158o2.712') and are surface manifestations of a long-lived hydrothermal system associated with a Quaternary volcanism, off the modern volcanic front. The total natural discharge of thermal water from numerous vents is not more than 10 l/sec, vent temperatures are < 40˚ C, the total dissolved solids (TDS) < 5 g/L. The waters are near neutral (6 95 vol%). Several wells drilled in 1980th up to 600 m depth found similar waters with temperature ˜ 70˚ C and slightly higher TDS and pH. Bubbling gas is characterized by a very high 3He/4He up to 7.8Ra (Ra is the atmospheric ratio) and CO2/3He ˜ 1011, close to typical values for subduction zones. Water isotopic composition shows a positive correlation with chloride and a trend to magmatic values (up to 10 % of magmatic water). Waters have a low Ca/Sr weight ratio of ˜ 20 and the total REE concentration lower than 2 ppb. Strontium isotope ratio 87Sr/86Sr of 0.7043 ± 0.0001 is close to the ratio in the local volcanic rocks. The geological setting and a high magmatic contribution to thermal waters of Puschino may evidence that the heat and volatile source for the hydrothermal system is associated with the Olenya volcanic massive, which, according to the reconstruction by Leonov (unpublished), is an early Pleistocene (˜2Ma) postcaldera complex above a still hot and degassing intrusive body.

Investigations of the petrogeneration zones western Bering sea by airborne geophysical data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Litvinova, T.; Petrova, A.

2012-04-01

In 2011, work continued on the interpretation of geophysical data in western Bering Sea. Bering Sea oil-and-gas bearing province occupies a single sedimentary megabasin of the Bering Sea, the formation of which is caused by stage of the Alpine geodynamic development cycle of the Pacific mobile belt. At present, the geological-geophysical exploration maturity of the Bering Sea with respect to oil-gasbearing prognosis is at the level of regional study stage. In 2003, an additional study of oil-gas prospective zones of the Kamchatka Shelf of the Bering Sea was carried out. In the course of works, profile seismic studies and airborne gravity-magnetic survey at 1:200,000 scale were made at three territories: Ilpinsky, Olyutorsky I, and Olyutorsky II. Average survey elevation for the whole area is 300 meters. Geological modeling of sedimentary basin systems was made for this area. Geomagnetic sections it possible to compare the location of the magnetic and weakly magnetic structures with seismic and geological boundaries marker and conducting layers of geoelectric sections. This makes it possible to trace the features of placing magnetic differences in the geologic rock section, to identify their stratigraphic association, select the layers flyuidstubborn, adumbrate reservoir heterogeneity and establish the heterogeneity of internal structure oil-gasbearing zones. Age correlation, thickness estimation and formational characteristics of litho-stratigraphic complexes building up sections are carried out. Geomagnetic deep sections transecting main zones of prospective oil-gas accumulation to airborne magnetic data. Distribution of magnetization in the development interval of potentially productive sandy strata at depths from 1 to 5 km is obtained. The most prospective zones of possible oil-gas accumulation are distinguished in the Olyutorsky and Ilpinsky sedimentary basins. At height of 400 km this minimum keeps the form that speaks about stability of a condition of the

Prospective Validation of Pre-earthquake Atmospheric Signals and Their Potential for Short–term Earthquake Forecasting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ouzounov, Dimitar; Pulinets, Sergey; Hattori, Katsumi; Lee, Lou; Liu, Tiger; Kafatos, Menas

2015-04-01

We are presenting the latest development in multi-sensors observations of short-term pre-earthquake phenomena preceding major earthquakes. Our challenge question is: "Whether such pre-earthquake atmospheric/ionospheric signals are significant and could be useful for early warning of large earthquakes?" To check the predictive potential of atmospheric pre-earthquake signals we have started to validate anomalous ionospheric / atmospheric signals in retrospective and prospective modes. The integrated satellite and terrestrial framework (ISTF) is our method for validation and is based on a joint analysis of several physical and environmental parameters (Satellite thermal infrared radiation (STIR), electron concentration in the ionosphere (GPS/TEC), radon/ion activities, air temperature and seismicity patterns) that were found to be associated with earthquakes. The science rationale for multidisciplinary analysis is based on concept Lithosphere-Atmosphere-Ionosphere Coupling (LAIC) [Pulinets and Ouzounov, 2011], which explains the synergy of different geospace processes and anomalous variations, usually named short-term pre-earthquake anomalies. Our validation processes consist in two steps: (1) A continuous retrospective analysis preformed over two different regions with high seismicity- Taiwan and Japan for 2003-2009 (2) Prospective testing of STIR anomalies with potential for M5.5+ events. The retrospective tests (100+ major earthquakes, M>5.9, Taiwan and Japan) show STIR anomalous behavior before all of these events with false negatives close to zero. False alarm ratio for false positives is less then 25%. The initial prospective testing for STIR shows systematic appearance of anomalies in advance (1-30 days) to the M5.5+ events for Taiwan, Kamchatka-Sakhalin (Russia) and Japan. Our initial prospective results suggest that our approach show a systematic appearance of atmospheric anomalies, one to several days prior to the largest earthquakes That feature could be

A comparative study of volatile contents of primitive arc bubble-bearing melt inclusions determined by Raman-spectroscopy and mass-balance versus experimental homogenization methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moore, L.; Mironov, N.; Portnyagin, M.; Gazel, E.; Bodnar, R. J.

2016-12-01

Primitive olivine-hosted melt inclusions (MI) are a useful means to estimate the pre-eruptive volatile contents of a volcanic melts but post-entrapment processes complicate this approach. In particular, crystallization of the host phase along the wall of the MI and diffusion of H+ through the host cause CO2 and potentially S or other volatiles to exsolve from the melt to a separate fluid bubble. Recently, experimental rehydration and Raman spectroscopy have become potential methods for restoring the volatile contents of MI by rehomogenization or through mass balance calculations respectively. In order to compare these two approaches, we have studied MI from a single suite of samples from Klyuchevsky volcano (Kamchatka Arc) that have been treated with both experimental rehydration and analyzed using Raman spectroscopy. The maximum MI CO2 contents are in agreement ( 4000 ppm) regardless of the method used to account for CO2 in the bubble, but there is significantly more scatter to lower values using the Raman method which can be attributed to uncertainty related to mass balance calculations and carbonate daughter minerals that have formed at the glass-bubble interface. The presence of S- and C-bearing daughter minerals on the surface of the bubble in unheated melt inclusions indicates that to obtain more confident results with Raman spectroscopy, naturally quenched MIs should be also shortly reheated to dissolve most or all the crystals at the glass-bubble interface. Concerning H2O, MI from the unheated tephra samples contain less H2O than rehydrated MI in lavas. Determining the original H2O content of rehydrated MI is difficult because the H2O concentration in the glass is controlled by the conditions during the rehydration experiment. Thus reconciling the initial H2O content in primitive arc MIs (and degree of H2O loss) still remains a challenging task.

The first peopling of South America: new evidence from Y-chromosome haplogroup Q.

PubMed

Battaglia, Vincenza; Grugni, Viola; Perego, Ugo Alessandro; Angerhofer, Norman; Gomez-Palmieri, J Edgar; Woodward, Scott Ray; Achilli, Alessandro; Myres, Natalie; Torroni, Antonio; Semino, Ornella

2013-01-01

Recent progress in the phylogenetic resolution of the Y-chromosome phylogeny permits the male demographic dynamics and migratory events that occurred in Central and Southern America after the initial human spread into the Americas to be investigated at the regional level. To delve further into this issue, we examined more than 400 Native American Y chromosomes (collected in the region ranging from Mexico to South America) belonging to haplogroup Q - virtually the only branch of the Y phylogeny observed in modern-day Amerindians of Central and South America - together with 27 from Mongolia and Kamchatka. Two main founding lineages, Q1a3a1a-M3 and Q1a3a1-L54(xM3), were detected along with novel sub-clades of younger age and more restricted geographic distributions. The first was also observed in Far East Asia while no Q1a3a1-L54(xM3) Y chromosome was found in Asia except the southern Siberian-specific sub-clade Q1a3a1c-L330. Our data not only confirm a southern Siberian origin of ancestral populations that gave rise to Paleo-Indians and the differentiation of both Native American Q founding lineages in Beringia, but support their concomitant arrival in Mesoamerica, where Mexico acted as recipient for the first wave of migration, followed by a rapid southward migration, along the Pacific coast, into the Andean region. Although Q1a3a1a-M3 and Q1a3a1-L54(xM3) display overlapping general distributions, they show different patterns of evolution in the Mexican plateau and the Andean area, which can be explained by local differentiations due to demographic events triggered by the introduction of agriculture and associated with the flourishing of the Great Empires.

Rupture Processes of the Mw8.3 Sea of Okhotsk Earthquake and Aftershock Sequences from 3-D Back Projection Imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jian, P. R.; Hung, S. H.; Meng, L.

2014-12-01

On May 24, 2013, the largest deep earthquake ever recorded in history occurred on the southern tip of the Kamchatka Island, where the Pacific Plate subducts underneath the Okhotsk Plate. Previous 2D beamforming back projection (BP) of P- coda waves suggests the mainshock ruptured bilaterally along a horizontal fault plane determined by the global centroid moment tensor solution. On the other hand, the multiple point source inversion of P and SH waveforms argued that the earthquake comprises a sequence of 6 subevents not located on a single plane but actually distributed in a zone that extends 64 km horizontally and 35 km in depth. We then apply a three-dimensional MUSIC BP approach to resolve the rupture processes of the manishock and two large aftershocks (M6.7) with no a priori setup of preferential orientations of the planar rupture. The maximum pseudo-spectrum of high-frequency P wave in a sequence of time windows recorded by the densely-distributed stations from US and EU Array are used to image 3-D temporal and spatial rupture distribution. The resulting image confirms that the nearly N-S striking but two antiparallel rupture stages. The first subhorizontal rupture initially propagates toward the NNE direction, while at 18 s later it directs reversely to the SSW and concurrently shifts downward to 35 km deeper lasting for about 20 s. The rupture lengths in the first NNE-ward and second SSW-ward stage are about 30 km and 85 km; the estimated rupture velocities are 3 km/s and 4.25 km/s, respectively. Synthetic experiments are undertaken to assess the capability of the 3D MUSIC BP for the recovery of spatio-temporal rupture processes. Besides, high frequency BP images based on the EU-Array data show two M6.7 aftershocks are more likely to rupture on the vertical fault planes.

The First Peopling of South America: New Evidence from Y-Chromosome Haplogroup Q

PubMed Central

Battaglia, Vincenza; Grugni, Viola; Perego, Ugo Alessandro; Angerhofer, Norman; Gomez-Palmieri, J. Edgar; Woodward, Scott Ray; Achilli, Alessandro; Myres, Natalie; Torroni, Antonio; Semino, Ornella

2013-01-01

Recent progress in the phylogenetic resolution of the Y-chromosome phylogeny permits the male demographic dynamics and migratory events that occurred in Central and Southern America after the initial human spread into the Americas to be investigated at the regional level. To delve further into this issue, we examined more than 400 Native American Y chromosomes (collected in the region ranging from Mexico to South America) belonging to haplogroup Q – virtually the only branch of the Y phylogeny observed in modern-day Amerindians of Central and South America – together with 27 from Mongolia and Kamchatka. Two main founding lineages, Q1a3a1a-M3 and Q1a3a1-L54(xM3), were detected along with novel sub-clades of younger age and more restricted geographic distributions. The first was also observed in Far East Asia while no Q1a3a1-L54(xM3) Y chromosome was found in Asia except the southern Siberian-specific sub-clade Q1a3a1c-L330. Our data not only confirm a southern Siberian origin of ancestral populations that gave rise to Paleo-Indians and the differentiation of both Native American Q founding lineages in Beringia, but support their concomitant arrival in Mesoamerica, where Mexico acted as recipient for the first wave of migration, followed by a rapid southward migration, along the Pacific coast, into the Andean region. Although Q1a3a1a-M3 and Q1a3a1-L54(xM3) display overlapping general distributions, they show different patterns of evolution in the Mexican plateau and the Andean area, which can be explained by local differentiations due to demographic events triggered by the introduction of agriculture and associated with the flourishing of the Great Empires. PMID:23990949

Permanent Draft Genome Sequence of Desulfurococcus amylolyticus Strain Z-533 T , a Peptide and Starch Degrader Isolated from Thermal Springs in the Kamchatka Peninsula and Kunashir Island, Russia

DOE PAGES

Susanti, Dwi; Johnson, Eric F.; Lapidus, Alla; ...

2017-04-13

Desulfurococcus amylolyticusZ-533 T, a hyperthermophilic crenarcheon, ferments peptide and starch, generating acetate, isobutyrate, isovalerate, CO 2, and hydrogen. UnlikeD. amylolyticusZ-1312, it cannot use cellulose and is inhibited by hydrogen. The reported draft genome sequence ofD. amylolyticusZ-533 Twill help to understand the molecular basis for these differences.

Permanent Draft Genome Sequence of Desulfurococcus amylolyticus Strain Z-533 T , a Peptide and Starch Degrader Isolated from Thermal Springs in the Kamchatka Peninsula and Kunashir Island, Russia

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Susanti, Dwi; Johnson, Eric F.; Lapidus, Alla

Desulfurococcus amylolyticusZ-533 T, a hyperthermophilic crenarcheon, ferments peptide and starch, generating acetate, isobutyrate, isovalerate, CO 2, and hydrogen. UnlikeD. amylolyticusZ-1312, it cannot use cellulose and is inhibited by hydrogen. The reported draft genome sequence ofD. amylolyticusZ-533 Twill help to understand the molecular basis for these differences.

Permanent Draft Genome Sequence of Desulfurococcus amylolyticus Strain Z-533T, a Peptide and Starch Degrader Isolated from Thermal Springs in the Kamchatka Peninsula and Kunashir Island, Russia.

PubMed

Susanti, Dwi; Johnson, Eric F; Lapidus, Alla; Han, James; Reddy, T B K; Mukherjee, Supratim; Pillay, Manoj; Perevalova, Anna A; Ivanova, Natalia N; Woyke, Tanja; Kyrpides, Nikos C; Mukhopadhyay, Biswarup

2017-04-13

Desulfurococcus amylolyticus Z-533 T , a hyperthermophilic crenarcheon, ferments peptide and starch, generating acetate, isobutyrate, isovalerate, CO 2 , and hydrogen. Unlike D. amylolyticus Z-1312, it cannot use cellulose and is inhibited by hydrogen. The reported draft genome sequence of D. amylolyticus Z-533 T will help to understand the molecular basis for these differences. Copyright © 2017 Susanti et al.

High activity CAZyme cassette for improving biomass degradation in thermophiles

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Brunecky, Roman; Chung, Daehwan; Sarai, Nicholas S.

Currently, Thermophilic microorganisms and their enzymes offer several advantages for industrial application over their mesophilic counterparts. For example, a hyperthermophilic anaerobe, Caldicellulosiruptor bescii, was recently isolated from hot springs in Kamchatka, Siberia, and shown to have very high cellulolytic activity. Additionally, it is one of a few microorganisms being considered as viable candidates for consolidated bioprocessing applications. Moreover, C. bescii is capable of deconstructing plant biomass without enzymatic or chemical pretreatment. This ability is accomplished by the production and secretion of free, multi-modular and multi-functional enzymes, one of which, CbCel9A/Cel48A also secretion of free, multi-modular and multi-functional enzymes, one ofmore » which, CbCel9A/Cel48A also known as CelA, is able to outperform enzymes found in commercial enzyme preparations. Furthermore, the complete C. bescii exoproteome is extremely thermostable and highly active at elevated temperatures, unlike commercial fungal cellulases. Understanding the functional diversity of enzymes in the C. bescii exoproteome and how inter-molecular synergy between them confers C. bescii with its high cellulolytic activity is an important endeavor to enable the production more efficient biomass degrading enzyme formulations and in turn, better cellulolytic industrial microorganisms. We found that the combination of three or four of the most highly expressed enzymes in the C. bescii exoproteome exhibits such synergistic activity. For example, some discrete combinations of these enzymes mimic and even improve upon the activity of the exoproteome, even though some of the enzymes lack significant activity on their own. We have demonstrated that it is possible to replicate the cellulolytic activity of the native C. bescii exoproteome utilizing a minimal gene set, and that these minimal gene sets are more active than the whole exoproteome. In the future, this may lead to

Paleoceanographic Changes Since the Last Glacial as Revealed by Analysis of Alkenone Organic Biomarkers from the Northwest Pacific (Core LV 63-41-2)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, P. S.; Liao, C. J.; Chen, M. T.; Zou, J. J.; Shi, X.; Bosin, A. A.; Gorbarenko, S. A.

2017-12-01

Sea surface temperature (SST) records from the subarctic Northwestern (NW) Pacific are ideal for reconstructing regional paleoceanographic changes sensitive to global climate change. Core LV 63-41-2 (52.56°N, 160.00° E; water depth 1924 m) retrieved from a high sedimentation site, in which the interactions of the Bering Sea and the warm water mass from the NW Pacific are highly dynamic. Here we reported high-resolution last glacial alkenone-based records from Core LV 63-41-2. Prior to 27-16 ka BP high glacial C37:4 alkenone concentrations indicate large amount of fresh water influencing the surface water of the NW Pacific with a reaching to the Site LV 63-41-2. We further inferred that during the last glacial the low salinity water may be formed from the ice-melting water on site and/or brought by the surface current from the Bering Sea, and are efficient in producing strong water stratification condition. The stratification weakens vertical mixing of the upper water column, that in turn decreases the nutrients upwelled from deep to the surface therefore causes low productivity of coccolithophorids. During the early Bølling-Allerød (B/A) period, a gradual increasing alkenone-SST and associated with high C37:4 alkenone concentrations, implying that a weakened stratification and much stronger nutrient upwelling of the early B/A period than that of the glacial. The late B/A period is characterized by an abrupt warming with possibly more melting sea ices in the Bering Sea and the coast near the Kamchatka Peninsula. The large amount of fresh water lens formed during the ice melting might have ceased vertical mixing and upwelling in the upper water column as evidenced by a decline of biological productivity of both calcerous and soliceous organism during late B/A. We suggest an early warming and low productivity in the NW Pacific that is coincident with a rapid cooling in most of the Northern Hemisphere high latitudes during the Younger Dryas.

What's in the mud?: Water-rock-microbe interactions in thermal mudpots and springs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dahlquist, G. R.; Cox, A. D.

2016-12-01

Limited aspects of mudpot geochemistry, mineralogy, and microbiology have been previously investigated in a total of 58 mudpots in Yellowstone National Park (YNP), Kamchatka, Iceland, Italy, Valles Caldera, New Mexico, Nicaragua, and the Stefanos hydrothermal crater, Greece (Allen and Day, 1935; Raymahashay, 1968; Shevenell, 1987; Bradley, 2005; Prokofeva, 2006; Bortnikova, 2007; Kaasalainen, 2012; Szynkiewicz, 2012; Hynek, 2013; Pol, 2014; Kanellopoulos, 2016). The composition of 35 mudpots was analyzed for aqueous geochemistry of filtrate and solid phase characterization. Here mudpots are defined as thermal features with viscosities between 5 and 100 centipoise at the approximate temperature of the mudpot, which was measured by an Ofite hand cranked viscometer. Analogous samples of nearby hot springs provide comparisons between mudpots and non-viscous thermal features. Aqueous geochemistry from mudpots was obtained by a novel two-step filtration process consisting of gravity prefiltration by a 100 or 50 micron trace metal cleaned polyethylene bag filter followed by syringe filtration with 0.8/0.2 Supor membrane filters. This filtered sample water was preserved and analyzed for water isotopes, major anions and cations, dissolved organic carbon, and trace metals. Mudpot meter readings show dissolved oxygen values ranging from below the detection limit of 0.156 to 22.5uM, pH values ranging from 1.41 to 6.08, and temperatures ranging from 64.8 to 92.5°C. Mudpots and turbid hot springs exhibited an inverse relationship between dissolved rare earth element concentrations and dissolved calcium concentrations (where calcium concentrations > 0.4mM). Mudpots altered existing surficial geology to form clays, primarily kaolinite, montmorillionite, and alunite. This hydrothermal alteration leaches metals, allowing mudpots to concentrate metals. DNA was extracted from mudpot solids and amplified with eukaryotic, bacterial, archaeal, and universal primers, which yielded only

Tracing mantle processes with Fe isotopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weyer, S.; Ionov, D.

2006-12-01

High precision Fe isotope measurements have been performed on various mantle peridotites (fertile lherzolites, harzburgites, metasomatised Fe-enriched rocks) and volcanic rocks (mainly oceanic basalts) from different localities and tectonic settings. Pimitive peridotites (Mg# = 0.894) yield delta56Fe = 0.02 and are significantly lighter than the basalts (average delta56Fe = 0.11). Furthermore, the peridotites display a negative correlation of iron isotopes with Mg#. Taken together, these findings imply that Fe isotopes fractionate during partial melting, with heavy isotopes preferentially entering the melt [1, 2]. A particularly good correlation of the Fe isotope composition and Mg# shown by poorly metasomatised spinel lherzolites of three localities (Horoman, Kamchatka and Lherz) was used to model Fe isotope fractionation during partial melting, resulting in alphamantle-melt = 1.0003. This value implies higher Fe isotope fractionation between residual mantle and mantle-derived melts (i.e. Delta56Femantle-melt = 0.2-0.3) than the observed difference between the peridotites and the basalts in this study. Our data on plagioclase lherzolites from Horoman and spinel lherzolites from other localities indicate that the difference in Fe isotope composition between mantle and basalts may be reduced by partial re-equilibration between the isotopically heavy basalts and the isotopically light depleted lithospheric mantle during melt ascent. Besides partial melting, the Fe isotope composition of mantle peridotites can also be significantly modified by metasomatic events. At two localities (Tok, Siberia and Tariat, Mongolia) Fe isotopes correlates with the Fe concentration of the peridotites, which was increased up to 14.5% FeO by melt percolation. Such processes can be accompanied by chromatographic effects and produce a range of Fe isotope compositions in the percolation columns, from extremely light to heavy (delta56Fe = -0.42 to +0.17). We propose that Fe isotopes can be

High activity CAZyme cassette for improving biomass degradation in thermophiles

DOE PAGES

Brunecky, Roman; Chung, Daehwan; Sarai, Nicholas S.; ...

2018-02-01

Currently, Thermophilic microorganisms and their enzymes offer several advantages for industrial application over their mesophilic counterparts. For example, a hyperthermophilic anaerobe, Caldicellulosiruptor bescii, was recently isolated from hot springs in Kamchatka, Siberia, and shown to have very high cellulolytic activity. Additionally, it is one of a few microorganisms being considered as viable candidates for consolidated bioprocessing applications. Moreover, C. bescii is capable of deconstructing plant biomass without enzymatic or chemical pretreatment. This ability is accomplished by the production and secretion of free, multi-modular and multi-functional enzymes, one of which, CbCel9A/Cel48A also secretion of free, multi-modular and multi-functional enzymes, one ofmore » which, CbCel9A/Cel48A also known as CelA, is able to outperform enzymes found in commercial enzyme preparations. Furthermore, the complete C. bescii exoproteome is extremely thermostable and highly active at elevated temperatures, unlike commercial fungal cellulases. Understanding the functional diversity of enzymes in the C. bescii exoproteome and how inter-molecular synergy between them confers C. bescii with its high cellulolytic activity is an important endeavor to enable the production more efficient biomass degrading enzyme formulations and in turn, better cellulolytic industrial microorganisms. We found that the combination of three or four of the most highly expressed enzymes in the C. bescii exoproteome exhibits such synergistic activity. For example, some discrete combinations of these enzymes mimic and even improve upon the activity of the exoproteome, even though some of the enzymes lack significant activity on their own. We have demonstrated that it is possible to replicate the cellulolytic activity of the native C. bescii exoproteome utilizing a minimal gene set, and that these minimal gene sets are more active than the whole exoproteome. In the future, this may lead to

"Calibration" system for spectral measurements and its experimental results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bruchkouskaya, Sviatlana I.; Katkovsky, Leonid V.; Belyaev, Boris I.; Malyshev, Vladislav B.

2017-04-01

"Calibration" system has been developed at A. N. Sevchenko Research Institute of Applied Physical Problems of the Belarusian State University. It was designed for measuring the characteristics of spectral reflectance of all types of natural surfaces (test sites) in ground conditions or on board of aircraft carriers and has the following components: - Photospectroradiometr (PhSR) of high resolution with a range of 400-900 nm, equipped with a digital time-lapse video system; - Two-channel modular spectroradiometer (TMS) with a range of 400-900 nm, designed for simultaneous measurements of reflected light brightness of the underlying surface and the incident radiation from the upper hemisphere; - Two portable spectroradiometers (PSR-700 and PSR-1300) with a spectral range 800-1500 nm; 1200-2500 nm; - Scanning solar spectropolarimeter (SSP-600) with a range of 350-950 nm for measurements of direct sunlight and scattered by the atmosphere at different angles; "Calibration" system provides spectral resolution of 5.2 nm in a range of 400-900 nm, 10 nm in a range of 800-1500 nm and 15 nm in a range of 1200-2500 nm. Measurements of the optical characteristics of solar radiation (for determining parameters of the atmosphere) and that of underlying surface are synchronous. There is also a set of special nozzles for measurements of spectral brightness coefficients, polarization characteristics and spectral albedo. Spectra and images are geotagged to the navigation data (time, GPS). For the measurements of spectral reflection dependencies within "Monitoring-SG" framework expeditions to the Kuril Islands, Kursk aerospace test site and Kamchatka Peninsula were conducted in 2015 and 2016. The spectra of different underlying surfaces have been obtained: soils, plants and water objects, sedimentary and volcanic rocks. These surveys are a valuable material for further researches and selection of test facilities for flight calibration of space imaging systems. Information obtained

Time-Dependent Flexural Deformation Beneath the Emperor Seamounts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wessel, P.; Watts, A. B.; Kim, S. S.

2014-12-01

The Hawaii-Emperor seamount chain stretches over 6000 km from the Big Island of Hawaii to the subduction cusp off Kamchatka and represents a near-continuous record of hotspot volcanism since the Late Cretaceous. The load of these seamounts and islands has caused the underlying lithosphere to deform, developing a flexural flanking moat that is now largely filled with volcanoclastic sediments. Because the age differences between the seafloor and the seamounts vary by an order of magnitude or more along the chain, the Hawaii-Emperor chain and surrounding area is considered a natural laboratory for lithospheric flexure and has been studied extensively in order to infer the rheology of the oceanic lithosphere. While most investigations have focused on the Hawaiian Islands and proximal seamounts (where data sets are more complete, including seismic reflection and refraction, swath bathymetry and even mapping and dating of drowned reef terraces), far fewer studies have examined the flexural deformation beneath the remote Emperor chain. Preliminary analysis of satellite altimetry data shows the flexural moats to be associated with very large negative gravity anomalies relative to the magnitudes of the positive anomalies over the loads, suggesting considerable viscous or viscoelastic relaxation since the loads were emplaced 50-80 Myr ago. In our study, we will attempt to model the Emperor seamount chain load as a superposition of individual elliptical Gaussian seamounts with separate loading histories. We use Optimal Robust Separation (ORS) techniques to extract the seamount load from the regional background bathymetry and partition the residual load into a set of individual volcanoes. The crustal age grid and available seamount dates are used to construct a temporal loading model and evaluate the flexural response of the lithosphere beneath the Emperor seamounts. We explore a variety of rheological models and loading scenarios that are compatible with the inferred load

Uranium, yttrium, and rare earth elements accumulation during the Cretaceous anoxic events in carbonaceous rocks in the Pacific Ocean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Savelyeva, Olga; Philosofova, Tatyana; Bergal-Kuvikas, Olga; Savelyeva, Svetlana

2017-04-01

We have studied the carbonate-siliceous section of paleooceanic Albian-Cenomanian deposits on the Kamchatsky Mys peninsula (Eastern Kamchatka, Russia) [1].The section is represented by a rhythmic alternation of planktonic limestones and jaspers, accumulated in the open ocean environment. The rhythmicity can be attributed to climate variations that reflect a fluctuation of astronomical parameters (Milankovitch cycles) [2, 3].The section contains two beds enriched in organic carbon, corresponding to the two oceanic anoxic events - MCE and OAE2 [3]. The maximum content of organic matter in those beds reaches 68%. Our geochemical studies revealed an enrichment of the carbonaceous rocks in some major and trace elements including PGE, in comparison with the surrounding limestone and jasper [4].The accumulation of the ore elements in carbonaceous beds is caused by euxinic conditions during sedimentation.The content of uranium, yttrium, and rare earth elements in carbonaceous rocks is up to 60, 142 and 312 ppm respectively. Phosphate grains (bone detritus) with microinclusions of yttrium and uranium minerals were revealed in the carbonaceous rocks using the scanning electron microscope. These data prove the hypothesis of the sorbtion of U and Y by phosphate detritus from seawater. Microprobe analysis also showed an increased content of Cu, Zn, V in some pyrite framboids, which indicates that these elements are fixed in rocks by Fe-sulphide phase or organic matter under euxinic conditions. Our research may bring us closer to understanding the mechanism of syngenetic accumulation of metals in the black shales. This work was supported by the RFBR (No. 16-05-00546). [1] Palechek, T.N., Savelyev, D.P., Savelyeva, O.L. (2010) Stratigraphy and Geological Correlation 18, (1) 63-82. [2] Savelyeva, O.L. (2010). Vestnik Kraunts. Nauki o zemle 1 (15), 45-55 (in Russian). [3] Savelyev, D.P., Savelyeva, O.L., Palechek, T.N., Pokrovsky, B.G. (2012) Geophysical Research Abstracts, 14, EGU

Reconstruction of Holocene environmental changes in Southern Kurils (North-Western Pacific) based on palaeolake sediment proxies from Shikotan Island

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nazarova, Larisa; Grebennikova, Tatiana A.; Razjigaeva, Nadezhda G.; Ganzey, Larisa A.; Belyanina, Nina I.; Arslanov, Khikmat A.; Kaistrenko, Victor M.; Gorbunov, Aleksey O.; Kharlamov, Andrey A.; Rudaya, Natalia; Palagushkina, Olga; Biskaborn, Boris K.; Diekmann, Bernhard

2017-12-01

We investigated a well-dated sediment section of a palaeolake situated in the coastal zone of Shikotan Island (Lesser Kurils) for organic sediment-geochemistry and biotic components (diatoms, chironomids, pollen) in order to provide a reconstruction of the palaeoenvironmental changes and palaeo-events (tsunamis, sea-level fluctuations and landslides) in Holocene. During the ca 8000 years of sedimentation the changes in organic sediment-geochemistry and in composition of the diatoms and chironomids as well as the shifts in composition of terrestrial vegetation suggest that the period until ca 5800 cal yr BP was characterized by a warm and humid climate (corresponds to middle Holocene optimum) with climate cooling thereafter. A warm period reconstructed from ca 900 to at least ca 580 cal yr BP corresponds to a transition to a Nara-Heian-Kamakura warm stage and can be correlated to a Medieval Warm Period. After 580 cal yr PB, the lake gradually dried out and climatic signals could not be obtained from the declining lacustrine biological communities, but the increasing role of spruce and disappearance of the oak from the vegetation give evidences of the climate cooling that can be correlated with the LIA. The marine regression stages at the investigated site are identified for ca 6200-5900 (at the end of the middle Holocene transgression), ca 5500-5100 (Middle Jomon regression or Kemigawa regression), and ca 1070-360 cal yr BP (at the end of Heian transgression). The lithological structure of sediments and the diatom compositions give evidences for the multiple tsunami events of different strengths in the Island. Most remarkable of them can be dated at around ca 7000, 6460, 5750, 4800, 950 cal yr BP. The new results help to understand the Holocene environmental history of the Southern Kurils as a part of the Kuril-Kamchatka and Aleutian Marginal Sea-Island Arc Systems in the North-Western Pacific region.

Plutonium concentration and (240)Pu/(239)Pu atom ratio in biota collected from Amchitka Island, Alaska: recent measurements using ICP-SFMS.

PubMed

Bu, Kaixuan; Cizdziel, James V; Dasher, Douglas

2013-10-01

Three underground nuclear tests, including the Unites States' largest, were conducted on Amchitka Island, Alaska. Monitoring of the radiological environment around the island is challenging because of its remote location. In 2008, the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Legacy Management (LM) became responsible for the long term maintenance and surveillance of the Amchitka site. The first DOE LM environmental survey occurred in 2011 and is part of a cycle of activities that will occur every 5 years. The University of Alaska Fairbanks, a participant in the 2011 study, provided the lichen (Cladonia spp.), freshwater moss (Fontinalis neomexicanus), kelp (Eualaria fistulosa) and horse mussel (Modiolus modiolus) samples from Amchitka Island and Adak Island (a control site). These samples were analyzed for (239)Pu and (240)Pu concentration and (240)Pu/(239)Pu atom ratio using inductively coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometry (ICP-SFMS). Plutonium concentrations and (240)Pu/(239)Pu atom ratios were generally consistent with previous terrestrial and marine studies in the region. The ((239)+)(240)Pu levels (mBq kg(-1), dry weight) ranged from 3.79 to 57.1 for lichen, 167-700 for kelp, 27.9-148 for horse mussel, and 560-573 for moss. Lichen from Adak Island had higher Pu concentrations than Amchitka Island, the difference was likely the result of the higher precipitation at Adak compared to Amchitka. The (240)Pu/(239)Pu atom ratios were significantly higher in marine samples compared to terrestrial and freshwater samples (t-test, p < 0.001); lichen and moss averaged 0.184 ± 0.007, similar to the integrated global fallout ratio, whereas kelp and mussel (soft tissue) averaged 0.226 ± 0.003. These observations provide supporting evidence that a large input of isotopically heavier Pu occurred into the North Pacific Ocean, likely from the Marshall Island high yield nuclear tests, but other potential sources, such as the Kamchatka Peninsula Rybachiy Naval Base and

Activity at Shiveluch Volcano

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-12-08

NASA image acquired Sept 7, 2010 Shiveluch (also spelled Sheveluch) is one of the largest and most active volcanoes on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. It has been spewing ash and steam intermittently—with occasional dome collapses, pyroclastic flows, and lava flows, as well—for the past decade. Shiveluch is a stratovolcano, a steep-sloped formation of alternating layers of hardened lava, ash, and rocks thrown out by earlier eruptions. A lava dome has been growing southwest of the 3,283-meter (10,771-foot) summit. The Advanced Land Imager (ALI) on NASA’s Earth Observing-1 (EO-1) satellite acquired this image on September 7, 2010. Brown and tan debris—perhaps ash falls, perhaps mud from lahars—covers the southern landscape of the volcano, while the hills on the northern side remain covered in snow and ice. The Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT) reported that seismic activity at Shiveluch was "above background levels" from September 3-10. Ash plumes rose to an altitude of 6.5 kilometers (21,300 feet) on September 3-4, and gas-and-ash plumes were reported on September 7, when this image was acquired. According to the Smithsonian Institution's volcano program, at least 60 large eruptions of Shiveluch have occurred during the current Holocene Epoch of geological history. Intermittent explosive eruptions began in the 1990s, and the largest historical eruptions from Shiveluch occurred in 1854 and 1964. NASA Earth Observatory image created by Jesse Allen and Robert Simmon, using EO-1 ALI data provided courtesy of the NASA EO-1 team. Caption by Mike Carlowicz. Instrument: EO-1 - ALI Credit: NASA Earth Observatory NASA Goddard Space Flight Center contributes to NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s endeavors by providing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. Follow us on Twitter Join us on

Multitemporal Three Dimensional Imaging of Volcanic Products on the Macro- and Micro- Scale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carter, A. J.; Ramsey, M. S.; Durant, A. J.; Skilling, I. P.

2006-12-01

Satellite data from the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) can be processed using a nadir- and backward-viewing band at the same wavelength to generate a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) at a maximum spatial resolution of 15 metres. Bezymianny Volcano (Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia) was chosen as a test target for multitemporal DEM generation. DEMs were used to generate a layer stack and calculate coarse topographic changes from 2000 to 2006, the most significant of which was a new crater that formed in spring 2005. The eruption that occurred on 11 January 2005 produced a pyroclastic deposit on the east flank, which was mapped and from which samples were collected in August 2005. A comparison was made between field-based observations of the deposit and micron-scale roughness (analogous to vesicularity) derived from ASTER thermal infrared data following the model described in Ramsey and Fink (1999) on lava domes. In order to investigate applying this technique to the pyroclastic deposits, 18 small samples from Bezymianny were selected for Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) micron-scale analysis. The SEM image data were processed using software capable of calculating surface roughness and vesicle volume from stereo pairs: a statistical analysis of samples is presented using a high resolution grid of surface profiles. The results allow for a direct comparison to field, laboratory, and satellite-based estimates of micron-scale roughness. Prior to SEM processing, laboratory thermal emission spectra of the microsamples were collected and modelled to estimate vesicularity. Each data set was compared and assessed for coherence within the limitations of each technique. This study outlines the value of initially imaging at the macro-scale to assess major topographic changes over time at the volcano. This is followed by an example of the application of micro-scale SEM imaging and spectral deconvolution, highlighting the advantages of using

Variation in spring migration routes and breeding distribution of northern pintails Anas acuta that winter in Japan

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hupp, Jerry W.; Yamaguchi, Noriyuki; Flint, Paul L.; Pearce, John M.; Tokita, Ken-ichi; Shimada, Tetsuo; Ramey, Andrew M.; Kharitonov, Sergei; Higuchi, Hiroyoshi

2011-01-01

In North America, spring migration routes and breeding distribution of northern pintails Anas acuta vary because some individuals opportunistically nest at mid-latitudes in years when ephemeral prairie wetlands are available, whereas others regularly nest in arctic and sub-arctic regions where wetland abundance is more constant. Less was known about migration routes and breeding distribution of pintails in East Asia. From 2007–2009 we marked 198 pintails on their wintering areas in Japan with satellite transmitters to: 1) document spring migration routes and summer distribution, 2) evaluate migratory connections and breeding season sympatry with North American pintails, and 3) determine if pintails used the same migration routes in fall as in spring. Most pintails (67%) migrated to the Kamchatka or Chukotka peninsulas in eastern Russia either directly from Japan or via Sakhalin Island, Russia. Remaining pintails primarily migrated to the Magadan region or Kolyma River Basin in eastern Russia via Sakhalin Island. The Chukotka Peninsula was the most common summer destination, with highest densities in the Anadyr Lowlands; a region also used by pintails that migrate from North America. One pintail migrated to St. Lawrence Island, Alaska, in spring and another briefly migrated to the western coast of Alaska in fall. Autumn migration routes generally mirrored spring migration although most pintails bypassed Sakhalin Island in fall. Compared to North American pintails, pintails that winter in Japan exhibited less variation in migration routes and breeding distribution, and nested at higher latitudes. In the Russian Far East there is no region with habitats comparable in extent to the ephemeral mid-latitude wetlands of North America. Consequently, East Asian pintails mainly nest in arctic and sub-arctic regions where annual consistency in wetlands promotes constancy in migration routes and breeding distribution. Breeding season sympatry between pintails from different

A New Technique For Quantifying Effusive Volcanic Activity at Tolbachik Volcano Using Multiple Remote Sensing Platforms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McAlpin, D. B.; Meyer, F. J.; Dehn, J.; Webley, P. W.

2016-12-01

In 1976, "The Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption," became the largest basaltic eruption in the recorded history of the Kamchatka Peninsula. In November 2012, after thirty-six years of quiescence, Tolbachik again erupted, and continued for nine months until its end in August, 2013. Observers of the 2012-13 eruption reported a mostly effusive eruption from two main fissures, long, rapidly moving lava flows, and ash clouds of up to 6 km. Initial estimates of effusive activity reported an approximate volume of 0.52 km³ over an area of more than 35 km². In this analysis, we provide updated effusion estimates for the Tolbachik eruption, determined by thermal data acquired by the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) satellites. Each of the four AVHRR satellites carries a broad-band, five channel sensor that acquires data in the visible and infrared portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, with each satellite completing 14 daily Earth orbits. A critical component to the volume estimates is a determination of fissure size and the area of lava flow at different times during the eruption. For this purpose, we acquired optical satellite images obtained from three orbiting platforms: the Advanced Land Imager (ALI),) aboard the Earth Observer-1 (EO-1) satellite, the Operational Land Imager (OLI) aboard Landsat 8, and the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) aboard NASA's Terra satellite. From these multiple platforms, lava flow maps were prepared from repeat acquisitions over the course of the eruption. Periodic lava flow measurements clarify effusion rates as instantaneous discharge rates, mean effusion rates over time, and an overall effusion rate over the entire eruption. Given the natural limitations of effusion estimates derived from thermal data, our results are compared to effusion estimates derived by DEM differencing to evaluate accuracy. This analysis is a true multi-sensor technique that affords a method to rapidly

Probability Assessment of Mega-thrust Earthquakes in Global Subduction Zones　-from the View of Slip Deficit-

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ikuta, R.; Mitsui, Y.; Ando, M.

2014-12-01

We studied inter-plate slip history for about 100 years using earthquake catalogs. On assumption that each earthquake has stick-slip patch centered in its centroid, we regard cumulative seismic slips around the centroid as representing the inter-plate dislocation. We evaluated the slips on the stick-slip patches of over-M5-class earthquakes prior to three recent mega-thrust earthquakes, the 2004 Sumatra (Mw9.2), the 2010 Chile (Mw8.8), and the 2011 Tohoku (Mw9.0) around them. Comparing the cumulative seismic slips with the plate convergence, the slips before the mega-thrust events are significantly short in large area corresponding to the size of the mega-thrust events. We also researched cumulative seismic slips after other three mega-thrust earthquakes occurred in this 100 years, the 1952 Kamchatka (Mw9.0), the 1960 Chile (Mw9.5), the 1964 Alaska (Mw9.2). The cumulative slips have been significantly short in and around the focal area after their occurrence. The result should reflect persistency of the strong or/and large inter-plate coupled area capable of mega-thrust earthquakes. We applied the same procedure to global subduction zones to find that 21 regions including the focal area of above mega-thrust earthquakes show slip deficit over large area corresponding to the size of M9-class earthquakes. Considering that at least six M9-class earthquakes occurred in this 100 years and each recurrence interval should be 500-1000 years, it would not be surprised that from five to ten times of the already known regions (30 to 60 regions) are capable of M9 class earthquakes. The 21 regions as expected M9 class focal areas in our study is less than 5 to 10 times of the known 6, some of these regions may be divided into a few M9 class focal area because they extend to much larger area than typical M9 class focal area.

Controls on the organization of the plumbing system of subduction volcanoes : the roles of volatiles and edifice load

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roman, A. M.; Bergal-Kuvikas, O.; Shapiro, N.; Taisne, B.; Gordeev, E.; Jaupart, C. P.

2017-12-01

Geochemical data indicate that subduction zone magmas are extracted from the mantle and rises through the crust, with a wide range of volatile contents. The main controls on magma ascent, storage and location of eruptive vents are not well understood. Flow through a volcanic system depends on magma density and viscosity, which depend in turn on chemical composition and volatile content. Thus, one expects that changes of eruption sites in space and time are related to geochemical variations. To test this hypothesis, we have focussed on Klyuchevskoy volcano, Kamchatka, a very active island arc volcano which erupts lavas with a wide range of volatile contents (e.g. 3-7 H20 wt. %). The most primitive high-Mg magmas were able to erupt and build a sizable edifice in an initial phase of activity. As the edifice grew, eruption of these magmas was suppressed in the focal area and occurred in distal parts of the volcano whilst summit eruptions involved differentiated high alumina basalts. Here we propose a new model for the development of the Klyuchevskoy plumbing system which combines edifice load, far field tectonic stress and the presence of volatiles. We calculate dyke trajectories and overpressures by taking into account the exsolution of volatiles in the magma. The most striking result is the progressive deflection of dykes towards the axial area as the edifice size increases. In this model, the critical parameters are the depth of volatile exsolution and the edifice size. Volatile-rich magmas degas at depth and experience a large increase in buoyancy which may overcome edifice-induced stresses at shallow levels. However, as the volcano grows, the stress barrier migrates downwards and may eventually act to stall dykes before gas exsolution takes place. Such conditions are likely to induce the formation of a shallow central reseroir, in which further magma focussing, mixing and contamination may take place. This model accounts for the co-evolution of magma composition

Holocene sea surface temperature and sea ice extent in the Okhotsk and Bering Seas

USGS Publications Warehouse

Harada, Naomi; Katsuki, Kota; Nakagawa, Mitsuhiro; Matsumoto, Akiko; Seki, Osamu; Addison, Jason A.; Finney, Bruce P.; Sato, Miyako

2014-01-01

Accurate prediction of future climate requires an understanding of the mechanisms of the Holocene climate; however, the driving forces, mechanisms, and processes of climate change in the Holocene associated with different time scales remain unclear. We investigated the drivers of Holocene sea surface temperature (SST) and sea ice extent in the North Pacific Ocean, and the Okhotsk and Bering Seas, as inferred from sediment core records, by using the alkenone unsaturation index as a biomarker of SST and abundances of sea ice-related diatoms (F. cylindrus and F. oceanica) as an indicator of sea ice extent to explore controlling mechanisms in the high-latitude Pacific. Temporal changes in alkenone content suggest that alkenone production was relatively high during the middle Holocene in the Okhotsk Sea and the western North Pacific, but highest in the late Holocene in the eastern Bering Sea and the eastern North Pacific. The Holocene variations of alkenone-SSTs at sites near Kamchatka in the Northwest Pacific, as well as in the western and eastern regions of the Bering Sea, and in the eastern North Pacific track the changes of Holocene summer insolation at 50°N, but at other sites in the western North Pacific, in the southern Okhotsk Sea, and the eastern Bering Sea they do not. In addition to insolation, other atmosphere and ocean climate drivers, such as sea ice distribution and changes in the position and activity of the Aleutian Low, may have systematically influenced the timing and magnitude of warming and cooling during the Holocene within the subarctic North Pacific. Periods of high sea ice extent in both the Okhotsk and Bering Seas may correspond to some periods of frequent or strong winter–spring dust storms in the Mongolian Gobi Desert, particularly one centered at ∼4–3 thousand years before present (kyr BP). Variation in storm activity in the Mongolian Gobi Desert region may reflect changes in the strength and positions of the Aleutian Low and Siberian

Finding the last 200Ma of subducted lithosphere in tomography and incorporating it into plate reconstructions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suppe, J.; Wu, J.; Chen, Y. W.

2016-12-01

Precise plate-tectonic reconstruction of the Earth has been constrained largely by the seafloor magnetic-anomaly record of the present oceans formed during the dispersal of the last supercontinent since 200Ma. The corresponding world that was lost to subduction has been only sketchily known. We have developed methodologies to map in 3D these subducted slabs of lithosphere in seismic tomography and unfold them to the Earth surface, constraining their initial size, shapes and locations. Slab edges are commonly formed at times of plate reorganization (for example bottom edges typically record initiation of subduction) such that unfolded slabs fit together at times of reorganization, as we illustrate for the Nazca slab at 80Ma and the western Pacific slabs between Kamchatka and New Zealand at 50Ma. Mapping to date suggests that a relatively complete and decipherable record of lithosphere subducted over the last 200Ma may exist in the mantle today, providing a storehouse for new discoveries. We briefly illustrate our procedure for obtaining slab-constrained plate-tectonic models from tomography with our recent study of the Philippine Sea plate, whose motions and tectonic history have been the least known of the major plates because it has been isolated from the global plate and hotspot circuit by trenches. We mapped and unfolded 28 subducted slabs in the mantle under East Asia and Australia/Oceania to depths of 1200km, with a subducted area of 25% of present-day global oceanic lithosphere, and incorporated them as constraints into a new globally-consistent plate reconstruction of the Philippine Sea and surrounding East Asia, leading to a number of new insights, including: [1] discovery of a major (8000 km x 2500 km) set of vanished oceans that we call the East Asia Sea that existed between the Pacific and Indian Oceans, now represented by flat slabs in the lower mantle under present-day Philippine Sea, eastern Sundaland and northern Australia and [2] the Philippine Sea

Zinc isotope systematics of subduction-zone magmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, J.; Zhang, X. C.; Huang, F.; Yu, H.

2016-12-01

Subduction-zone magmas are generated by partial melting of mantle wedge triggered by addition of fluids derived from subducted hydrothermally altered oceanic lithosphere. Source of the fluids may be sediment, altered oceanic crust and serpentinized peridotite/serpentinite. Knowledge of the exact fluid source can facilitate our better understanding of the mechanism of fluid flux, element cycling and crust-mantle interaction in subduction zones. Zinc isotopes have the potential to place a constraint on this issue, because (1) Zn has an intermediate mobility during fluid-rock interaction and is enriched in subduction-zone fluids (e.g., Li et al., 2013); (2) sediment, altered oceanic crust and serpentinite have distinct Zn isotopic compositions (Pons et al., 2011); and (3) the mantle has a homogeneous Zn isotope composition (δ66Zn = 0.28 ± 0.05‰, Chen et al., 2013). Thus, the Zn isotopic composition of subduction-zone magmas reflects the characteristics of slab-derived fluids of different sources. Here, high-precision Zn isotope analyses were conducted on igneous rocks from arcs of Central America, Kamchatka, South Lesser Antilles, and Aleutian. One rhyolite with 75.1 wt.% SiO2 and 0.2 wt.% FeOT displays the heaviest δ66Zn value of 0.394‰ (relative to JMC Lyon) that probably results from the crystallization of Fe-Ti oxides during the late-stage differentiation. The rest of rocks have Zn isotopic compositions (0.161 to 0.339‰) similar to or lighter than those of the mantle. In an individual arc, the δ66Zn values of rocks show broad negative correlations with Ba/Th and 87Sr/86Sr ratios, suggesting that the slab-derived fluids should have lighter δ66Zn as well as higher Ba/Th and 87Sr/86Sr ratios relative to the mantle. These features are in accordance with those of serpentinites. Thus, addition of serpentinite-derived 66Zn-depleted fluids into the mantle wedge can explain the declined δ66Zn of subduction-zone magmas. ReferenceChen et al. (2013) EPSL 369

Earth Observations taken by the Expedition 23 Crew

NASA Image and Video Library

2010-05-12

ISS023-E-041934 (12 May 2010) --- Southern Paramushir Island in the Kuril island chain in Russia is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 23 crew member on the International Space Station. The Kuril island chain consists of a line of volcanoes, many of which have been historically active, that extends from the Kamchatka Peninsula to northern Japan. This line of island volcanoes is known to geologists as an island arc. Island arcs form along an active geologic boundary, typically marked by a deep undersea trench, between two tectonic plates with one being driven beneath the other (a process called subduction). Magma generated by this process feeds volcanoes ? and eventually, volcanic islands ? over the subduction boundary. Paramushir Island in the northern Kurils is an example of a large island built by several volcanoes over geologic time. This photograph shows the southern end of Paramushir Island after a snowfall. There are four major volcanic centers that form this part of the island. Fuss Peak (center left) is an isolated stratovolcano connected to the main island via an isthmus. The last recorded historical eruption of Fuss Peak was in 1854. The southern tip of the island is occupied by the Karpinsky Group of three volcanic centers. A minor eruption of ash following an earthquake occurred on this part of the island in 1952. The Lomonosov Group to the northeast (center) includes four cinder cones and a lava dome that produced several lava flows extending from the central ridge to the east, northeast, west, and southeast. There have been no recorded historical eruptions from the Lomonosov Group of volcanoes. The most recent volcanic activity (in 2008) occurred at the Chikurachki cone located along the northern coastline of the island at top center. The summit of this volcano (1816 meters above sea level) is the highest on Paramushir Island. Much of the Sea of Okhotsk visible in the image is covered with low clouds that typically form around the

Seismicity of the Earth 1900-2010 Aleutian arc and vicinity

USGS Publications Warehouse

Benz, Harley M.; Herman, Matthew; Tarr, Arthur C.; Hayes, Gavin P.; Furlong, Kevin P.; Villaseñor, Antonio; Dart, Richard L.; Rhea, Susan

2011-01-01

This map shows details of the Aleutian arc not visible in an earlier publication. The Aleutian arc extends about 3,000 km from the Gulf of Alaska to the Kamchatka Peninsula. It marks the region where the Pacific plate subducts into the mantle beneath the North America plate. This subduction is responsible for the generation of the Aleutian Islands and the deep offshore Aleutian Trench. Relative to a fixed North America plate, the Pacific plate is moving northwest at a rate that increases from about 55 mm per year at the arc's eastern edge to 75 mm per year near its western terminus. In the east, the convergence of the plates is nearly perpendicular to the plate boundary. However, because of the boundary's curvature, as one travels westward along the arc, the subduction becomes more and more oblique to the boundary until the relative plate motion becomes parallel to the arc at the Near Islands near its western edge. Subduction zones such as the Aleutian arc are geologically complex and produce numerous earthquakes from multiple sources. Deformation of the overriding North America plate generates shallow crustal earthquakes, whereas slip at the interface of the plates generates interplate earthquakes that extend from near the base of the trench to depths of 40 to 60 km. At greater depths, Aleutian arc earthquakes occur within the subducting Pacific plate and can reach depths of 300 km. Since 1900, six great earthquakes have occurred along the Aleutian Trench, Alaska Peninsula, and Gulf of Alaska: M8.4 1906 Rat Islands; M8.6 1938 Shumagin Islands; M8.6 1946 Unimak Island; M8.6 1957 Andreanof Islands; M9.2 1964 Prince William Sound; and M8.7 1965 Rat Islands. Several relevant tectonic elements (plate boundaries and active volcanoes) provide a context for the seismicity presented on the main map panel. The plate boundaries are most accurate along the axis of the Aleutian Trench and more diffuse or speculative in extreme northeastern Russia. The active volcanoes parallel

Ten years of ASTER thermal infrared data from Terra: Discoveries, lessons learned, and insights into future missions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramsey, M. S.; Dehn, J.; Duda, K.; Hughes, C. G.; Lee, R.; Rose, S.; Scheidt, S. P.; Wessels, R. L.

2009-12-01

Soon after its launch in December 1999, the ASTER sensor on the NASA Terra satellite began acquiring infrared data of dynamic surface processes around the world. For the first time in history, well calibrated, relatively high spatial resolution thermal infrared (TIR) data was being collected in more than two spectral bands. These data began a new era in Earth science from space allowing us to examine such diverse topics as the compositional mapping of eolian systems, the accurate detection of subpixel thermal heterogeneities, the relationship between emitted energy from glassy materials and the volcanic processes that formed them, and the thermophysical behavior of the land surface. The TIR subsystem of ASTER has maintained very good radiometric accuracy over the last decade, which is double the original design life. The diligence of the ASTER Science Team to maintain this quality and expand the data through programs such as the night time TIR global map will provide a scientific dataset utilized for many years in the future. For example, one such program started in 2003 was a new collaboration between the ASTER project and the U.S. Geological Survey to help better monitor the explosive volcanoes of the northern Pacific region. The rapid response mode of the instrument has now been automated and linked to a larger-scale and more rapid monitoring alert system operated by the Alaska Volcano Observatory. ASTER TIR data collected under this project are commonly the first detailed views of new activity at these remote volcanoes, with over 1400 TIR images having been acquired for the five most active Kamchatka volcanoes. This presentation will focus on an overview of the science and operational results over the last decade using data from the ASTER TIR sensor. ASTER has the capability to acquire high spatial resolution data from the visible to the TIR wavelength region. Those data, in conjunction with its ability to generate digital elevation models (DEM’s), makes the

Changes in the Surface Area of Glaciers in Northern Eurasia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khromova, T.; Nosenko, G.

2012-12-01

Glaciers are widely recognized as key indicators of climate change. Recent evidence suggests an acceleration of glacier mass loss in several key mountain regions. Glacier recession implies the landscape changes in the glacial zone, origin of new lakes and activation of natural disaster processes, catastrophic mudflows, ice avalanches, outburst floods, and etc. The presence of glaciers in itself threats to human life, economic activity and growing infrastructure. Economical and recreational human activity in mountain regions requires relevant information on snow and ice objects. Absence or inadequacy of such information results in financial and human losses. A more comprehensive evaluation of glacier changes is imperative to assess ice contributions to global sea level rise and the future of water resources from glacial basins. One of the urgent steps is a full inventory of all ice bodies, their volume and changes The first estimation of glaciers state and glaciers distribution in the big part of Northern Eurasia has been done in the USSR Glacier Inventory published in 1966 -1980 as a part of IHD activity. The Inventory is based on topographic maps and air photos and reflects the status of the glaciers in 1957-1970y. There is information about 23796 glaciers with area of 78222.3 km2 in the Inventory. It covers 23 glacier systems on Northern Eurasia. In the 80th the USSR Glacier Inventory has been transformed in the digital form as a part of the World Glacier Inventory. Recent satellite data provide a unique opportunity to look again at these glaciers and to evaluate changes in glacier extent for the second part of XX century. In the paper we report about 15 000 glaciers outlines for Caucasus, Pamir, Tien-Shan, Altai, Syntar-Khayata, Cherskogo Range, Kamchatka and Russian Arctic which have been derived from ASTER and Landsat imagery and could be used for glacier changes evaluation. The results show that glaciers are retreating in all these regions. There is, however

Tellurium in active volcanic environments: Preliminary results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Milazzo, Silvia; Calabrese, Sergio; D'Alessandro, Walter; Brusca, Lorenzo; Bellomo, Sergio; Parello, Francesco

2014-05-01

Tellurium is a toxic metalloid and, according to the Goldschmidt classification, a chalcophile element. In the last years its commercial importance has considerably increased because of its wide use in solar cells, thermoelectric and electronic devices of the last generation. Despite such large use, scientific knowledge about volcanogenic tellurium is very poor. Few previous authors report result of tellurium concentrations in volcanic plume, among with other trace metals. They recognize this element as volatile, concluding that volcanic gases and sulfur deposits are usually enriched with tellurium. Here, we present some results on tellurium concentrations in volcanic emissions (plume, fumaroles, ash leachates) and in environmental matrices (soils and plants) affected by volcanic emissions and/or deposition. Samples were collected at Etna and Vulcano (Italy), Turrialba (Costa Rica), Miyakejima, Aso, Asama (Japan), Mutnovsky (Kamchatka) at the crater rims by using common filtration techniques for aerosols (polytetrafluoroethylene filters). Filters were both eluted with Millipore water and acid microwave digested, and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Volcanic ashes emitted during explosive events on Etna and Copahue (Argentina) were analyzed for tellurium bulk composition and after leaching experiments to evaluate the soluble fraction of tellurium. Soils and leaves of vegetation were also sampled close to active volcanic vents (Etna, Vulcano, Nisyros, Nyiragongo, Turrialba, Gorely and Masaya) and investigated for tellurium contents. Preliminary results showed very high enrichments of tellurium in volcanic emissions comparing with other volatile elements like mercury, arsenic, thallium and bismuth. This suggests a primary transport in the volatile phase, probably in gaseous form (as also suggested by recent studies) and/or as soluble salts (halides and/or sulfates) adsorbed on the surface of particulate particles and ashes. First

Phase equilibria modeling in igneous petrology: use of COMAGMAT model for simulating fractionation of ferro-basaltic magmas and the genesis of high-alumina basalt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ariskin, Alexei A.

1999-05-01

A new version of COMAGMAT-3.5 model designed for computer simulations of equilibrium and fractional crystallization of basaltic magmas at low to high pressures is presented. The most important modifications of COMAGMAT include an ability to calculate more accurately the crystallization of magnetite and ilmenite, allowing the user to study numerically the effect of oxygen fugacity on basalt magma fractionation trends. Methodological principles of the use of COMAGMAT were discussed based on its thermodynamical and empirical basis, including specific details of the model calibration. Using COMAGMAT-3.5 a set of phase equilibria calculations (called Geochemical Thermometry) has been conducted for six cumulative rocks from the Marginal Border Series of the Skaergaard intrusion. As a result, initial magma temperature (1165±10°C) and trapped melt composition proposed to be parental magma to the Skaergaard intrusion were determined. Computer simulations of perfect fractionation of this composition as well as another proposed parent produced petrochemical trends opposite to those followed from natural observations. This is interpreted as evidence for an initial Skaergaard magma containing a large amount of olivine and plagioclase crystals (about 40-45%), so that the proposed and calculated parents are related through the melt trapped in the crystal-liquid mixture. This promotes the conclusion that the Skaergaard magma fractionation process was intermediate between equilibrium and fractional crystallization. In this case the classic Wager's trend should be considered an exception rather than a rule for the differentiation of ferro-basaltic magmas. A polybaric version of COMAGMAT has been applied for the genetic interpretation of a volcanic suite from the Klyuchevskoi volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. To identify petrological processes responsible for the observed suite ranging from high-magnesia to high-alumina basalts, we used the model to simulate the Klyuchevskoi suite

Autosomal and uniparental portraits of the native populations of Sakha (Yakutia): implications for the peopling of Northeast Eurasia.

PubMed

Fedorova, Sardana A; Reidla, Maere; Metspalu, Ene; Metspalu, Mait; Rootsi, Siiri; Tambets, Kristiina; Trofimova, Natalya; Zhadanov, Sergey I; Hooshiar Kashani, Baharak; Olivieri, Anna; Voevoda, Mikhail I; Osipova, Ludmila P; Platonov, Fedor A; Tomsky, Mikhail I; Khusnutdinova, Elza K; Torroni, Antonio; Villems, Richard

2013-06-19

repeated expansions from South Siberia with minor gene flow from the Lower Amur/Southern Okhotsk region and/or Kamchatka. The minor West Eurasian component in Sakha attests to both recent and ongoing admixture with East Europeans and an ancient gene flow from West Eurasia.

Silica-enriched mantle sources of subalkaline picrite-boninite-andesite island arc magmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bénard, A.; Arculus, R. J.; Nebel, O.; Ionov, D. A.; McAlpine, S. R. B.

2017-02-01

Primary arc melts may form through fluxed or adiabatic decompression melting in the mantle wedge, or via a combination of both processes. Major limitations to our understanding of the formation of primary arc melts stem from the fact that most arc lavas are aggregated blends of individual magma batches, further modified by differentiation processes in the sub-arc mantle lithosphere and overlying crust. Primary melt generation is thus masked by these types of second-stage processes. Magma-hosted peridotites sampled as xenoliths in subduction zone magmas are possible remnants of sub-arc mantle and magma generation processes, but are rarely sampled in active arcs. Published studies have emphasised the predominantly harzburgitic lithologies with particularly high modal orthopyroxene in these xenoliths; the former characteristic reflects the refractory nature of these materials consequent to extensive melt depletion of a lherzolitic protolith whereas the latter feature requires additional explanation. Here we present major and minor element data for pristine, mantle-derived, lava-hosted spinel-bearing harzburgite and dunite xenoliths and associated primitive melts from the active Kamchatka and Bismarck arcs. We show that these peridotite suites, and other mantle xenoliths sampled in circum-Pacific arcs, are a distinctive peridotite type not found in other tectonic settings, and are melting residues from hydrous melting of silica-enriched mantle sources. We explore the ability of experimental studies allied with mantle melting parameterisations (pMELTS, Petrolog3) to reproduce the compositions of these arc peridotites, and present a protolith ('hybrid mantle wedge') composition that satisfies the available constraints. The composition of peridotite xenoliths recovered from erupted arc magmas plausibly requires their formation initially via interaction of slab-derived components with refractory mantle prior to or during the formation of primary arc melts. The liquid

Spatial patterns of denitrification and its functional genes in peatlands

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mander, Ülo; Ligi, Teele; Truu, Marika; Truu, Jaak; Pärn, Jaan; Egorov, Sergey; Järveoja, Järvi; Vohla, Christina; Maddison, Martin; Soosaar, Kaido; Oopkaup, Kristjan; Teemusk, Alar; Preem, Jens-Konrad; Uuemaa, Evelyn

2014-05-01

into account. Further study will include peatland sites in Montana/USA, Columbia (Andes), Tierra del Fuego/Argentina, Pyrenees/Spain, Savo/Finland, the Netherlands, Okawango/Botswana, Heilongjiang/China, and Kamchatka/Russian Federation. Also, additional analysis will be conducted on the relationships between the intensity of CH4 emissions and methanogenesis regulating functional genes mcrA, pmoA, and dsrAB.

Along-arc distribution of 3He/4He and 87Sr/86Sr in thermal fluids of the Kuril Island arc (Russia)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taran, Y.; Kalacheva, E.; Bujakajte, M.; Inguaggiato, S.

2017-12-01

The Kuril Island arc in the NW Pacific extends for 1200 km from the Kamchatka Peninsula to Hokkaido Islandand separates the margin Sea of Okhotsk from the Pacific Ocean. Among 40 active volcanoes at least 7 are characterized by strong and high-temperature fumarolic activity, 1 to 3 volcanoes are erupting right now, and many of active and dormant volcanoes host hydrothermal systems. We report our data on hydrochemistry and isotopic composition of He and Sr from fumarolic and hydrothermal discharges sampled along the arc, from Ebeko volcano on Paramushir Island to Golovnin volcano on Kunashir Island. The data were obtained during the field campaign in 2015-2017. Most of hydrothermal systems of Kuril Islands discharge acid-to-ultra acid SO4-Cl and Cl-SO4 waters and steam-heated SO4 waters. On some islands, like Shiashkotan, northern Kurils, coastal hot springs can be found issuing Na-Cl waters mixed with seawater. Mature Na-Cl waters are known only on southern big islands Iturup and Kunashir. The distribution of 3He/4He in hydrothermal and fumarolic gases along the arc is very uniform with 3He/4He values close to the MORB value of 8Ra where Ra is atmospheric ratio (1.4 x 10-6). The northernmost Ebeko volcano discharges fumaroles with 3He/4He up to 7.9Ra, and bubbling gas in the nearest hot springs up to 7.6Ra. Such high 3He/4He values with a maximum of 8.3Ra in fumaroles of the Pallas Peak in the middle of the arc were measured in all thermal manifestations of the arc (fumaroles, hydrothermal steam vents and bubbling gases) up to the southernmost Kunashir Island, where volcanic and hydrothermal gases are characterized by significantly lower values of 5.5Ra at Mendeleev volcano and 3.5Ra at Golovnin volcano. Isotopic ratio of the dissolved Sr as a rule corresponds to the 87Sr/86Sr values of the host rocks and only in the coastal hot springs demonstrates partial mixing with seawater. There is also a general consistence of 87Sr/86Sr in springs and 3He/4He in gases. This

Statistical Approach to Detection of Strombolian Activity in Satellite Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Worden, A. K.; Dehn, J.; Ripepe, M.; Harris, A. J.

2010-12-01

Strombolian activity across the remote volcanoes of the Aleutian Islands and Kamchatka Peninsula cannot be monitored easily or safely by direct methods. Satellite remote sensing offers a useful means to routinely monitor these volcanoes. To model the expected time-dependent thermal signal recorded by the satellite-sensor, we carried out laboratory-based experiments and collected field data for cooling spatter and bomb fields. Preliminary laboratory work focused on finding an acceptable lava analog, as well as scaled pressures and vent sizes. Honey emitted from 0.5-3.8 cm diameter vents by explosions with pressures of around 0.05 MPa seemed to work the best. Scaled explosions were recorded with a FLIR thermal camera and a digital video camera. Explosions at Stromboli Volcano in Italy were also recorded with the same thermal camera over a period of days in May and June, 2010, and were compared to the scaled explosions. In both the modeled and actual explosions, vent diameter directly dictates the type of explosion and deposit distribution ranging from intense jetting from small vents to diffuse spattering from larger vents. The style of emission controls the area of, and distribution of bombs within, the resulting bomb field. This, in turn, influences the cooling rate of the bomb field. The cooling rate of spatter and bomb fields (most likely the source of thermal anomalies in satellite data) for both modeled and actual explosions compared well, and is on the order of seconds to minutes. For a single explosion of average size, the thermal signal is detectable by satellite for a time period in terms of tens of seconds. Thus, in order to see a thermal signature related to a strombolian explosion, a satellite must pass over the volcano (with acceptable geometries) within about a minute of an explosion. A volcano with 70 explosions per day would produce roughly an hour of detectable thermal anomalies. With about a dozen possible NOAA and NASA satellite overpasses daily

Persistently declining oxygen levels in the interior waters of the eastern subarctic Pacific

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Whitney, Frank A.; Freeland, Howard J.; Robert, Marie

2007-10-01

Fifty years of measurements at Ocean Station Papa (OSP, 50°N, 145°W) show trends in the interior waters of the subarctic Pacific that are both impacted by short term (few years to bi-decadal) atmospheric or ocean circulation oscillations and by persistent climate trends. Between 1956 and 2006, waters below the ocean mixed layer to a depth of at least 1000 m have been warming and losing oxygen. On density surfaces found in the depth range 100-400 m ( σθ = 26.3-27.0), the ocean is warming at 0.005-0.012 °C y -1, whereas oxygen is declining at 0.39-0.70 μmol kg -1 y -1 or at an integrated rate of 123 mmol m -2 y -1 (decrease of 22% over 50 years). During this time, the hypoxic boundary (defined as 60 μmol O 2 kg -1) has shoaled from ∼400 to 300 m. In the Alaska Gyre, the 26.2 isopycnal occasionally ventilates, whereas at OSP 26.0 σθ has not been seen at the ocean surface since 1971 as the upper ocean continues to stratify. To interpret the 50 year record at OSP, the isopycnal transport of oxygenated waters within the interior of the subarctic Pacific is assessed by using a slightly modified “NO” parameter [Broecker, W., 1974. “NO” a conservative water-mass tracer. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 23, 100-107]. The highest nitrate-oxygen signature in interior waters of the North Pacific is found in the Bering Sea Gyre, Western Subarctic Gyre and East Kamchatka Current region as a consequence of winter mixing to the ∼26.6 isopycnal. By mixing with low NO waters found in the subtropics and Okhotsk Sea, this signature is diluted as waters flow eastward across the Pacific. Evidence of low NO waters flowing north from California is seen along the coasts of British Columbia and SE Alaska. Oxygen in the subsurface waters of the Alaskan Gyre was supplied ∼60% by subarctic and 40% by subtropical waters during WOCE surveys, whereas such estimates are shown to periodically vary by 20% at OSP. Other features discernable in the OSP data include periods of

Foraging destinations and marine habitat use of short-tailed albatrosses: A multi-scale approach using first-passage time analysis

USGS Publications Warehouse

Suryan, R.M.; Sato, F.; Balogh, G.R.; David, Hyrenbach K.; Sievert, P.R.; Ozaki, K.

2006-01-01

shelf break, the Kamchatka Current region, and east of the Commander Islands. Non-breeding short-tailed albatross concentrate foraging in oceanic areas characterized by gradients in topography and water column productivity. This study provides an understanding of the foraging ecology for a highly migratory, imperiled seabird, and confirms the importance of shelf break and slope regions as hot spots for a variety of top marine predators in the North Pacific.

Geodynamic interpretation of the 40Ar/39Ar dating of ophiolitic and arc-related mafics and metamafics of the northern part of the Anadyr-Koryak region

USGS Publications Warehouse

Palandzhyan, S.A.; Layer, P.W.; Patton, W.W.; Khanchuk, A.I.

2011-01-01

Isotope datings of amphibole-bearing mafics and metamafics in the northern part of the Anadyr-Koryak region allow clarification of the time of magmatic and metamorphic processes, which are synchronous with certain stages of the geodynamic development of the northwest segment of the Pacific mobile belt in the Phanerozoic. To define the 40Ar/39Ar age of amphiboles, eight samples of amphibole gabbroids and metamafics were selected during field work from five massifs representing ophiolites and mafic plutons of the island arc. Rocks from terranes of three foldbelts: 1) Pekulnei (Chukotka region), 2) Ust-Belaya (West Koryak region), and 3) the Tamvatnei and El'gevayam subterranes of the Mainits terrane (Koryak-Kamchatka region), were studied. The isotope investigations enabled us to divide the studied amphiboles into two groups varying in rock petrographic features. The first was represented by gabbroids of the Svetlorechensk massif of the Pekulnei Range and by ophiolites of the Tamvatnei Mts.; their magmatic amphiboles show the distribution of argon isotopes in the form of clearly distinguished plateau with an age ranging within 120-129 Ma. The second group includes metamorphic amphiboles of metagabbroids and apogabbro amphibolites of the Ust-Belaya Mts., Pekulnei and Kenkeren ranges (El'gevayam subterranes). Their age spectra show loss of argon and do not provide well defined plateaus the datings obtained for them are interpreted as minimum ages. Dates of amphiboles from the metagabbro of the upper tectonic plate of the Ust-Belaya allochthon points to metamorphism in the suprasubduction environment in the fragment of Late Neoproterozoic oceanic lithosphere in Middle-Late Devonian time, long before the Uda-Murgal island arc system was formed. The amphibolite metamorphism in the dunite-clinopyroxenite-metagabbro Pekulnei sequence was dated to occur at the Permian-Triassic boundary. The age of amphiboles from gabbrodiorites of the Kenkeren Range was dated to be Early

Change in the Nd isotopic composition of the bottom water and detrital sediments on the Bering Slope over the last 500 kyrs with implications for the formation of the North Pacific Intermediate Water

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jang, K.; Huh, Y.; Han, Y.

2015-12-01

The Bering Sea is a potential location for the formation of the North Pacific Intermediate/Deep Water (NPIW/NPDW) and may play an important role in the global heat distribution. We reconstructed the neodymium isotopic ratio (ɛNd) of authigenic Fe-Mn oxide coatings and detrital sediments on the Bering Slope (IODP Expedition 323 site U1345; water depth 1008 m) over the last 500 kyrs. The ɛNd is a quasi-conservative water mass tracer. We compared three different leaching techniques to assure that authigenic signals are captured without contamination from terrigenous sources: (1) leaching (3 hours) with 0.02 M hydroxylamine hydrochloride (HH) in 25% buffered acetic acid after decarbonation; sediment/solution (v/v) > 10, (2) leaching (1 hour) with 0.02 M HH in 25% buffered acetic acid without decarbonation; sediment/solution ~ 1, and (3) leaching (1 hour) with 0.005 M HH in 1.5% buffered acetic acid-0.003 M Na-EDTA without decarbonation; sediment/solution > 40. The low Al concentrations and less radiogenic ɛNdvalues indicated that method (2) is the most appropriate leaching process. The average ɛNd of the authigenic fraction over the last 500 kyrs is -3.3 ± 0.9 (1σ, n=38), with large temporal fluctuations. The ɛNd of authigenic and detrital fractions are well correlated (r2 ~ 0.66), suggesting that the bottom water composition in the Bering Sea was governed by terrigenous inflow from surrounding areas. Radiogenic ɛNd peaks (up to -1.9) seem to be influenced by radiogenic water inflow from the the Kamchatka or Aluetian arcs. The high bulk density and low b* values imply higher terrigenous versus biological contribution and enhanced sea ice formation. Subsequent brine formation would have triggered sinking of radiogenic surface water, forming the NPIW. On the other hand, non-radiogenic ɛNd troughs (down to -5.3) are observed at times of low bulk density and high b* values. We presume higher biological productivity which is supported by the high opal content at

MATLAB tools for improved characterization and quantification of volcanic incandescence in Webcam imagery; applications at Kilauea Volcano, Hawai'i

USGS Publications Warehouse

Patrick, Matthew R.; Kauahikaua, James P.; Antolik, Loren

2010-01-01

Webcams are now standard tools for volcano monitoring and are used at observatories in Alaska, the Cascades, Kamchatka, Hawai'i, Italy, and Japan, among other locations. Webcam images allow invaluable documentation of activity and provide a powerful comparative tool for interpreting other monitoring datastreams, such as seismicity and deformation. Automated image processing can improve the time efficiency and rigor of Webcam image interpretation, and potentially extract more information on eruptive activity. For instance, Lovick and others (2008) provided a suite of processing tools that performed such tasks as noise reduction, eliminating uninteresting images from an image collection, and detecting incandescence, with an application to dome activity at Mount St. Helens during 2007. In this paper, we present two very simple automated approaches for improved characterization and quantification of volcanic incandescence in Webcam images at Kilauea Volcano, Hawai`i. The techniques are implemented in MATLAB (version 2009b, Copyright: The Mathworks, Inc.) to take advantage of the ease of matrix operations. Incandescence is a useful indictor of the location and extent of active lava flows and also a potentially powerful proxy for activity levels at open vents. We apply our techniques to a period covering both summit and east rift zone activity at Kilauea during 2008?2009 and compare the results to complementary datasets (seismicity, tilt) to demonstrate their integrative potential. A great strength of this study is the demonstrated success of these tools in an operational setting at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) over the course of more than a year. Although applied only to Webcam images here, the techniques could be applied to any type of sequential images, such as time-lapse photography. We expect that these tools are applicable to many other volcano monitoring scenarios, and the two MATLAB scripts, as they are implemented at HVO, are included in the appendixes

The Boxing Day Tsunami: Could the Disaster have been Anticipated?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cummins, P. R.; Burbdige, D.

2005-05-01

The occurrence of the 26 December, 2004 Sumatra-Andaman earthquake and the accompanying "Boxing Day" Tsunami, which killed over 280,00, has been described as one of the most lethal natural disasters in human history. Many lives could have been saved had a tsunami warning system, similar to that which exists for the Pacific Ocean, been in operation for the Indian Ocean. The former exists because great subduction zone earthquakes have generated destructive, Pacific-wide tsunami in the Pacific Ocean with some frequency. Prior to 26 December, 2004, all of the world's earthquakes with magnitude > 9 were widely thought to have occurred in the Pacific Ocean, where they caused destructive tsunami. Could the occurrence of similar earthquakes and tsunami in the Indian Ocean been predicted prior to the 2004 Box Day Tragedy? This presentation will argue that the answer is "Yes". Almost without exception (the exception being the 1952 Kamchatka earthquake) the massive subduction zone earthquakes and tsunami of the Pacific Ocean have been associated with the subduction of relatively young ocean lithosphere (< 60 Ma), and the theory for why this should be so seems well established. Although the eastern part of the Sunda Arc off Java does not meet this criterion, the western part of the Sunda Arc offshore Sumatra does. Although there appears to be no reference to the great earthquakes off Sumatra which occurred in 1833 and 1861 in widely-used earthquake catalogs, these events have been reported in the literature and were the subject of recent research. In particular, research by Zachariasen et al. (1999 and 2000) had inferred that the magnitude of the 1833 event may have been as high as 9.2. Calculations for the tsunami that might have been associated with this event had shown, prior to 26 Dec, that it would affect the entire Indian Ocean basin, although due to the earthquake's location 1000 km southeast of the Boxing day event, the effects in the Bay of Bengal would not have been

Dispersed Volcanic Ash in Sediment Entering NW Pacific Ocean Subduction Zones: Towards a Regional Perspective

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scudder, R. P.; Murray, R. W.; Underwood, M.; Kutterolf, S.; Plank, T.; Dyonisius, M.; Arshad, M. A.

2011-12-01

Volcanic ash has long been recognized to be an important component of the global sedimentary system. Ash figures prominently in a number of sedimentary and petrophysical investigations, including how the fluid budget of subducting sediment will be affected by hydration/dehydration reactions. Additionally, many studies focus on discrete ash layers, and how to link their presence with volcanism, climate, arc evolution, biological productivity, and other processes. Less widely recognized is the ash that is mixed into the bulk sediment, or "dispersed" ash. Dispersed ash is quantitatively significant and is an under-utilized source of critical geochemical and tectonic information. Based on geochemical studies of ODP Site 1149, a composite of DSDP Sites 579 & 581, as well as IODP Sites C0011 & C0012 drilled during Expedition 322, we will show the importance of dispersed ash to the Izu-Bonin-Marianas, Kurile-Kamchatka and Nankai subduction zones. Initial geochemical analyses of the bulk sediment, as related to dispersed ash entering these subduction systems are presented here. Geochemical analysis shows that the characteristics of the three sites exhibit some variability consistent with observed lithological variations. For example, the average SiO2/Al2O3 ratios at Site 1149, Site C0011 and Site C0012 average 3.7. The composite of Sites 579 & 581 exhibits a higher average of 4.6. There are contrasts between other key major elemental indicators as well (e.g., Fe2O3). Ternary diagrams such as K2O-Na2O-CaO show that there are at least two distinct geochemical fields with Sites 1149, C0011 and C0012 clustering in one and Sites 579 & 581 in the other. Q-mode Factor Analysis was performed on the bulk sediment chemical data in order to determine the composition of potential end members of these sites. The multivariate statistics indicate that Site 1149 has 3-4 end members, consistent with the results of Scudder et al. (2009, EPSL, v. 284, pp 639), while each of the other sites

Comparative statistical and spectral studies of seismic and non-seismic sub-ionospheric VLF anomalies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wolbang, Daniel; Biernat, Helfried; Schwingenschuh, Konrad; Eichelberger, Hans; Prattes, Gustav; Besser, Bruno; Boudjada, Mohammed Y.; Rozhnoi, Alexander; Solovieva, Maria; Biagi, Pier Francesco; Friedrich, Martin

2013-04-01

We present a comparative study of seismic and non-seismic sub-ionospheric VLF anomalies. Our method is based on parameter variations of the sub-ionospheric VLF waveguide formed by the surface and the lower ionosphere. The used radio links working in the frequency range between 10 and 50 kHz, the receivers are part of the European and Russian networks. Various authors investigated the lithopsheric-atmospheric-ionospheric coupling and predicted the lowering of the ionosphere over earthquake preparation zones [1]. The received nighttime signal of a sub-ionospheric waveguide depends strongly on the height of the ionospheric E-layer, typically 80 to 85 km. This height is characterized by a typical gradient of the electron density near the atmospheric-ionospheric boundary [2]. In the last years it has been turned out that one of the major issues of sub-ionospheric seismo-electromagnetic VLF studies are the non-seismic influences on the links, which have to be carefully characterized. Among others this could be traveling ionospheric disturbances, geomagnetic storms as well as electron precipitation. Our emphasis is on the analysis of daily, monthly and annual variations of the VLF amplitude. To improve the statistics we investigate the behavior and typical variations of the VLF amplitude and phase over a period of more than 2 years. One important parameter considered is the rate how often the fluctuations are falling below a significant level derived from a mean value. The temporal variations and the amplitudes of these depressions are studied for several years for sub-ionospheric VLF radio links with the receivers in Graz and Kamchatka. In order to study the difference between seismic and non-seismic turbulences in the lower ionosphere a power spectrum analysis of the received signal is performed too. We are especially interested in variations T>6 min which are typical for atmospheric gravity waves causing the lithospheric-atmospheric-ionospheric coupling [3]. All

Lava-snow interactions at Tolbachik 2012-13 eruption: comparison to recent field observations and experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Edwards, B. R.; Belousov, A.; Belousova, M.; Izbekov, P. E.; Bindeman, I. N.; Gardeev, E.; Muravyev, Y. D.; Melnikov, D.

2013-12-01

More than a dozen volcanic eruptions in the past twenty years have produced lava interaction with snow or ice, some of which have produced damaging floods/lahars. However, the factors controlling melting during lava-snow/ice interactions is not well understood. Recent observations from the presently ongoing eruption at Tolbachik, Kamchatka confirm some general observations from large-scale experiments, and recent eruptions (2010 Fimmvorduhals; Edwards et al, 2012), but also show new types of behavior not before described. The new observations provide further constraints on heat transfer between ice/snow and three different lava morphologies: ';a'a, pahoehoe, and toothpaste. ';A'a flows at Tolbachik commonly were able to travel over seasonal snow cover (up to 4 m thick), especially where the snow was covered by tephra within 1.5 km of the vent area. Locally, heated meltwater discharge events issued from beneath the front of advancing lava, even though snow observation pits dug in front of advancing ';a'a flows also showed that in some areas melting was not as extensive. Once, an ';a'a flow was seen to collapse through snow, generating short-lived phreatomagmatic/phreatic activity. Closer to the vent, pahoehoe flow lobes and sheet flows occasionally spilled over onto snow and were able to rapidly transit snow with few obvious signs of melting/steam generation. Most of these flows did melt through basal snow layers within 24 hours however. We were also able to closely observe ';toothpaste' lava flows ';intruding' into snow in several locations, including snow-pits, and to watch it pushing up through snow forming temporary snow domes. Toothpaste lava caused the most rapid melting and most significant volumes of steam, as the meltwater drained down into the intruding lava. Behaviour seen at Tolbachik is similar to historic (e.g., Hekla 1947; Einarrson, 1949) and recent observations (e.g. Fimmvorduhals), as well as large-scale experiments (Edwards et al., 2013). While

High Frequency Infrasonic Radiation from the 11 March 2011 Tohoku Mw 9.0 Earthquake

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walker, K. T.; Le Pichon, A.; Degroot-Hedlin, C. D.; Che, I.

2011-12-01

The tragic March 11 Mw 9.0 Tohoku earthquake ruptured the Wadati-Benioff zone beneath northeast Japan, generating a damaging seismic wavetrain and triggering a tsunami that devastated the nearby coastal areas. Centroid moment tensors, aftershocks, and the geometry of the trench suggest the rupture occurred on a plane roughly 400 km long by 200 km wide. Because the Earth's surface is effectively a speaker, the seismic wavetrain generated infrasonic emissions from northeast Japan that were recorded by seven infrasound arrays within 5600 km of the epicenter. Using a time progressive beamforming method and the Progressive Multi-Channel Correlation method, we detect and calculate back azimuths for the 0.3 to 3 Hz infrasonic signals at these stations. After application of predicted wind corrections, these back azimuths point to Honshu and Hokkaido, with the majority of detections illuminating a north-south elongated area near Sendai, where the USGS ShakeMap predicts the greatest intensity of surface shaking. An array near Tokyo (IS30) provides the first recording of locally generated infrasound from a very large dip-slip earthquake. At IS30 a six-minute arrival in the 0.3 to 1.5 Hz band is observed from northeast Japan spanning an 18° back azimuth range. Two shorter events originate from a source to the west, likely Mt. Fuji. Using constraints from propagation modeling, we back project the infrasonic amplitudes recorded at IS30 to a relatively localized area. The maximum amplitude of 1 Pa originates from surface shaking along the coast. This location is also just west of the epicenter and adjacent to the location of maximum P-wave radiation from back projection studies. Noise at IS30 after the mainshock limits the detection of additional signals. A more pronounced infrasonic wavetrain at IS44 (Kamchatka) illuminates the entire Honshu and Hokkaido region, especially along the east coast near Sendai. In agreement with propagation modeling predictions using global

A Calcium-in-Olivine Geohygrometer and its Application to Subduction Zone Magmatism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gavrilenko, M.; Herzberg, C. T.; Vidito, C. A.; Carr, M. J.; Tenner, T.; Ozerov, A.

2016-12-01

Calcium contents of subduction zone olivines are lower than those for olivines from modern MORB, Archean komatiites, and Hawaii (Fig. 1). A role for magmatic H2O is likely for subduction zone olivines, and we have explored the suggestion by [1] that H2O has affected the partitioning of CaO between olivine and silicate melt. We provide a provisional calibration of DCaOOl/L as a function of magmatic MgO and H2O, based on nominally anhydrous experiments (Fig. 2) and minimally degassed H2O contents of olivine-hosted melt inclusions (Fig. 3). The low diffusivity of Ca in olivine [2], when compared to that of H+ [3, 4, 5, 6], might help to retain the memory of magmatic water that is otherwise lost by diffusion and degassing. Application of our geohygrometer (Fig. 4) typically yields 3 to 4 wt. % magmatic H2O at the Kamchatka and Central American arcs for olivines having 1000 ppm Ca, which agrees with H2O maxima from melt inclusion studies [7]; Cerro Negro and Shiveluch volcanoes are exceptions, with about 6% H2O. Our geohygrometer is by no means a replacement for more accurate methods of H2O analysis, but it has the advantage of applicability in cases where olivine-hosted melt inclusions do not exist (or in case when melt inclusions are partly or completely degassed). Additionally, application of the geohygrometer to core-rim olivine Ca analyses has the potential to reveal changes in magmatic H2O, as revealed by Klyuchevskoy and Shiveluch volcanoes. High precision EMPA analyses with 10-20 µm spatial resolution on some olivine grains from Klyuchevskoy and Shiveluch show a decrease in Ca content from core centers to the rim contacts. Our geohygrometer indicates the olivine grains may record changing magmatic H2O. Furthermore, high Mg numbers and Ni contents indicate these are mantle olivines, and the inferred H2O may be recording entry from the slab to the mantle wedge, a prediction that will be tested by SIMS analyses. References: [1] Feig et al. (2006) CMP, 152

Predicting eruptions from precursory activity using remote sensing data hybridization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reath, K. A.; Ramsey, M. S.; Dehn, J.; Webley, P. W.

2016-07-01

Many volcanoes produce some level of precursory activity prior to an eruption. This activity may or may not be detected depending on the available monitoring technology. In certain cases, precursors such as thermal output can be interpreted to make forecasts about the time and magnitude of the impending eruption. Kamchatka (Russia) provides an ideal natural laboratory to study a wide variety of eruption styles and precursory activity prior to an eruption. At Bezymianny volcano for example, a clear increase in thermal activity commonly occurs before an eruption, which has allowed predictions to be made months ahead of time. Conversely, the eruption of Tolbachik volcano in 2012 produced no discernable thermal precursors before the large scale effusive eruption. However, most volcanoes fall between the extremes of consistently behaved and completely undetectable, which is the case with neighboring Kliuchevskoi volcano. This study tests the effectiveness of using thermal infrared (TIR) remote sensing to track volcanic thermal precursors using data from both the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) and Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) sensors. It focuses on three large eruptions that produced different levels and durations of effusive and explosive behavior at Kliuchevskoi. Before each of these eruptions, TIR spaceborne sensors detected thermal anomalies (i.e., pixels with brightness temperatures > 2 °C above the background temperature). High-temporal, low-spatial resolution (i.e., hours and 1 km) AVHRR data are ideal for detecting large thermal events occurring over shorter time scales, such as the hot material ejected following strombolian eruptions. In contrast, high-spatial, low-temporal resolution (i.e., days to weeks and 90 m) ASTER data enables the detection of much lower thermal activity; however, activity with a shorter duration will commonly be missed. ASTER and AVHRR data are combined to track low

Trench dynamics: Effects of dynamically migrating trench on subducting slab morphology and characteristics of subduction zones systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoshida, Masaki

2017-07-01

compressed above the upwelling flow. The reason for this is that the strong lateral mantle flow originating from the upwelling flow generates resistance drag force at the base of the overriding plates. This situation may apply to a case of East Asia, under which the typical morphology of sub-horizontal slabs can be seen by seismic tomography. The strong lateral velocity observed in the shallower mantle wedge in the present numerical simulation may account for both the compressional subduction tectonics and back arc compression in the Japan-Kuril-Kamchatka, Aleutian, and South Chile trenches, as well as for weak plate-slab coupling, strong seismic coupling, and the possibility of great earthquakes along these trenches.

A Millennial-length Reconstruction of the Western Pacific Pattern with Associated Paleoclimate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wright, W. E.; Guan, B. T.; Wei, K.

2010-12-01

The Western Pacific Pattern (WP) is a lesser known 500 hPa pressure pattern similar to the NAO or PNA. As defined, the poles of the WP index are centered on 60°N over the Kamchatka peninsula and the neighboring Pacific and on 32.5°N over the western north Pacific. However, the area of influence for the southern half of the dipole includes a wide swath from East Asia, across Taiwan, through the Philippine Sea, to the western north Pacific. Tree rings of Taiwanese Chamaecyparis obtusa var. formosana in this extended region show significant correlation with the WP, and with local temperature. The WP is also significantly correlated with atmospheric temperatures over Taiwan, especially at 850hPa and 700 hPa, pressure levels that bracket the tree site. Spectral analysis indicates that variations in the WP occur at relatively high frequency, with most power at less than 5 years. Simple linear regression against high frequency variants of the tree-ring chronology yielded the most significant correlation coefficients. Two reconstructions are presented. The first uses a tree-ring time series produced as the first intrinsic mode function (IMF) from an Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition (EEMD), based on the Hilbert-Huang Transform. The significance of the regression using the EEMD-derived time series was much more significant than time series produced using traditional high pass filtering. The second also uses the first IMF of a tree-ring time series, but the dataset was first sorted and partitioned at a specified quantile prior to EEMD decomposition, with the mean of the partitioned data forming the input to the EEMD. The partitioning was done to filter out the less climatically sensitive tree rings, a common problem with shade tolerant trees. Time series statistics indicate that the first reconstruction is reliable to 1241 of the Common Era. Reliability of the second reconstruction is dependent on the development of statistics related to the quantile partitioning, and

Active faults and minor plates in NE Asia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kozhurin, Andrey I.; Zelenin, Egor A.

2014-05-01

Stated nearly 40 yr ago the uncertainty with plate boundaries location in NE Asia (Chapman, Solomon, 1976) still remains unresolved. Based on the prepositions that a plate boundary must, first, reveal itself in linear sets of active structures, and, second, be continuous and closed, we have undertaken interpretation of medium-resolution KH-9 Hexagon satellite imageries, mostly in stereoscopic regime, for nearly the entire region of NE Asia. Main findings are as follows. There are two major active fault zones in the region north of the Bering Sea. One of them, the Khatyrka-Vyvenka zone, stretches NE to ENE skirting the Bering Sea from the Kamchatka isthmus to the Navarin Cape. Judging by the kinematics of the Olyutorsky 2006 earthquake fault, the fault zones move both right-laterally and reversely. The second active fault zone, the Lankovaya-Omolon zone, starts close to the NE margin of the Okhotsk Sea and extends NE up to nearly the margin of the Chukcha Sea. The fault zone is mostly right-lateral, with topographically expressed cumulative horizontal offsets amounting to 2.5-2.6 km. There may be a third NE-SW zone between the major two coinciding with the Penzhina Range as several active faults found in the southern termination of the Range indicate. The two active fault zones divide the NE Asia area into two large domains, which both could be parts of the Bering Sea plate internally broken and with uncertain western limit. Another variant implies the Khatyrka-Vyvenka zone as the Bering Sea plate northern limit, and the Lankovaya-Omolon zone as separating an additional minor plate from the North-American plate. The choice is actually not crucial, and more important is that both variants leave the question of where the Bering Sea plate boundary is in Alaska. The Lankovaya-Omolon zone stretches just across the proposed northern boundary of the Okhorsk Sea plate. NW of the zone, there is a prominent left-lateral Ulakhan fault, which is commonly interpreted to be a

Radionuclides in the Arctic seas from the former Soviet Union: Potential health and ecological risks

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Layton, D W; Edson, R; Varela, M

1999-11-15

The primary goal of the assessment reported here is to evaluate the health and environmental threat to coastal Alaska posed by radioactive-waste dumping in the Arctic and Northwest Pacific Oceans by the FSU. In particular, the FSU discarded 16 nuclear reactors from submarines and an icebreaker in the Kara Sea near the island of Novaya Zemlya, of which 6 contained spent nuclear fuel (SNF); disposed of liquid and solid wastes in the Sea of Japan; lost a {sup 90}Sr-powered radioisotope thermoelectric generator at sea in the Sea of Okhotsk; and disposed of liquid wastes at several sites in the Pacificmore » Ocean, east of the Kamchatka Peninsula. In addition to these known sources in the oceans, the RAIG evaluated FSU waste-disposal practices at inland weapons-development sites that have contaminated major rivers flowing into the Arctic Ocean. The RAIG evaluated these sources for the potential for release to the environment, transport, and impact to Alaskan ecosystems and peoples through a variety of scenarios, including a worst-case total instantaneous and simultaneous release of the sources under investigation. The risk-assessment process described in this report is applicable to and can be used by other circumpolar countries, with the addition of information about specific ecosystems and human life-styles. They can use the ANWAP risk-assessment framework and approach used by ONR to establish potential doses for Alaska, but add their own specific data sets about human and ecological factors. The ANWAP risk assessment addresses the following Russian wastes, media, and receptors: dumped nuclear submarines and icebreaker in Kara Sea--marine pathways; solid reactor parts in Sea of Japan and Pacific Ocean--marine pathways; thermoelectric generator in Sea of Okhotsk--marine pathways; current known aqueous wastes in Mayak reservoirs and Asanov Marshes--riverine to marine pathways; and Alaska as receptor. For these waste and source terms addressed, other pathways, such as

Geologic framework of the Aleutian arc, Alaska

USGS Publications Warehouse

Vallier, Tracy L.; Scholl, David W.; Fisher, Michael A.; Bruns, Terry R.; Wilson, Frederic H.; von Huene, Roland E.; Stevenson, Andrew J.

1994-01-01

The Aleutian arc is the arcuate arrangement of mountain ranges and flanking submerged margins that forms the northern rim of the Pacific Basin from the Kamchatka Peninsula (Russia) eastward more than 3,000 km to Cooke Inlet (Fig. 1). It consists of two very different segments that meet near Unimak Pass: the Aleutian Ridge segment to the west and the Alaska Peninsula-the Kodiak Island segment to the east. The Aleutian Ridge segment is a massive, mostly submerged cordillera that includes both the islands and the submerged pedestal from which they protrude. The Alaska Peninsula-Kodiak Island segment is composed of the Alaska Peninsula, its adjacent islands, and their continental and insular margins. The Bering Sea margin north of the Alaska Peninsula consists mostly of a wide continental shelf, some of which is underlain by rocks correlative with those on the Alaska Peninsula.There is no pre-Eocene record in rocks of the Aleutian Ridge segment, whereas rare fragments of Paleozoic rocks and extensive outcrops of Mesozoic rocks occur on the Alaska Peninsula. Since the late Eocene, and possibly since the early Eocene, the two segments have evolved somewhat similarly. Major plutonic and volcanic episodes, however, are not synchronous. Furthermore, uplift of the Alaska Peninsula-Kodiak Island segment in late Cenozoic time was more extensive than uplift of the Aleutian Ridge segment. It is probable that tectonic regimes along the Aleutian arc varied during the Tertiary in response to such factors as the directions and rates of convergence, to bathymetry and age of the subducting Pacific Plate, and to the volume of sediment in the Aleutian Trench.The Pacific and North American lithospheric plates converge along the inner wall of the Aleutian trench at about 85 to 90 mm/yr. Convergence is nearly at right angles along the Alaska Peninsula, but because of the arcuate shape of the Aleutian Ridge relative to the location of the plates' poles of rotation, the angle of convergence

Autosomal and uniparental portraits of the native populations of Sakha (Yakutia): implications for the peopling of Northeast Eurasia

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

suggests that Sakha was colonized by repeated expansions from South Siberia with minor gene flow from the Lower Amur/Southern Okhotsk region and/or Kamchatka. The minor West Eurasian component in Sakha attests to both recent and ongoing admixture with East Europeans and an ancient gene flow from West Eurasia. PMID:23782551

Volcanic geomorphology using TanDEM-X

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Poland, Michael; Kubanek, Julia

2016-04-01

Topography is perhaps the most fundamental dataset for any volcano, yet is surprisingly difficult to collect, especially during the course of an eruption. For example, photogrammetry and lidar are time-intensive and often expensive, and they cannot be employed when the surface is obscured by clouds. Ground-based surveys can operate in poor weather but have poor spatial resolution and may expose personnel to hazardous conditions. Repeat passes of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data provide excellent spatial resolution, but topography in areas of surface change (from vegetation swaying in the wind to physical changes in the landscape) between radar passes cannot be imaged. The German Space Agency's TanDEM-X satellite system, however, solves this issue by simultaneously acquiring SAR data of the surface using a pair of orbiting satellites, thereby removing temporal change as a complicating factor in SAR-based topographic mapping. TanDEM-X measurements have demonstrated exceptional value in mapping the topography of volcanic environments in as-yet limited applications. The data provide excellent resolution (down to ~3-m pixel size) and are useful for updating topographic data at volcanoes where surface change has occurred since the most recent topographic dataset was collected. Such data can be used for applications ranging from correcting radar interferograms for topography, to modeling flow pathways in support of hazards mitigation. The most valuable contributions, however, relate to calculating volume changes related to eruptive activity. For example, limited datasets have provided critical measurements of lava dome growth and collapse at volcanoes including Merapi (Indonesia), Colima (Mexico), and Soufriere Hills (Montserrat), and of basaltic lava flow emplacement at Tolbachik (Kamchatka), Etna (Italy), and Kīlauea (Hawai`i). With topographic data spanning an eruption, it is possible to calculate eruption rates - information that might not otherwise be available

Geochemical and thermodynamic specificity of volcanic, hydrothermal and soil aerosols

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mukhamadiyarova, Renata V.; Alekhin, Yury V.; Karpov, Gennady A.; Makarova, Marina A.

2010-05-01

On the basis of element composition analyses results (ICP-MS) of hydrothermal and soil aerosols condensates, and also results of diagnostics of ultradisperse phases by means of power dispersive x-ray spectrometers features of phase and microelement composition of issue aerosols are discussed. Our researches of streams of polyelement issue from a soil cover and specificity of structure of volcanic aerosols have led us to a conclusion that is geochemistry area practically is not developed in the relation of microelement migration in lithosphere - atmosphere. Nanoaerosol particles (0,001 - 1 microns) submit to laws of gas dynamics and in fluid streams are steady enough. Experimental researches of polyelement emission streams from soils and low-temperature microelements migration have allowed to detail the reasons of rather high values of the soil issue. Complexity of authentic definition of forms of carrying over, structure and dispersion of particles of the gas phase emitting from a soil cover, is substantially connected with absence of methodically well-founded receptions of selection of water condensates, free from aerosol components, and methods of their reliable division in a stationary stage of processes of issue and condensation. Reception of the information on factors of distribution of metals between pore solutions, true gas complexes and mineral phases of soils, an estimation of a role gas electrophoresis at transition to molecular cluster and to water colloid aerosols (0.1 microns and less) have allowed us to clear up estimations of streams of soil issue. The differentiation of a multicomponent gas phase in near surface conditions at powerful Tolbachinsky eruption (PTE) 1975 - 1976 to formation of many native metals - gold, silver, copper, lead, bismuth, tungsten, numerous intermetallic compounds. In eruption ashes of Kamchatka volcanoes - Karymsky, Bezymyanny, Kljuchevskoy and Shivelutch we found not only iron oxides but also numerous grains of native

Megatsunami of the World Ocean: Did They Occur in the Recent Past?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abbott, D.; Bryant, T.; Gusiakov, V.; Masse, W.

2007-05-01

The comprehensive historical tsunami database collected at the Novosibirsk Tsunami Laboratory, contains data on more than 2250 historical tsunamis in the World Ocean from 1628 BC to present. Even if the historical data set is incomplete for many areas, especially for older times, the world catalog contains enough data to estimate average run-up heights for the largest seismically-induced tsunamis that caused wide-spread damage and many fatalities (1755 Lisbon, 1868 and 1877 Chile, 1952 Kamchatka, 1957 Aleutians, 1960 Chile, 1964 Alaska, 2005 Sumatra). This average run-up does not exceed 30-35 meters on the nearest coast with 10-12 meters at the distances of more than 5000 km. Somewhat larger waves (up to 40-45 m) can be generated by volcanic explosions followed by volcanic cone collapse (Santorini 1628 BC, Kuwae 1453, Unzen 1792, Tambora 1815, Krakatau 1883). Landslide-generated tsunamis have the largest recorded heights (up to 525 m) but normally these events are very local with a width of inundated area from hundreds of meters to several kilometers (1958, 1936, 1853 Lituya Bay, 1936 Norway, 2000 Greenland). Meanwhile, many parts of the World Ocean coastline contain prominent features of catastrophic impact of water currents and waves that came from the ocean. They are large boulders, weighing well above one hundred tons, lying on the top of vertical cliffs at the height up to 60 m and large vortexes cut-down in rather resistive coastal rocks. On a smaller scale, these features include sculptured bedrocks, grooves, canyons, cavettos and flutes, found in areas where hurricanes and severe tropical storms are not common. Sedimentary features of water impacts include mega-ripples found in the north-western Australia and so-called chevrons (parabolic and blade- like sand dunes) that are common along many parts of the Indian Ocean coast. In southern Madagascar, chevrons reach an altitude of 205 m with 30-45 km of in-land penetration. A high energy water flux of that

Megathrust Slip and the Care and Feeding of the Subduction Channel Through which the Seismogenic Zone Runs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scholl, D. W.; Kirby, S. H.; Keranen, K. M.; Wells, R. E.; Blakely, R. J.; Michael, F.; von Huene, R.

2007-12-01

HABITATS OF GREAT OFFSHORE EARTHQUAKES: High-magnitude earthquakes (Mw = or >8.5) and trans- oceanic tsunamis commonly nucleate along subduction zones (SZ) bordered by laterally continuous, sediment- flooded trenches. Examples include: south-central Chile (1960 Mw=9.5), eastern Alaska (1964 Mw=9.2), Sumatra (2004, Mw=9.1), Cascadia (historic 1700 Mw=9.0), Colombia (1906 Mw=8.8), Sumatra (historic 1883, Mw=8.8), west-central Aleutian (1965 Mw=8.7), central Aleutian (1986, Mw=8.7), Sumatra (2005 Mw=8.6), and Nankai (historic 1707, Mw=8.5). In thickness, sediment entering these SZ ranges from 2 to 3 km and the column is axially continuous for more than 800 km. The depositional pile is typically the clastic beds of a trench-axis turbidite wedge and underlying fan and abyssal plain deposits that accrued seaward of the trench axis. Great rupture events also occur at subduction zones receiving little sediment, for example the Kamchatka (1952, Mw=9.0) and the north Chile SZs (historic 1868 Mw=8.9). Both SZs are areas of rapid upper plate thinning, subsidence, and truncation effected by subduction erosion. WORKINGS OF THE SUBDUCTION CHANNEL (SC): Beneath the submerged forearc, the SC functions to transport subducted ocean floor sediment and tectonically eroded forearc debris toward and into the mantle. The SC is the lowest structural unit containing upper plate crustal material. It hosts the seismogenic zone, which probably runs along the SC's upper boundary commonly referred to as the interplate decollement. A thick, laterally continuous SC structurally smoothes or simplifies the surface of the interplate decollement and sets up conditions for lengthy, high moment-release ruptures. Maximum slip is commonly concentrated beneath the thinned crust underlying forearc basins. These structures, in positive feed-back, are likely deepened co- seismically by high-slip-rate enhanced basal subduction erosion. The detached material lowers the effective stress on the decollement and

Non-linear processes in the Earth atmosphere boundary layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grunskaya, Lubov; Valery, Isakevich; Dmitry, Rubay

2013-04-01

The work is connected with studying electromagnetic fields in the resonator Earth-Ionosphere. There is studied the interconnection of tide processes of geophysical and astrophysical origin with the Earth electromagnetic fields. On account of non-linear property of the resonator Earth-Ionosphere the tides (moon and astrophysical tides) in the electromagnetic Earth fields are kinds of polyharmonic nature. It is impossible to detect such non-linear processes with the help of the classical spectral analysis. Therefore to extract tide processes in the electromagnetic fields, the method of covariance matrix eigen vectors is used. Experimental investigations of electromagnetic fields in the atmosphere boundary layer are done at the distance spaced stations, situated on Vladimir State University test ground, at Main Geophysical Observatory (St. Petersburg), on Kamchatka pen., on Lake Baikal. In 2012 there was continued to operate the multichannel synchronic monitoring system of electrical and geomagnetic fields at the spaced apart stations: VSU physical experimental proving ground; the station of the Institute of Solar and Terrestrial Physics of Russian Academy of Science (RAS) at Lake Baikal; the station of the Institute of volcanology and seismology of RAS in Paratunka; the station in Obninsk on the base of the scientific and production society "Typhoon". Such investigations turned out to be possible after developing the method of scanning experimental signal of electromagnetic field into non- correlated components. There was used a method of the analysis of the eigen vectors ofthe time series covariance matrix for exposing influence of the moon tides on Ez. The method allows to distribute an experimental signal into non-correlated periodicities. The present method is effective just in the situation when energetical deposit because of possible influence of moon tides upon the electromagnetic fields is little. There have been developed and realized in program components

Catastrophic Fires in Russian Forests

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sukhinin, A. I.; McRae, D. J.; Stocks, B. J.; Conard, S. G.; Hao, W.; Soja, A. J.; Cahoon, D.

2010-12-01

We evaluated the contribution of catastrophic fires to the total burned area and the amount of tree mortality in Russia since the 1970’s. Such fires occurred in the central regions of European Russia (1972, 1976, 1989, 2002, 2010), Khabarovsk krai (1976, 1988, 1998), Amur region (1997-2002), Republics of Yakutia and Tuva (2002), Magadan and Kamchatka oblast (1984, 2001, 2010), and Irkutsk, Chita, Amur regions, Buryat, Agin national districts (2003, 2007-08). We define a catastrophic fire as a single high-severity fire that covers more than 10,000 ha and results in total consumption of the litter and humus layers and in high tree mortality, or the simultaneous occurrence of several high-severity fires in a given region with a total area exceeding 10,000 km2. Fires on this scale can cause substantial economic, social and environmental effects, with regional to global impacts. We hypothesize that there is a positive feedback between anticyclone growth and energy release from wildfires burning over large areas. Usually the first blocking anticyclone appears in June in Russia, bringing with it dry weather that increases fire hazard. The anticyclonic pattern has maximum activity in the end of July and disappears around the middle of August. When high fire activity occurs, the anticyclone may strengthen and develop a blocking character that prevents cyclonic patterns from moving into anticyclone-dominated areas, where the fire danger index may be more than six times the average maximum. The likelihood of uncontrolled fire situations developing increases greatly when the fire number and burned area exceed critical values as a function of conditions that favor high intensity fires. In such situations fire suppression by regional forest protection services becomes impossible and federal resources are required. If the appearance of a blocking anticyclone is forecast, active fire prevention and suppression of small fires (most of which appear to be human caused) is critical

Video Observations Inside Channels of Erupting Geysers, Geyser Valley, Russia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belousov, A.; Belousova, M.; Nechaev, A.

2011-12-01

Geysers are a variety of hot springs characterized by violent ejections of water and steam separated by periods of repose. While ordinary boiling springs are numerous and occur in many places on Earth, geysers are very rare. In total, less than 1000 geysers are known worldwide, and most of them are located in three large geyser fields: Yellowstone (USA), Geyser Valley (Russia), and El Tatio (Chile). Several physical models were suggested to explain periodic eruptions of geysers, but realistic understanding of processes was hampered by the scarcity of field data on the internal plumbing of geyser systems. Here we present data based on video observations of interior conduit systems for geysers in Geyser Valley in Kamchatka, Russia. To investigate geyser plumbing systems we lowered a video camera (with thermal and water insulation) into the conduits of four erupting geysers. These included Velikan and Bolshoy, the largest geysers in the field, ejecting about 20 and 15 cub.m of water to heights of 25 and 15 m, respectively, with rather stable periods of approximately 5 h and 1 h. We also investigated Vanna and Kovarny, small geysers with irregular regimes, ejecting about ten liters of water to heights as much as 1.5 m, with periods of several minutes. The video footage reveals internal plumbing geometries and hydrodynamic processes that contradict the widely accepted "simple vertical conduit model", which regards geyser eruptions as caused by flashing of superheated water into steam. In contrast, our data fit the long-neglected "boiler model", in which steam accumulates in an underground cavity (boiler) and periodically erupts out through a water-filled, inverted siphon. We describe the physical rationale and conditions for the periodic discharge of steam from a boiler. Channels of the studied geysers are developed by ascending hot water in deposits of several voluminous prehistoric landslides (debris avalanches). The highly irregular contacts between adjacent debris

Mesoscale atmospheric modelling technology as a tool for the long-term meteorological dataset development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Platonov, Vladimir; Kislov, Alexander; Rivin, Gdaly; Varentsov, Mikhail; Rozinkina, Inna; Nikitin, Mikhail; Chumakov, Mikhail

2017-04-01

wind speed for the study area adequately. The dependences between reproduction quality of mesoscale atmospheric circulation features and the horizontal resolution of the model were revealed. In particular, it is shown that the use of 6 km resolution does not give any significant improvement comparing to 13 km resolution, whereas 2.2 km resolution provides an appreciable quality enhancement. Detailed synoptic analysis of extreme wind speed situations identified the main types of favorable to their genesis, associated with developing of cyclones over the Japan Islands or the Primorsky Kray of Russia, and penetration of intensified cyclones from Pacific Ocean through the Kamchatka peninsula, Kuril or Japan Islands. The obtained dataset will continue to be used for a full and comprehensive analysis of the reproduction quality of hydrometeorological fields, their statistical estimates, climatological trends and many other objectives.

Height and Motion of the Chikurachki Eruption Plume

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2003-01-01

The height and motion of the ash and gas plume from the April 22, 2003, eruption of the Chikurachki volcano is portrayed in these views from the Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR). Situated within the northern portion of the volcanically active Kuril Island group, the Chikurachki volcano is an active stratovolcano on Russia's Paramushir Island (just south of the Kamchatka Peninsula).

In the upper panel of the still image pair, this scene is displayed as a natural-color view from MISR's vertical-viewing (nadir) camera. The white and brownish-grey plume streaks several hundred kilometers from the eastern edge of Paramushir Island toward the southeast. The darker areas of the plume typically indicate volcanic ash, while the white portions of the plume indicate entrained water droplets and ice. According to the Kamchatkan Volcanic Eruptions Response Team (KVERT), the temperature of the plume near the volcano on April 22 was -12o C.

The lower panel shows heights derived from automated stereoscopic processing of MISR's multi-angle imagery, in which the plume is determined to reach heights of about 2.5 kilometers above sea level. Heights for clouds above and below the eruption plume were also retrieved, including the high-altitude cirrus clouds in the lower left (orange pixels). The distinctive patterns of these features provide sufficient spatial contrast for MISR's stereo height retrieval to perform automated feature matching between the images acquired at different view angles. Places where clouds or other factors precluded a height retrieval are shown in dark gray.

The multi-angle 'fly-over' animation (below) allows the motion of the plume and of the surrounding clouds to be directly observed. The frames of the animation consist of data acquired by the 70-degree, 60-degree, 46-degree and 26-degree forward-viewing cameras in sequence, followed by the images from the nadir camera and each of the four backward-viewing cameras, ending with the view

High diversity of methanotrophic bacteria in geothermal soils affected by high methane fluxes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

D'Alessandro, Walter; Gagliano, Antonina Lisa; Quatrini, Paola; Parello, Francesco

2014-05-01

Volcanic and geothermal systems emit endogenous gases by widespread degassing from soils, including CH4, a greenhouse gas 25 times as potent as CO2. Recently, it has been demonstrated that volcanic/geothermal soils act as source, but also as biological filter for methane release to the atmosphere. For long time, volcanic/geothermal soils has been considered inhospitable for methanotrophic microorganisms, but new extremophile methanotrophs belonging to Verrucomicrobia were identified in three different areas (Pozzuoli, Italy; Hell's Gate, New Zealand; Kamchatka, Russia), explaining anomalous behaviours in methane leakages of several geothermal/volcanic sites. Our aim was to increase the knowledge of the relationship between methane emissions from volcanic/geothermal areas and biological methane oxidation, by investigating a geothermal site of Pantelleria island (Italy). Pantelleria Island hosts a high enthalpy geothermal system characterized by high temperature, high CH4 and very low H2S fluxes. Such characteristics are reflected in potentially great supply of methane for methanotrophs and scarce presence of inhibitors of their activity (H2S and NH3) in the Pantelleria soils. Potential methanotrophic activity within these soils was already evidenced by the CH4/CO2 ratio of the flux measurements which was lower than that of the respective fumarolic manifestations indicating a loss of CH4 during the gas travel towards the earth's surface. In this study laboratory incubation experiments using soils sampled at Favara Grande, the main hydrothermal area of Pantelleria, showed very high methane consumption rates (up to 9500 ng CH4 h-1 g-1). Furthermore, microbiological and culture-independent molecular analyses allowed to detect the presence of methanotrophs affiliated to Gamma- and Alpha-Proteobacteria and to the newly discovered acidothermophilic methanotrophs Verrucomicrobia. Culturable methanotrophic Alpha-proteobacteria of the genus Methylocystis were isolated by

Thermal structure and geodynamics of subduction zones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wada, Ikuko

for mantle wedge serpentinization in the forearc but little fluid for melt generation beneath the arc. In contrast, models for colder-slab subduction zones such as NE Japan and Kamchatka predict deeper dehydration, which provides greater fluid supply for melt generation beneath the arc and allows deeper occurrence of intraslab earthquakes but less fluid for forearc mantle wedge serpentinization. The common MDD also explains the intriguing uniform configuration of subduction zones, that is, the volcanic arc always tends to be situated where the slab is at about 100 km depth. The sudden onset of mantle wedge flow downdip of the common MDD overshadows the thermal effect of the slab, and the resultant thermal field and slab dehydration control the location of the volcanic arc. The recognition of the fundamental importance of the MDD has important implications to the study of geodynamics and earthquake hazard in subduction zones.

Geothermal Power Supply Systems around the World and in Russia: State of the Art and Future Prospects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Butuzov, V. A.; Amerkhanov, R. A.; Grigorash, O. V.

2018-05-01

Solar and geothermal energy systems are shown to have received the widest use among all kinds of renewable sources of energy for heat supply purposes around the world. The power capacities and amounts of thermal energy generated by solar and geothermal heat supply systems around the world are presented by way of comparison. The thermal power capacity of solar heat supply systems installed around the world as of 2015 totaled 268.1 GW, and the thermal energy generated by them amounted to 225 TW h/year. The thermal power capacity of geothermal heat supply systems installed around the world totaled 70.3 GW, and the thermal energy generated by them amounted to 163 TW h/year. Information on the geothermal heat supply systems in the leading countries around the world based on the data reported at the World Geothermal Congress held in 2015 is presented. It is shown that China, with the installed thermal power capacities of its geothermal heat supply stations totaling 17.87 GW and the amount of thermal energy generated per annum equal to 48.435 TW h/year, is the world's leader in this respect. The structures of geothermal heat supply systems by the kinds of heat consumption used around the world are presented. The systems equipped with geothermal heat pumps accounted for 70.95% in the total installed capacity and for 55.3% in the total amount of generated heat. For systems that do not use heat pumps, those serving for pools account for the largest share amounting to 44.74% in installed capacity and to 45.43% in generated heat. A total of 2218 geothermal wells with the total length equal to 9534 km (with 38.7% of them for heat supply purposes) were drilled in 42 countries in the period from 2010 to 2014. In Russia, geothermal heat supply systems are in operation mainly in Dagestan, in Krasnodar krai, and in Kamchatka. The majority of these systems have been made without breaking the stream after the well outlet. A cyclic control arrangement is also used. The combined

Residual Hydrochloride - Silicate Melt Associated With the Platinum-bearing Alaskan-type Galmoenan Intrusion (Koryak Highland, Russia)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Batanova, V.; Kamenetsky, D.; Pertsev, A.; Sobolev, A.

2005-12-01

Alaskan-type mafic-ultramafic complexes formed in subduction-related environments are considered to be a major source of platinum placer deposits [1]. A specific feature of these deposits is the dominant occurrence of Pt-Fe alloys (mainly isoferroplatinum) among PGE-bearing minerals [e.g. 2]. The PGE mineralization can be related to the high activity of chlorine in the parental magmas of Alaskan-type intrusions [3] and the potential of saline fluids to dissolve and transport Pt [4,5,6]. Fluxing of a refractory mantle wedge in a supra-subduction zone by chlorine-rich aqueous fluids was considered primarily responsible for the formation of PGE-enriched parental magmas [3]. Potential role of the saline magmatic fluids is further tackled by this study of melt/fluid inclusions in olivine from the Galmoenan pluton belonging to the Alaskan-type intrusive complex in the Kamchatka-Koryak province [7] and spatially associated with one of the most significant platinum placer deposits in Russia [8]. High-magnesian olivine (Fo 90.8) from the Galmoenan dunites hosts abundant hydrosaline chloride and hydrosaline chloride-silicate melt inclusions (5-30mkm). Inclusions trail fractures confined to individual olivine grains, and thus formed before re-crystallization completed. Heating stage experiments at 1 atm showed early melting within the inclusions at ~350C, however complete melting and homogenization was hampered by decrepitation at 650-750C. This suggests elevated pressures of trapping, at least 3-4 kb. The study of phase and chemical compositions of these inclusions by an electron probe, laser ablation ICP-MS and SIMS ion probe showed chlorides of Na, K, Ca, Fe and Ba, Fe-Cu-Ni sulfides and diopside among daughter phases; 2) high H2O abundances; 3) high abundances of alkali and alkali-earth elements (Na, K, Rb, Sr, Ba, Ca) and metals (Fe, Mn, Pb, Ni, Cu, Zn). Such compositions confirm the presence of metal-enriched hydrosaline melt at the latest stages of formation of the Pt

Partial melting and melt percolation in the mantle: The message from Fe isotopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weyer, Stefan; Ionov, Dmitri A.

2007-07-01

High precision Fe isotope measurements have been performed on various mantle peridotites (fertile lherzolites, harzburgites, metasomatised Fe-enriched peridotites) and volcanic rocks (mainly oceanic basalts) from different localities and tectonic settings. The peridotites yield an average δ 56Fe = 0.01‰ and are significantly lighter than the basalts (average δ 56Fe = 0.11‰). Furthermore, the peridotites display a negative correlation of δ 56Fe with Mg# indicating a link between δ 56Fe and degrees of melt extraction. Taken together, these findings imply that Fe isotopes fractionate during partial melting, with heavy isotopes preferentially entering the melt. The slope of depletion trends (δ 56Fe versus Mg#) of the peridotites was used to model Fe isotope fractionation during partial melting, resulting in αmantle-melt ≈ 1.0001-1.0003 or ln αmantle-melt ≈ 0.1-0.3‰. In contrast to most other peridotites investigated in this study, spinel lherzolites and harzburgites from three localities (Horoman, Kamchatka and Lherz) are virtually unaffected by metasomatism. These three sites display a particularly good correlation and define an isotope fractionation factor of ln αmantle-melt ≈ 0.3‰. This modelled value implies Fe isotope fractionation between residual mantle and mantle-derived melts corresponding to Δ56Fe mantle-basalt ≈ 0.2-0.3‰, i.e. significantly higher than the observed difference between averages for all the peridotites and the basalts in this study (corresponding to Δ56Fe mantle-basalt ≈ 0.1‰). Either disequilibrium melting increased the modelled αmantle-melt for these particular sites or the difference between average peridotite and basalt may be reduced by partial re-equilibration between the isotopically heavy basalts and the isotopically light depleted lithospheric mantle during melt ascent. The slope of the weaker δ 56Fe-Mg# trend defined by the combined set of all mantle peridotites from this study is more consistent with

Towards quantifying the arc-scale and global magmatic response to deglaciation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Watt, S. F.; Pyle, D. M.; Mather, T. A.

2012-12-01

There is a growing body of evidence that the retreat of ice sheets after the last glacial maximum resulted in temporarily enhanced levels of volcanism. This has been postulated on the scale of individual edifices, and on regional scales in intraplate and rift settings. It has been proposed that this pattern was of global significance in contributing to rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations, and thereby formed a feedback process for global warming. However, the impact of deglaciation on volcanic arcs has been incompletely explored. Volcanic arcs account for 90% of present-day subaerial volcanic eruptions, and for volcanically-sourced volatiles they are therefore of first-order significance. Without a proper understanding of fluctuations in arc volcanic output, an assessment of global changes in volcanic activity cannot be made. Here, we present the first systematic assessment of the response of glaciated volcanic arcs to deglaciation. By using comprehensive compilations of eruption records from southern Chile, augmented by records from the Cascade and Kamchatka arcs, we show that the post-glacial increase in volcanism was relatively small in comparison to non-arc volcano-tectonic settings. Where ice unloading was at its greatest, eruption frequency approximately doubled for ~5 kyr, but this pattern is at the limit of statistical significance. The same period coincides with a few notably large explosive eruptions. In less heavily glaciated regions, no pattern can be deduced at the resolution of available data. While eruption patterns are commonly episodic, the timing of increases in activity does not always show a clear link to deglaciation. In light of the above, we critically examine available eruption records in an effort to constrain global-scale changes in volcanic output. We show that great caution must be exercised when attempting to quantify variation in volcanism from such data. Due to extremely sparse sampling (i.e. highly incomplete records), both temporal

Trench Parallel Bouguer Anomaly (TPBA): A robust measure for statically detecting asperities along the forearc of subduction zones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raeesi, M.

2009-05-01

generate tsunami earthquakes. It gives a logical dimension to the foreshock and aftershock distributions. Using the TPBA, we can derive the scenarios for the early 20th century great earthquakes for which limited data is available. We present cases from Aleutian and South America subduction zones. The TPBA explains why there should be no great earthquake in the down-dip of Shumagin, but that there should be a major tsunami earthquake for its up-dip. Our evidences suggest that the process has already started. We give numerous examples for South America, Aleutian-Alaska, and Kurile-Kamchatka subduction zones and we also look at Cascadia. Despite the possible various applications of the new measure, here we draw the attention to its most important application - the detection of critical asperities. Supplied with this new measure, in addition to the available seismological data, seismologists should be able to detect the critical asperities and follow the evolving rupture process. This paves the way for revealing systematically the great interplate earthquakes.

An unrecognized major collision of the Okhotomorsk Block with East Asia during the Late Cretaceous, constraints on the plate reorganization of the Northwest Pacific

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Yong-Tai

2013-11-01

Asian margin during the Jurassic-Early Cretaceous were subdivided into narrow and subparallel belts by the upper crustal strike-slip fault system. The departure of the Okhotomorsk Block from the northeast-striking Asian margin resulted in the occurrence of an extensional setting and formation of a wide magmatic belt to the west of the margin. In the Campanian, the block collided with the Siberian margin, in Northeast Asia. At about 77 Ma, a new oceanic subduction occurred to the south of the Okhotomorsk Block, ending its long-distance northward motion. Based on the new tectonic model, the abundant Late Archean to Early Proterozoic detrital zircons in the Cretaceous sandstones in Kamchatka, Southwest Japan, and Taiwan are interpreted to have been sourced from the Okhotomorsk Block basement which possibly formed during the Late Archean and Early Proterozoic. The new model suggests a rapidly northward-moving Okhotomorsk Block at an average speed of 22.5 cm/yr during 89-77 Ma. It is hypothesized that the Okhotomorsk-East Asia collision during 100-89 Ma slowed down the northwestward motion of the Izanagi Plate, while slab pull forces produced from the subducting Izanagi Plate beneath the Siberian margin redirected the plate from northwestward to north-northwestward motion at about 90-89 Ma.

Punctuated Evolution of Volcanology: An Observatory Perspective

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burton, W. C.; Eichelberger, J. C.

2010-12-01

Volcanology from the perspective of crisis prediction and response-the primary function of volcano observatories-is influenced both by steady technological advances and singular events that lead to rapid changes in methodology and procedure. The former can be extrapolated somewhat, while the latter are surprises or shocks. Predictable advances include the conversion from analog to digital systems and the exponential growth of computing capacity and data storage. Surprises include eruptions such as 1980 Mount St Helens, 1985 Nevado del Ruiz, 1989-1990 Redoubt, 1991 Pinatubo, and 2010 Eyjafjallajokull; the opening of GPS to civilian applications, and the advent of an open Russia. Mount St Helens switched the rationale for volcanology in the USGS from geothermal energy to volcano hazards, Ruiz and Pinatubo emphasized the need for international cooperation for effective early warning, Redoubt launched the effort to monitor even remote volcanoes for purposes of aviation safety, and Eyjafjallajokull hammered home the need for improved ash-dispersion and engine-tolerance models; better GPS led to a revolution in volcano geodesy, and the new Russian Federation sparked an Alaska-Kamchatka scientific exchange. The pattern has been that major funding increases for volcano hazards occur after these unpredictable events, which suddenly expose a gap in capabilities, rather than out of a calculated need to exploit technological advances or meet a future goal of risk mitigation. It is up to the observatory and national volcano hazard program to leverage these sudden funding increases into a long-term, sustainable business model that incorporates both the steadily increasing costs of staff and new technology and prepares for the next volcano crisis. Elements of the future will also include the immediate availability on the internet of all publically-funded volcano data, and subscribable, sophisticated hazard alert systems that run computational, fluid dynamic eruption models. These

Alaska Volcano Observatory at 20

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eichelberger, J. C.

2008-12-01

The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) was established in 1988 in the wake of the 1986 Augustine eruption through a congressional earmark. Even within the volcanological community, there was skepticism about AVO. Populations directly at risk in Alaska were small compared to Cascadia, and the logistical costs of installing and maintaining monitoring equipment were much higher. Questions were raised concerning the technical feasibility of keeping seismic stations operating through the long, dark, stormy Alaska winters. Some argued that AVO should simply cover Augustine with instruments and wait for the next eruption there, expected in the mid 90s (but delayed until 2006), rather than stretching to instrument as many volcanoes as possible. No sooner was AVO in place than Redoubt erupted and a fully loaded passenger 747 strayed into the eruption cloud between Anchorage and Fairbanks, causing a powerless glide to within a minute of impact before the pilot could restart two engines and limp into Anchorage. This event forcefully made the case that volcano hazard mitigation is not just about people and infrastructure on the ground, and is particularly important in the heavily traveled North Pacific where options for flight diversion are few. In 1996, new funding became available through an FAA earmark to aggressively extend volcano monitoring far into the Aleutian Islands with both ground-based networks and round-the-clock satellite monitoring. Beyond the Aleutians, AVO developed a monitoring partnership with Russians volcanologists at the Institute of Volcanology and Seismology in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. The need to work together internationally on subduction phenomena that span borders led to formation of the Japan-Kamchatka-Alaska Subduction Processes (JKASP) consortium. JKASP meets approximately biennially in Sapporo, Petropavlovsk, and Fairbanks. In turn, these meetings and support from NSF and the Russian Academy of Sciences led to new international education and

Providing Seismotectonic Information to the Public Through Continuously Updated National Earthquake Information Center Products

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bernardino, M. J.; Hayes, G. P.; Dannemann, F.; Benz, H.

2012-12-01

summaries provide the public with immediate background information useful for teaching and media related purposes and are an essential component to many NEIC products. As part of the NEIC's earthquake response, rapid earthquake summary posters are created in the hours following a significant global earthquake. These regional tectonic summaries are included in each earthquake summary poster along with a discussion of the event, written by research scientists at the NEIC, often with help from regional experts. Now, through the efforts of this and related studies, event webpages will automatically contain a regional tectonic summary immediately after an event has been posted. These new summaries include information about plate boundary interactions and other associated tectonic elements, trends in seismicity and brief descriptions of significant earthquakes that have occurred in a region. The tectonic summaries for the following regions have been updated as part of this work: South America, the Caribbean, Alaska and the Aleutians, Kuril-Kamchatka, Japan and vicinity, and Central America, with newly created summaries for Sumatra and Java, the Mediterranean, Middle East, and the Himalayas. The NEIC is currently planning to integrate concise stylized maps with each tectonic summary for display on the USGS website.

A Bilateral U.S. - Russia Contribution to Disaster Risk Reduction in the Asia-Pacific Region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eichelberger, J. C.; Gordeev, E.; Bratton, J.; Ismail-Zadeh, A.

2012-12-01

collaboration in dealing with the geohazards of the Russian Far East - Alaska region. Subduction within this segment of the Pacific Rim has produced 50% of the top 30 earthquakes recorded instrumentally worldwide, numerous Pacific-crossing tsunamis, and the largest ash eruption in almost 200 years. Recognizing that Russia and the United States need to develop a whole-region perspective of disaster risk, scientists and program managers from several Russian and U.S. government agencies met at the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow in July to identify bilateral steps that would improve safety for communities of the Kuril-Kamchatka-Aleutian-Alaska region. Significantly, the meeting included disaster preparation and response agencies EMERCOM and FEMA. Participants proposed development of a standing committee to advocate and facilitate bilateral collaboration, expanded exchange of real-time monitoring data, development of a strategy for monitoring currently unmonitored sections of plate and micro-plate boundaries, and holding of an inclusive, all-stakeholders meeting in the U.S. next year.

Regional Triggering of Volcanic Activity Following Large Magnitude Earthquakes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hill-Butler, Charley; Blackett, Matthew; Wright, Robert

2015-04-01

There are numerous reports of a spatial and temporal link between volcanic activity and high magnitude seismic events. In fact, since 1950, all large magnitude earthquakes have been followed by volcanic eruptions in the following year - 1952 Kamchatka M9.2, 1960 Chile M9.5, 1964 Alaska M9.2, 2004 & 2005 Sumatra-Andaman M9.3 & M8.7 and 2011 Japan M9.0. While at a global scale, 56% of all large earthquakes (M≥8.0) in the 21st century were followed by increases in thermal activity. The most significant change in volcanic activity occurred between December 2004 and April 2005 following the M9.1 December 2004 earthquake after which new eruptions were detected at 10 volcanoes and global volcanic flux doubled over 52 days (Hill-Butler et al. 2014). The ability to determine a volcano's activity or 'response', however, has resulted in a number of disparities with <50% of all volcanoes being monitored by ground-based instruments. The advent of satellite remote sensing for volcanology has, therefore, provided researchers with an opportunity to quantify the timing, magnitude and character of volcanic events. Using data acquired from the MODVOLC algorithm, this research examines a globally comparable database of satellite-derived radiant flux alongside USGS NEIC data to identify changes in volcanic activity following an earthquake, February 2000 - December 2012. Using an estimate of background temperature obtained from the MODIS Land Surface Temperature (LST) product (Wright et al. 2014), thermal radiance was converted to radiant flux following the method of Kaufman et al. (1998). The resulting heat flux inventory was then compared to all seismic events (M≥6.0) within 1000 km of each volcano to evaluate if changes in volcanic heat flux correlate with regional earthquakes. This presentation will first identify relationships at the temporal and spatial scale, more complex relationships obtained by machine learning algorithms will then be examined to establish favourable

The GEOSCOPE program: state of the art in 2006

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roult, G.; Geoscope Group, A

2006-12-01

The GEOSCOPE program was launched in 1982 by the National Institute of Sciences of Universe (INSU), a department of the French National Center of Scientific Research (CNRS), following the initiative of the Institute of Physics of the Earth of Paris (IPGP). The purpose was the installation of about 25 stations well distributed worldwide (in particular in the southern hemisphere), in the standard configuration defined by the FDSN (very broad-band 24 bit, continuous recording at 20sps). At present, the GEOSCOPE program is operating 28 digital 3-component very- broadband stations. In terms of site locations, the aim of the GEOSCOPE program is almost fulfilled. Our purpose is to maintain the stations at original sites (Indian Ocean, Africa) and to fill some geographical gaps at high latitudes in the southern and northern hemisphere. In particular, we plan to install a new stations VOR (Vorkuta) at high latitudes in Russia and to move the station SEY (Seimchan) to a new location in northern Kamchatka. We are also working on improving data quality and transmission. Historically, GEOSCOPE did not operate real-time data. Continuous data from most of stations arrive with significant delays and records from large events are teletransmitted from some stations (by phone RTC line or through internet) and are made available within one day. To improve this situation, we are replacing the old Streckeisen digitizers with new Quanterra data loggers. This will potentially allow us to receive most of data in our Data Center in a near real-time. Presently data from 8 stations arrive at the IPGP Geoscope Data Center in near real-time, with a delay depending on the station: 1-DZM Dzumac in New Caledonia, a joint DASE/CTBTO/GEOSCOPE station 2-FDF Fort de France in French West Indies 3-SSB Saint Sauveur-Badole in France 4-RER Riviere de l'Est , La Réunion, Indian Ocean 5-KIP Kipapa, Hawaï, a joint USGS/IRIS/GEOSCOPE station 6-TRIS Tristan Da Cunha, a joint USGS/IRIS/GEOSCOPE station 7

Summary of Synoptic Meteorological Observations. Siberian Coastal Marine Areas. Volume 3. Area 15 - Okhotsk Sea NE, Area 16 - West Coast Kamchatka, Area 17 - Tatar Strait N, Area 18 - Tatar Strait S, Area 19 - Okhotsk Sea SW, Area 20 - Sakhalin Island SE, Area 21 - Okhotsk Sea SE

DTIC Science & Technology

1975-10-01

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Shipboard determination of radiocesium in seawater after the Fukushima accident: results from the 2011-2012 Russian expeditions to the Sea of Japan and western North Pacific Ocean.

PubMed

Ramzaev, V; Nikitin, A; Sevastyanov, A; Artemiev, G; Bruk, G; Ivanov, S

2014-09-01

A total of 88 seawater samples were collected during two Russian research expeditions (April-May 2011 and August-September 2012) to the Sea of Japan, the Oyashio Current region near Kuril Islands and the Kuroshio-Oyashio transition area in the western North Pacific Ocean. The observations were made aboard the R/V Pavel Gordienko and Akademik Shokalsky in order to study the impact of the Fukushima accident on radioactive contamination of the marine environment. On the board of a ship, the water samples were passed through filters to retain particles with the size of >1 micron. Cesium was extracted from the large volumes (100-3000 L) of the filtrated water using a selective fiber chemisorbent impregnated with copper ferrocyanide. Measurements of (134)Cs and (137)Cs activities in 83 samples of sorbents and 21 samples of filters were performed in the ship-based laboratory with a semiconductor HP-Ge detector. The quantified activity concentrations of dissolved radiocesium ranged from 1 Bq m(-3) to 34 Bq m(-3) for (137)Cs and from 0.2 Bq m(-3) to 29 Bq m(-3) for (134)Cs. Activity concentrations of (137)Cs and (134)Cs were strongly correlated with each other (r = 0.993, n = 59). The (137)Cs/(134)Cs activities ratio in the Fukushima-derived radiocesium inventory for the study areas was deduced to be 0.99 ± 0.03 (on 15 March 2011) and the pre-Fukushima background level of (137)Cs in seawater was estimated as 1.3 ± 0.3 Bq m(-3). The lowest activities of both isotopes were determined in the western part of the Sea of Japan near the Russian coast, while the maximal levels were observed in the open Pacific Ocean, some 500-800 km offshore the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant. Contamination with (134)Cs at a level of 0.3-2.6 Bq m(-3) was registered in seawater samples collected in 2011 near the Kuril Islands and Kamchatka in the Oyashio Current region. During the period from April-May 2011 to August-September 2012, activity concentrations of (137)Cs and (134)Cs in surface

Role of crystallizational differention in the origin of island-arc andesitic melts: evidence from data on melt inclusions and oxygen isotopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krasheninnikov, S. P.; Portnyagin, M.; Bindeman, I. N.; Bazanova, L. I.

2012-12-01

Several recent studies of melt inclusions in island-arc rocks revealed a strong bimodality of the melt compositions at the predominance of basic and silicic melts and the scarcity of intermediate melts with SiO2=59-66 wt% (e.g. [1]). These observations were used to interpret the origin of island-arc andesites by magma mingling, crustal assimilation and crystal accumulation rather than by fractional crystallization of basaltic magmas. In this work we addressed the question about the scarcity of andesitic melts in island-arc setting by systematic study of bulk compositions, melt inclusions and oxygen isotopes in minerals from Avachinskiy volcano in Kamchatka. We studied ~500 melt inclusions in 6 different mineral phases (Ol, Cpx, Opx, Pl, Amph, Mt), and concentrated on rapidly-quenched tephra samples from 40 Holocene eruptions of andesites and basaltic andesites. The melt inclusions span a large range of compositions from basalts to rhyolites. In comparison with host bulk tephra samples, melt inclusions tend to have more silicic compositions (up to 10 wt% of SiO2), and this disparity tend to increase with increasing SiO2 content in the host rocks. Both melt inclusion and host rock compositions form trends along the line dividing low- and middle-K island-arc series, and variations of major elements are continuous, without apparent bimodality, which is observed in data set from [1]. The MI statistical distribution is rather three-modal with maxima at ~56-58, ~66 and 74 wt% of SiO2. Much of the major element variability in MI can be explained by fractional crystallization from parental basaltic melts using numerical modeling of crystallization path. Magnetite crystallization starts at ~58 wt% of SiO2 and affects significantly on the evolutional path of melts. Abundant crystallization of magnetite lead to formation of more silica rich coexistent melts and change of crystallizing assemblage occurred at ~60 wt% of SiO2, when Opx replaced Ol, and Amph and Ap become stable

SRTM Data Release for Eurasia, Index Map and Colored Height

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-01-22

, coastal China, and Korea, various landforms place constraints upon land use planning for a great population. Volcanoes in the East Indies, the Philippines, Japan, and the Kamchatka Peninsula form the western part of the "Ring of Fire" around the Pacific Ocean. Many of these regions were previously very poorly mapped due to persistent cloud cover or the inaccessibility of the terrain. Digital elevation data, such as provided by SRTM, are particularly in high demand by scientists studying earthquakes, volcanism, and erosion patterns for use in mapping and modeling hazards to human habitation. But the shape of Earth's surface affects nearly every natural process and human endeavor that occurs there, so elevation data are used in a wide range of applications. In this index map color-coding is directly related to topographic height, with green at the lower elevations, rising through yellow and tan, to white at the highest elevations. The large, very dark green feature in western Asia is the Caspian Sea, which is below sea level. Blue areas on the map represent water within the mapped tiles, each of which includes shorelines or islands. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA03398

Special astronomical configurations, solar activity and deep degassing as a trigger of natural hazards

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Natyaganov, Vladimir; Syvorotkin, Vladimir; Fedorov, Valeriy; Shopin, Sergey

2016-04-01

Extraordinary cases of tectonic events (strong earthquakes, volcano eruptions), mine explosions, typhoons, hurricanes, tornado outbreak sequences, ball lightnings, transient luminous events are analyzed in relation with special astronomical configurations, which are specific relative positions of the Sun, Earth, Moon and the closest planets of the Solar System (Venus, Mars and Jupiter) [1]. Usage of special astronomical coordinate systems give evidence not only of correlations but also of hidden causes-and-effect relations between the analyzed phenomena. The geocentric ecliptic latitude system is an example of such astronomical coordinate systems. It gives clear evidence of coherence between strong earthquakes and the maximal Moon declination from the plane of the ecliptic. Extraordinary cases of planet activity from the beginning of XX century till the present time are shown in the years of special astronomical configurations and abrupt increasing of solar activity. According to the empirical scheme of short-term earthquake prediction [3], geomagnetic disturbances are the triggers of earthquakes. Geomagnetic disturbances perform electromagnetic pumping (electromagnetic excitation) of the Earth's interior in the regions of intersections of seismomagnetic meridians with the plate boundaries as a result of electrothermal breakdowns in the heterogeneous medium of tectonic faults. This results in the local intensification of deep degassing [4], decreasing of shear strength of the medium that triggers earthquakes usually after 2 or 3 weeks (±2 days) after the geomagnetic disturbance. Examples of officially registered predictions of Kamchatka earthquakes with M7+ without missing events, including deep-focus earthquakes in the Okhotsk Sea since the year of 2002, are shown. It is discussed correlations and possible cause-and-effect relations between a different phenomena such as - dangerous natural hazardous events such as the record tornado outbreak sequences in the USA

Landslide Buries Valley of the Geysers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2007-01-01

Geysers are a rare natural phenomena found only in a few places, such as New Zealand, Iceland, the United States (Yellowstone National Park), and on Russia's far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula. On June 3, 2007, one of these rare geyser fields was severely damaged when a landslide rolled through Russia's Valley of the Geysers. The landslide--a mix of mud, melting snow, trees, and boulders--tore a scar on the land and buried a number of geysers, thermal pools, and waterfalls in the valley. It also blocked the Geyser River, causing a new thermal lake to pool upstream. The Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) on NASA's Terra satellite captured this infrared-enhanced image on June 11, 2007, a week after the slide. The image shows the valley, the landslide, and the new thermal lake. Even in mid-June, just days from the start of summer, the landscape is generally covered in snow, though the geologically heated valley is relatively snow free. The tree-covered hills are red (the color of vegetation in this false-color treatment), providing a strong contrast to the aquamarine water and the gray-brown slide. According to the Russian News and Information Agency (RIA) [English language], the slide left a path roughly a kilometer and a half (one mile) long and 200 meters (600 feet) wide. Within hours of the landslide, the water in the new lake inundated a number of additional geysers. The geysers directly buried under the landslide now lie under as much as 60 meters (180 feet) of material, according to RIA reports. It is unlikely that the geysers will be able to force a new opening through this thick layer, adds RIA. Among those directly buried is Pervenets (Firstborn), the first geyser found in the valley, in 1941. Other geysers, such as the Bolshoi (Greater) and Maly (Lesser) Geysers, were silenced when buried by water building up behind the new natural dam. According to Vladimir and Andrei Leonov of the Russian Federation Institute of

Volcanic degassing and secondary hydration of volcanic ash and scoria: Implications for paleoaltimetry and paleoclimate studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seligman, A. N.; Bindeman, I. N.

2013-12-01

The use of δD of ash as a reliable recorder of δD (and δ18O) values of paleoprecipitation in paleoclimate and paleoaltimetry research still requires experimental verification and testing. It is currently assumed that ash is deposited with a water content of no significance, and that within a few thousand years it becomes sufficiently (up to 4 wt.% H2O) hydrated, although the rate of hydration and whether or not the initial isotopic signature is held, are not well understood. We report analyses of δD and H2O of distal ash from recent eruptions (1980 Mount St. Helens, 1992 Mt. Spurr, and 1974 Volcán de Fuego) that were collected syneruption, in addition to scoria ranging in age from ~50 to 7300 years old from Klyuchevskoy volcano (Kamchatka, Russia), using the TC/EA - MAT 253 continuous flow system. Natural variability of studied samples in wt.% H2O (δD in ‰), with errors represented as 1 s.d. for the average, for recent ash eruptions, range from 0.1 × 0.07 (-102 × 4.7) for Volcán de Fuego up to 0.7 × 0.10 (-104 × 3.5) for Mount St. Helens. Ash from the Mt. Spurr eruption averaged 0.4 × 0.04 (-109 × 4.0), and we plan to also analyze ash from Mt. Pinatubo. The δD values are consistent with a magmatic degassing trend, where the last remaining water is depleted in deuterium, suggesting ash may be deposited with up to 0.7 wt.% H2O as primary magmatic water. Klyuchevskoy scoria (basaltic andesite) shows a general trend of increasing wt.% H2O with increasing age: the youngest samples (<2.0 ka) have ~0.2 wt.% water (-99 to -109 ‰), which is likely primary magmatic, while the older samples (4.7-7.3 ka) generally have a higher water concentration (~0.3-0.5 wt.%); likely local meteoric water based on δD values that are lower than degassed magmatic δD values and higher water content. The samples between ~2.3 and 3.6 ka (0.1 to 0.4 wt.% water) have variable water concentrations due to variations in porosity and therefore surface area between the different