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The paper is concerned with the structure of the Arctic shelf sediments in the Ob’ region in the Paleogene and Neogene, sampled from boreholes drilled on the Yamal Peninsula, in the lower reaches of the Pur and Taz Rivers. The specifics of Paleogene marine sedimentation in the central and northern West Siberian Plain are studied. The effect of abiotic (tectonic) factors on the completeness of the geologic record is considered, as well as the effect of recent (Oligocene-Neogene) tectonic processes on topography and sedimentation. The borehole sections are compared with the main seismic sections of the Kara Sea and Lomonosov Ridge.

The parameters of 15 arbitrary dipoles that, in aggregate, represent the main geomagnetic field (MGF) are estimated to obtain information on the distribution of MGF sources within the Earth in the form of dipoles with an arbitrary position and value of the magnetic moment vector. For an adequate estimation of the results, the method of obtaining the data is described, including: the eccentric dipole model and the derivation of the basic formulas for the magnetic field components of an arbitrary dipole; the method of estimating the parameters of these dipoles, including the computational scheme and optimization method; necessary constraints on the dipole parameters and a justification of the choice of the initial values in the optimization fitting of the parameters. The results are presented as a map of the location of the centers of the dipoles and their northern axial poles for the epochs 1955 and 2005 and plots of changes in all six parameters of 15 dipoles for 50 years. Most of the dipole centers are located in the lower mantle. The results suggest the existence of current systems in the lower mantle that produce dipole magnetic fields. These currents are provided by the high conductivity of wüstite, an important component of the mantle, which, at a depth of 1000–2200 km, transforms to the low-spin state of iron with increased density and electrical conductivity.

Magnetic viscosity of rocks associated with magnetic relaxation of ultrafine ferrimagnetic mineral grains (superparamagnetism) is employed in magnetic grain size measurements. Magnetic viscosity is most often estimated from dual frequency measurements of magnetic susceptibility. The measured susceptibility values bear uncertainty that comprises two components: an instrument error and a drift. The instrument error refers to the accuracy of the measurement system and shows how precise the data are in ideal operation conditions. This error affects especially the low susceptibilities of weak samples, which thus should be measured on a high sensitivity range. Drift is due to external factors, such as changes in the temperature of sensors and/or samples, as well as in the orientation of the samples relative to the sensor, vibration, electromagnetic noise, etc. Drift, more critical for measurements on strong samples, is manageable by the operator. To reduce drift, every effort should be made to maintain suitable ‘quiet’ operation conditions.

An analytical model is suggested to describe the electrostatic field produced by near-surface inhomogeneities responsible for galvanic shift in magnetotelluric (MT) apparent resistivity sounding curves. The near-surface inhomogeneities are modeled in thin-sheet approximation with laterally variable longitudinal conductance and transverse resistance. The model accounts for the TM (transverse magnetic) mode secondary electric field in the conductive layered subsurface below the thin sheet. Equations have been obtained to relate the subsurface geoelectric parameters and the spatial harmonics of the secondary electrostatic field. This secondary field, which is the source of galvanic shift in MT data, turns out to be in-phase with the primary field. The equations derived to simulate galvanic distortions are applicable to long-period MT data acquired by a synchronous array.

This contribution represents the first Russian publication and in-depth analysis of accounts by J.G. Gmelin of earthquakes in Siberia from the late 17th and the first three decades of the 18th centuries. These forgotten accounts, though short and fragmentary, expand the existing database and enable new solutions of some of the problematic aspects in the study of seismicity in this region.

The study provides an overview of key trends underlying the long-term and medium-term scenarios in the world energy outlook and prospects of fossil fuel resource depletion in the 21st century.

Almost all gas-oil and oil-gas fields in the Lena-Tunguska province (Siberian Platform) were discovered in the Baikit, Katanga, and Nepa-Botuobiya petroliferous regions, which form an E-W-striking band. The latter, named “the main petroliferous belt,” includes one giant and 11 large fields (by recoverable oil reserves). New large oil pools are predicted within the main belt. The prediction is based on the analysis of geological data and the quantitative estimation of hydrocarbon resources. Promising areas with large fields in the Baikit, Katanga, and Nepa-Botuobiya petroleum regions are substantiated.

The results of more than 40 years long authors’ investigations in the field of the freshwater (river input) and marine (ocean waters) hydrospheres are summarized. The latest estimations of the global average concentrations of many chemical elements in river water and suspended matter and in ocean water and suspended matter are presented. It is shown that particulate suspended forms of many elements are predominant in river waters (“rivers are the kingdom of suspended forms of elements”), while their dissolved forms prevail in ocean waters (“ocean is the kingdom of dissolved forms of elements”). Sedimentary and biogeochemical processes of the river material transformation in the river-sea mixing zone (the so-called “marginal filter of the ocean”) were studied thoroughly. It was shown that radical quantitative and qualitative changes of dissolved and particulate suspended substances take place in this zone, resulting in the governed transformation of dissolved forms into suspended particulate forms and their following deposition on the bottom. The first data on the losses of 35 chemical elements in the river-sea mixing zone are presented. These data prove that the concentrations of dissolved elements in river and ocean waters are in regular and close relationship with their losses in the river-sea mixing zone and with the types of element distribution in ocean water column (conservative, biogenic, and lithogenic). This indicates the existence of a geochemical system in the entire (freshwater and marine) hydrosphere, which calls for deep and detailed investigations.

For paleogeographic reconstruction of the West Siberian basin during the Cretaceous we used a set of paleogeographic maps, which were compiled for the main epochs of the Cretaceous period. The paleogeographic maps presented in this study suggest progradational filling of the deep basin with avalanche-type sedimentation during Volgian-Barremian regression. The paleorelief and provenance of terrigenous sediments were reconstructed.