The publication is devoted to the role of Mikhail M. Odintsov, Corresponding Member of the USSR Academy of Sciences, and his scientific school in solution of fundamental problems related to regularities of occurrence of endogenic mineral resources at ancient platforms. Based on mineragenic zonation data on the southeastern segment of the Siberian platform, Mikhail M. Odintsov determined the location of the AngaroViluisky ore belt that controls deposits and ore occurrences of magnetite, sulfates of copper and nickel, gold, base metals, barite, сelestine, and diamonds. Fundamental concepts proposed and developed by Mikhail M. Odintsov contributed significantly to studies of structures and evolution of ancient platforms and facilitated development of modern forecasting concepts concerning exploration of primary and alluvial deposits of diamonds in the southern part of the Siberian craton.

Space-and-time regularities of seismicity of the North China (Tan-Lu) zone are studies, and tectonic nature of strong earthquakes is analyzed. The concept of its genesis is still a matter of debate as this zone is located in the centre of the ancient SinoKorean craton, i.e. thousand kilometers away from convergent margins of Eurasia and the Pacific оcean and IndoAustralian plates (Figure 1). The information on the regional cycling dynamics [Xu, Deng, 1996] is updated. Two cycles, in which strong earthquakes (14 shocks with М≥7.0) occurred in the region under study, are distinguished, i.e. from 1500 to 1700, and from 1800 to 1980 (Figure 2). The seismodynamics of the North China zone is consistent with the Circum Pacific оcean deformation wave that occurs once in 300 years at the margin between Asia and the ocean and thus causes the strongest earthquakes (М≥8.8) and eruptions of volcanoes in the Pacific оcean belt [Vikulin et al., 2009, 2010]. This wave came to the northern regions of China in the years of 1500 and 1800 (Figure 3) and triggered seismic activity cycles. 

The second factor predetermining the seismicity of the Northern China is a specific structure of the region which can manifest seismic activity due to the impact of deformation waves. The genesis of the metastable structure of the region is related to tectonic restructuring of the lithosphere of the SinoKorean craton due to shear displacements in the Tan-Lu megazone. Regional variations of compositions of mantle xenoliths of the Sikhote Alin orogeny demonstrate that the latent strike of the Tan-Lu faults can be traced across the south-eastern areas of Russia to the Tatar Strait. These faults are borders of the Vshaped mantle block (400 x 1500 km) (Figure 5), which composition is characterized by an anomalous content of iron and a low depletion of peridotites. The tectonic mantle block maintains its activity; being impacted by compression from the west, it is squeezed out towards the Sakhalin Island and simultaneously subject to the clockwise rotation. As a result, along and above the margins of the covered lithospheric block in the southern Far East of Russia, main seismic zones have formed (Figure 5, B), wherein earthquakes of M≥5.0 are recorded. The anomalous mantle block at the base of the Sikhote Alin used to be a part of the SinoKorean craton; it was cut out in the JurassicCretaceous period and moved in the northeastern direction along the Tan-Lu shear fault. The lithosphere of the craton was significantly extended during closure of the remaining area, and an evident consequence of extension was formation of two Cenozoic rifting systems. In the Paleogene, the Hebei rift system occurred westward of the Tan-Lu megazone; it hosted earthquakes of the latest seismic cycle. The Shanxi rift system strikes in the northeastward direction and separates the western block of the craton (called Ordos) from the western block (called Hebei); it hosted earthquakes of the earlier seismic cycle.
Recent geodynamics. 

During restructuring of the lithosphere, rotations of tectonic blocks were of importance, along with the lithospheric extension. The specific features of the craton structure suggest two tectonophysical mechanisms of rotation. Firstly, when the triangleshaped zone westward of Tan-Lu was being closed, the lithospheric segment rotated clockwise (Figure 5, С). Consequently, at the mobile front, a compression zone was formed; it has two maximums located NE and SW of the rotation centre. This structural pattern is typical of the lithosphere of the central part of the craton. Within the limits of two conjugated maximums westward of Tan-Lu, the crustal thickness is reduced, and the depth to the asthenosphere is sharply decreased (Figures 4, B and 4, C). The rotation of the blocks in the lithosphere resulted in formation of the gigantic anticline fold, where at the eastern area of rifting is located. Secondly, the clockwise rotation of the Hebei tectonic block triggered the counter clock rotation of the Ordos block that is located west of Hebei (Figure 6, A). At the border of the two blocks rotating in the opposite directions, grabens of the Sshaped Shanxi rift system were formed. The rotation of the tectonic blocks is evidenced by changes of strikes of ancient dykes of the craton (Figure 6, B). Regularities of migration of earthquakes in the North China zone reflect specific features of the tectonic structure of the craton (see Figure 4, А). The earthquakes of the latest cycle were caused by increasing compression of the lithospheric fold. The seismic events of the earlier cycle were associated with the rotation of the Hebei and Ordos blocks. The tectonic mechanism, that were triggered during restructuring of the lithosphere in the early Cretaceous – early Cenozoic, are still actively controlling seismicity in the North China zone.

In the past decade, earthquake disasters caused multiple fatalities and significant economic losses and challenged the modern civilization. The wellknown achievements and growing power of civilization are backstrapped when facing the Nature. The question arises, what hinders solving a problem of earthquake prediction, while longterm and continuous seismic monitoring systems are in place in many regions of the world. For instance, there was no forecast of the Japan Great Earthquake of March 11, 2011, despite the fact that monitoring conditions for its prediction were unique. Its focal zone was 100–200 km away from the monitoring network installed in the area of permanent seismic hazard, which is subject to nonstop and longterm seismic monitoring. Lesson should be learned from our common fiasco in forecasting, taking into account research results obtained during the past 50–60 years. 

It is now evident that we failed to identify precursors of the earthquakes. Prior to the earthquake occurrence, the observed local anomalies of various fields reflected other processes that were mistakenly viewed as processes of preparation for largescale faulting. For many years, geotectonic situations were analyzed on the basis of the physics of destruction of laboratory specimens, which was applied to the lithospheric conditions. Many researchers realize that such an approach is inaccurate. Nonetheless, persistent attempts are being undertaken with application of modern computation to detect anomalies of various fields, which may be interpreted as earthquake precursors. In our opinion, such illusory intentions were smashed by the Great Japan Earthquake (Figure 6). It is also obvious that sufficient attention has not been given yet to fundamental studies of seismic processes.

This review presents the authors’ opinion concerning the origin of the seismic process and strong earthquakes, being part of the process. The authors realize that a wide discussion is needed to address the issues raised in this publication, including problems and possibilities of prediction of earthquakes in the crust. 

Incontrovertible achievements of the Earth sciences are reviewed, considering specific features of seismic events and variations of various parameters of the lithosphere, the block structure of the lithosphere and processes in the lithosphere. Much attention is given to analyses of driving forces of the seismotectonic process. The studies of variations of parameters of the medium, including rapid (hourly or daily) changes, show that processes, that predetermine the state of stresses or the energy capacity of the medium (Figures 2 and 3) in the lithosphere, are overlooked. Analyses are based on processes of interactions between ascending flows of hydrogen and helium and the solid lithosphere. A consequence of such processes is gas porosity that controls many parameters of the medium and the oscillation regime of the threedimensional state of stresses of the block structures (Figures 6, 7, and 12), which impacts the dynamics of block movements. The endogenous activity of the lithosphere and its instability are controlled by degassing of light gases.
The paper reviews processes of preparation for strong earthquakes in the crust with regard to the block structure of platform areas and subduction zones (Figures 13 and 14). It is demonstrated that the conventional methods yield ambiguous assessments of seismic hazard both in terms of time and locations of epicenter zones, and focal areas of subduction zones are out of control in principle. Processes that actually take place in the lithosphere are causes of such an ambiguity, i.e. the lack of any deterministic relations in development of critical seismotectonic situations. Methods for identification of the geological medium characterized by continuously variable parameters are considered. 

Directions of fundamental studies of the seismic process and principles of seismic activity monitoring are considered.

Numerical solution of the Navier-Stokes equations for free and forced convection in solid and porous media is challenging as an evolution equation for pressure is lacking. An information technology is proposed on the basis of a new system of hydrodynamic equations. It provides for distinguishing between free and forced convection components and allows estimation of parameters of the cumulative convective flow by calculating values of its two components. A classical system of equations of the ellipticparabolic type is developed for solving the problems of heat and mass transfer. The system describes vortex structures which occur in the gravitational field in all media in case of density stratification. A majority of the available computation methods and schemes can be applied for numerical solutions of the proposed system; therefore modeling can be simplified, while the scope of the system’s application can be expanded. Possible applications of the proposed information technology are demonstrated by examples showing how problems of low-mantle plume and diapir formation and rifting in the lithosphere-crust system can be solved.

In the review, directions of future studies of the seismic process are considered. The priority shall be given to studies of the barrier effect of degassing and research of processes that take place in marginal structures. A scenario of preparation of the seismic process and associated events is described with regard to uncertainties in development of critical seismotectonic situations.

The book «Plates vs. plumes: a geological controversy» (Fig. 1) is intended for the advanced student who is not satisfied by the presentday interpretation of intraplate volcanism. From systematic descriptions of the geological controversy on the plate and plume hypotheses, it follows that, unlike predictions of the former, those of the latter have not been confirmed by observations. Recent intraplate volcanism is explained adequately by models of lithospheric extension and local convection in the upper mantle.

This article provides basic information about Mikhail M. Odintsov (1911–2011), Corresponding Member of the USSR Academy of Sciences, and his scientific, organizational and social activities. From 1954 to 1976, he was the founder and director of the Institute of Geology of the East Siberian Branch of the USSR Academy of Sciences, which is now world known as the Institute of Earth's Crust of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The Institute was awarded with two Orders of Lenin (in 1963, and in 1971), and the Order of Red Banner of Labour (1975). In 2011, the scientific community in Russia celebrates the 100th anniversary of Mikhail M. Odintsov.

The publication is devoted to the 80 anniversary of Valentin S. Fedorovsky, the coryphaeus of Siberian geology.

The Museum of the Institute of the Earth’s Crust opened an exhibition devoted to Mikhail M. Odintsov (1911–1980), the prominent Russian geologist and the corresponding member of the USSR Academy of Sciences, who headed the Institute of the Earth’s Crust from 1954 to 1976. He was among researchers who pioneered in discovering diamonds in Siberia, Russia. He determined promising diamondbearing areas in Yakutia. The kimberlitic nature wad established, and the diamondiferous kimberlite prospecting method was developed. Prospective diamondbearing capacities were forecasted for the southern part of the Siberian platform and the Prisayanie. The Angara-Vilui ore belt was defined as the largest mineragenic sub-province in the southern East Siberia. The exhibition was opened on 07 November 2011 when the All-Russia Conference devoted to the 100th anniversary of Mikhail M. Odintsov took place in Irkutsk. It presents photographs, personal belongings and documents that provide information about Mikhail M. Odintsov’s childhood and youth years, pedagogical activities, field studies, researches, multidiscipline scientific organization, social and political activities. A collection of kimberlite samples from Yakutia and beyond supports the exposition. A model of the Mir kimberlite pipe is presented; it is the first diamondiferous kimberlite found in June 1955 and developed in Siberia.

The 33rd General Assembly of the European Seismological Commission (ESC) will be held on 1924 August 2012 in Moscow, Russia.