Oceanic core complexes are lithological assemblages of predominantly peridotites and serpentinites, located along intersections of some slow-spreading oceanic accreting rifts and fracture zones, embedded in the predominantly basaltic oceanic lithosphere, and fresh and old basalts are juxtaposed across the fracture zone. Centrifuge-based experimental models indicated that subduction would initiate at sites where two lithospheric slabs are juxtaposed, provided that the density difference between them is at least 200 kg/m3 and the friction along their contact plane is low. It was discerned that the modeled underthrust denser lithosphere would reach the modeled asthenosphere and represent tectonic subduction. In many such occurrences, extension in the over-riding slab would develop normal faults that could be penetrated by the lighter fraction of the subducted slab, generating volcanism and diapirism. These experiments suggest further that since the density contrasts and the low friction constraints could be satisfied at the intersections of fracture zones and slow-spreading oceanic ridges, subduction could occur there too and not only along ocean-continent boundaries. Furthermore, since the thermal gradient in ridge-fracture zone intersections is very steep and volatiles in the underthrust slab abound in the subducted slab, a portion of the underthrust basalts would undergo serpentinization and another segment could become peridotitic. It is suggested further that the light serpentinite would ascend through the normal faults in the over-riding slab and reach the seafloor diapirically, carrying along large sections of peridotite, to produce the serpentinite-peridotite petrology that typifies oceanic core complex at junctions of fracture zones and slow spreading ridges.

The current state of crustal stresses in the Caucasus and adjacent territories has been reconstructed. Stress inversion was performed by the cataclastic analysis of earthquake focal mechanisms considered as seismological strain indicators. The data were taken from the unified catalogue of focal mechanisms of the Northern Eurasia, which was consolidated by the Laboratory of Tectonophysics of IPE RAS in the early 1990s. It contains the information from many seismological data sources of various authors who worked both in the USSR and abroad. Seismological data for the last years after the collapse of the USSR were taken from Global CMT catalogue. The study area has been quite densely covered by reconstructions of the principal stress axes. At the same time, the area of stress averaging has been considerably reduced by the iterative use of a window for stress averaging, which was gradually expanded for zones with reduced densities of earthquake epicenters. The revealed regularities of the current stress field based on the unified catalogue of focal mechanisms collected by different authors correlate with the reconstructions performed according to the Global CMT catalogue. The cataclastic analysis of displacements along fractures allowed estimating the stress magnitudes, and the crust of the study area was zoned with respect to the intensity of normalized values of the lowest and highest stresses of horizontal compression, as well as to the normalized values of shear stresses acting on the crustal basement. In all cases, the values were normalized to the rock strength. The stress parameters are presented in “Tectonic Stresses of Eurasia”. This new Internet resource created by the Laboratory of Tectonophysics on the IPE RAS website shows the stress data in different scales and levels of details.

Spatial reconstruction of tectonic stresses within the Subpolar Ural quartz crystal-containing province was conducted by the kinematic method [Gushchenko, 1973, 1979] based on the main indicators of tectonic stresses on slickensides. Local stress states (LSS) and general stress fields for large blocks were reconstructed by the method described in [Sim, Marinin, 2015]. In the blocks with numerous occurrences of quartz crystal (Pelingichey and Omega-Shor blocks), the general stress fields is characterized by a stress state close to uniaxial tension, i.e. the Lode-Nadai coefficient µ=–1. In these blocks, thick quartz veins are perpendicular to the tension axis of the general stress field. In the block without quartz crystal (West Saled), the general stress field is characterized by a triaxial stress state or pure shear state (–1˂µσ˂+1). The LSS of the quartz crystal deposits show the following: the stress state of µ=–1 is typical of quartz veins without quartz crystal nests, and a special kind of stress state is reconstructed near the nests with piezoelectric material. It is named a variation of the type of stress state (VTSS), which means that within one tectonic stage, the type of stress state changes approximately as follows: µσ=+1 (40 %), µσ=–1 (40 %), and –1˂µσ˂+1. It means that in the piezoelectric mineral deposits, pulsating tectonic stresses provided for a fluid flow of hydrothermal solutions at the intersection of ore-bearing and ore-controling faults when tension (µ=–1) was replaced with compression (µ=+1), while the orientations of compression and tension axes remained unchanged. Apparently, such a regime was caused by alternating activation of the above-mentioned faults. The tectonic stress reconstructions were performed for 33 mineral deposits and occur­rences of quartz crystal. VTSS was determined in 32 deposits; one mineral occurrence is characterized by uniaxial tension. Therefore, we propose using VTSS (variation of the type of stress state) as a criterion for predicting the locations of quartz crystal deposits.

The Ms=7.3 Suusamyr earthquake of August 19, 1992 occurred in an area reputedly aseismic. Because it was not expected there, this event attracted worldwide attention of researchers in seismology and seismotectonics, but their results have not been included in the most recent seismic zoning map of Kyrgyzstan. New studies of neotectonic structures and focal mechanisms of earthquakes in the Suusamyr area and adjacent areas give reason to revise the established notions about the seismicity of the region. The seismic hazard in Inner Tienshan appears important and Mmax are comparable to those of the Northern and Southern Tienshan, where numerous destructive events were documented in the XIX and XX centuries. For the southern parts of the study area, along Naryn River, where hydroelectric power stations are planned, the new data should be used.

Observations reflecting the structure and conditions of the seismogravitational process in the lithosphere were analyzed using the data on the catastrophic tsunamigenic earthquake of Maule (Chile) [Sobisevich et al., 2019]. Seismogravitational processes were first identified by a group of Soviet scientists from the city of Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) under the leadership of Professor E.M. Linkov [Linkov et al., 1982, 1990]. The study of these processes continues at the North Caucasus Geophysical Observatory of IPE RAS, which was established in 2004. Experiments are carried out using unique quartz tiltmeters designed by D.G. Gridnev, which ensure the stable registration of long–period seismogravitational processes on the scale of the Earth [Sobisevich, 2013; Sobisevich et al., 2017].

It is known that changes in geochemical fields may be due to the formation and development of earthquake foci. Hydrogeochemical fields at observation sites can be disturbed by underground shocks of sufficient energy, which occur at specific epicentral distances. Our study aimed to reveal these relationships by analysing the concentrations of helium and radon in groundwaters of Southern Pribaikalie, the area around Lake Baikal in Russia. Water samples were taken daily at 10 a.m. from artesian well No. 3 in Zeleny Mys, Irkutsk region. After water sparging, radon concentrations were measured by beta-detection Camera-01 and INGEM-1 (magnetic discharge indicator of helium) to determine helium concentrations. We analysed the concentration values in connection with 22 seismic events that occurred from 2010 to 2016 at the hydrogeochemical observation site (energy classes K of 10.4–14.5; epicentral distances of 40–750 km; conditional energy of K’>6). Based on the radon and helium concentration diagrams, specific regularities were established in the concentration variations before the earthquakes. Generally, concentration variations (increasing/decreasing) in excess of 1.5–2.0 standard deviations preceded earthquakes. This article presents the study results and discusses variations in the radon and helium concentrations, which are due to the seismic process and can be considered as a short-term precursor of earthquakes.

We present the first results of fission-track dating of apatite monofractions from two rock samples taken from the Southern carbonatite massif of the world’s largest alkaline ultrabasic Guli pluton (~250 Ma), located within the Maymecha-Kotuy region of the Siberain Traps. Based on the apatite fission-track data and computer modeling, we propose two alternative model of the Guli pluton's tectonothermal history. The models suggest (1) rapid post-magmatic cooling of the studied rocks in hypabyssal conditions at depth about 1.5 km, or (2) their burial under a 2-3 km thick volcano-sedimentary cover and reheating above 110°C, followed by uplift and exhumation ca. 218 Ma.

The article presents new age data on the ‘key’ Early Paleozoic igneous complexes located in the central part of the Bureya continental massif of the Central Asian Fold Belt. Porphyroblastic quartz monzonites of the Kivili complex are dated to 453±2 Ma. The age of gneissic granites of the Sularin complex is ~481 Ma. The Sm-Nd isotope stu­dies show that Late Ordovician quartz monzonites were formed mainly from crustal sources with Paleoproterozoic Nd model isotopic ages. Both ancient (Paleoproterozoic?) and younger sources were involved in the formation of Cambrian granites. Our data, as well as previously published materials, suggest several stages of the Early Paleozoic magmatism in the evolution of the Bureya continental massif: ~541, ~504–500, ~487, ~474 and ~453 Ma. Early Paleozoic magmatism developed under a similar scenario in the Jiamusi continental massif. In addition to the synchronism of Neoproterozoic magmatism within these continental massifs, this feature testifies to their common geological history.

The Archean metamorphism in the southwestern Siberian craton was confirmed by the studies of the Kitoy and Irkutsk blocks. However, the parameters of the metamorphism process are still poorly investigated. The article presents the first results of studying the metamorphism conditions of garnet amphibolites sampled from the Kitoy sillimanite deposit. The reaction relationships of the studied minerals give grounds to distinguish two episodes of the regional metamorphism. At the end of the first episode, (Т=710–770 °С and Р=8.3–8.8 kb), the pressure reduced to 1.3–2.5 kbar at T=700 °C at the retrograde stage, and amphibole-plagioclase rims formed around garnet grains. During the second episode of metamorphism, the temperature reached 890 °С (granulite facies), and Cpx+Opx paragenesis replaced hornblende. The second episode of metamorphism is not evident in all the samples (considering the same bulk rocks composition of the rocks), which suggests its local character.

Tectonical and development features of the central part of the Volga-Ural anteclise and the Sura-Kama (SK) shear zone are considered in connection with the distribution patterns of oil fields. Based on the geological and structural data, it is found that the SK zone is a deep fault of a heterogeneous structure, which has signs of the long-term multistage development. At the plate stage, the SK zone developed under kinematic inversion and subsequent transpression and transtension deformations. We propose a model showing that during the transtension stages, deformations in the SK zone contributed to the primary migration of hydrocarbons in the Devonian domanic formations and their secondary redistribution. Within the SK zone, permeability was increased, and the zone itself acted as a concentrator of these formations in local decompression structures. Fault structures in the SK zone closed during the transpression stages; their reservoir properties were decreased; and hydrocarbons were squeezed predominantly in the lateral direction along the reservoirs in the area of dynamic unloading. At the eastern termination of the SK zone, the unique Arlan oil field was formed, wherein hydrocarbons were accumulated in conditions of alternating stresses between the sectors compensating shear displacements at the flanks of the zone. The unique Romashkinsky oil field was formed in the apical part of the South Tatar arch during its long-term uplifting and decompression, which contributed to progressive migration and accumulation of hydrocarbons from the transpression sector of SK zone. The proposed structural-dynamic model and ideas about compression – decompression regularities of hydrocarbon redistribution in the shear zones can be used for prediction and detection of new deposits. In particular, the dynamic analogues of the Arlan oil field in the east part of the SK zone can be found within the poorly studied western flank of this zone.

Magnetic exploration is the most informational and economical method of prospecting and exploration of iron-ore deposits. In rough-terrain and remote areas without any infrastructure, problems associated with ground-based methods can be avoided by using modern unmanned technologies that allow conducting geophysical surveys in a more efficient way. An unmanned aeromagnetic survey complex (aerial vehicle, UAV) Geoscan 401 was used to assess the possibility of using UAVs for aeromagnetic surveying of iron-ore deposits. Our experimental study was conducted in the well-studied area of the largest iron-ore deposit of South Yakutia. The UAV capacities were confirmed by comparing the aeromagnetic survey data with the available data obtained by ground magnetic exploration of the study area. By analysing magnetic fields, we established that the anomalies detected by the ground and aeromagnetic surveys were fully identical. Furthermore, a weak anomaly was discovered in the northeastern part of the study area (it was not reflected in the magnetic field from the ground survey data). Recalculation of the vertical gradient of the magnetic field shows that the anomaly is caused by a blind ore body. Its upper edge is located at a depth of 200–250 m from the day surface. In calculations for a data array without gradient intervals, a mean square error (MSE) amounts to 1.01 nT. An absolute error in the heights of the working and control flights did not exceed 1.5 m. Both the preliminary and control measurements were performed very efficiently. Profiles for UAV surveys were spaced by 100 m. A 1.0 km2 site was covered by one flight within approximately 20 minutes. The Geoskan-401 UAV is useful for obtaining orthophotos, topographic maps and 3D models of the surveyed territory as required for further studies consistent with the magnetic surveys. The aeromagnetic surveys were followed by trenching to verify the newly discovered anomalies. Based on the results of this experimental study, the forecast resources of the Sutam deposit should be increased by almost 250–350 million tons, i.e. plus 15 % to the previously explored and approved reserves of the Sutam field.

A critical discussion of competing models of the geodynamic nature (oceanic or continental subduction) and age (Meso-Neoarchean or Late Paleoproterozoic) of the eclogite facies metamorphism in the Belomorian eclogite province (BEP) is based on the systematic analysis of the sum of previously known and newly obtained data characterizing the geological structure of the Salma eclogite association and features of zircons from eclogites, including the isotopegeochronological and geochemical characteristics, composition and distribution of mineral inclusions. Regular changes in the REE trends and crystallization-recrystallization temperature of porous zircons in eclogite-metagabbro illustrate the sequence of magmatic and metamorphic events in the Meso-Neoarchean and Paleoproterozoic. The susceptibility to recrystallization of zircons is due to partial metamictness and porous structure. The earliest (~2.9 Ga) zircon zones retain mag-matic-type REE trends. The microinclusions of the prenite-pumpelliite and greenschist facies minerals and the increase in the LREE and MREE concentrations indicate hydrothermal metamorphism in the spreading ridge and on the ocean floor at 2.9–2.82 Ga. Prenite, pumpelliite, albite, actinolite, chlorite, diaspore and saponite also form inclusions in the eclogitic garnet. An increase of LREE and MREE, the disappearance of the Ce positive anomaly, a change from negative to positive Eu anomaly at 2.82–2.78 Ga indicate that plagioclase was removed during the formation of the ‘garnet + omphacite’ eclogite association and the replacement of sphene with rutile. The eclogite facies metamorphism linked with subduction of the oceanic crust is also indicated by the microinclusions of garnet and rutile in zircon. The crystallization temperature in 700–900 °C range of the round-oval zircons from eclogites-metagabbronorites records the Neoarchean granulite facies metamorphism at 2.77–2.70 Ga, the negative Eu anomalies in the cores and rims of zircons indicate the participation of plagioclase in the metamorphic crystallization. Late (2.1–1.7 Ga) rims of porous zircons that occurred at 600–680 °C are distinguished by minimal REE concentrations, a change from a positive Eu anomaly to a negative one, and the appearance of a negative Ce anomaly, which indicates the presence of plagioclase, reducing type of fluids and, accordingly, low water activity that is characteristic of high-temperature metamorphism under stretching condition and mantle-plume activity. The deep Sm-Nd system reworking in the Belomorian tectonic province, including BEP, at ~1.9 Ga was caused by the crustal heating that spread from the Lapland granulite belt border in the west-south-westward direction. The Lu-Hf system in zircon reworking with a significant increase in radiogenic Hf indicates the recrystallization of a long-existing garnet, in which a significant amount of radiogenic 176Hf accumulated by 1.9 Ga as a result of the 176Lu decay. This contradicts the earlier suggestion of the eclogite garnet primary crystallization in the late Paleoproterozoic (1.94–1.89 Ga).