Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute” Russian Antarctic Expedition

FEDERAL SERVICE OF RUSSIA FOR HYDROMETEOROLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING Federal State Budgetary Institution “Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute” Russian Antarctic Expedition

QUARTERLY BULLETIN №3 (60) July - September 2012 STATE OF ANTARCTIC ENVIRONMENT Operational data of Russian Antarctic stations

St. Petersburg 2012

FEDERAL SERVICE OF RUSSIA FOR HYDROMETEOROLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING Federal State Budgetary Institution “Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute” Russian Antarctic Expedition

QUARTERLY BULLETIN №3 (60) July - September 2012

STATE OF ANTARCTIC ENVIRONMENT Operational data of Russian Antarctic stations

Edited by V.V. Lukin

St. Petersburg 2012

Editor-in-Chief - M.O. Krichak (Russian Antarctic Expedition – RAE)

Authors and contributors Section 1 M. O. Krichak (RAE), Section 2 Ye .I. Aleksandrov (Department of Sea – Air Interaction), Section 3 G. Ye. Rybkov (Department of Ice Regime and Forecasting), Section 4 A. I. Korotkov (Department of Ice Regime and Forecasting), Section 5 Ye. Ye. Sibir (Department of Sea – Air Interaction), Section 6 I. V. Moskvin, Yu.G. Turbin (Department of Geophysics), Section 7 V.A. Novikov, A.S. Savenkov, S.G.Poigina (GS RAS) Section 8 V. L. Martyanov (RAE),

Translated by I.I. Solovieva http://www.aari.aq/, Antarctica/ Quarterly Bulletin/ Authors and contributors

Acknowledgements: Russian Antarctic Expedition is grateful to all AARI staff for participation and help in preparing this Bulletin.

For more information about the contents of this publication, please, contact Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute of Roshydromet Russian Antarctic Expedition Bering St., 38, St. Petersburg 199397 Russia Phone: (812) 352 15 41; 337 31 04 Fax: (812) 337 31 86 E-mail: [email protected]

CONTENTS

PREFACE 1

1. DATA OF AEROMETEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS 3 2. METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS IN JULY – SEPTEMBER 2012 42

3. REVIEW OF THE ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES OVER THE ANTARCTIC IN JULY – SEPTEMBER 2012 48

4. BRIEF REVIEW OF ICE PROCESSES IN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN FROM DATA OF SATELLITE AND COASTAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN JULY – SEPTEMBER 2012 49

5. RESULTS OF TOTAL OZONE MEASUREMENTS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 2012 52

6. GEOPHYSICAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN JULY – SEPTEMBER 2012 54

7. SEISMIC OBSERVATIONS IN ANTARCTICA IN 2011 65

8. MAIN RAE EVENTS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 2012 72

PREFACE

The activity of the Russian Antarctic Expedition in the third quarter of 2012 was carried out at five permanent year-round Antarctic stations - Mirny, Novolazarevskaya, Bellingshausen, Progress and Vostok and at the field bases Molodezhnaya, Leningradskaya, Russkaya and Druzhnaya-4. The work was carried out by the wintering team of the 57th RAE over a full complex of the Antarctic environmental monitoring programs. At the field bases, Molodezhnaya, Lenigradskaya, Russkaya and Druzhnaya-4, the automatic weather stations AWS of the model MAWS-110 and automatic geodetic complexes FAGS were in operation. The information of Molodezhnaya and Druzhnaya-4 stations is not transmitted temporarily via the satellite communication system due to technical failure, being stored at the stations until the time of the information readout during their visit. Section I in this issue of the Bulletin contains monthly averages and extreme data of standard meteorological and solar radiation observations carried out at permanent operating stations during July-September 2012 and data of upper-air sounding carried out at two stations Mirny and Novolazarevskaya once a day at 00.00 h Universal Time Coordinated (UTC). In accordance with the International Geophysical Calendar, more frequent sounding during the periods of the International Geophysical Interval is conducted in 2012 during 12– 25 March, 11– 24 June, 10 - 23 September and 10- 23 December at 00 h and 12 h UTC. In the meteorological tables, the atmospheric pressure for the coastal stations is referenced to sea level. The atmospheric pressure at Vostok station is not referenced to sea level and is presented at the level of the meteorological site. Along with the monthly averages of meteorological parameters, the tables in Section 1 contain their deviations from multiyear averages (anomalies) and deviations in f fractions (normalized anomalies (f-favg)/f). For the monthly totals of precipitation and total radiation, relative anomalies (f/favg) are also presented. The statistical characteristics necessary for the calculation of anomalies were derived at the AARI Department of Meteorology for the period 1961-1990 as recommended by the World Meteorological Organization. For Progress station, the anomalies are not calculated due to a short observation series. The Bulletin contains brief overviews with an assessment of the state of the Antarctic environment based on the actual data for the quarter under consideration. Sections 2 and 3 are devoted to the meteorological and synoptic conditions. A review of synoptic conditions (section 3) is prepared on the basis of the analysis of current aero-synoptic information, which is performed by RAE forecaster at Progress station and also on the basis of more complete data of the Southern Hemisphere contained in the Internet. The analysis of ice conditions in the Southern Ocean (section 4) is based on satellite data received at Bellingshausen, Novolazarevskaya, Mirny and Progress stations and on the observations conducted at the coastal Bellingshausen, Mirny and Progress stations. The anomalous character of ice conditions is evaluated against the multiyear averages of the drifting ice edge location and the mean multiyear dates of the onset of different ice phases in the coastal areas of the Southern Ocean adjoining the Antarctic stations. As the average and extreme values of ice edge location, the updated data are used which are received at the AARI for each month based on the results of processing the entire available historical archive of predominantly national information on the Antarctic for the period 1971 to 2005. Section 5 presents an overview of the total ozone (TO) on the basis of measurements at the Russian Antarctic stations during the given quarter. The measurements are interrupted in the wintertime at the Sun’s height of less than 5o. Data of geophysical observations published in Section 6 present the results of measurements under the program of geomagnetic observations, program of measurements of space radio-emission and program of vertical sounding of the ionosphere at Mirny, Novolazarevskaya, Vostok and Progress stations. Section 7 of this issue is devoted to seismic observations in Antarctica in 2011. Section 8 sets forth the main events of RAE logistical activities during the quarter under consideration.

RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS AND FIELD BASES

MIRNY STATION STATION SYNOPTIC INDEX 89592 METEOROLOGICAL SITE HEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL 39.9 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES  = 6633 S;  = 9301 E GEOMAGNETIC COORDINATES  = -76.8;  = 151.1 BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR DAY December 7 – January 5 BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR NIGHT No

NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION STATION SYNOPTIC INDEX 89512 METEOROLOGICAL SITE HEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL 119 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES  = 7046 S;  = 1150 E GEOMAGNETIC COORDINATES  = -62.6;  = 51.0 BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR DAY November 15 – January 28 BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR NIGHT May 21 – July 23

BELLINGSHAUSEN STATION STATION SYNOPTIC INDEX 89050 METEOROLOGICAL SITE HEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL 15.4 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES  = 6212 S;  = 5856 W BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR DAY No BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR NIGHT No

PROGRESS STATION STATION SYNOPTIC INDEX 89574 METEOROLOGICAL SITE HEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL 14,6 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES  = 6923 S;  = 7623 E BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR DAY November 21 – January 22 BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR NIGHT May 28 – July 16

VOSTOK STATION STATION SYNOPTIC INDEX 89606 METEOROLOGICAL SITE HEIGHT ABOVE SEA LEVEL 3488 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES  = 7828 S;  = 10648 E GEOMAGNETIC COORDINATES  = -89.3;  = 139.5 BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR DAY October 21 – February 21 BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR NIGHT April 23 – August 21

FIELD BASE MOLODEZHNAYA STATION SYNOPTIC INDEX 89542 HEIGHT OF AWS ABOVE SEA LEVEL 40 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES  = 6740 S;  = 4608 E BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR DAY November 29 – January 13 BEGINNING AND END OF POLAR NIGHT June 11 – July 2

FIELD BASE LENINGRADSKAYA STATION SYNOPTIC INDEX 89657 HEIGHT OF AWS ABOVE SEA LEVEL 291 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES  = 6930,1 S;  = 15923,2 E

FIELD BASE RUSSKAYA STATION SYNOPTIC INDEX 89132 HEIGHT OF AWS ABOVE SEA LEVEL 140 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES  = 7646 S;  = 13647,9 E

FIELD BASE DRUZHNAYA-4 HEIGHT OF ABOVE SEA LEVEL 50 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES  = 6944 S;  = 7342 E

FIELD BASE SOYUZ HEIGHT OF ABOVE SEA LEVEL 50 m GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES  = 7034 S;  = 6847 E

1. DATA OF AEROMETEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS

JULY 2012

MIRNY STATION Table 1.1 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear

averages (favg) Mirny, July 2012 Normalized Anomaly Relative anomaly Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 980.5 1009.3 951.2 -5.5 -0.9 Air temperature, C -20.9 -8.2 -30.7 -4.2 -1.6 Relative humidity, % 72 -2.2 -0.4 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 4.9 -1.8 -1.6 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 1.6 -1.4 -0.9 Precipitation, mm 19.0 -51.1 -1.0 0.3 Wind speed, m/s 13.6 30.0 0.9 0.6 Prevailing wind direction, deg 158 Total radiation, MJ/m2 10.4 1.4 0.7 1.2 Total ozone content (TO), DU - - -

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.1. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Mirny station. July 2012.

Table 1.2 Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages) Mirny, July 2012 Number of Isobaric Resultant Number of Isobaric Dew point Resultant Wind days surface Temperature, wind days surface, deficit, wind speed, stability without height, T C direction, without P hPa D C m/s parameter,% temperature H m deg wind data data

977 39 -20.7 4.0 925 444 -20.2 5.4 99 13 96 1 2 850 1066 -22.7 5.7 84 9 85 1 1 700 2486 -24.6 7.5 188 1 5 1 1 500 4861 -39.2 7.7 252 7 53 1 1 400 6354 -49.6 7.4 256 11 68 1 1 300 8182 -61.2 6.8 257 14 76 1 1 200 10641 -68.6 6.8 260 19 91 1 1 150 12351 -70.3 7.0 262 21 94 1 2 100 14738 -73.9 6.9 266 25 96 1 1 70 16788 -77.1 6.4 266 31 96 4 4 50 18709 -79.0 6.7 266 35 98 6 6 30 21524 -81.0 6.2 273 45 98 11 ≥9 20 23843 -80.1 6.4 269 50 99 14 ≥9

Table 1.3 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface height and temperature Mirny, July 2012

P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/Н Т-Тavg, С (Т-Тavg)/Т 850 -45 -1.0 -3.5 -1.7 700 -63 -1.2 -1.5 -0.9 500 -79 -1.1 -1.5 -0.8 400 -93 -1.3 -1.7 -1.1 300 -112 -1.4 -1.3 -1.0 200 -122 -1.4 -0.3 -0.2 150 -131 -1.4 -0.7 -0.4 100 -141 -1.3 -0.8 -0.4 70 -158 -1.3 -1.0 -0.5 50 -191 -1.5 -1.1 -0.4 30 -318 -2.1 -1.8 -0.6 20 -341 -2.0 -1.6 -0.4

NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION

Table 1.4 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear

averages (favg) Novolazarevskaya, July 2012 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 981.2 1002.4 961.7 -6.4 -1.1 Air temperature, C -19.2 -5.0 -34.0 -1.9 -0.7 Relative humidity, % 52 1.6 0.2 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 4.3 -1.2 -0.9 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 1.0 -0.1 -0.1 Precipitation, mm 43.7 5.4 0.1 1.1 Wind speed, m/s 10.4 28.0 -0.2 -0.1 Prevailing wind direction, deg 135 Total radiation, MJ/m2 0.9 -1.1 -0.5 0.4 Total ozone content (TO), DU - - -

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.2. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow coverage (F). Novolazarevskaya station, July 2012.

Table 1.5 Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages) Novolazarevskaya, July 2012 Number of Isobaric Resultant Number of Isobaric Dew point Resultant Wind days surface Temperature, wind days surface, deficit, wind speed, stability without height, T C direction, without P hPa D C m/s parameter,% temperature H m deg wind data data

966 122 -19.3 8.1 925 445 -18.0 10.9 114 11 90 1 3 850 1072 -21.8 11.1 96 11 83 1 1 700 2478 -27.9 9.6 110 6 54 1 1 500 4836 -40.4 9.5 239 5 40 1 1 400 6322 -50.3 8.4 242 9 56 1 1 300 8148 -60.9 7.7 243 12 67 1 1 200 10604 -68.9 7.9 249 14 76 1 1 150 12311 -71.4 8.1 252 15 86 1 1 100 14679 -76.1 8.1 257 19 89 2 2 70 16712 -79.6 8.1 262 23 92 3 3 50 18604 -82.0 8.2 266 27 93 4 4 30 21444 -83.4 8.0 268 33 94 ≥9 ≥9 20 23711 -81.6 8.2 268 38 95 11 ≥9

Table 1.6 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature Novolazarevskaya, July 2012

P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/Н Т-Тavg, С (Т-Тavg)/Т 850 -57 -1.3 -0.8 -0.4 700 -69 -1.6 -0.6 -0.3 500 -74 -1.3 -0.2 -0.1 400 -76 -1.1 0.1 0.1 300 -77 -1.1 1.3 1.2 200 -59 -0.8 2.6 1.7 150 -42 -0.6 2.1 1.5 100 -21 -0.3 1.7 1.2 70 -4 0.0 1.9 1.3 50 -14 -0.2 1.9 1.1 30 11 0.1 2.0 1.2 20 98 0.8 3.8 1.8

BELLINGSHAUSEN STATION

Table 1.7

Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear

averages (favg)

Bellingshausen, July 2012 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 989.5 1013.6 946.3 -4.4 -0.8 Air temperature, C -5.4 1.3 -16.3 1.2 0.4 Relative humidity, % 91 2.6 1.0 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 9.1 0.7 1.2 Lower cloudiness (sky coverage),tenths 8.1 1.0 0.9 Precipitation, mm 68.7 15.7 0.6 1.3 Wind speed, m/s 6.9 21.0 -0.5 -0.4 Prevailing wind direction, deg 45 Total radiation, MJ/m2 20.0 -4.0 -1.2 0.8

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.3. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). . Bellingshausen station. July 2012.

PROGRESS STATION

Table 1.8

Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f)

Progress, July 2012 Parameter f fmax fmin Sea level air pressure, hPa 982.8 1009.1 948.7 Air temperature, 0C -19.2 -7.0 -31.9 Relative humidity, % 61 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 5.9 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 3.2 Precipitation, mm 17.2 Wind speed, m/s 6.0 29.0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 90 Total radiation, MJ/m2 2.9

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.4. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Progress station. July 2012.

VOSTOK STATION

Table 1.9

Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear averages (favg)

Vostok, July 2012 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Station surface level air pressure, hPa 613.9 633.9 599.9 -7.2 -1.2 Air temperature, C -69.8 -55.2 -81.1 -2.7 -0.9 Relative humidity, % 57 -11.6 -2.7 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 2.6 -0.2 -0.2 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 0.0 0.0 0.0 Precipitation, mm 0.6 -2.6 -1.0 0.2 Wind speed, m/s 3.9 7.0 -1.8 -2.0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 112 Total radiation, MJ/m2 0.0 Total ozone content (TO), DU - - -

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.5. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed line) air temperature, ground level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dashed line, precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Vostok station. July 2012.

J u l y 2 0 1 2

Atmospheric pressure at sea level, hPa (pressure at Vostok station is ground level pressure) 980.5 981.2 989.5 982.8 1000 750 613.9 500 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/f -0.9 -1.1 -0.8 -1.2

Air temperature, °C -5.4 0 -20.9 -19.2 -19.2 -20 -40 -69.8 -60 -80 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/f -1.6 -0.7 0.4 -0.9

Relative humidity, % 91 100 72 52 61 57 50 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/f -0.4 0.2 1.0 -2.7

Total cloudiness, tenths 9.1 10 4.9 4.3 5.9 5 2.6 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/f -1.6 -0.9 1.2 -0.2

Precipitation, mm

68.7 80 43.7 60 40 19.0 17.2 0.6 20 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

f/favg 0.3 1.1 1.3 0.2

Mean wind speed, m/s 13.6 10.4 15 6.9 10 6.0 3.9 5 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/f 0.6 -0.1 -0.4 -2.0

Fig.1.6. Comparison of monthly averages of meteorological parameters at the stations. July 2012.

AUGUST 2012

MIRNY STATION Table 1.10 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear

averages (favg) Mirny, August 2012 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 981.1 1009.7 961.5 -3.3 -0.6 Air temperature, 0C -18.3 -7.6 -34.5 -1.1 -0.3 Relative humidity, % 72 -1.0 -0.2 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 5.3 -1.4 -1.6 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 2.4 -0.4 -0.3 Precipitation, mm 14.8 -52.6 -1.1 0.2 Wind speed, m/s 12.2 28.0 -0.7 -0.4 Prevailing wind direction, deg 158 Total radiation, MJ/m2 73.7 7.7 1.2 1.1 Total ozone content (TO), DU 320 484 234

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.7. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Mirny station. August 2012.

Table 1.11 Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages) Mirny, August 2012 Number of Isobaric Resultant Number of Isobaric Dew point Resultant Wind days surface Temperature, wind days surface, deficit, wind speed, stability without height, T 0C direction, without P hPa D 0C m/s parameter,% temperature H m deg wind data data

977 39 -18.2 3.4 925 446 -17.4 4.6 101 13 93 0 0 850 1075 -20.2 5.3 93 10 92 0 0 700 2498 -24.9 6.4 109 4 36 0 0 500 4871 -39.1 8.6 211 2 13 0 0 400 6366 -49.2 8.5 243 4 26 0 0 300 8199 -60.7 8.4 259 7 41 0 0 200 10655 -69.2 8.1 263 13 69 0 0 150 12364 -70.9 8.0 264 17 86 0 0 100 14756 -71.8 8.2 264 26 93 1 1 70 16847 -72.3 8.1 268 34 96 3 3 50 18826 -71.7 8.4 269 43 95 3 3 30 21754 -71.7 8.6 272 51 95 8 8 20 24085 -67.7 8.8 278 60 95 15 ≥9

Table 1.12 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature Mirny, August 2012 P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/Н Т-Тavg, С (Т-Тavg)/Т 850 -20 -0.5 -0.4 -0.2 700 -36 -0.6 -1.3 -0.7 500 -53 -0.7 -1.1 -0.5 400 -67 -0.8 -1.0 -0.5 300 -71 -0.7 -0.2 -0.1 200 -78 -0.7 1.2 0.6 150 -64 -0.6 1.6 0.7 100 -32 -0.3 3.3 1.1 70 4 0.0 4.5 1.2 50 20 0.1 5.4 1.1 30 -3 0.0 4.4 0.7 20 -56 -0.2 5.6 0.8

NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION

Table 1.13 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear averages (favg) Novolazarevskaya, August 2012 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 980.3 1001.1 957.9 -6.2 -1.1 Air temperature, 0C -15.0 -6.6 -31.2 3.3 1.4 Relative humidity, % 47 -3.7 -0.5 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 6.6 1.2 0.9 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 0.3 -0.6 -0.8 Precipitation, mm 18.8 -23.6 -0.5 0.4 Wind speed, m/s 14.3 31.0 3.7 1.9 Prevailing wind direction, deg 135 Total radiation, MJ/m2 33.2 -0.8 -0.2 1.0 Total ozone content (TO), DU 242 290 192

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.8. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow coverage (F). Novolazarevskaya station, August 2012.

Table 1.14 Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages) Novolazarevskaya, August 2012 Number of Isobaric Resultant Number of Isobaric Dew point Resultant Wind days surface Temperature, wind days surface, deficit, wind speed, stability without height, T 0C direction, without P hPa D 0C m/s parameter,% temperature H m deg wind data data

965 122 -15.0 9.8 925 437 -15.2 9.6 114 19 98 0 0 850 1069 -19.6 8.7 100 21 96 0 0 700 2489 -25.6 6.6 88 11 82 0 0 500 4861 -39.5 6.0 60 5 44 0 0 400 6352 -49.6 5.5 35 4 25 0 0 300 8180 -62.0 5.4 331 4 24 0 0 200 10601 -74.1 5.3 295 5 32 0 0 150 12260 -77.1 6.0 280 8 52 0 0 100 14569 -80.2 6.0 274 12 71 0 0 70 16567 -82.2 6.7 274 18 88 0 0 50 18430 -83.5 6.7 276 23 91 1 1 30 21265 -82.7 6.6 278 30 94 1 1 20 23539 -79.3 6.7 281 38 96 1 1

Table 1.15 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature

Novolazarevskaya, August 2012

P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/Н Т-Тavg, С (Т-Тavg)/Т 850 -44 -0.9 2.3 1.2 700 -36 -0.6 2.2 1.1 500 -21 -0.3 1.4 0.9 400 -15 -0.2 1.4 1.0 300 -8 -0.1 0.6 0.7 200 -20 -0.2 -1.6 -1.3 150 -40 -0.4 -1.6 -1.1 100 -59 -0.6 -1.0 -0.7 70 -94 -0.8 -0.5 -0.3 50 -139 -1.0 -0.5 -0.3 30 -170 -0.9 0.1 0.0 20 -168 -0.8 1.3 0.4

BELLINGSHAUSEN STATION

Table 1.16 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear

averages (favg) Bellingshausen, August 2012 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 989.9 1011.6 965.7 -2.1 -0.3 Air temperature, 0C -4.6 1.9 -16.0 2.1 0.9 Relative humidity, % 91 3.1 1.1 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 9.2 0.7 1.4 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 8.1 0.9 0.9 Precipitation, mm 85.4 17.2 0.5 1.3 Wind speed, m/s 8.1 17.0 0.3 0.3 Prevailing wind direction, deg 360 Total radiation, MJ/m2 66.5 -19.5 -2.4 0.8

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.9. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Bellingshausen station. August 2012.

PROGRESS STATION

Table 1.17

Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f)

Progress, August 2012 Parameter f fmax fmin Sea level air pressure, hPa 984.4 1017.7 960.5 Air temperature, 0C -17.0 -5.3 -30.1 Relative humidity, % 63 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 5.0 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 3.5 Precipitation, mm 27.6 Wind speed, m/s 7.0 32.0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 90 Total radiation, MJ/m2 44.4

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.10. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F).

Progress station. August 2012.

VOSTOK STATION

Table 1.18 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear

averages (favg) Vostok, August 2012 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Station surface level air pressure, hPa 619.6 637.0 607.5 0.0 0.0 Air temperature, C -70.9 -51.8 -79.8 -2.9 -0.8 Relative humidity, % 57 -11.6 -2.8 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 3.7 0.3 0.3 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 0.0 0.0 0.0 Precipitation, mm 0.7 -2.4 -0.6 0.2 Wind speed, m/s 4.4 9.0 -1.2 -1.5 Prevailing wind direction, deg 137 Total radiation, MJ/m2 3.2 1.2 0.7 1.6 Total ozone content (TO), DU - - -

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.11. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed line) air temperature, ground level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Vostok station. August 2012.

A u g u s t 2 0 1 2

Atmospheric pressure at sea level, hPa (pressure at Vostok station is ground level pressure)

981.1 980.3 989.9 984.4 1100 619.6 800 500 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/f -0.6 -1.1 -0.3 0.0

Air temperature, °C

-18.3 -15.0 -4.6 -17.0 -20 -50 -70.9 -80 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/f -0.3 1.4 0.9 -0.8

Relative humidity, %

72 91 100 47 63 57 50 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/f -0.2 -0.5 1.1 -2.8

Total cloudiness, tenths 9.2 10 6.6 5.3 5.0 3.7 5 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/f -1.6 0.9 1.4 0.3

Precipitation, mm 85.4 90 60 14.8 18.8 27.6 30 0.7 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

f/favg 0.2 0.4 1.3 0.2

Mean wind speed, m/s

20 12.2 14.3 8.1 7.0 10 4.4 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/f -0.4 1.9 0.3 -1.5

Fig. 1.12. Comparison of monthly averages of meteorological parameters at the stations. August 2012.

SEPTEMBER 2012

MIRNY STATION

Table 1.19 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear

averages (favg) Mirny, September 2012 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 980.2 1001.3 961.3 -1.9 -0.4 Air temperature, 0C -16.5 -4.5 -29.0 0.2 0.1 Relative humidity, % 70 -1.4 -0.3 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 6.8 0.3 0.3 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 2.5 -0.3 -0.3 Precipitation, mm 11.7 -49.2 -0.9 0.2 Wind speed, m/s 12.5 25.0 0.4 0.3 Prevailing wind direction, deg 112 Total radiation, MJ/m2 221.2 -1.8 -0.1 1.0 Total ozone content (TO), DU 323 448 224

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.13. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Mirny station. September 2012.

Table 1.20 Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages)

Mirny, September 2012 Number of Isobaric Resultant Number of Isobaric Dew point Resultant Wind days surface Temperature, wind days surface, deficit, wind speed, stability without height, T 0C direction, without P hPa D 0C m/s parameter,% temperature H m deg wind data data

973 39 -16.2 3.8 925 422 -16.8 5.0 100 15 95 0 1 850 1052 -19.8 4.8 89 13 91 0 1 700 2475 -25.6 5.2 82 6 50 0 0 500 4845 -39.5 5.6 36 1 10 0 0 400 6337 -49.6 5.8 297 3 21 0 0 300 8169 -60.1 5.8 275 7 47 0 0 200 10643 -66.9 6.0 274 14 82 0 0 150 12376 -68.0 6.1 276 20 92 0 0 100 14812 -67.4 6.3 277 28 95 0 0 70 16976 -64.0 6.8 278 39 96 1 1 50 19060 -59.5 7.3 280 50 97 2 2 30 22277 -52.3 9.1 283 66 98 6 6 20 24858 -44.3 10.3 287 73 98 12 ≥9

Table 1.21 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature

Mirny, September 2012

P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/Н Т-Тavg, С (Т-Тavg)/Т 850 -37 -0.9 -0.7 -0.4 700 -52 -1.2 -2.4 -1.5 500 -77 -1.4 -1.8 -1.0 400 -89 -1.3 -1.5 -0.9 300 -105 -1.5 -0.1 -0.1 200 -92 -1.1 2.3 1.3 150 -71 -0.8 2.5 1.0 100 -33 -0.4 3.0 0.8 70 17 0.2 4.7 0.9 50 56 0.4 6.9 1.1 30 134 0.6 8.5 1.2 20 139 0.4 10.7 1.4

NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION

Table 1.22

Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear

averages (favg) Novolazarevskaya, September 2012 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 984.7 996.7 953.9 0.5 0.1 Air temperature, 0C -15.5 -4.4 -30.1 1.7 0.9 Relative humidity, % 37 -14.1 -2.0 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 5.7 0.3 0.3 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 0.1 -0.7 -0.8 Precipitation, mm 29.0 -16.1 -0.3 0.6 Wind speed, m/s 10.1 35.0 0.2 0.1 Prevailing wind direction, deg 135 Total radiation, MJ/m2 168.0 -6.0 -0.4 1.0 Total ozone content (TO), DU 191 241 157

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.14. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow coverage (F). Novolazarevskaya station, September 2012.

Table 1.23 Results of aerological atmospheric sounding (from CLIMAT-TEMP messages)

Novolazarevskaya, September 2012 Number of Isobaric Resultant Number of Isobaric Dew point Resultant Wind days surface Temperature, wind days surface, deficit, wind speed, stability without height, T 0C direction, without P hPa D 0C m/s parameter,% temperature H m deg wind data data

969 122 -15.4 12.5 925 474 -15.7 13.6 111 15 95 0 1 850 1106 -19.7 14.3 99 16 95 0 1 700 2527 -25.0 12.2 94 8 70 0 0 500 4911 -38.2 8.6 291 2 15 0 0 400 6407 -49.3 7.8 290 4 31 0 0 300 8232 -62.7 7.2 293 7 49 0 0 200 10644 -74.8 6.9 285 8 64 0 0 150 12300 -77.4 7.6 277 10 78 0 0 100 14606 -79.8 7.7 276 12 83 0 0 70 16612 -80.7 7.8 280 16 92 0 0 50 18505 -80.4 8.0 281 21 94 1 1 30 21404 -76.8 8.5 285 27 96 1 1 20 23776 -68.6 9.6 290 32 96 1 1

Table 1.24 Anomalies of standard isobaric surface heights and temperature

Novolazarevskaya, September 2012

P hPa Н-Нavg, m (Н-Havg)/Н Т-Тavg, С (Т-Тavg)/Т 850 5 0.1 1.4 1.0 700 11 0.3 2.4 1.8 500 30 0.6 1.9 1.7 400 37 0.7 1.0 0.9 300 34 0.6 -0.7 -0.6 200 9 0.1 -2.5 -1.6 150 -15 -0.2 -2.5 -1.5 100 -50 -0.6 -2.5 -1.3 70 -83 -0.9 -2.5 -1.1 50 -128 -1.1 -2.2 -0.7 30 -202 -1.1 -1.8 -0.4 20 -286 -1.0 0.2 0.0

BELLINGSHAUSEN STATION

Table 1.25

Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear averages (favg) Bellingshausen, September 2012 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Sea level air pressure, hPa 994.7 1017.0 968.5 3.6 1.1 Air temperature, 0C -5.7 0.9 -16.5 -1.3 -0.7 Relative humidity, % 90 1.3 0.5 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 9.0 0.2 0.4 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 8.2 0.3 0.4 Precipitation, mm 91.5 28.7 1.4 1.5 Wind speed, m/s 8.9 20.0 0.9 0.9 Prevailing wind direction, deg 158 Total radiation, MJ/m2 157.2 -56.8 -3.2 0.7

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.15. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Bellingshausen station. September 2012.

PROGRESS STATION

Table 1.26

Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f)

Progress, September 2012 Parameter f fmax fmin Sea level air pressure, hPa 982.6 1003.9 967.6 Air temperature, 0C -15.8 -3.8 -29.9 Relative humidity, % 62 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 6.8 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 2.8 Precipitation, mm 9.0 Wind speed, m/s 6.8 18.0 Prevailing wind direction, deg 90 Total radiation, MJ/m2 176.9

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.16. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed line) air temperature, sea level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Progress station. September 2012.

VOSTOK STATION Table 1.27 Monthly averages of meteorological parameters (f) and their deviations from the multiyear

averages (favg) Vostok, September 2012 Normalized Anomaly Relative Parameter f fmax fmin anomaly f-favg anomaly f/favg (f-favg)/f Ground level air pressure, hPa 617.1 633.5 603.5 -0.9 -0.2 Air temperature, C -70.0 -51.8 -84.2 -4.3 -1.2 Relative humidity, % 59 -10.0 -2.3 Total cloudiness (sky coverage), tenths 4.8 0.9 0.9 Lower cloudiness(sky coverage),tenths 0.0 -0.1 -0.5 Precipitation, mm 6.3 3.3 1.2 2.1 Wind speed, m/s 4.7 11.0 -0.8 -0.9 Prevailing wind direction, deg 135 Total radiation, MJ/m2 111.3 12.3 1.1 1.1 Total ozone content (TO), DU 187 231 151

А B

C D

E F

Fig. 1.17. Variations of daily mean values of surface temperature (A, bold line), maximum (A, thin line), minimum (A, dashed line) air temperature, ground level air pressure (B), relative humidity (C), mean (D, thick line), maximum (D, thin line) values of surface wind speed, maximum wind gust (D, dashed line), precipitation (E) and snow cover thickness (F). Vostok station. September 2012.

S E P T E M B E R 2012

Atmospheric pressure at sea level, hPa (pressure at Vostok station is ground level pressure)

980.2 984.7 994.7 982.6 1100 900 617.1 700 500 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/f -0.4 0.1 1.1 -0.2

Air temperature, °C

-16.5 -15.5 -5.7 -15.8 -20 -50 -70.0 -80 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/f 0.1 0.9 -0.7 -1.2

Relative humidity, % 90 70 62 59 100 37 50 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/f -0.3 -2.0 0.5 -2.3

Total cloudiness, tenths 9.0 10 6.8 5.7 6.8 4.8 5 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/f 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.9

Precipitation, mm 91.5 100 29.0 50 11.7 9.0 6.3 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

f/favg 0.2 0.6 1.5 2.1

Mean wind speed, m/s

20 12.5 10.1 8.9 6.8 10 4.7 0 Mirny Novolaz Bellings Progress Vostok

(f-favg)/f 0.3 0.1 0.9 -0.9

Fig.1.18. Comparison of monthly averages of meteorological parameters at the stations. September 2012.

2. METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS IN JULY-SEPTEMBER 2012

Fig. 2.1 characterizes the air temperature conditions in July-September 2012 at the Antarctic continent. It presents monthly averages, anomalies and normalized anomalies of surface air temperature at the Russian and non- Russian meteorological stations. The actual data of the Russian Antarctic Expedition contained in /1/ were used for the Russian Antarctic stations and data contained in /2, 3/ were used for the foreign stations. The multiyear averages over the period 1961-1990 were adopted from /4/. In July, as compared to June, there was an increase of the number of stations with the below zero anomalies of mean monthly air temperature, which covered the coastal part of East Antarctica, the area of the Queen Maud Land and the east coast of the Weddell Sea. The largest values of the below zero anomalies were recorded at Mirny (-4.2 °С, -1.6 ) and Halley (-4.4 °С, -1.3 ) stations. July 2012 at these stations was the fourth and the seventh coldest July, respectively, for the entire operation period of the stations. Small above zero anomalies of air temperature were observed at the coast of the Ross Sea and on the Antarctic Peninsula. The highest value of the above zero anomaly was recorded at Rothera station (3.2°С, 0.7 ). In August, the below zero anomalies of air temperature persisted at the stations of the Indian Ocean coast of East Antarctica, in the inland part of Antarctica and at the east coast of the Weddell Sea, but the values of the anomalies were not high and comprised about 1 . Only at Halley station at the east coast of the Weddell Sea, the value of the below zero air temperature was -5.3°С (-1.4 ). August 2012 at Halley station was the sixth coldest August for the entire observation period from 1957. At the Atlantic coast of the Queen Maud Land, in the area of the Victoria Land, the Ross Sea and on the Antarctic Peninsula, the above zero anomalies of air temperature were observed. The largest above zero anomaly was recorded near Rothera station (5.3 °С, 1.4 ). August 2012 at the station was the second warmest August for the entire observation period. In September, the area of the below zero anomalies of air temperature was extended to the eastern part of the Queen Maud Land and the Victoria Land area. The largest below zero anomaly was observed in the area of the Queen Maud Land near Syowa station (-5.2 °С, -2.1). September 2012 became here the third coldest September. Small heat areas were recorded at the coast of the Ross Sea, in the southern area of the Antarctic Peninsula and in the western part of the Atlantic coast of the Queen Maud Land. The values of the above zero anomalies comprised about 1. An assessment of the long-period changes of mean monthly air temperature at the Russian stations for the months under consideration reveals a statistically significant trend at Bellingshausen and Novolazarevskaya stations for August and at Mirny station for September (Figs. 2.2-2.4). The increase of air temperature for August at Bellingshausen and Novolazarevskaya stations comprised 2.5 °С/45 years and 2.0 °С/52 years, respectively, and at Mirny station for September is 2.5 °С/56 years (Table 2.1). The atmospheric pressure at the Russian stations in July-September was characterized by predominantly small negative deviations from a multiyear average. The largest negative air pressure anomaly was observed in July at Vostok station (-7.2 hPa, -1.2 ). This is the eighth case of such a low air pressure in July at this station. In September, there was a large positive air pressure anomaly (3.6 hPa, 1.2 ) at Bellingshausen station. At this station, such an increase of air pressure in September was noted for the tenth time over the whole observation period from 1968 (the largest positive anomaly was noted in 2002, 12.0 hPa, 3.5 ). The long-period changes of the atmospheric pressure have a tendency for a decrease for July-August at all Russian stations (except for August at Bellingshausen station), and for September – only at Mirny station. The statistically significant linear trends of the air pressure decrease are preserved for July at Novolazarevskaya station, and for August – at Mirny station. The largest air pressure decrease is noted at Mirny station for August (-5.8 hPa/56 years). The statistically significant air pressure increase for these months is noted only at Vostok station for September, where the air pressure increased for the entire observation period by 4.8 hPa. The amount of precipitation in July-September at the Russian stations Mirny (all months of the given quarter), Novolazarevskaya (August-September) and Vostok (July-August) was less than a multiyear average comprising 0.2 to 0.6 of the monthly multiyear average. Only at Bellingshausen station in July-September and at Vostok station in September there was an excess of the monthly multiyear average. At Bellingshausen station, the precipitation amount comprised 1.3 to 1.5 monthly multiyear averages and at Vostok station in September – around two monthly multiyear averages.

Table 2.1

Linear trend parameters of mean monthly surface air temperature

Stations, Parameter VII VIII IX VII VIII IX Operation period Entire observation period 2003-2012 Novolazarevskaya °С/10 years 0.34 0.38 0.23 2.61 -0.76 1.45 1961-2012 % 17.8 24.0 18.7 24.0 8.9 55.5 Р - 90 - - - 90 Mirny °С/10 years 0.21 0.16 0.45 2.27 -1.42 0.46 1957-2012 % 11.3 9.1 29.6 19.3 19.7 7.7 Р - - 95 - - - Vostok °С/10 years 0.29 0.25 -0.04 1.75 -4.8 -3.67 1958-2012 % 13.1 11.4 1.7 12.8 35.0 44.3 Р ------Bellingshausen °С/10 years 0.13 0.55 0.05 -2.16 -3.01 -2.39 1968-2012 % 5.7 31.1 3.6 23.5 44.3 48.6 Р - 95 - - - -

First line is the linear trend coefficient; Second line is the dispersion value explained by the linear trend; Third line: P=1-, where  is the level of significance (given if P exceeds 90%).

References:

1. http://www.south.aari.nw.ru 2. http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/ol/climate/climatedata.html 3. http://www.nerc-bas.ac.uk/public/icd/metlog/jones_and_limbert.html 4. Atlas of the Oceans. The Southern Ocean. GUNiO МО RF, St. Petersburg, 2005

Fig. 2.1. Mean monthly and mean annual values of (1) surface air temperatures, their anomalies (2) and normalized anomalies (3) in July (VII), August (VIII), September (IX) 2012 from data of stationary meteorological stations in the South Polar Area.

Fig. 2.2. Interannual variations of anomalies of air temperature and atmopsheric pressure at the Russian Antarctic stations. July.

Fig. 2.3. Interannual variations of anomalies of air temperature and atmopsheric pressure at the Russian Antarctic stations. August.

Fig. 2.4. Interannual variations of anomalies of air temperature and atmopsheric pressure at the Russian Antarctic stations. September.

3. REVIEW OF THE ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES OVER THE ANTARCTIC IN JULY-SEPTEMBER 2012

In July, the frequency of occurrence of the zonal circulation form of the atmosphere of the southern hemisphere was significantly higher for the fourth month in succession compared to its mean multiyear values. One could note a significant weakening of the circulation form Мb while the frequency of occurrence of form Ма corresponded to mean multiyear values (Table 3.1). By intensity of the atmospheric circulation, July was not significantly different from the previous month. Only several cases of the displacement of deep cyclones to the Antarctic coast along the steep meridional trajectories were noted. The storm wind gusts comprised up to 43 m/s at this in Prydz Bay and up to 45 m/s in the Lazarev Sea. In several cases the increase of the catabatic wind in different regions of the Antarctic coast enlivened the general quiet picture of July. At the rest of the time, shallow cyclones with low activity developing at the Antarctic front and moving with a significant zonal component prevailed. One should note the activity of the Atlantic, African, New Zealand, and the Central and East Pacific branches of the meridional trajectories of cyclones. The development of the cyclogenesis at the Antarctic front in more southern latitudes resulted in the formation of a circumpolar source of negative anomalies of mean monthly pressure above the South Polar area. The air pressure anomalies over much of the Antarctic comprised -4 hPa to -8 hPa. Since the mean-root-square deviation of air pressure in July for the Antarctic stations comprises 4-5 hPa /1/, the normalized anomalies over a vast territory can be considered large. A significant prevalence of the zonal processes resulted in the disturbance of the inter-latitudinal exchange of air masses over most of the Antarctic region and, correspondingly, in the formation of significant negative air temperature anomalies over a large area. A decrease of the background temperature did not affect only the Antarctic Peninsula, the Drake Passage and the Scotia and Ross Seas. Over the other regions of the Antarctic, the below zero air temperature anomalies were observed.

Table 3.1 Frequency of occurrence of the atmospheric circulation forms of the Southern Hemisphere and their anomalies (days) in July-September 2012

Months Frequency of occurrence Anomalies Z Ma Mb Z Ma Mb July 16 12 3 6 0 -6 August 14 9 8 2 -2 0 September 11 11 8 -1 0 1

In August, the dominance of zonal atmospheric circulation was preserved, although it was not as overwhelming as in the previous months (Table 3.1). Among the meridional trajectories of cyclones in August one can note the activity of the Central Atlantic and occasionally of the African branches. Zonal branches of the trajectories of cyclones were also active. The intensity of the general atmospheric circulation did not differ from the usual winter picture. As to the peculiarities of the distribution of thermal baric fields, one should note the dominance of the negative air pressure anomalies over much of the Antarctic. One can delineate their sources over the Bellingshausen and Lazarev Seas and also over the Mawson Sea. Over the Ross Sea, a source of large negative anomalies of mean monthly air pressure was noticed. The background of air temperature anomalies was more complicated and the areas of anomalies of different signs were observed. It is noted that a center of the below zero anomalies of surface air temperature was formed over the Antarctic Plateau, which is probably connected with the increased zonality of the atmospheric processes leading to weakening of the inter-latitudinal air exchange /2,3/. In September, some weakening of zonal processes was noted for the first time during the half a year. In general, data on the recurrence of the circulation forms of the atmosphere can be considered close to a multiyear average. One can note that the intensity of the atmospheric circulation was slightly less than usually for the winter period. One could observe the increased activity of the meridional trajectories of the cyclones at the Atlantic, African, Kerguelen, New Zealand and East- and Central Pacific Ocean branches. The thermal and baric fields in September had many centers and were of different signs at insignificant anomalies. There was a decreased background air temperature over the inland area at small deviations of the atmospheric pressure from a multiyear average. Assessing the peculiarities of the atmospheric processes in the middle of the Antarctic winter in general, a significant weakening of zonal circulation, which dominated in the previous months, should be noted as their most significant feature. This tendency determined the main characteristics of the circulation processes and weather conditions over the South Polar area. References: 1. Handbook on climate of Antarctica, v.2. L., Gidrometeoizdat, 1977, 494 p. 2. http://www.nerc-bas.ac.uk/public/icd/metlog/jones_and_limbert.html 3. http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/climate/cmb.cgi?page

4. BRIEF REVIEW OF ICE PROCESSES IN THE SOUTHERN OCEAN FROM DATA OF SATELLITE AND COASTAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN JULY - SEPTEMBER 2012

Throughout the wintertime, one observed an unusually uniform expansion of the ice belt. As a result, the sea ice extent close to a multiyear average that was observed in May-June /1/, was significantly exceeded approximately by 1.5 % (0.2-0.3 mln km2), already in July and August. In July, at the beginning of the month one should note the next intensified ice export from the Weddell Sea to Bransfield Strait completely blocking it up to Deception Island and also filling with ice Maxwell Bay. This resulted on 7 July in the establishment of landfast ice over the entire area of Ardley Bay – its first complete freeze up (Table 4.1). By the end of the month, an ice tongue from the area of Marguerite Bay began to spread in the Bellingshausen gyre system to the east in the direction of the Drake Passage. Simultaneously there was weakening of the ice flow from Bransfield Strait to the Weddell Sea. The Maxwell Bay was ice-cleared and in Ardley Bay on 26 July, there was a breakup of the eastern part of landfast ice with its subsequent export. In August, the ice tongue from Marguerite Bay reached the western margin of the South Shetland Islands. As a result, the Antarctic ice belt attained a completed circumpolar character. At the head of Marguerite Bay, in Simonov Gulf, the landfast ice formation was delayed. In September, the ice area in the Southern Ocean reached its absolute maximum for the entire period of satellite microwave measurements from 1979 – about 19.5 mln km2, exceeding the mean multiyear value of 18.6 mln km2 by about 5%. An insignificantly decreased sea ice extent of the Bellingshausen and Scotia Seas was over and above compensated by the ice belt size greater than a multiyear average in the eastern part of the Weddell Gyre (30○W – 0○ – 30○E) in the Commonwealth and D’Urville Seas (Fig. 4.1). The main contribution to the extreme sea ice extent was made by the Mawson and Amundsen Seas, the areas of the Wilkes Land and Russkaya station where the ice edge corresponded to the maximum possible northern location. In the first part of the month there was probably the final ice inflow this year from the Weddell Sea to Bransfield Strait and Maxwell Bay. The Ardley Bay on 18 September was once again completely frozen. In the end of September in the area of the South Shetland Islands the spring ice clearance process began. Simultaneously in the Bellingshausen Sea, the ice edge rapidly retreated approximately from 65○ to 68○ S, probably due to a quick melting of the marginal zones of nilas and grey ice. However the growth of landfast ice continued in the areas of all coastal stations (Table 4.2). At the roadstead of Mirny, the thickest for the last two decades landfast ice was formed during the winter. Its thickness exceeded approximately by 20 cm the multiyear average. Obviously the exceptionally low snow concentration on the ice played some role, being also an indirect indicator of the dominance of cold anticyclonic weather. In the area of Progress station, the landfast ice was on the opposite extremely snow-covered. Therefore the ice thickness here, although not much, but still was less than the mean multiyear values. Of interest is the high intensity of ice growth in Ardley Bay at Bellingshausen station. This landfast ice being most snow-covered reached by the end of winter a thickness of about 90 cm, which was a multiyear average for the 1970s.

References:

1. Quarterly Bulletin “State of Antarctic Environment. Operational data of Russian Antarctic stations”. SI AARI, Russian Antarctic Expedition, 2012, No.2, p. 49-51.

Table 4.1

Dates of the onset of main ice phases in the area of Bellingshausen station in winter of 2012

Station Ice formation Landfast ice Freeze up Landfast ice breakup Clearance (water body) First Stable First Stable First Final Start Final First Final Bellingshausen Actual 05.04 05.04 23.04 07.06 07.07 NO1 09.10 NO - - (Ardley Bay) Multiyear 12.05 06.06 09.06 17.06 30.06 05.07 14.09 13.10 21.10 01.11 average

Note:1 - phenomenon was absent (did not occur).

Table 4.2

First-year landfast ice thickness and snow depth (cm) on it in the areas of the Russian Antarctic stations in winter of 2012

Station Characteristics M o n t h s VI VII VIII IX Mirny 1 Actual 99 117 137 157 Ice Multiyear 84 101 121 139 average Actual 7 9 5 3 Snow Multiyear 18 18 19 20 average Progress 1 Actual 98 112 130 142 Ice Multiyear 97 117 132 145 average Actual 17 14 15 14 Snow Multiyear 5 6 7 7 average Bellingshausen Ice Actual 542 63 75 88 Multiyear 142 Snow 22 18 21 average

Notes: 1 – the mean multiyear values of landfast ice parameters for Mirny station for 1956–2011 and Progress station for 1988–2009 were updated,

2 – the values of ice thickness and snow depth are reduced to the measurements by a more representative point.

Fig. 4.1. Average location of the external northern sea ice edge in the Southern Ocean in September 2012 (1), maximum (2), average (3) and minimum (4) ice spreading for a multiyear period.

5. RESULTS OF TOTAL OZONE MEASUREMENTS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 2012

After the end of the polar night the Russian stations in Antarctica resumed measurements of total ozone (TO): at Mirny station – from 30 July, at Novolazarevskaya station – from 14 August and at Vostok station – from 7 September. Beginning from the middle of August 2012, the average air temperature over the region of 60-90° S was comparable with a multiyear average (for the period 1979-2011) or below it [1-4]. In the second part of August, some increase of air temperature was noted. By the end of August, the air temperature decreased again. From the beginning of September, the average temperature of the isobaric surface of 50 hPa above the Antarctic Dome remained close to the average for the given season of the year or slightly higher. The area of the polar stratospheric clouds, beginning from the middle of May and until the beginning of July, was greater than a multiyear average (for 1979-2011), reaching the maximum of 25 mln km2 on 12 July. After this the area of the clouds until the end of August remained significantly less than the average and during September similar to the whole winter, it was close to the average value or slightly less. As a result, the area of the ozone hole increased in the first part of August slower than during the same period in the preceding years [1-4]. However from the middle of August, the increase of the ozone hole was according to the scenario, which was very similar to the scenario of 2011. By 28 September, the area of the hole was 20.8 mln km2, and it reached the maximum value of 21.2 mln km2 on 22 September. So, the area of the ozone hole was less than on 28 September in 2011 (24.3 mln km2) and on 28 September in 2010 (21.7 mln km2). During the last decade the ozone hole had a smaller area in September only in 2004. Since the Sun has already returned to Antarctica after the polar night and the decay of the ozone continues, it is still early to say how the ozone hole will develop this year and what the ozone mass deficit will be. In spring of 2012, there was a significant decrease of ozone concentration at the Russian Vostok and Novolazarevskaya stations, as was usual for the last few years (Fig. 5.1). At the same time the total ozone concentration in the area of Mirny station was very high for this time of the year, comprising on some days in the end of August and the end of September more than 400 DU (the maximum TO values on these days were 484 DU on 19 August and 448 DU on 28 September), which was observed for the last 20 years only once in 2002. High variability of ozone concentration in Mirny is explained by a peripheral location of the station relative to the location of the ozone hole. The lowest TO values in August-September comprised at Vostok station 151 DU on 26 September, at Novolazarevskaya station 157 DU on 19 September and at Mirny station 224 DU on 11 September, i.e., higher than in 2011. The mean monthly TO values in August and September 2012 at all Russian stations were also higher than in 2011 (320 DU in August and 323 DU in September at Mirny station, 242 DU and 191 DU at Novolazarevskaya station and 187 DU in September at Vostok station) [5].

500 500 1 450 2 450

400 3 400

350 350

300 300

250 250

200 200 Total ozone DU Total 150 150

100 100

50 50

0 0 25.07.2012 09.08.2012 24.08.2012 08.09.2012 23.09.2012 Date

Fig. 5.1. Mean daily TO values at the Russian stations in the third quarter of 2012 1 – Mirny, 2 – Novolazarevskaya, 3 – Vostok

References:

1 Antarctic Ozone Bulletin, 2012, №1-3 http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/arep/gaw/ozone/index.html 2 http://ozone-watch.gsfc.nasa.gov/ 3 http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/stratosphere/sbuv2to/ 4 http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/met1. 5 Quarterly Bulletin “State of Antarctic Environment. Operational data of Russian Antarctic stations”. SI AARI, Russian Antarctic Expedition, 2011, No. 3

6. GEOPHYSICAL OBSERVATIONS AT THE RUSSIAN ANTARCTIC STATIONS IN JULY- SEPTEMBER 2012

The geomagnetic observations in the third quarter of 2012 were carried out at Vostok, Novolazarevskaya and Mirny stations under the standard program, and at Progress station – in the test regime after the magnetic pavilion was transferred to the new place and all magnetometers were reinstalled. At Novolazarevskaya station, the coordinated change of the obtained absolute values of Н and Z constituents continued during 2011 – 2012. One of the possible causes could be the changed dip angle of the magnetic field vector in this region, but there could also be other causes. Study of these changes will be continued. The basis values at all stations are stable (except for Progress station) and the random error of their measurements is within the permissible limits. The degree of stability of the basis values determines the correctness of performance of variometers, their unchanged fixing on the basement and a possibility of the correct use of the results obtained. At Progress station, the obtained results exceed the permissible bounds due to reinstallation of the instruments in the magnetic pavilion. All events noted in the data of riometers and in the data of vertical sounding at Mirny station are also observed on the magnetograms of these stations. Registration of the space radio-emission level was carried out at Mirny (32 and 40 MHz frequencies), Novolazarevskaya (32 MHz frequency) and Vostok (32 MHz frequency) stations. The analysis presents an assessment of the work of riometers in general and the classification of riometer absorption increases depending on the factors influencing these increases. The increases with the amplitude greater than 0.5 dB were analyzed. The following abbreviations were used: (1) SPE (solar proton event) – a phenomenon of the increase of solar proton fluxes after strong solar bursts, registered in the interplanetary space and in the Earth’s magnetosphere; (2) GS (geomagnetic storm) – a phenomenon of the increase of global geomagnetic activity, registered after strong solar bursts; (3) PCA (type of polar cap absorption) – a phenomenon of the increase of absorption determined by the proton fluxes during the SPE; (4) AA (auroral absorption) – a phenomenon of the increase of absorption determined by the fluxes of magnetospheric particles during the GS. The absorption increases can be caused by the global factors (SPE and GS), and the local factors (local increase of geomagnetic activity or malfunction of riometer). During the analysis data from the Internet on the solar proton fluxes (with energy of 1 – 100 MeV) and the level of geomagnetic activity (Кр index) were used.

July

During this month 7 SPE phenomena were observed. The SPE phenomena were superimposed on each other forming prolonged continuous periods of the increased intensity of solar proton fluxes: on 7 -12, 12 – 17 and 17 – 28 July. Two geomagnetic storms were registered: on 8 – 13 and 14 – 19 July. Vostok (32 MHz). Three periods of the increased absorption with the peaks on 9, 14 and 20 July (with the amplitudes of 0.5, 1.2 and 0.6 dB, respectively) were observed. These increases are connected with the solar proton fluxes at the time of 1, 2 and 3 SPE. During the other part of the month the absorption was not greater than 0.5 dB. Mirny (32 MHz). Six increases of absorption were registered. The increases with the peaks on 2 and 6 July (with the amplitudes of 4 and 1.5 dB, respectively) are probably the AA, connected with the increased level of geomagnetic activity. The increases with the maximums on 9 and 14 July (with the amplitudes of 1.3 and 3.2 dB, respectively) present a sum of absorption of the PCA and AA and are determined by the solar proton fluxes during the SPE and the fluxes of magnetosphere particles at the time of the GS. The increases with the maximums on 18, 20 and 24 July (with the amplitudes of 2.1, 1.7 and 0.5 dB, respectively) are the PCA, determined by the solar proton fluxes during the corresponding SPE. Novolazarevskaya (32 MHz). Seven increases of absorption were registered. The increase with the maximum on 2 July (with the amplitude of 7 dB) is probably the AA determined by the magnetosphere particles, connected with the increased level of geomagnetic activity. The increases with the peaks on 9, 12, 15 and 19 July (with the amplitudes of 3, 4, 6 and 2.8 dB, respectively) present a sum of absorption of the type of PCA and AA and are determined by the fluxes of solar protons and magnetosphere particles at the time of the SPE and GS. The increases with the maximums on 24 and 31 July (with the amplitudes of 1.5 and 2 dB, respectively) are the AA, determined by magnetosphere particles at the time of the increased level of geomagnetic activity.

August

During this month the SPE phenomena were not registered. A geomagnetic storm was observed on 2 – 4 August. Moderate geomagnetic perturbations occurred on 7-8, 16 – 17 and 19 – 20 August. Vostok (32 MHz). The increases of absorption were observed with the peaks on 7 and 19 August (with the amplitudes of 0.5 and 0.4, respectively), which present the AA, determined by magnetosphere particles at the time of brief increases of the level of geomagnetic activity. The increase with the maximum on 23 August (with the amplitude of 0.5) is connected with the local factors. At the rest of the time the level of record was not greater than 0.3 dB. Mirny (32 MHz). Five increases of absorption were registered. The increases with the peaks on 13, 16, 20, 22 and 26 August (with the amplitudes of 1.5, 0.7, 0.7, 3.2 and 0.7 dB, respectively) are the AA, determined by the fluxes of magnetosphere particles at the time of brief geomagnetic perturbations on these days. Novolazarevskaya (32 MHz). Seven increases of absorption were registered with the peaks on 1, 3, 6, 11, 17, 24 and 26 July (with the amplitudes of 1.2, 1.2, 2.0, 1.2, 5.2, 2.0 and 2.5 dB, respectively), which are the AA, determined by the fluxes of magnetosphere particles at the time of geomagnetic perturbations on the corresponding days. . September

During September, several SPE phenomena were observed, which are superimposed on each other and cover 3 periods on 1 – 6, 7 – 9 and 28 – 30 September. Two geomagnetic storms were registered on 1 – 9 and 19 – 21 September. Vostok (32 MHz). Two increases of absorption were observed with the peaks on 2 and 29 August (with the amplitudes of 2.2 and 1.1 dB, respectively), which are the PCA, determined by solar protons of 1 and 3 SPE. On the other days, the absorption was not greater than the normal level. Mirny (32 MHz). Three increases of absorption were registered. The increases with the peaks on 2 and 28 September (with the amplitudes of 2.5 and 1.3 dB, respectively) present the PCA, determined by the fluxes of solar protons at the time of 1 and 3 SPE. The increase with the maximum on 6 September (with the amplitude of 0.7) is the AA, determined by magnetosphere particles at the time of the increase of geomagnetic activity in the phase of the end of the first GS. On the other days, the absorption was not greater than the normal non-perturbed level. Novolazarevskaya (32 MHz). Five increases of absorption were registered. The increase with the maximum on 4 September (with the amplitude of 4.5) is partly the PCA and the AA, determined by the fluxes of solar protons and magnetosphere particles at he time of the first SPE and the first GS. The increase with the maximum on 7 September (with the amplitude of 2 dB) is the AA, determined by magnetosphere particles, connected with the geomagnetic perturbation at the time of the first GS. The increase with the peak on 19 September (with the amplitude of 1 dB) is the AA determined by the fluxes of magnetosphere particles, connected with the second GS. The increases with the peaks on 22 and 30 September (with the amplitudes of 1.5 and 1.7 dB, respectively) are determined by the local factors.

Conclusions. During the period under consideration six PCA phenomena and some AA phenomena were registered. In general, the performance of riometers at all stations can be considered good.

Vertical sounding of the ionosphere – Mirny station

July Throughout the month a slightly increased level of diurnal values (6 MHz) of the F2 layer critical frequencies was observed due to a high level of auroral perturbation. During the period 1-02 July there was a decrease of diurnal values of foF2, caused by a moderate phenomenon of polar cap absorption (PCA), registered by riometers of all Russian stations in Antarctica. August The character of the change of foF2 values in the daytime and evening hours of the day demonstrate a weak variability within 6-5 MHz in the daytime and 3-4 MHz at night. One should note a small number of observation gaps. September

A moderately perturbed month, which is characterized by the increased level of solar illumination of the ionosphere. The increased (6-7 MHz) foF2 values in the daylight and (4-5 MHz) at night. The number of missed observation times is small.

CURRENT OBSERVATIONS

MIRNY STATION Mean monthly absolute geomagnetic field values

Horizontal Vertical Declination component component July 88º04.1´W 13701 nT -57587 nT August 88º05.1´W 13707 nT -57592 nT September 88º05.7´W 13683 nT -57602 nT

Main variometer reference values

Date D deg. H, nT Z, nT 02.07.2012 -86,9883 13927 -57618 10.07.2012 -86,9850 13926 -57621 13.07.2012 -86,9983 13923 -57622 18.07.2012 -86,9667 13923 -57620 23.07.2012 -86,9683 13926 -57619 27.07.2012 -86,9650 13925 -57618 03.08.2012 -87,0067 13919 -57619 08.08.2012 -87,0183 13919 -57618 13.08.2012 -87,0150 13918 -57617 19.08.2012 -87,0167 13923 -57618 23.08.2012 -87,0067 13921 -57617 28.08.2012 -87,0200 13922 -57619 02.09.2012 -87,0000 13922 -57617 07.09.2012 -87,0083 13921 -57619 13.09.2012 -87,0117 13920 -57618 17.09.2012 -87,0033 13921 -57620 23.09.2012 -87,0050 13922 -57620 27.09.2012 -87,0083 13923 -57622

Fig. 6.1. Maximum daily space radio-emission absorption at the 32 MHz frequency from riometer observations at Mirny station.

Fig. 6.2. Daily variations of critical frequencies of the F2 (f0F2) layer at Mirny station.

NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA STATION

Mean monthly absolute geomagnetic field values

Horizontal Vertical Declination component component July 29º17.9´W 18460 nT -34609 nT August 29º19.3´W 18455 nT -34602 nT September 29º17.5´W 18452 nT -34598 nT

Main variometer reference values

Date D deg. H, nT Z, nT 14.07.2012 -29,0285 18443 -34841 18.07.2012 -29,0312 18450 -34836 21.07.2012 -29,0135 18439 -34840 23.07.2012 -29,0198 18438 -34842 26.07.2012 -29,0220 18436 -34842 05.08.2012 -29,0230 18437 -34844 06.08.2012 -29,0270 18425 -34849 09.08.2012 -29,0382 18443 -34843 10.08.2012 -29,0263 18449 -34838 24.08.2012 -29,0300 18439 -34844 31.08.2012 -29,0447 18440 -34844 11.09.2012 -29,0335 18440 -34843 12.09.2012 -29,0277 18440 -34843 14.09.2012 -29,0317 18438 -34845 24.09.2012 -29,0458 18440 -34846 25.09.2012 -29,0425 18449 -34840 29.09.2012 -29,0368 18445 -34842

Fig. 6.3. Maximum daily space radio-emission absorption at the 32 MHz frequency from riometer observations at Novolazarevskaya station.

PROGRESS STATION

Mean monthly absolute geomagnetic field values

Horizontal Vertical Declination component component July 79º01.4´W 16901 nT -50916 nT August 78º56.3´W 16948 nT -50870 nT September 78º52.3´W 16990 nT -50841 nT

Main variometer reference values

Date D deg. H, nT Z, nT 02.07.2012 -78,8272 97,9 -63,5 07.07.2012 -78,8156 102,7 -61,4 11.07.2012 -78,7964 103,7 -64,2 14.07.2012 -78,8036 99,3 -65,5 19.07.2012 -78,7819 95,3 -67,0 22.07.2012 -78,7828 98,0 -68,9 24.07.2012 -78,7917 101,8 -64,2 26.07.2012 -78,8014 103,3 -64,1 28.07.2012 -78,7986 104,8 -62,9 01.08.2012 -78,7942 101,2 -64,1 06.08.2012 -78,8064 98,9 -65,0 09.08.2012 -78,8097 103,1 -64,2 14.08.2012 -78,8092 99,2 -63,7 19.08.2012 -78,8089 102,4 -63,2 22.08.2012 -78,7719 106,1 -60,5 26.08.2012 -78,7906 159,0 -35,6 27.08.2012 -78,7900 159,3 -35,8 29.08.2012 -78,7906 162,3 -33,1 01.09.2012 -78,7958 161,7 -34,3 06.09.2012 -78,7944 158,3 -35,7 10.09.2012 -78,7864 161,2 -34,2 13.09.2012 -78,7819 158,8 -35,1 17.09.2012 -78,7911 159,8 -35,3 21.09.2012 -78,7875 158,4 -34,5 24.09.2012 -78,8044 160,0 -34,4 28.09.2012 -78,8008 156,6 -35,8

Fig. 6.4. Maximum daily space radio-emission absorption at the 32 MHz frequency from riometer observations at Progress station.

VOSTOK STATION

Mean monthly absolute geomagnetic field values

Horizontal Vertical Declination component component July 123º05.8´W 13577 nT -57861 nT August 123º06.4´W 13575 nT -57847 nT September 123º07.5´W 13574 nT -57845 nT

Main variometer reference values

Date D, deg. H, nT Z, nT 04.07.2012 -122,5297 13568 -57897 11.07.2012 -122,5272 13567 -57897 17.07.2012 -122,5319 13567 -57897 22.07.2012 -122,5236 13569 -57895 26.07.2012 -122,5114 13569 -57896 31.07.2012 -122,5269 13568 -57895 04.08.2012 -122,5264 13570 -57895 08.08.2012 -122,5294 13571 -57894 12.08.2012 -122,5278 13573 -57895 19.08.2012 -122,5347 13571 -57896 27.08.2012 -122,5306 13573 -57891 31.08.2012 -122,5319 13576 -57900 08.09.2012 -122,5231 13575 -57902 11.09.2012 -122,5283 13573 -57900 16.09.2012 -122,5314 13573 -57899 22.09.2012 -122,5325 13575 -57896 26.09.2012 -122,5303 13575 -57897

Fig. 6.5. Maximum daily space radio-emission absorption at the 32 MHz frequency from riometer observations at Vostok station.

7. SEISMIC OBSERVATIONS IN ANTARCTICA IN 2011

In 2011, the seismic observations in Antarctica were continued at the stationary stations of the Geophysical Service (GS) of RAS Mirny and Novolazarevskaya. At Mirny station, seismic observations have been carried out from 1956 and observations at Novolazarevskaya station from 1962. These stations are within the teleseismic network of GS RAS /1/, its main objective being provision of continuous monitoring of the Earth’s seismic active zones, including Russia. The Antarctic seismic stations perform the following functions: – Monitoring of strong earthquakes at Earth with a magnitude МPSP16; – Registration of earthquakes in the territory around Antarctica; – Registration of local phenomena in Antarctica including local earthquakes and ruptures in the ice sheet. The equipment of Mirny station is represented by a set of analogue instrumentation – seismometers with a highly sensitive short-period channel SKM-3 and a medium-period seismograph SKD with a channel of decreased sensitivity/1/. The seismograms obtained as a result of continuous observations were subjected to preliminary processing, which included keeping the registration log of the change of the seismograms, separation of the precise time signals and determination of time corrections and registration of seismograms. Then interpretation of the records of earthquakes was performed. Upon the return of the expedition, the seismograms were passed to the archive of the GS RAS. At the Novolazarevskaya seismic station, observations are carried out using a broadband seismometer SKD in a set with a 16-charge digital seismic station SDAS, developed and produced by the GS RAS (Obninsk) jointly with the Scientific-Production Association "Geotekh” /2/. These instruments with a bandwidth of 0.04–3 Hz, a sampling rate of 20 readouts a second and a dynamic range of about 90 dB allow applying a modern digital level of collection, storage and processing of seismic records /1/. The digital records of earthquakes were computer-processed and were archived on CD- ROMs, which upon the return of the expeditions were passed to the archive of GS RAS. Processing of the records of earthquakes at Mirny and Novolazarevskaya stations was carried out in accordance with the methodology /3/ and included identification of arrivals of seismic waves, determination of the time and precision of arrivals, identification of seismic waves and determination of the main parameters of earthquakes (time in the source, distance to the epicenter and magnitude). The interpretation results were recorded in the station logs (Mirny) and in the electronic database (Novolazarevskaya), and on their basis daily operational reports were prepared and sent to the Information-Processing Center (IPC) of GS RAS. These data were used for a summary processing of earthquakes in preparation of the Seismological Bulletins of GS RAS /4/. In 2011, 1495 earthquakes and separate arrivals were recorded at Mirny station. Complete processing was carried out with determination of the main source parameters for 104 earthquakes. Data of this station were used for a summary processing at the IPC of GS RAS of 352 earthquakes, of them 71 – with MPSP6.0, including 20 – with MPSP6.5 (Table 7.1). In addition at Mirny station, there was daily observation of the level of microseisms and identification from records of short-period fluctuations connected with the Antarctic ice sheet ruptures. The distribution of these events by months of 2011 is shown in Fig. 7.1. At Novolazarevskaya station in 2011, 1388 earthquakes and separate arrivals were registered. Complete processing was carried out with determination of the main source parameters for 769 earthquakes. Data of this station were used for a summary processing at the IPC of GS RAS of 760 earthquakes, of them with 153 – with MPSP6.0, including 33 – with MPSP6.5 (Table 7.1). Records of ruptures in the ice cover were processed, 490 intervals of the “possible glacial cover ruptures” with duration from several seconds to three minutes were identified, but the problem of their unambiguous interpretation remained, as the frequency composition of these records coincides with the frequency composition of noises.

1 The MPSP magnitude –characteristic of the earthquake force, calculated from the measurements of amplitudes and periods at the maximum phase of longitudinal wave Р using records of short-period (SP) instruments and corresponds to the international magnitude mb.

Fig. 7.1. Distribution of ice shears by months of 2011 from data of Mirny station Table 7.1 presents the main parameters of strong earthquakes according to data of the Seismological Bulletin /4/ and it is shown which of them were registered by the Russian Antarctic stations. The Table does not include 41 aftershocks with MPSP=6.0–7.3 (11 March from 05:54 to 08:16 by GMT) of a very strong earthquake near the east coast of Honshu Island, Japan, as due to superposition of the records of these events, their processing at Mirny and Novolazarevskaya stations was practically impossible. Table 7.1 Earthquakes with the magnitude MPSP6.0, registered by Mirny and Novolazarevskaya stations in 2011

Origin time Epicentral Date Epicenter coordinates Depth No. (UTC) MPSP Region distance to station (, ) dd.mm hh:mm:ss ,  ,  h, км NVL MIR 1 01.01 09:56:57 582 6.7 Santiago del Estero prov., 60.02 85.2 –26.82 –63.28 Argentina 2 02.01 20:20:13 –38.40 –73.30 33 6.2 Near coast of Central Chile 52.7 –3 3 05.01 00:57:30 31.55 142.21 22 6.0 Southeast of Honshu, Japan 132.4 – 4 09.01 10:03:41 –19.19 168.30 33 6.0 Vanuatu Islands 88.8 – 5 12.01 21:32:54 26.96 139.94 526 6.2 Bonin Islands, Japan region +4 – 6 13.01 16:16:43 –20.63 168.46 30 6.8 Loyalty Islands 87.4 – 7 17.01 19:20:54 –4.90 102.86 30 6.3 Southern Sumatera, Indonesia 85.8 61.9 8 18.01 20:23:23 28.84 63.89 78 7.0 Southwestern Pakistan 105.9 97.7 9 24.01 02:45:29 38.49 72.85 108 6.2 Tajikistan + – 10 29.01 06:55:24 70.93 –6.78 10 6.1 Jan Mayen Island region 142.0 – 11 31.01 06:03:21 –21.89 –175.64 33 6.2 Tonga Islands 87.4 – 12 02.02 00:38:17 55.15 –160.47 47 6.2 Alaska Peninsula 164.0 – 13 04.02 13:53:44 24.59 94.83 86 6.5 Myanmar-India border region 110.7 – 14 10.02 14:39:27 4.22 123.07 535 6.2 Celebes Sea + – 15 10.02 14:41:58 4.12 123.04 527 6.2 Celebes Sea + – 16 11.02 20:05:32 –36.17 –73.10 33 6.1 Near coast of Central Chile 54.7 77.1 17 12.02 17:57:51 –20.71 –175.67 50 6.3 Tonga Islands 88.6 71.7 18 14.02 03:40:12 –35.04 –73.07 33 6.0 Off coast of Central Chile 55.7 78.2 19 20.02 21:43:24 55.85 162.27 51 6.2 Near east coast of Kamchatka + – 20 21.02 06:58:39 –26.81 –64.69 33 6.1 Tucuman Province, Argentina 60.5 + 21 21.02 10:57:49 –25.97 178.41 529 6.3 South of Fiji Islands 83.1 64.7 22 06.03 14:32:31 –56.47 –27.14 52 6.9 South Sandwich Islands region 21.9 49.4 23 07.03 00:09:39 –10.29 160.65 58 6.3 Solomon Islands 96.4 71.8 24 09.03 02:45:18 38.56 142.89 31 6.6 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan 139.1 + 25 09.03 18:16:15 38.42 142.82 33 6.0 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan – – 26 09.03 21:22:18 38.57 142.66 33 6.0 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan + –

2 60.0 (Epicentral distance in degrees) – shown for parameters of the centers, in the summary processing of which this station participated. 3 – – results of processing the given event are absent in the station log. 4 + results of processing the given event are recorded in the station log, data did not participate in summary processing due to different reasons.

Origin time Epicentral Date Epicenter coordinates Depth No. (UTC) MPSP Region distance to station (, ) dd.mm hh:mm:ss ,  ,  h, км NVL MIR 27 09.03 21:24:03 38.38 142.88 33 6.1 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan – – 28 09.03 21:24:50 –6.00 149.71 47 6.0 New Britain region, P.N.G. 98.4 – 29 10.03 17:08:35 –6.81 116.80 506 6.3 Bali Sea 88.5 61.9 30 11.03 05:46:22 38.33 142.51 27 7.3 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan + 111.2 aftershocks from 05:54 to

08:16 are excluded 31 11.03 08:19:26 36.15 141.66 26 6.7 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan 136.5 + 32 11.03 08:26:37 37.38 142.99 33 6.2 Off east coast of Honshu, Japan – – 33 11.03 08:27:48 38.04 142.70 34 6.2 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan – – 34 11.03 08:31:05 37.54 141.21 26 6.2 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan – – 35 11.03 08:32:59 39.19 142.98 30 6.2 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan – – 36 11.03 08:40:53 37.48 141.04 30 6.1 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan – – 37 11.03 10:10:33 39.20 142.72 32 6.2 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan 139.7 – 38 11.03 10:22:04 36.60 142.46 33 6.0 Off east coast of Honshu, Japan – – 39 11.03 10:28:43 39.50 143.63 33 6.0 Off east coast of Honshu, Japan – – 40 11.03 11:21:29 37.76 142.98 37 6.0 Off east coast of Honshu, Japan – – 41 11.03 11:36:41 39.38 142.46 33 6.8 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan 139.8 – 42 11.03 12:12:51 38.15 142.56 24 6.0 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan – – 43 11.03 12:15:41 39.12 142.28 33 6.1 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan + – 44 11.03 14:56:13 36.05 141.58 24 6.0 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan – – 45 11.03 15:13:14 36.07 141.88 25 6.3 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan 136.5 – 46 11.03 18:17:05 36.29 141.67 33 6.0 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan – – 47 11.03 18:59:17 30 6.2 Near west coast of Honshu, 136.4 – 37.05 138.42 Japan 48 11.03 19:02:58 39.38 142.88 32 6.2 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan 139.9 – 49 11.03 19:46:52 30 6.2 Near west coast of Honshu, 139.7 – 40.47 139.05 Japan 50 11.03 20:11:25 39.02 142.65 38 6.1 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan 139.5 – 51 12.03 01:47:14 37.67 142.90 33 6.3 Off east coast of Honshu, Japan 138.3 + 52 12.03 03:01:48 39.76 142.72 34 6.0 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan 140.2 – 53 12.03 10:53:29 39.10 142.41 32 6.1 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan 139.5 – 54 12.03 12:53:49 37.75 143.56 33 6.1 Off east coast of Honshu, Japan 138.6 – 55 12.03 13:15:39 37.28 141.46 33 6.1 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan 137.5 – 56 12.03 14:03:29 38.89 142.70 33 6.0 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan – – 57 12.03 14:43:08 39.56 142.56 34 6.1 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan – – 58 12.03 22:12:46 37.70 142.09 35 6.1 Off east coast of Honshu, Japan 138.1 – 59 12.03 23:24:47 38.09 142.08 33 6.0 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan – – 60 13.03 01:26:07 35.90 141.70 34 6.1 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan 136.3 – 61 14.03 01:02:39 36.45 140.96 30 6.0 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan + – 62 14.03 06:12:37 37.89 142.50 33 6.2 Off east coast of Honshu, Japan 138.4 – 63 15.03 09:49:52 37.41 142.34 24 6.2 Off east coast of Honshu, Japan 137.9 – 64 15.03 13:31:48 35.30 138.61 31 6.3 Eastern Honshu, Japan 134.8 – 65 16.03 03:52:05 35.81 140.71 33 6.2 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan 135.9 – 66 17.03 04:13:56 40.28 142.25 33 6.0 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan 140.5 – 67 17.03 12:54:52 36.88 141.22 33 6.0 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan – – 68 19.03 09:56:49 36.77 140.31 30 6.2 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan 136.9 – 69 20.03 08:26:08 18.93 121.44 33 6.0 Luzon, Philippines 114.3 – 70 20.03 12:03:44 39.49 141.87 33 6.1 Eastern Honshu, Japan 139.6 – 71 22.03 07:18:45 37.35 144.05 20 6.5 Off east coast of Honshu, Japan 138.4 – 72 22.03 09:19:04 37.46 141.92 33 6.0 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan – – 73 22.03 09:44:29 39.97 143.49 22 6.1 Off east coast of Honshu, Japan 140.6 – 74 22.03 13:31:26 –33.05 –15.99 10 6.1 Southern Mid-Atlantic Ridge 40.7 67.2 75 22.03 13:50:50 35.84 141.65 25 6.1 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan 136.3 – 76 22.03 15:03:46 35.79 141.68 33 6.2 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan 136.2 – 77 24.03 13:55:14 20.65 99.94 12 6.3 Myanmar + 87.1 78 25.03 11:36:21 38.82 142.02 33 6.2 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan 139.1 + 79 27.03 22:23:57 38.41 142.08 21 6.5 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan 138.8 111.2 80 29.03 10:54:34 37.64 142.36 33 6.2 Off east coast of Honshu, Japan 138.1 – 81 31.03 07:15:28 39.09 141.92 37 6.1 Eastern Honshu, Japan 139.3 – 82 01.04 11:57:52 39.49 141.96 35 6.2 Eastern Honshu, Japan 139.7 – 83 01.04 13:29:11 35.74 26.51 89 6.4 Crete, Greece – – 84 02.04 10:59:39 –19.40 –69.21 105 6.0 Northern Chile 68.9 –

Origin time Epicentral Date Epicenter coordinates Depth No. (UTC) MPSP Region distance to station (, ) dd.mm hh:mm:ss ,  ,  h, км NVL MIR 85 03.04 20:06:41 –9.72 107.89 33 6.3 South of Java, Indonesia 82.9 57.7 86 06.04 14:01:43 1.69 97.22 33 6.1 Northern Sumatera, Indonesia 90.1 – 87 07.04 13:11:19 17.38 –93.93 131 6.1 Chiapas, Mexico + + 88 07.04 14:32:42 38.29 141.71 49 7.0 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan 138.5 111.0 89 09.04 12:57:49 30.06 131.81 33 6.2 Kyushu, Japan 127.9 – 90 11.04 08:16:10 37.07 140.51 12 6.5 Eastern Honshu, Japan + – 91 11.04 23:08:18 35.87 140.70 23 6.1 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan + – 92 12.04 05:07:44 37.44 140.38 28 6.3 Eastern Honshu, Japan 137.4 + 93 13.04 19:57:25 39.71 143.36 33 6.0 Off east coast of Honshu, Japan 140.3 – 94 13.04 20:32:21 39.81 143.20 25 6.0 Off east coast of Honshu, Japan – – 95 16.04 02:19:24 36.38 139.72 31 6.4 Eastern Honshu, Japan 136.2 – 96 18.04 13:02:57 –34.29 179.91 46 6.4 South of Kermadec Islands 74.9 57.9 97 21.04 13:36:59 35.63 140.45 34 6.0 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan 135.7 – 98 23.04 04:16:55 –10.30 161.19 102 6.5 Solomon Islands 96.6 72.0 99 29.04 08:56:47 4.20 95.88 54 6.0 Northern Sumatera, Indonesia 92.0 70.6 100 05.05 14:12:55 55.15 –160.63 10 6.2 Alaska Peninsula 163.7 144.5 101 05.05 14:58:19 38.23 144.12 33 6.0 Off east coast of Honshu, Japan 139.5 + 102 05.05 16:57:31 55.08 –160.62 10 6.3 Alaska Peninsula + 144.5 103 09.05 20:15:56 38.10 143.48 33 6.1 Off east coast of Honshu, Japan 138.6 – 104 10.05 08:55:10 –20.32 168.21 33 6.6 Loyalty Islands 87.7 65.6 105 11.05 08:19:36 –20.27 168.30 33 6.0 Loyalty Islands 87.7 65.7 106 14.05 21:07:17 36.34 70.74 180 6.0 Hindu Kush region, Afghanistan 114.7 – 107 15.05 18:37:08 –6.02 154.46 41 6.3 Solomon Islands 99.2 73.4 108 19.05 20:15:22 39.20 29.09 9 6.0 Turkey + – 109 20.05 00:46:15 35.78 140.99 33 6.0 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan 136.0 – 110 20.05 19:43:18 33 6.2 Eastern New Guinea region, 96.6 69.6 –7.22 146.88 P.N.G. 111 24.05 03:40:53 39.92 143.21 31 6.0 Off east coast of Honshu, Japan + – 112 28.05 17:07:40 –5.62 103.62 33 6.2 Southern Sumatera, Indonesia 85.3 61.3 113 03.06 00:05:01 37.36 143.98 28 6.6 Off east coast of Honshu, Japan 138.4 + 114 03.06 07:27:09 9.63 92.51 44 6.1 Nicobar Islands, India region 96.0 76.0 115 08.06 03:06:24 –16.74 –69.67 139 6.0 Peru-Bolivia border region 71.4 + 116 13.06 14:31:21 2.53 126.45 58 6.5 Northern Molucca Sea 100.3 72.9 117 16.06 00:03:36 –5.88 151.08 35 6.0 New Britain region, P.N.G. 98.8 72.3 118 18.06 11:31:06 37.69 141.74 37 6.0 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan 138.1 – 119 20.06 16:36:00 –21.61 –68.50 129 6.0 Chile-Bolivia border region 66.6 91.0 120 21.06 02:04:18 –11.36 165.50 33 6.0 Santa Cruz Islands 96.1 72.7 121 22.06 21:50:49 40.04 142.35 24 6.3 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan 140.3 + 122 24.06 03:09:37 52.10 –171.78 52 7.1 Fox Islands, Aleutian Islands 161.2 138.1 123 26.06 12:16:38 –2.35 136.65 35 6.2 Irian Jaya region, Indonesia 98.7 70.9 124 27.06 16:47:08 –8.88 122.45 82 6.0 Flores region, Indonesia 88.3 – 125 06.07 19:03:20 –29.24 –176.32 36 7.0 Kermadec Islands region 80.1 63.8 126 10.07 00:57:09 38.01 143.33 27 6.8 Off east coast of Honshu, Japan 138.8 + 127 11.07 20:47:03 9.52 122.33 25 6.0 Negros, Philippines – + 128 16.07 19:59:11 54.95 –161.31 34 6.4 Alaska Peninsula 163.8 144.2 129 19.07 19:35:40 39.98 71.41 15 6.2 Tajikistan 118.5 – 130 20.07 22:05:06 –10.24 161.91 42 6.1 Solomon Islands 97.0 72.3 131 23.07 04:34:21 38.97 141.87 33 6.1 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan 138.9 – 132 23.07 06:28:29 54.93 –161.44 10 6.0 Alaska Peninsula 163.8 – 133 24.07 18:51:23 37.80 141.48 38 6.6 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan 137.8 + 134 25.07 17:15:42 15.06 120.06 58 6.1 Luzon, Philippines – 83.8 135 29.07 07:42:22 –23.64 179.76 518 6.3 South of Fiji Islands 85.5 67.3 136 30.07 18:53:49 36.96 141.12 40 6.4 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan 137.3 + 137 31.07 23:38:56 17 6.2 Near n coast of New Guinea, 99.7 72.4 –3.47 144.86 P.N.G. 138 01.08 14:58:10 34.66 138.44 30 6.3 Near s. coast of Honshu, Japan 134.2 + 139 04.08 00:16:07 –2.74 101.23 47 6.1 Southern Sumatera, Indonesia 87.2 – 140 11.08 18:22:02 37.04 140.97 40 6.3 Eastern Honshu, Japan 137.2 – 141 16.08 11:03:56 –2.19 127.95 38 6.0 Ceram Sea 96.3 68.7 142 17.08 11:44:10 36.81 143.78 33 6.3 Off east coast of Honshu, Japan 137.8 + 143 19.08 05:36:31 37.78 141.72 43 6.5 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan 138.1 + 144 20.08 16:55:02 –18.26 168.12 33 6.2 Vanuatu Islands 89.7 67.5

Origin time Epicentral Date Epicenter coordinates Depth No. (UTC) MPSP Region distance to station (, ) dd.mm hh:mm:ss ,  ,  h, км NVL MIR 145 20.08 17:13:05 –18.30 168.15 33 6.1 Vanuatu Islands 89.7 – 146 20.08 18:19:23 –18.25 168.20 32 6.2 Vanuatu Islands 89.7 67.5 147 22.08 20:12:21 –6.16 104.21 41 6.4 Sunda Strait, Indonesia 85.0 60.8 148 23.08 17:51:02 37.91 –78.00 10 6.0 Virginia 125.3 – 149 24.08 17:46:07 –7.45 –74.60 111 6.8 Peru-Brazil border region 81.8 + 150 25.08 10:39:42 –13.56 167.12 33 6.3 Vanuatu Islands 94.2 71.3 151 30.08 06:57:39 –6.32 126.72 456 6.1 Banda Sea 92.2 64.5 152 02.09 10:55:52 52.24 –171.70 43 6.7 Fox Islands, Aleutian Islands 161.3 138.2 153 02.09 13:47:09 583 6.3 Santiago del Estero prov., 58.6 83.7 –28.36 –63.19 Argentina 154 03.09 04:48:56 –56.56 –26.94 83 6.1 South Sandwich Islands region 21.8 49.3 155 03.09 22:55:38 –20.66 169.71 173 6.5 Vanuatu Islands 87.5 65.9 156 05.09 09:51:58 –15.32 –173.56 33 6.3 Tonga Islands 94.1 77.4 157 05.09 17:55:11 3.04 98.01 109 6.7 Northern Sumatera, Indonesia 91.6 – 158 09.09 19:41:32 23 6.2 Vancouver Island, Canada 151.4 153.4 49.45 –127.02 region 159 15.09 07:53:17 –35.13 –179.00 12 6.1 East of North Island, N.Z. 74.1 57.6 160 15.09 08:00:09 36.35 141.38 29 6.1 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan 136.6 – 161 15.09 19:31:00 –21.48 –179.41 604 6.5 Fiji Islands region 87.7 69.6 162 16.09 19:26:39 40.36 142.82 35 6.2 Near east coast of Honshu, Japan 140.8 + 163 16.09 21:36:36 40.14 143.29 38 6.0 Off east coast of Honshu, Japan 140.7 – 164 18.09 12:40:48 27.77 88.21 40 6.4 Sikkim, India 111.6 94.1 165 01.10 09:23:51 51.79 171.97 41 6.0 Near Islands, Aleutian Islands 158.9 – 166 06.10 11:12:30 –24.01 –64.26 25 6.4 Salta Province, Argentina 63.0 88.1 167 08.10 08:53:15 –20.51 –173.11 35 6.1 Tonga Islands 88.9 72.9 168 13.10 03:16:29 –9.23 114.73 51 6.1 South of Bali, Indonesia 85.6 59.1 169 21.10 08:02:36 43.90 142.61 190 6.5 Hokkaido, Japan region 144.0 116.7 170 21.10 17:57:15 –28.86 –176.23 33 7.2 Kermadec Islands region 80.1 – 171 23.10 10:41:20 38.62 43.39 15 7.1 Turkey 111.8 111.9 172 28.10 18:54:34 –14.53 –76.12 33 6.4 Near coast of Peru 75.7 – 173 01.11 00:21:26 43.66 82.45 25 6.3 Northern Xinjiang, China 124.9 – 174 05.11 07:13:57 -23.39 -70.32 35 6.0 Near coast of Northern Chile 65.5 89.5 175 08.11 02:59:08 27.34 125.81 250 6.8 Northeast of Taiwan 123.5 97.1 176 14.11 04:05:09 –1.00 126.94 20 6.5 Southern Molucca Sea 97.1 69.8 177 21.11 03:15:41 24.99 95.30 120 6.0 Myanmar – 91.5 178 22.11 18:48:16 –15.30 –65.13 550 6.3 Central Bolivia 71.2 96.5 179 24.11 10:25:33 41.85 142.95 60 6.3 Hokkaido, Japan region 142.3 – 180 28.11 12:26:45 –5.41 153.68 33 6.1 New Ireland region, P.N.G. 99.8 73.7 181 30.11 00:27:09 15.52 119.14 33 6.2 Luzon, Philippines 110.2 – 182 02.12 00:22:53 –34.03 58.26 33 6.0 South Indian Ocean 44.2 38.4 183 07.12 13:38:27 –1.46 126.53 33 6.0 Southern Molucca Sea 96.5 – 184 11.12 01:22:44 28.13 129.43 45 6.0 Ryukyu Islands, Japan 125.3 – 185 11.12 01:47:25 18.05 –99.85 70 6.6 Guerrero, Mexico 113.9 – 186 11.12 09:54:55 –56.04 –28.48 120 6.0 South Sandwich Islands region 22.5 49.8 187 13.12 07:52:09 0.01 123.00 160 6.3 Minahassa Peninsula, Sulawesi 96.9 69.9 188 Eastern New Guinea region, 96.1 69.3 14.12 05:04:55 –7.51 146.74 115 7.1 P.N.G. 189 21.12 13:37:17 –33.06 –178.93 33 6.0 South of Kermadec Islands 76.2 59.4 190 26.12 04:48:01 –15.98 –173.97 33 6.2 Tonga Islands 92.9 76.4 191 27.12 15:21:55 51.83 95.83 10 6.5 Southwestern Siberia, Russia 136.2 118.4 Total registered earthquakes with MPSP6.0 for 2011 168 92 Total earthquakes participating in summary processing with MPSP6.0 for 2011 152 72

Most of the epicenters of earthquakes recorded at Mirny and Novolazarevskaya stations are situated in the Southern Hemisphere in the areas within the Pacific Ocean seismic belt /5/, a significant number is located in the area of South America, the South Sandwich Islands and the Australian-Antarctic Rise, African-Antarctic and the South Pacific oceanic ridges (Fig. 7.2, Table 7.1). During processing of the records of earthquakes at the stations, the coordinates of the epicenters were not determined, so for mapping (Fig. 7.2) these data were adopted from the Seismological Bulletin /4/ and the Electronic Catalogue EDR of the USA Geological Survey NEIC /6/. The analogues in the indicated sources /4, 6/ were not found for all seismic events from the station bulletins of Mirny and Novolazarevskaya stations, so the epicenters of only

1266 earthquakes were mapped, including - 266 events were registered by both stations, 880 – only by Novolazarevskaya station and 120 – only by Mirny station. Fig. 7.3 shows a three-component digital record at Novolazarevskaya station (138) of a very strong catastrophic earthquake at the Earth near the east coast of the Japanese Honshu Island on 11 March 2011. According to data /6/, two unique earthquakes occurred in 2011 in Antarctica: on 19 August at 03:02:57 on Queen

Victoria Land in the area of the Rennick Glacier (71.72S, 167.8E) with mb=4.5 and on 21 November at 17:24:45 in the continental part of Antarctica (84.13S, 132.3E) with mb=4.6. The recording capabilities of Mirny (25.5 and 19.4) and Novolazarevskaya (36.9 and 22.9) stations did not make it possible for them to register these earthquakes.

6.6–7.3

5.6–6.5 1 4.6–5.5 4.0–4.5

Fig. 7.2 (а,b). Charts of the epicenters of earthquakes, recorded by Mirny and Novolazarevskaya stations in 2011 at the Earth (а) and in the area of the seismic belt of Antarctica /6/ (b) from data in /5, 7/. 1 – magnitude MPSP (mb); 2 – seismic station Arrows show the epicenters of earthquakes on 19 August on Queen Victoria Land in the area of the Rennick Glacier with mb=4.5 and on 21 November in the continental part of Antarctica with mb=4.6 /6/.

Fig. 7.3. Three-component record at Novolazarevskaya station (138) of the earthquake on 11.03.2011 at 05:46:22 near the east coast of Honshu Island, Japan All observation materials (seismograms and CD) and the results of processing the data (station logs, reports and databases) obtained at Mirny and Novolazarevskaya stations are stored in the archive of the GS RAS and are provided on request to a wide range of users. . References: 1. Results of comprehensive seismological and geodynamic observations and data processing on the basis of stationary and mobile seismic networks (Report of the Central Department of the GS RAS for 2011) / Ed. by D.Yu. Mekhryushev. – Obninsk: Archives of GS RAH, 2012. – 165 p. 2. О.Ye. Starovoit, I.P. Gabsatarova., D.Yu. Mekhryushev, А.V. Korotin, S.А. Krasilov, V.V. Galushko, Yu.N. Kolomiyets, S.G. Poigina, О.P. Kamenskaya. Study, development and creation in the Russian Federation of the system of seismic and geodynamic observations for continuous national and global seismic monitoring. Report under Agreement 01.700.12.0094 of 01.10.2004. – Obninsk: Archives of GS RAH, 2004. – p. 77. 3. Instruction about the order of making and processing observations at seismic stations of the USSR uniform system of seismic observations. М., Nauka, 1982. – 273 p. 4. Seismological Bulletin (published every 10 days) for 2011 / Editor-in-Chief О.Ye. Starovoit. – Obninsk GS RAS, 2011– 2012. 5. Gutenberg B. and Rikhter Ch. The Earth’s seismicity. – М.: Foreign literature, 1948. – 160 p. 6. Machine–readable EDR. – NEIC, 2011–2012. – On CD.

8. MAIN RAE EVENTS IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 2012

Throughout the third quarter of 2012, planned scientific observations and activities under the program of the 57th wintering RAE were carried out at five Russian Antarctic stations Mirny, Novolazarevskaya, Progress, Vostok and Bellingshausen.

05. 06. 2012 The Federal Law No. 50-FZ of the RF “On regulation of activity of the Russian citizens and the Russian legal entities in the Antarctic” was issued, as well as the Federal Law No.51-FZ of the RF “On introduction of changes to some legislative acts of the Russian Federation in connection with adoption of the Federal Law No. 50-FZ of the RF”. According to these legislative acts, the bodies of the federal executive power should provide the development and adoption of the necessary sub-laws, which also concern the activity of the Russian Antarctic Expedition during 2012-2013.

20 – 24. 07 In Portland, the USA, the sessions of the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP) and the DROMLAN aviation network were held. The Head of the Delegation V.V. Lukin, V.N. Pomelov, А.N. Skorodumov and K.K. Levando participated in the sessions on behalf of RAE.

20 – 27. 07 The first sea trials of the new research expedition vessel the “Akademik Tryoshnikov” were held in the area of the Gulf of Finland.

23. 07 The planned repair of the R/V the “Akademik Fedorov” began at the Kanonersky ship repair plant in St. Petersburg for preparation of the ship cruise under the program of the 58th RAE.

11 – 20. 08 At Novolazarevskaya station, the next sledge-caterpillar traverse to the barrier base was carried out. During the traverse at a distance of 6 km from the barrier base in Belay Bay, an iceberg was detected with two tanks on it, which were earlier stored in March at the barrier base of the Indian Expedition in Leningradsky Bay. As a result of calving of part of the ice barrier, about 10 icebergs were formed and on some of them there are tanks with fuel belonging to the RAE and different logistical equipment of Novolazarevskaya station. This finding has confirmed the suggestion that the calved parts of the ice barrier should be in close proximity to the station, which was also confirmed by high-resolution satellite images. As the next stage of these activities, the airborne ice reconnaissance by means of aircraft BT-67 is planned for the beginning of November for the search of icebergs with RAE property.