INFORMATION ON SOVIET BLOC INTERNATIONAL GEOPHYSICAL COOPERATION - 1960

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• Collection: General CIA Records
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• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 11, 1999
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: January 22, 1960
• Content Type: REPORT

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PB 131632-102
INFORMATION ON SOVIET BLOC INTERNATIONAL GEOPHYSICAL COOPERATION - 1960
January 22, 1960
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Business and Defense Services Administration
Office of Technical Services
Washington 25, D. C.
Published Weekly
Subscription Price $12.00 for the 1960 Series
Use of funds for printing this publication has been
approved by the Director of the Bureau of the Budget, October 28, 1959
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INTERNATIONAL GEOPHYSICAL COOPERATION PROGRAM --
SOVIET-BLOC ACTIVITIES
Table of Contents
I. Rockets and Artificial Earth Satellites
II. Upper Atmosphere
III. Meteorology
IV. Seismology
V. Oceanography
VI. Geomagnetism
VII. Arctic and Antarctic
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I. ROCKETS AND ARTIMCIAL EARTH SATELLITES
New Books on Soviet Suace Achievements
A number of new books recounting Soviet successes in the field of
space conquest appeared at the beginning of the year. Among them were
the following. Beaprimernyy Nauchriyy Podvig (Unprecedented Scientific
Achievement), issued by the State Publishing House of Pliysicomathemati-
cal Literature, presents a detailed account of the three Soviet cosmic
rockets. Issued by the same house is a revised and supplemented edition
of Ari A. Shternfel'd'a Ot Iakusatve kh S utnikov k Mezh lane Pol-
etam (From Artificial Satellites to Interplanetary Flights).
A third book, Sovetskaya Raketa Issle t Kosmos (Soviet Rocket
Explores the Cosmos)) by V. I. Levantov, V. A. Leshkovtaev, and I. Ye.
Rakhl.in, tells the story of the first Soviet cosmic rocket. Problems
of space flight and research are covered in: it in some detail. ("un-
precedented Scientific Achievement"; Moscow, Promyshlenno-Ekonomiches-
kaya Gazeta, 23 Dec 59, p 4+)
New Magnetic Spectrometer Developed at Armenian Acadern' of Sciences
One of the principal methods of investigating comic rays in the USSR
involves using the Alikhanyana-Alikhanova magnetic mass-spectrometer. De-
scribed. as possessing a number of advantages over other methods (high re-
solving power in pulse measurements, the determination of the sign of the
charge of the particle, etc.), the magnetic mass-spectrometer became the
standard apparatus for the study of cosmic rays in a number of laboratories
and, in particular, in the high-mountain Aragatskoy station,of the Physics
Institute of the Academy of Sciences Armenian S SR.
The Bol'shoy Elektromagnit Laboratory of the .Arsgatskiy station de-
veloped a new form of the instrument of removing the hodoscopic-collectitg
device under the magnetic field and replacing it with a large rectangular
Wilson chamber. Later, a second Wilson chamber was added above the instew
ment. This made it possible to, not only identify a particle and investi-
gate the character of its collision in the plates of the lower chamber and,
its subsequent behavior, but also to obtain information on whence the par-
ticle came -- whether it came from outside or tether it was formed as the
result of some process in the matter in the upper chamber.
The principal parts of the instrument are a magnetic spectrometer of
high resolving power for measuring the pulses of the charged cosmic par-
ticles; a large rectangular Wilson chamber (620 x 280 x 180 millimeters)
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positioned close up under the poles of the magnet; an upper Wilson chamber
the same size as the lower one but different in that in each expanding heed
the movable grids move separately, independent of each other, whereas in
the lower chamber, these are 1,inked together; and several electronic con-
trol units.
The instrument has ben further improved by the development and build-
ing of a new five-layer proportional counter which permits measuring ioni-
zation with high accuracy in addition to measuring the pulse and travel of
the particle. At present, the laboratory is developing an anticoincidence
circuit for inclusion with the instrument which will increase the effec-
tiveness of recording high energy nuclear fissions. A very essential im-
provement will be the transition to a two-layer coordinated series of coun-
ters and a change to higher intensities of the magnetic field. These
measures will make it possible to introduce new tasks in physical rese%mh
and to study nuclear introductions of particles with energies up to 10
electron volts. ("The Alikhanyana-Alikhayava Magnetic Spectrometer With
Two Large Wilson Chambers," by A. T. Dadayan and G. V. Badalyan; Yerevan)
Izvestiye, Akademii Nauk Armyanskoy SSR, Seriya Fiziko-Matematicheskikh Nauk
Vol 12, No 4, 1959, pp 109-119)
III. METEOROLOGY
Weather Modification Studies Being Conducted by A=erien. Institute
The study of' the problem of artificial atmosphe:Lc precipitations oc-
cupies a prominent place among the investigations conducted by the Insti-
tute of Power Engineering and Hydraulics of the Academy of Sciences Armen-
ian SSR. The work during the last 2 years was conducted jointly by the
institute and the Main Geophysical Observatory (Leningrad) in the region
of Lake Sevan.
The characteristics of cumulus congestus clouds at an altitude of
5-8 kilometers were studied., and a series of experiments on the action of
carbon dioxide on the cloud were conducted. As a result of these experi-
meats, rains of rather long duration were caused. ("Artificial Atmospheric
Precipitations"; Moscow, Vestnik Akademii Nauk. SSSR, No 7, Jul 59, P 70)
Sixth All-Union Conference on Clouds
The sixth conference on the problem of studying clouds, precipitations,
and weather modification was held 15-20 June 1959 at the Institute of Ap-
plied Geophysics, Academy of Sciences USSR. The conference was called by
the Coordinating Council on the Problem "Physics of Clouds and Precipita-
tions," under the Department of Physicomathematical Sciences, Academy of
Sciences USSR. Representatives of 44 USSR scientific research institutions
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and representatives of the Academy of Sciences, Communist China, took part
in the work of the conference. Sixty-eight reports on the results of in-
vestigations in the field of aerology and aerosynoptics, cloud physics and
weather modification, the electricity of clouds, and special instruments
were given.
A considerable expansion of scientific work in the field of cloud
physics and precipitations and weather modification was noted in the
period since the fifth conference (February 1956).
Some shortcomings in the conduct of tae investigations were noted.
The lack of efficient coordination of work in view of the ever-growing
volume of investigations in the USSR was decried.
A member of resolutions were accepted. These emphasized more work
on the problem of weather control; more work on cloud studies, in particu-
lar., cumulus congestus and the cloud belts above and below that of the
noctUucent clouds; more work on the chemistry of water aerosols and their
modification; further development of instruments making use of telemetry
and electronics; the organization in 1962 of an ".ill.-Union Cloud Year";
future improvement of the coordinated activities of the Academy of Scien-
ces USSR on the problem of "Clouds and Precipitations"; and the need to
call another conference on th9 c:pD;=e= in 1961.
The works of the current conference will be published by the Institute
of Applied Geophysics, Academy of Sciences USSR. ("I5in h All-Union Confer-
ence on Clouds, " by E. L. Aleksondrosr; Moscow, Izvestiye~ Akademii Nauk SS SR,
Seriya C-eofizicheskaya, No 10, Oct 59, pp 1526-1527)
Study on Influence of Updrafts on Shower and Hail F1o:^mations and Hail Pre-
vention
Ra.ar studies of stratocumulus and cumulus congestus clouds were con-
ducted in 1956-1958 in the Transcaucaeue and Cau,c! sus for de?t,4nnining the
influence of vertical, wind eui nts on the formation of intense showers
and hail.
The studies showed. that tht velocity of the vertical, currents increases
with altitude, reaching a maximum in the upper part of the cloud, after
which it quickly decreases; that the temperature in the cloud during its
development is higher than the surrounding medium on the same level, while
it is lower in the upper part of the cloud than the surrounding medium dur-
ing the stabilization and dispersal of the cloud; that the water content
in the front-top part of the cloud increases sharply, while the water con-
tent and spectra of the cloud droplets in the lower and middle parts of $e
cloud change very little; and that the detection on the radar screen of a
pulsating and growing zone of reflection is explained by the increase in
the water-bearing capacity in the upper part of the cloud. This zone of
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reflection is located above the level of maximum var-tical wind current
velocity. The lowering of this zone coincides with the lraginning of
the fall of intense showers.
Drops are retarded in the upper part of the cloud where the veloci-
ties of the lpdrafts are low and, the main growth of the drop or hail oc-
curs in the front-top of the cloud. If the top part of a cumulus conges-
tus cloud is at temperatures above freezing, the cloud remains liquid.
When the temperature of the top of the cloud, is lower then freezing, hail
forms. The final size of the hail depends very little on the vertical
mass of the cloud. The principal parameterx;date mining the final dimen-
sions of hail are the water content of the .air masses entering the cloud,
the height of the zero isotherm, the magnitude of the maximum wind veloc-
ity and its stability with time, and the graiient velocity of the vertical
currents according to altitude.
The principal condition leading to quantitati,reJ.y new results in com-
parison with proceeding investigations on the growth of ha;.1 particles con-
sists of the caaculation of changes in the vertical. component of the
velocity of air currents according to altitude, on which the following
conclusions are based:
Accumulations of large reserres of water droplets and hail occur
in the front-ton ::one of the cloud, wb.ich also explains the g:. at intensity
and short duration of intensive showers and hail.
The action in the upper part of the dewtloped cumulus c ngeStus
cloud, with a maximum velocity of the vertical cur:'ent (Wm) approaching
the critical velocity (Vg) with surface-active and bygros-opic substaiaces,
does not give a positive effect. Such action can cause precipitations and
scatter.ng of cumulus clouds having a small mass and insignificant verti-
cal currents.
The prevention or reduction of hail is passible by means of com-
plete crystallization by injecting,liquid dzvplets, of v s.tpercooled frac-
tion 1o tha cloud. This prevents the gravitpt9.o,aal grccutb. of ?tbe hall.
If the time and place of formation of the focus is known, then
to prevent hail by means of continuous crystall.izat'.on, 4-10 kilograms
of silver iodide wuld be m. zquired.. However, s:baae the-as parameteda a:.'e
not kmvn, the amount of matter z quiz d for the pravn:ntion o:? brad.]. iss
2-3 timtis greater.
The conduct of f xture work in the following directions is considered
necessary:
1. The study of cumulus ccngestus and hail clouds with the aim of
rapidly determining the cloud pp.:_-ameters (temperature, the velocity of
updrifte, and water content) and discovering the bai]. foci.
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2. Development of a method for the continuous introduction of rea-
gents into a specific zone of the cloud.
3. The search for newer, cheaper crystallizing substances and also
for means of retarding the natural crystallization of cloud particles.
("Influence of Changes in the Vertical Component of Wind Velocity on the
Formation of Intensive Showers and Hail," by N. 3h. Babilashvili, A. M.
Zaytseva, V. F. Lapcheva, A. A. Ordzhonikidze, and G. K. Sulakevelidze,
Elbrus Expedition of the Institute of Applied Geophysics of the Academy
of Sciences USSR; Moscow, Dokiady Akademii Nauk SSSR, Vol 128, No 3, 1959,
pp 521-524)
New Method for Determining Horizontal Atmospheric Transparency
A new method for determining the horizontal transparency of the atmo-
sphere, developed by V. A. Gavrilov, is described in a current Soviet sci-
entific periodical. This method is connected with certain pecularities of
visibility meters and is marked by its simplicity and its sensitivity..Nha-
surements made by this method, which is called the relative brightness
method, showed that the determination of meteorological visibility range
is possible with a value of z ^ 100-120 and even 150.
The system makes use of two absolutely black voids (polosti) [black
boxes with the open ends facing the viewer] placed in the same line of
sight at different distances. The size of the voids are such that one of
them, the nearer is projected on the background of the other which is
larger in size. With high atmospheric transparency, when no smog is noted
against either void, the nearer void blends into the background of the far-
ther one and cannot be seen. But the presence of the least trace of smog
on the farther void causes it to seemingly grow lighter and makes it pos-
sible to distinctly see the nearer black void against the lighter background
of the second..
The basic principle of the relative brightness method is that with
any atmospheric turbidity or, in other words, with any value of bright-
ness of the smog on the farther void, the nearer void must always be bladt.
that is, its brightness must be taken as zero.
Use of the two black voids in conjunction with the IV-GGO [an instru-
ment for determining the visibility range of actual objects], which uses
a prism arrangement similar to a range. finder for superimposing images,
makes it possible to superimpose the images of the two black voids on the
background of the sky near the horizon. The brightness of both voids in
the instrument's field of view will change proportionally to the value of
the superimposed brightness, i.e., the proportional brightness of the smog
near the horizon.
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Expressions for the contrast between the nearer and farther voids and
the farther void and the sky near the horizon are given. A table of val-
ues compiled on the function of readings o_" the inatr ment by taking some
threshold value for the contrast sensiti,,.qty and used with the instrument,
i,s given.
The error of measurement is said to be much less than that. for conven-
tional instruments. ("New Method of Determining the Horizontal Transparency
of the ALi1osphere," by V. A. Gavrilov; Moscow, Meteo:,rologiya i Gidrologiya,
No 11, Nov 59, pp 53-57)
New Automatic Weather Station Developed in Rumania
A new automatic weather station for use in inaccessible areas has
been developed by F. Patrichi, engin:-er, of the Meteorological Institute
of the State Water Committee, Rumania.
The station will be used to report temperature, humidity, atmospheric
pressure, and wind velocity by means of coded signals which are transmitted
every 3 hours. Each message is repeated once and is preceded by a warning
signal. Range is reported to be 300 kilometers. Electric power is provided
by a large battery which is kept charged 4* a completely automatic wind gen-
erator. The station is said to be capable of opezating for 6 months.
("Automatic Meteorological Station"; Bucharest, aominia Libera, 7 Nov 59,
p 2)
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0
Soviet Seismoocope Improved
As a result of changes in the design of the UZS-2 seismoscope and
the addition of a high-frequency generator, the possib:.lity of using the
instrument for modeling seismic wave proc?:sses and determining the elastic
properties of rock formations has been enlarged considerably. The pass-
band of the amplifier has' been enlarged from 14-70 kilocycles to 11+-760
kilocycles. More complex experiments can now be conducted, particularly
those involving low-intensity waves which require a more sensitive seismo-
scope. The sensitivity of the seismoscope in the average operating fre-
quencies of 130-150 kilocycles has been increased 25 times. Recordings
have been obtained which are of use in a frequency analysis with the ap-
paratus described by 1Ciudzinskiy and Melamud ("A Station for the Frequency
Analysis of Seismic Waves," Izv. AN SSSR, ser. geofiz., No 9, 1957)?
("Improvement of the UZS-2(31) Seismoscope," by V. A. Obukhov, Institute
of the Physics of the Earth, Academy of Sciences USSR; Moscow, Izvesti a
Akedemii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Geofizichesk ya, No 10, Oct 59) pp 1513-1516)
Development of the Seismic Service in the USSR
Systematic observations conducted by continuously operating seismic
stations are the principal scientific research tool in the study of ea th-
quakes. There are 70 such stations in USSR territory. Thirty of these
belong to regional seismological organizations and 40 to the Institute of
the Physics of the Earth, Academy of Sciences USSR. In addition, seismic
service is conducted by a number of geophysical observator',es and tempo-
rary expeditionary stations located in seismically-active regions of the
country.
The reorganization of the control of the people's economy carried
out in recent years, which broadened the rights and possibilities of local
administrative-economic organs, created favorable groundo for further in-
tensification of the republican (border) seismologic. scientific research
institutions and the exoansion of the station networks belonging to them.
At the session of the Council on Seismolopr of the Academy of Sciences
USSR held in Moscow on 19-21 March a plan for a new Regulation on a Single
Seismic Service for the USSR (XeSS) was discussed and accepted.
According to this regulation,, seismic stations are subject to the
scientific institutions of the Aced rpr of Sciences USSR., the academies of
science of the union republics, and the ministries of admix1ittrations --of
the terr..tories in which they are located.
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The regulation specifies that the institutions heading the republican
network of stations bring about a Single Scinmic Service of the USSR on
cooperative bases. Unity of the service is ensured ly the, application,
without tail, of sttuzdard apparatus and unifox conditions of operation,
by the fulfillment of a single program and method of making observations
and processing of their results, and by maintaining a single form of
seismic bulletin. General supervision of the servioQ will be headed by
the Council on SeismoloCy.
The principal attention of the riession was focu:3ed on the problem of
standard apparatus for the stations (report by D. P. Ki.rnos, and the re-
port by I. P. Pasechnik and N. Yo. Fedosoyenko). The future development
of both theoretical and appl*t,ed se~.smology requires the development and
mass introduction of nezr types of seismic apparatus, primarily of highly-
sensitive seismographs operating in. different ranges of the spectrum of
,:seismic oscillations, seismographs for recording and analyzing strong soil
movements, new clock systems, etc. ,
A number of other problems were also discussed at the session which
are connected with a specific accomplishment of the new regulation (for
on the creation of archives for seismograms and the working out
.~Y rules for their preservation, duplication, distribution, and dissemina-
tion to scientific workers.)
It is proposed not to include all seismic stations operating on the
country's territory in the YeSS, but only those v.*'nich are necessary for
recording earthquakes in a given region beginning with a certain specif --ad
intensity level. Weaker earthquakes will be studied with the aid of tempo-
rary or permanent high-sensitivity stations built in accordance with Vaese
or any scientific problems. Similar investigations are already being con-
ducted in many regions of the country at present, for example. in Central
Asia, where impol-tant scientific results were obtained by the Tadzhik
Complex Seismological Expedition of the Institute of the Phys:Lco of the
Earth and the Institute of Earthqualteproof Canstruci ton and Seismology of
the Tadzhik SSR.
Ttie selection of this standard will also determine the number of YeSS
stations necessary for this or any region, At present, the provision of
seismic stations for the various seismically-active r+agions is not equal.
If the Caucasus and Central Asia, obviously, as~~ close to saturation, then,
in Altay, local stations do not exist at all. Me brrprove.nent of the list
of stations for each region is the next task of the Council on Seismology
and the republican institutions.
One of such lists (presented by the Siberian Branch of the AcadeW of
Sciences USSR) has already been considered and confirtncd at the session.
In the next 7 years, 37 new stations must be opened in Siberia. Of these,
13 will be in the Baykal region, 8 in Altay, and 7 in Yaluitiya.
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It is possible to expect that the new Resolution on the Single Seismic
Service of the USSR will stimulate an expansion of the volume and increase
the quality of scientific research work conducted directly in seismically-
active regions, which is the principal condition for the future development
of seismology in the USSR. ("Development of Seismic Service of the USSR,"
by S. L. Solov'yev; Moscoor, Vestnik llkademii Nault SSSR, No b, Jun 59,
pi, 121-122).
Fifth Voyage of the Mikhail Lomonosov in the Atlantic Ocean
The expedition of the Marine Hydrophysics Institute of the Academy
of Sciences USSR aboard the expeditionary ship Mikhail Lomonosov, conducted
operations according to the IGC program from 17 April to 10 July 1959 in
the Atlantic Ocean.
Taro main profiles were completed during the voyage. The first .
from 60 N, from the Faroe Islands to 30 W, and the second along the meri-
dian 30 W from the Greenland continental shelf to 22 02 S. The meridional
profile -crossed a number of natural regions to which the region of north
polar waters, the region of drift currents, two calm regions, two trade
current regions located on both sides of the equator, and the equatorial
current regions belong. In addition a number of stations were made.-at the
approaches to Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and in the region of Dakar (Africa).
Sixty-three deeprater stations were mate, among them, four 24-hour anchor
stations in depths up to 5,000 meters, with measurements of the elements
of currents being mode with an anchored buoy.
There were 198 baGhythermograph observations mode while the ship was
underway and at the stations. A record of the radiation balance and its
components, continuous depthfinder readings, aercaneteorulogical observations,
launchings o:Z 120 radiosondes, and weather forecasts serric:'.ng the expedition
were made during the voyage.
The results of the observations made on this voyage are the first
systematic complex oceanographic data permitting detailed investigation. of
the basic features entering into the distribution, of Lydrophysical, aero
meteorological, geological, and biological conditions along the longitudinal
axis of the Atlantic Ocean from the north polar. waters down to the central
part of the Brazilian, Basin and revealing chm ges in these conditions in
the various physic o-geographic zones.
mit consideration in greater detail than heretofore possible of the nature
Prow and interesting scientific. and practical materials were obtained
by the expedition. For example, the data of current meter observations per-
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and velocity of currents in the mass of waters for certain points in the
northern hemisphere. A comparison of hydrological data obtained by the
expedition with the materials of past years' observations shows good sta-
bility of the boundaries and properties of the water masses in the ocean
and little changes in the characteristics of the mass of waters below
2,000 meters. The materials of hydrological observations also make it
possible to study peculiarities in the vertical structure of the waters
of the occca for different physic-) -geographic zones, to consider the
character, properties, ? and boundaries of the water masses, and to explain
differences and similarities in hydrological conditions in various lati-
tudinal zones.
Original material on the chemistry of the sea was collected, which
makes it possible to consider the distribution of biogenic elements in
the entire profile along the 30 W meridian. Material was collected on
soils, and submarine photography of the sea bottom was conducted. Pictures
of a lava flow at a depth of 2+30 meters were obtained.
Biological investigations permitted the division of three different
regions on the meridional profile according; to the qualitative and quanti-
tative composition of plankton and. benthos.~ In the distribution of bottom
fauna, a gradual lessening of biomass from north to south was observed.
Between these three regions, there are areas characterized by very high
indexes of bonthos biomasses.(especially in the north trades and in the
region of the Brazilian Basin from 10 to 20 S).
A group of geophysicists from East Germany worked, on the ship. This
group's program of work included observations on the heat balance, tempera-
ture and salinity of the waters, currents, and electrical phenomena in the
atmosphere. _
During stops in foreign ports, the menribers 'of the expedition visited
some scientific and scientific-engineering institutions. A number of
foreign scientists in Rio de Janeiro, Dakar, and Liverpool were familiarized
with the work of the expedition and inspected the laboratories of the Makhail
Lomonosov.
Scientific associates of the institutes of the Academy of Sciences
USSR, the Hydrometeorological Service, and the All.-Union Scientific Research
Institute of the Fishing Industry and Oceanography (ArPI ) took part in the
expedition. The expedition was headed by A. A. Ivano?-r, Doctor of Physico-
mathematical Sciences. ("Fifth Voyage of the Expeditionary Ship Mikhail
Lon-or_osov in the Atlantic Ocean," by V. A. Lednsv; Moscow, M teorologiya i
Gidrologiya, No I I , Nov 59, pp 69-70)
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VI. GEOMAGNETISM
Tree U-tin Trcrida in Soviet Electromagnetic Sounding
In the period 8-13 June 1959, the Institute of the Physics of the Earth
cued the Council on Methods of Geophysical Prospecting, tinder the Department
of Phyuicomathematical Sciences, Academy of Sciences USSR, held a special
conference aimed at a broad discussion of the present status and future
promise of the application of electromagnetic sounding methods to geophysi-
cal prospecting. Associates of interested Soviet scientific and industrial
organizations and representatives of the People's Democracies took part.
'.I\rc:aty-nine reports were read, illuminating all three trends in the utili-
sat:Loi: ofi' alternating electromagnetic fields for sounding. This article
,s~u;mar: ?.es briefly these three trends.
1. Emergence of the steady state of an electromagnetic field (transient
Dresses): It has long been known that, in electrical sounding by direct
cureent, the excited field emerges only after a certain interval of time
(from a fraction of a second to several seconds), depending on the spacing
of the electrodes and on the geoelectrical cross section of the media. This
causes considerable difficulty in electroprospecting in the field and has
often led to errors in earlier (potentiometer) methods of measurement.
Inasmuch as the emergence of the steady state of the field depends
substantially on geological-geophysical conditions and lasts for a consider-
able time, the idea arose of utilizing this emergence process as an auxiliary
.a vertical electrical soundings. In other words, the idea arose of utilizing
the interference. As recent investigations have shown, this idea has been
very frui''ful.
Whereas electrical sounding by direct current (after the field has
emerged) at a given point of observation gives only one value (of the ap-
parent specific resistance), a recording of the transient process gives a
curve -- the time function. This has been the basis of the hope that the
utilization of the process of the emergence of the steady state of the field
will considerably widen the information on the structure of media which is
obtained by the ordinary method of vertical electrical sounding.
Calculations of the process of the emergence of the steady state of
the field for a number of types of geoelectrical cross sections and experi-
mental field work under various geological-geophysical conditions have con-
firmed this assumption. It has been shown that the transient process (emer-
gence of the field) may be utilized in an independent prospecting method
to provide a solution of structural problems in petroleum geology. In par-
ticular., the utilization of the process of emergence of the field affords
the possibility of narrowing considerably the principle of equivalence.
Furthermore, whereas, in the interpretation of data obtained In a direct-
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current sounding, it is necessary to draw upon supplementary information,
the utilization of the .nechanism of emergence of the steady-state of the
field affords tbc? possibility of interpreting without drawing upon external
parameters. In prinr,.J,nle, such a "parametcrless" interpretation has great
importance; it is extremely economical, since, in a number of cases, it
dispenses with the necessity of conducting supplementary research Involv-
ing great expense.
This year, the method of utilizing the emergence of the field has had
practical application in the field work of several geological prospecting
teams. The data obtained by these teams have contributed to the evaluation
of the possibilities of this method and of the areas of application of its
various modifications.
2. Electromagnetic sounding with alternating current: Although the
promise of using alternating current has been lanoun for more than 30 years,
this method has P,ot been perfected, primarily because of the absence of
the requirod processed data, which now have become easier to obtain with
the advent of new computing techniques.
At the present time, the methods of electromagnetic sounding using
alternating current are being developed intensely according to an approved
plan (within the framework of the Council on Methods of Geophysical Pro-
specting) of three principal organizations: The Institute of the Physics
of the Earth imeni 0. Yu. Shmidt, Academy of Sciences USSR; the AU-Union
scientific Research Institute of Geophysics (V11IIG), Ministry of Geology
and the Preservation of Mineral Resources USSR; and Leningrad University.
Recently, several other organizations have joined in this area of work.
To date, as a result of research, a general method has been de-
vised for calculating the electromagnetic fields induced by an electrical
(or magnetic) dipole in .?tratified media; a universal prograra.has been estab-
lished for calculating e geolalectric cross section frith electronic compu-
ters; calculations have been made of the fields of a number of two-; three-
and four-layer cross sections for the purpose of detexmining the resolution
and characteristic peculiarities of the elements of the field under one con-
dition or another; studies have been made of the electromagnetic field in
the remote zone; a model has been designed and built of a field electra-
magnetic prospecting station capable of recording the electrical and magnetic
components of the field with respect to amplitude and phase; expcrirental
methods of field work have been established; an apparatus has been devised
for simulated study of electromagnetic sounding wider laboratory conditions;
a study has been initiated of the fields in heterogeneous and, anisotropic
dia; and methods have been devised for interpreting the results of the
research. The work already done reveals the great promise and effectiveness
of electromagnetic sounding with alternating current.
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Die utilization of both the electrical and the magnetic components
of the field, both with respect to amplitude and phase, and also the possi-
bility of using a wide rcaigc of frequencies guarantee that abundant data
will be obtained. The varied electromagnetic field affords the possibility
of coiundin.,, structures which are located below extensive, practically non-
conducting strata. It has also been shown that it is possible to discern
structures in a manner similar to that of the direct-current method. Finally,
as theoretical observations have indicated, the varied electromagnetic field
affords the possibility of discerning anisotropy, even in the case of hori-
zontal stratifications.
In comparison with vertical electrical sounding by direct current, the
method of electromagnetic sounding has not only the preference in principle,
but also a considerable technical and economic advantage. In particular,
the above-mentioned utilization of wide-frequency ranges affords the possi-
bility of employing the so-called "frequency sounding" method at one point
of observation only. In sounding by direct current, on the other hand, the
observation site has to be moved, which requires considerable time.
The data accumulated so far are not sufficient for an exhaustive an-
alysis of all the possibilities of electromagnetic sounding, but are certainly
worthy of great interest.
In a number of regions of the Soviet Union, experimental work has been
done on electromagnetic sounding with alternating current and on the study
of the utilization of the process of the emergence of the field for the
purpose of determing the prospecting possibilities of these methods (partic-
ularly, for cle?termining the depth of the crystalline basement when inter-
stitial nonconducting strata are present).
Electromagnetic sounding by alternating current has been used, for
example, in one of the regions of the -Moscow area ;'their, at a certain drill-
ing site, the crystalline basement lay at a depth of about 1,800 meters,
while at a depth of 300 meters, there was a layer of high electrical resist-
ance offered by hydrochemical deposits. This layer, practically nonconduct-
ing to electrical current, prevented a vertical electrical sounding by direct
current. Electromagnetic sounding at frequencies of 0.07-150 cycles per
second, hm-rever, made it possible to determine the depth of the crystalline
basement. The primary importance in this case was that, in the interpreta-
tion of the results of obserrations, there was no need to drair upon any sup-
plementary information; the interpreting was done solely on the basis of
the electromagnetic sotlilding data.
In one of the areas of the Central Volga petroleum region, where el.ectro-
prospecting by alternating current had not produced results; seismoprospecting
operations (costing about 2 million rubles) were required in order to deter-
mine the profile of the crystalline basement. Electromagnetic sounding
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utilizing th process of the emergence of the steady state of the field wa4
c,ucceoofully introduced in 1958 and produced (with an expenditure of only
(:,COO ruble. ) practically the some profile of the crystalline bru.eme.at,
that obta ,Fcd with the scizmoprospect nr,,, method..
Des: to thee success of electromagnetic methods of sounding by
means of alt ating fields, there is still very much to be done in the
theoretical crea, in calculations and the substantiation of methods of
interpretati i, in complex apparatus requirements, and in the ?t prc'Jenent
) C worljng ? ods in the field.
3. Electromagnetic rjounding utilizing the intrinsic field of the
earth: Elect omagtzetic soundings with artificial excitation require a
s oworful generating device in order to obtain a clear separation of the
available si ials on the available background of interference caused by
the intrinsic electromagnetic field of the earth (earth currents and mag-
netic f:Luctu Lions) .
Theoretical investigations have indicated, hcnrever; that ?~,he
quantitative relationships, between various components of the intrinsic
electromaGne? c field (magnetic and electric components) observed at the
su:z ace of ti earth depend on the geoe2.ectrical cross section of the medi4
and:;. ?tthcrefox , can be used for the solution of the problems of atructuro1.
geolca. Iv j ieto-telluric profiling has been one interesting de-velopnent
in the field f raagrieto-telluric sounding.
Avai able data of field investigations show the. great pa.wrdae for
the utilizati n of the inti-Insin :1i f -s i ?i,
~r. os ~c tin ("Electromagnetic Sounding of the Earth's Crust)" by A. N.
T11:l.onov and D. N. Shatdisuvarov; Moscow, Vestnik Akadernii Iiauk SSSR, No 10
,
Oct 59, pp 1.2-1E6)
VII. ARCTIC AND ANTARCTIC
Antarctic Traverse Continues
On 29 November 1959, the Soviet sled.-tractor train arrived at the in-
terior station Vostok. The train consisted of 3 "Khar'kovchanka" snow ,,e-?
hicl.es, 2 caterpillar tractors, and 8 trailer sleds. On the day of arrival
at Vostok, the air temperature was minus 48 degrees centigrade.
The traverse had begun at th,:. station Komsomol 'skaya. The 51;L kilometers
from Komsomol 'skaya to Vostok were traveled in 23 days. The 16 scientists,
headed by Prof B. Savel'yev, conducted scientific observations along the way.
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After a short stopover and a precautionary check of the vehicles, the
members of the group will continue to travel south. Soviet scientists will
begin complex scientific research in the central regions of Antarctica,
which have not been explored before. ("Train Arrives at Station Vostok";
Moscow, Vodnyy Transport) 3 Dec 59)
Tractor-Train Moving Toward South Pole
On 8 December, the tractor-train continued from Vostok into the in-
terior of the continent. The train, consisting of two "Khar'kovchanka"
vehicles, one caterpillar tractor, and four sleds, headed toward the south
geographic pole, along the eastern border of the Sovetskaya plateau.
At this time `12 December], the train has stopped at a point with co-
ordinates 80 14 S and 106 50 E)) 200 kilometers south of Vostok and over 1,600
kilometers from the Indian Ocean coast. The scientists are conducting seis-
mic soundings at this point to determine the thickness of the ice sheet.
As a result of the scientific observations made by this expedition and
by previous ones, a meridional cross section of Antarctica from the Pravda
Coast into the interior will be constructed.
During the past few days, an IL-12 plane made a ski landing on the icy
airfield of station Vostok. This was the first time a plane of this type
landed in the interior of Antarctica, at an altitude of 3,420 meters above
sea level. ("On the Way to the South"; Moscow, Vodnyy Transport, 12 Dec 59)
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