For more than a decade, the global network of GPS stations whose measurements are part of the International GPS Service (IGS) have been recording cyclic variations in the radius vector of the geodetic ellipsoid with a period of one year and amplitude of ~10 mm. The analysis of the figure of the Earth carried out by us shows that the observed variations in the vertical component of the Earth’s surface displacements can induce small changes in the flattening of the Earth’s figure which are, in turn, caused by the instability of the Earth’s rotation. The variations in the angular velocity and flattening of the Earth change the kinetic energy of the Earth’s rotation. The additional energy is ~1021 J. The emerging variations in the flattening of the Earth’s ellipsoid lead to changes in the surface area of the Earth’s figure, cause the development of deformations in rocks, accumulation of damage, activation of seismotectonic processes, and preparation of earthquakes. It is shown that earthquakes can be caused by the instability of the Earth’s rotation which induces pulsations in the shape of the Earth and leads to the development of alternating-sign deformations in the Earth’s solid shell.

The eruptive behavior of mud volcanoes has been explored in several forward and inversion models. The forward models, based on classical continuum-mechanics, simulate the non-stationary processes of gas seepage and two-phase gas-mud flow through the conduit of a mud volcano, as well as the quasi-stationary gas frontal drive that pushes mud out, and the subsequent gas escape into the air. Forward modeling is performed with reference to the pressure and temperature dependence of the gas viscosity and compressibility. The inversion for the depth to the mud column base has yielded an unambiguous solution. According to the modeling results, the depths to the mud base and to the gas reservoir are controlled mainly by conduit permeability, while the interval between two successive eruption events depends on the gas/mud viscosity ratio. The modeling has allowed estimates for the mud breccia portion remaining in the conduit by the time of eruption, and for the subsurface volcano thickness inferred using a hydraulic-fracture model of the related gryphon field, and for the rate of gas release at the beginning of an eruption.

Seismic infl uence of the earthquakes to mud volcanoes activity in the fi rst approximation is mathematically simulated by plane longitudinal monochromatic wave. This infl uence makes additional change of pressure that modifi es fi ltration processes and gases solubility in supply channel of the volcano. The model allows explain the increase of gas debit and the change of chemical gas composition in gryphons of mud volcano observed after earthquakes

This paper is devoted to modeling of the dynamics of the temperature regime of mud volcano gryphons. The model is elaborated on the basis of a nonstationary equation of thermal conductivity with a convective component and describes well the observed regularities of thermal regime of South Sakhalin mud volcano gryphons. It is shown that anomalous changes in the temperature of the water-mud mixture after the Gornozavodsk and Nevelsk earthquakes in 2006–2007 are caused by variations in motion velocity of the mixture in the supply pipes of gryphons. It also has been shown that influx of deep geofluids cannot be considered as the main reason for thermal anomalies.

A procedure for preparing solid solutions based on zirconium and hafnium hydroperoxides is developed. This procedure is based on the coprecipitation of components in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Amorphous nanopowders ( S sp = 80–90 m 2 /g, d mean = 2–3 nm) without any indication of the agglomeration of particles are synthesized. After the decomposition of complex hydroperoxides at a temperature of 500°C, the compacted powders undergo an active sintering at a temperature of 1450°C. The particle size after heat treatment does not exceed 50 nm. As follows from the electrical and physical characteristics obtained for these materials, they can be recommended for the use as solid electrolytes and sensors of oxygen partial pressure.

A procedure for preparing solid solutions based on zirconium and hafnium hydroperoxides is developed. This procedure is based on the coprecipitation of components in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Amorphous nanopowders (S-sp = 80-90 m(2)/g, d(mean) = 2-3 nm) without any indication of the agglomeration of particles are synthesized. After the decomposition of complex hydroperoxides at a temperature of 500 degrees C, the compacted powders undergo an active sintering at a temperature of 1450 degrees C. The particle size after heat treatment does not exceed 50 nm. As follows from the electrical and physical characteristics obtained for these materials, they can be recommended for the use as solid electrolytes and sensors of oxygen partial pressure.