Division

The Laboratory of Recent Geodynamics was preceded by Cabinet of Seismogeodynamics organized in 1993 under the guidance of K.G. Levi, Dr. Sci. (Geol.-Min.) to study some regular trends in lithospheric changes due to seismic process. In relation to setting out the main current lines of investigation of the Institute in 1998 the Group of Seismogeodynamics was transformed into Laboratory of Recent Geodynamics. The research activities in the Laboratory focus on the regular trends in recent geodynamical processes resulting from interaction of geospheres and solar activity to provide a basis for moderate-term prediction of extreme catastrophic events.

Main current lines of investigation:

1. Research activities concerning current faulting behavior, current movements and state of stress and strain of the earth crust by methods of structural geology, GPS-geodesy and remote sensing.
2. Integrated study of spatio-temporal variations of natural processes related to the interaction of geospheres in the context of global environmental and climatic changes.
3. Search for the basis to predict unfavorable natural phenomena.

Prospects for the development of investigations:

Further research and development in the area of crustal deformations that involves using large GPS-geodetic networks in Siberia, Far East and Mongolia and installing the permanent-soil monitoring sites. Location of small geodetic networks in active fault zones obtaining evidence for accumulation of elastic strain in earthquake preparedness.

A study is to be made into the interactions between recent geodynamical processes and global climatic changes, and empirical scaling of hazards is to be performed using global energetic approach.

The Laboratory works in cooperation with the departments of the Irkutsk State University and Irkutsk State Technical University and laboratories of the Institute of Solar and Terrestrial Physics, Institute of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Limnological Institute, Institute of Petroleum Geology and Geophysics SB RAS, Geological Institute and Joint Institute of Earth Physics RAS, Department of Physical Problems at the Presidium of the Baikal Scientific Center SB RAS, Institute of Geology and Nature Management FEB RAS, and East-Siberian Aerogeodetic Enterprise. It is the science base of the Joint Department of Recent Geodynamics and Natural Hazards for training young specialists for the Institute of the Earth’s Crust SB RAS and regional subdivisions of Civil Defense and Emergency Management.

The Laboratory performs research in cooperation with the scientists from France, Belgium, Germany, Italy and Mongolia under the projects financed by international funds.

The Laboratory participates in research projects of the Ministry of Defense RF, Federal Target Program “Integration of Science and Higher Education in Russia”, programs RAS, integration projects SB RAS, projects RFBR, and in regional scientific-technological programs under the order of the administration of the Irkutsk region and business entities.