The article presents data about the mineral composition, color scale and shape of detrital grains of the sand collection assembled in diff erent parts of the Earth. This study led to conclusions about the formation, transportation and accumulation of sands in diff erent climatic and tectonic conditions. The studied samples represented sandy alluvial deposits of the shores of the Atlantic, Pacifi c, Indian oceans, rivers and streams of the Lena River basin, inland seas and lakes of Russia, as well as eolian deposits of the Sahara desert and tukulans sand dunes.

The purpose of the study was to clarify the composition of sands of diff erent genesis and conduct a comparative analysis to reveal the conditions for their formation. The analyzed material showed a wide variation in the color range of sands, a relationship with the mineral composition of primary rocks and transportation conditions. As a result of

the research, alluvial, marine monomictic, graywacke (basalt, calcareous), polymictic-greywacke, calcareous sands, eluvial-alluvial clayey sands with a large amount of plant residue were established for the fi rst time. According to the shape and degree of wear of detrital grains, the minerals and sands were divided into sediments of near and far transport. The range of transfer of clastic grains of minerals and rocks was confi rmed by their preservation during the diagenetic transformation of sands. In sandstones, fragments of unstable silicates were not observed; a small amount of rock fragments (carbonates, basalts, metamorphic rocks) was established.

Under platform conditions, in contrast to the alluvial sands of rivers, seas, oceans, chemical weathering prevailed over mechanical weathering in mountain sands, which is refl ected in the red color of the sand and the presence of clay and iron hydroxides in the composition of the sand.

An earthquake can cause injury and loss of life, damage to roads and bridges, general property damage, and collapse or destabilization (potentially leading to future collapse) of buildings. Earthquake impact surveys start from the fi rst minute after a disaster. Despite the successful development of instrumental seismology, macroseismic studies cannot be eff ectively replaced by other methods of assessing the characteristics of the macroseismic fi eld of each of the tremors, determining the positions of epicentres and the possibility of giving probable characterization of foci.

This article presents data on the macroseismic manifestations in the epicentral area of the Chulman earthquake on February 27, 2022 in the Aldan plateau in Southern Yakutia. The seismic event led to the collapse of the mine roof at the Denisovskaya coal mine in Neryungri District. Instrumental materials of the seismic station network of the Yakutsk branch of the Federal Research Center “Unifi ed Geophysical Service” of the Russian Academy of Sciences were used in this work.

The work was aimed at macroseismic survey and estimation of the earthquake consequences to determine intensity of earth surface shaking in points. The survey was carried out over 5 days (from February 27 to March 3, 2022) in 8 settlements: Chulman, Neryungri, Sosnovy Bor, Berkakit, Iengra, Zolotinka, Nagorny, and Yuktali.

Based on the results of this study, a macroseismic isoseismic map of this earthquake was constructed, clearly demonstrating the intensity of underground shocks in the settlements in the epicentral zone. The isoseist map is used to clarify the earthquake’s epicentre, the focal size and depth, as well as patterns of shock attenuation at distances from the epicentre.

The paper considers the petrographic and petrochemical compositions of the Mesozoic igneous rocks of the Mikhailovsky massif and small bodies. The studied igneous formations are spatially located in the northeastern part of the Evota ore region in the central part of the Nimnyr terrane. Despite the fact that within the Central Aldan ore region, the main part of gold ore deposits is associated with multi-phase Mesozoic magmatism (Ryabinovoe, Samolazovskoe, etc.), in the adjacent territory of the Verkhne-Amga ore region, the ore-controlling fi elds in the formation of gold sulfi de mineralization are groups of Mesozoic single-phase syenite massifs and monzonites of the Lebedinsky monzonite-syenite-granite complex. During fi eld studies, we found that the Mikhailovsky massif has a single-phase structure, the study of the material composition of which has not been given much attention until recently, as well as small bodies of the territory under consideration. Based on the results of the studies, the main conclusions were drawn: according to various classifi cation data, the rocks of the Mikhailovsky massif are composed of quartz monzonites and are close to rocks of both high-potassium calcalkaline and, to a greater extent, shoshonitic petrochemical series. The sill formations belong to quartz monzonites of the high-potassium calc-alkaline petrochemical series. Small dike bodies are composed of quartz syenites and mostly correspond to rocks of the shoshonitic petrochemical series of igneous rocks. The relation to the shoshonite series of the rocks of the Mikhailovsky massif, as well as the bodies of the syenite dikes, suggests the mantle nature of the melts that form them. Based on the studies carried out, a sequence of intrusion of igneous rocks was put forward, from the formations of the Mikhailovsky massif to the intrusion of syenite dike bodies. On the basis of petrochemical analysis, as well as similarity with the massifs of syenites and monzonites of the Lebedinsky monzonite-syenite-granite complex of the Verkhne-Amga ore region, an assumption was made about the potential ore content of the latter.

The main purpose of prospecting ore deposits using geochemical methods is to obtain a general geochemical and metallogenic characteristics of the area under study and identify promising areas and potentially ore objects for detailed work. In addition to the traditional methods used in the process of geochemical prospecting, this can be achieved with the use of modern computer technologies and modeling methods using large amounts of data, including retrospective, over vast territories. In the presented work, the authors show the results of forecasting potentially ore-bearing objects on the territory of the Sutam block of the Aldan-Stanovy Shield, which is characterized by a complex geological structure, using geochemical data from different years and mathematical modeling methods.

The creation of models and their use makes it possible to apply experimental research methods to such objects, the direct study of which is difficult or even impossible. In geology, such objects are geochemical scattering fields of chemical elements (CE), geochemical anomalies and other formations. Therefore, modeling in geology is a special method and is currently used mostly only in scientific research. In this paper, the authors describe a case of the application of modeling methods to solve practical tasks of prospecting geochemistry at its various stages. The results clearly show the eff ectiveness of the use of mathematical modeling methods in geochemical prospecting. The study area was divided into areas with background contents of chemical elements and potentially ore-bearing areas. The latter, in turn, were divided into areas with abnormal concentrations of CE of varying degrees of contrast (low contrast, medium contrast and high contrast). Thus, geochemical zoning of the studied territory was performed. Each allocated site can be evaluated for the possibility of identifying ore objects within its limits. As a rule, on the constructed forecast-geochemical maps, identified before the start of the geochemical field modeling process, already identified ore objects are accompanied by high-contrast geochemical anomalies. Geochemical anomalies of medium and low contrast are often detected over ore bodies lying at a depth (sometimes at a considerable depth) due to the migration of CE.

The article touches upon the problem of increasing the effi ciency of geological and exploration works aimed at prospecting for oil and gas deposits on poorly explored territories. It provides brief information on the extremely low degree of geological and geophysical exploration of the Aldan-Maya depression, one of the most promising territories on the southeastern edge of the Siberian platform. The abundant naphthide saturation of the Riphean deposits of the Aldan-Maya depression has been noted, which has no analogues among other zones of junctions of the platform structure with the folded belt along the whole perimeter of the Siberian platform. A structural map of the Aldan-Maya depression was built along the sole of the Malga Formation of the Middle Ripheus – the main design object of oil and gas exploration works in the region. It is noted that it is advisable to concentrate primary prospecting work on the southern part of the depression, where the maximum number of oil and bitumen shows associated with the Malginsky Formation was recorded in the peripheral part and liquid-drop oil was obtained in the core of the Lakhanda well.

The geological position and characteristics of oil and gas shows obtained in the course of exploration for ore minerals in the immediate vicinity of the Ingiliya ledge of the basement are described in detail. The assumption about the deep genesis of the oil and gas show is formulated due to the processes of extensive lateral migration of hydrocarbon fluids through the zones of subhorizontal fracture location. Preservation of liquid bitumen in the near-surface zone of terrigenous-carbonate complex indicates quite favorable conditions of preservation of these permeable near-surface zones and great prospects of oil and gas potential of deeper horizons of the Aldan-Maya depression.

 It is concluded that the discovery of oil and gas field in the southern part of the Aldan- Maya depression will allow forming a methodological approach to the knowledge of the features of oil and gas potential of the vast highly promising territory of the Siberian platform.

Long-term expeditionary studies of the Faculty of Geography of Moscow State University in the estuarine areas of large rivers of the Arctic coast of Siberia (1969–1996) and joint work of Moscow State University and the Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences in the estuaries of rivers in the European north of Russia (2013–2015) allowed to study the geomorphological structure, channel morphodynamics hydrological regime of river deltas, develop their morphogenetic classification and assess the intensity of delta formation processes. Based on the analysis of geological and geomorphological data, it was possible to establish that modern sedimentary and geomorphological estuarine systems, vast spaces of low-lying subaerial alluvial deltaic plains and a complex hydrographic network of deltaic streams formed on the Arctic coast of Russia in the final phase of stabilization of the postglacial ocean transgression, when the rivers were able to actively accumulate their sediments at river mouths. Over the past 5–7 thousand years, some rivers have managed to create an extensive hydrographic network, fi ll the valley bays and move 150–200 km into the open sea. Other rivers are just beginning to form terrestrial deltas and channel networks. During the evolutionary development of estuarine geomorphological and sedimentary systems, there is a natural complication of the geomorphological appearance of deltas from a simple alluvial ledge to a multi-arm polygenetic alluvial-delta plain and the potential possibility of transforming the discharge deltas into one of the varieties of protruding deltas on the open seashore is realized. The diversity of the structural and geological structure of the shelf, the features of fluctuations in the level of the marginal seas of the Polar Basin and the spatio-temporal variability of the erosion-accumulative capacity of rivers predetermined the diversity of morphogenetic types of mouth systems of the Arctic coast of Russia. The most common here are estuarine-delta and lagoon-delta systems of filling bays (Sev. Dvina, Pechora, Ob, Yenisei, Khatanga, Anabar, Yana, Indigirka, Kolyma, etc.). The Olenek and Lena rivers form protruding deltas on the open estuary seashore. Tidal estuaries are formed at the mouths of most of the small rivers on the coast of the European north of Russia, and blocked estuaries and lagoon systems are formed on the fl at accumulative coasts of the north of Siberia and Chukotka.

Since the beginning of the 2000s, international and Russian scientists have carried out numerous studies of the dynamics of the thermokarst crater based on the analysis of space images taken at diff erent times. Some of them indicate a direct relationship between the change in the crater’s area and climate warming; in others ,such a relationship is not traced. At the same time, within the same territory, diff erent researchers have observed contradictory results, which is due to the insuffi cient development of methods for aerospace studies of the dynamics of thermokarst depressions in the available works.

Therefore, it is important to develop a reliable methodology for studying the dynamics of the thermokarst crater using satellite images; experimental studies in various regions of the permafrost zone of Russia, carried out on the basis of a common methodology developed for all regions, will make it possible to identify the causes of changes and answer the question: may the thermokarst crater signal the response of the permafrost zone to the modern climate warming, which is no less a relevant task.

The goal was to identify eff ective methods in the study of the thermokarst crater and forecast its increase using geoinformation technologies, as well as to make a 3D visualization of the Batagayka thermokarst crater.

 The article describes a climate analysis carried out according to the data of the Verkhoyansk weather station; new methods used; fl owcharts written to synchronize the processing of satellite images on two GIS programs, such as IDRISI Selva and QGIS; and a possible forecast based on the cellular automaton method for predicting the thermokarst crater Batagayka by 2038, using GIS programs and multi-temporal satellite images Landsat 5(8). A vector map of the evolution of the Batagay thermokarst crater was made for the following years: 1991, 2006, 2019, and 2038.

As part of a tripartite agreement between M. K. Ammosov North-Eastern Federal University, Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) Directorate of Biological Resources, Specially Protected Areas and Nature Parks (DBR) and Elden LLC fi eld studies of the Belyanka River valley were carried out on the territory of the resource reserve of the same name and beyond. The research was carried out in 2022 in two stages: from June 20 to July 3 and from September 10 to 18. The research work involved Bachelor’s, Master’s and postgraduate students as part of their summer internship.

The following activities were carried out: the relief was studied and a digital model of the relief was created in the key areas; soil diff erences in key areas were described; hydrological and microclimatic studies were carried out; avifauna, fauna of small mammals and ichthyofauna were studied; plant associations and landscape facies in the key areas were described. In addition, an inventory of tourist sites and recreational resources of the banks of the Belyanka River was carried out; the tourism and recreational potential of the protected areas around the Belyanka Resource Reserve (RR) was studied. The work carried out made it possible to select places for observation platforms, camping areas, a tourist camp, locations and sites for photo and video recording; to prepare for further calculation of the possible tourist and recreational load and capacity of the landscapes adjacent to the Belyanka River, located both within the protected areas and beyond. The main result of the work is the developed recommendations for the further development of tourism in the Belyanka protected area.

The article describes the results of a study of current trends in the development of the transport infrastructure of the Yakutsk urban district related to the involvement of resources of adjacent territories and its transformation into a modern agglomeration. The main functions and problems of the transport complex of the city were determined; on the basis of strategic and program documents for the development of the transport infrastructure of the region, scenarios for the long-term development of the urban agglomeration “City of Yakutsk” were established. The completion of the construction and commissioning of the Tommot – Nizhny Bestyakh railway has made signifi cant changes to the confi guration of the main transport schemes for the movement of goods and passengers on the territory of the republic. The modeling of the functional and spatial development of the city was carried out on the basis of an analysis of the prospects for the development of transport infrastructure and the implementation of measures for the socio-economic development of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), which impose certain diffi culties in organizing the smooth operation of the transport complex of Yakutsk – the cargo and passenger fl ows hub. Using long-term trends in cargo transportation volumes, changes in the directions of movement of the main cargo fl ows associated with the delivery of goods to consumers in the case of the construction of a bridge crossing over the Lena River, the forecast values of the transit fl ow of trucks through the urban agglomeration of the city of Yakutsk are determined. The novelty of the research lies in the development of organizational mechanisms to improve the transport framework of the Yakut urban agglomeration, the creation of a unifi ed network of mixed passenger transportation, taking into account the construction of the Lena Bridge. The implementation of the regional policy on the effi cient and multifunctional use of the territory located in the area of gravity of the city’s highways will contribute to an increase in the agglomeration eff ect, will ensure the sustainability of transport services and improve the quality of life of the population of the Yakut urban agglomeration.

The article analyses the attractiveness of Yakutian tourist sites.

The relevance of research. The largest subnational administrative territory in the world, the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) is home to unique tourist attractions, including the Cold Pole of the Northern Hemisphere, the Lena Pillars, and the Lena River. At the same time, many sites remain unknown to a wide range of potential tourists, which signifi cantly reduces the tourist fl ow and negatively aff ects the state of tourism. Identifi cation of attractive tourist sites and their evaluation are necessary to create new tourist products, as well as to increase the tourist and recreational potential of Yakutia.

The purpose of the article is an analysis of the spatial features of the attractiveness of natural tourist sites of Yakutia.

Research objectives:

1. To study the concept of “attractiveness” in tourism;
2. Identify indicators of attraction of tourist objects;
3. To evaluate the attractiveness of tourist sites in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia);

Methods of research. The “Register of attractions of Yakutia” is the basis of this research. The article identifi es the components and indicators of the concept of “attractiveness”. A point scale was developed for each component. In accordance with this scale, a component-by-component analysis of the attractiveness of natural tourist sites in Yakutia was carried out. The result of the study was a map of the attractiveness of tourist sites by uluses (districts) of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia).

The research results can be used in management of the tourism in Yakutia, the development of tourist products.

В статье рассматриваются социально-экономические карты и атласы Республики Саха (Якутия), в том числе созданные в лаборатории электронных картографических систем СВФУ. Установлено, что первым комплексным картографическим произведением, отображавшим совокупность природных и социально-экономических условий Якутской АССР, является рукописный атлас, выполненный В.А. Кротовым в 1930-1940-х гг. Выявлено, что атласное социально-экономическое картографирование территории республики непосредственно связано с историей открытия кафедры географии Якутского государственного университета в 1956 г. До 1961 г. на кафедре выполнялись инициативные картографические работы, впоследствии сотрудники кафедры были привлечены для работы по созданию первого учебного атласа Якутии. Опыт работы над первыми региональными атласами поспособствовал созданию Атласа сельского хозяйства Якутской АССР и, как результат, в 1977 г. была образована отдельная структура при кафедре – лаборатория картографии. Основной тематикой научно-исследовательских тем лаборатории картографии все эти годы стало комплексное и социально-экономическое картографирование.

Анализ картографических произведений, изданных лабораторией электронных картографических систем СВФУ, показал, что в них львиную долю занимают карты социально-экономического содержания. В данных картах отображено социально-экономическое развитие региона. Установлено, что основной особенностью карт населения, хозяйства и социальной инфраструктуры является их практическая направленность. Определяются постоянно растущие потребности общества в изучении и анализе территориальных закономерностей социально-экономических явлений и процессов. Перспективы развития социальноэкономического картографирования связаны с широким внедрением геоинформационных технологий и использованием данных дистанционного зондирования для изучения и пространственного отображения социально-экономических особенностей северных территорий в интересах их устойчивого развития.

The development of the tourism and recreational sphere of any region requires a high-quality information space. It forms an attractive tourist image, providing residents and guests of the region with data on the range of provided tourism products and services, as well as tourism infrastructure in an on-line format.

Currently, many regions of Russia have tourist portals and interactive tourist maps. The Volgograd region is no exception. However, electronic tourism resources of the region are in the process of formation and registration. The author took part in one of the projects for compiling an electronic tourist map of the Volgograd region. In this connection, the article presents the stages of work on the map project: from the preparatory stage, which includes an analysis of consumer searches for tourism on the Internet; a review of the content and design of similar maps; to the preparation of a map software and its online implementation.

Based on the results of the study, eight main sections were identifi ed in the structure of the electronic tourist map: attractions, places of mass recreation, sale of handicrafts of the Volgograd region (souvenirs), entertainment, outdoor activities, accommodation facilities, food facilities, tourist routes and excursions.

Conclusions about the state of electronic tourist mapping in the Volgograd region are formulated. It is noted that it is in the development stage, since a comprehensive cartographic solution with the open access on the Internet has not been presented yet.

 The results of the study presented in the article are of value as a methodological and practical basis for developing electronic mapping of tourism and tourism activities, as well as applied research in the fi eld of regional tourism development.