Remote sensing and mathematical modelling of Lake Vostok, East Antarctica: past, present and future research

В статье представлен обзор исследований, выполненный к настоящему времени в районе подледникового озера Восток (Восточная Антарктида). Они включают в себя геофизические, гляциологические, геодезические и геологические исследования. Наиболее важные геофизические исследования были проведены Полярной морской геологоразведочной экспедицией. Они включали в себя сейсмические исследования методом отраженных и преломленных волн, а также радиолокационное профилирование. Значительный вклад в изучение этого региона внесли американские исследователи, которые в ходе летнего полевого сезона 2000/01 г. провели комплексную аэрогеофизическую съемку по регулярной сети маршрутов. Она включала в себя магнитометрические, гравиметрические и радиолокационные измерения. В результате этих работ установлено, что площадь водной поверхности составляет 15 790 км², а ее высота над уровнем моря изменяется в пределах от –600 до –150 м. Средняя глубина озера Восток составляет 400 м, а максимальные отметки достигают 1200 м. Объем воды озера составляет 6100 км³. На его акватории насчитывается 11 островов, а их общая площадь составляет 365 км². Кроме того, вокруг озера было обнаружено 56 изолированных подледниковых водоемов, один из которых активный. На начальном этапе проводились специализированные работы, направленные на совершенствование методики исследований и повышения их точности. Они позволили установить, что непосредственно в пункте бурения скважины 5Γ средняя скорость распространения упругих волн в теле ледника и в чистом атмосферном льду (пластовая скорость) составляет 3810 ± 20 м/с и 3920 ± 20 м/с соответственно; средняя скорость распространения электромагнитных волн составляет 168,4 ± 0,5 м/мкс. На основе этих данных была определена мощность ледника в этом районе, которая составила 3768 м. Специальный раздел посвящен обзору математических моделей, которые описывают процессы теплои массопереноса в леднике и движения воды в озере Восток. Новый этап исследований на обновленной станции видится авторам как масштабные мультидисциплинарные работы с опорой на результаты бурения скважины, включая донное опробование. Конечным результатом может стать описание глубинного строения и этапов развития региона, а также математическая модель процессов тепломассопереноса в леднике и озерной воде. Изучение озера Восток является безусловным приоритетом отечественных исследований в Антарктиде. Это нашло свое отражение в «Стратегии развития деятельности Российской Федерации в Антарктике до 2030 года», утвержденной Правительством РФ 19.08.2020. В этом основополагающем документе, регламентирующем все научные исследования в южной полярной области, имеется Мероприятие № 21 «Комплексные исследования подледникового озера Восток и палеоклимата Земли в районе российской антарктической станции Восток», и планируемые работы следуют в фарватере приоритетных научных задач нашей страны в Антарктике.

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