Laboratory of Geomorphology and Tectonics
Division of Geology and Geophysics
V.I. Il'ichev Pacific Oceanological Institute

Laboratory of Geomorphology and Tectonics of the Pacific Oceanological Institute was established in March of 1978. It involves 11 scientists and engineers, 5 Dr.Ph. among them:

Dr. Alexander A. Gavrilov. Head of the lab
Dr. Boris A. Kazansky, Leading scientist
Dr. Alexander S. Svarichevsky, Leading scientist
Dr. Igor K. Pushchin, Leading scientist
Dr. Vilor P. Filat`ev, Senior scientist
Yuri I. Melnichenko
Tatyana L. Krjukova
Nadezhda V. Kulichenko
V.V. Lepeshko
T.D. Leonova

The Laboratory researchers performed cruise studies in different areas of the Pacific Ocean (See Fig.1). Marginal seas of the Eastern Asia (the Sea of Japan, Okhotsk Sea, Philippine Sea) were studied to the greatest extent.

Fig.1. - Areas of expedition investigations

Main fields of research are as follows:

investigation of bottom topography and tectonic dislocations in a transition zone from the continents to the Pacific Ocean (in particular, continental margins, marginal seas, island arcs);
analysis of the main characteristic features of geomorphological and tectonic structure of the Pacific floor;
elaboration of geological and geomorphological models for the origin and development of marginal seas, island arcs and major structures of the Pacific Ocean;
investigation of structural and geomorphological environment of the useful minerals manifestation, modern ore formation areas.

Scientific workers of the Laboratory compiled bathymetric maps, tectonic schemes, sections and other cartographic models of different scale, they published hundreds of papers and abstracts. Main results of studies were reported at numerous conferences and symposiums.

The Pacific Oceanological Institute owns two stationary bases in the south of Primorye Region to carry out detailed studies in the coastal area.