V.A. SHAKHVERDOV, YU.P. KROPACHEV, A.A. MOSKOVTSEV, O.V. DRON (VSEGEI)

New data on the reasons for the ring structure formation on the ice of Lake Baikal

The position of ring structures on the ice of Lake Baikal relative to hydrocarbon migration objects was analyzed. The data obtained from geological and hydrogeochemical studies and gas surveys show that there is no direct relationship between ring structures and hydrate shows and gas seepage. Geological and geophysical study of the sub­bottom profile in the water area of the most frequent occurrence of the ring structures show that tectonic faults, to which permeable channels are confined, are located directly below them. The latter are the channels for deep discharge of low­temperature hydrothermal solutions into the water column, which can be the cause of anticyclonic ring currents, and, as a result, of ring structures on the ice of the lake.
Keywords: Baikal, hydrocarbon, ring structures on ice.