THE CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT ON THE GLACIERS OF GEORGIA

The article reviews the changes of the glacier basins characteristics of Georgia glaciers due to the current climate change. Calculations show significant decrease of the area and number of the glaciers in Georgia over the last 50 years. This reduction is more intensive in eastern Georgia in comparison with the western part of the country. At the same time, some large glaciers complete melting dates are determined according to one of the basic scenarios of current climate change, namely the business as usual. Based on the calculations it is concluded that viewed large glaciers complete melting is not expected within this century even in this worst conditions scenario.The article reviews the changes of the glacier basins characteristics of Georgia glaciers due to the current climate change. Calculations show significant decrease of the area and number of the glaciers in Georgia over the last 50 years. This reduction is more intensive in eastern Georgia in comparison with the western part of the country. At the same time, some large glaciers complete melting dates are determined according to one of the basic scenarios of current climate change, namely the business as usual. Based on the calculations it is concluded that viewed large glaciers complete melting is not expected within this century even in this worst conditions scenario

Multi-method Analysis of Avian Eggs as Grave Goods: Revealing Symbolism in Conversion Period Burials at Kukruse, NE Estonia

Eggshells are unusual finds in the Iron Age of eastern Europe (500 BC–1200 AD) deserving extra attention in terms of analysis as well as interpretation. This paper discusses two rare eggshell finds, discovered in female burials at the conversion period (12th–13th century AD) cemetery at Kukruse, NE Estonia. Our multianalytical study combining FT-IR, SEM(-EDS), microscopy and ZooMS provides an overview of methods applicable for identifying egg species, their predepositional history and curation. Based on the analytical results and the comparative analysis of the content and context of these two burials, we argue that different aims and connotations lay behind depositing eggs as burial goods, allowing well-supported interpretations of both pagan and Christian religious worldviews simultaneously

Comparison of data from ground-based and satellite measurements of the monthly sum of atmospheric precipitation on the example of Tbilisi city in 2001-2020

The data of ground-based (Prec_MS) and satellite (Prec_Sat) measurements of the monthly sum of atmospheric precipitation are compared using the example of Tbilisi in 2001-2020. In particular, the following results are obtained. In general, for all observational data (240 months), Prec_MS values vary from 0 to 267.3 mm, and Prec_Sat - from 3.0 to 184.0 mm. Their average values are 43.6 and 64.8 mm, respectively. Monthly mean values of Prec_MS vary from 16.7 mm (January) to 93.2 mm (May) and Prec_Sat values – from 32.5 mm (December) to 114.4 mm (May). Ground-based measurements are lower than satellite data for all months of the year. The difference between the average values of Prec_MS and Prec_Sat over 20 years varies from -8.8 mm (November) to -33.4 mm (March). Ratio between the average values of Prec_MS and Prec_Sat varies from 40.6 % (January) to 81.5 % (May). There is a direct linear correlation between the studied parameters. For all observational data (240 months) coefficient of correlation is 0.86 (high correlation), for separate month changes from 0.65 (July, moderate correlation) to 0.94 (April, very high correlation). Coefficient of correlation between average values of the studied parameters is 0.97 (very high correlation)

On the Representativeness of Data from Meteorological Stations in Georgia for Annual and Semi-Annual Sum of Atmospheric Precipitation Around of These Stations

Results of study of the representativeness of data from 39 meteorological stations in Georgia for annual and semi-annual sum of atmospheric precipitation around of these stations are presented. Period of observation – from 1936 to 2015. In particular, it was found that in general for the year data of meteorological stations on precipitations are representative around these stations on distance from 19 km (Mta-Sabueti, Kobuleti) to 46 km (Gori); in cold period of year - from 13 km (Mta-Sabueti) to 49 km (Zugdidi); in warm period of year - from 20 km (Chokhatauri) to 43 km (Pasanauri)

Preliminary Results of a Study of the Relationship Between the Variability of the Mean Annual Sum of Atmospheric Precipitation and Landslide Processes in Georgia

Preliminary results of the study of the relationship between the variability of the mean annual sum of atmospheric precipitation and landslide processes in Georgia for 32 years are presented. In particular, it was found that with an increase in the annual sum of atmospheric precipitation, the tendency of increase in the number of landslides is observed in accordance with a second power of polynomia

The Climate Change Impact on the Glaciers of Georgia

The article reviews the changes of the glacier basins characteristics of Georgia glaciers due to the current climate change. Calculations show significant decrease of the area and number of the glaciers in Georgia over the last 50 years. This reduction is more intensive in eastern Georgia in comparison with the western part of the country. At the same time, some large glaciers complete melting dates are determined according to one of the basic scenarios of current climate change, namely the business as usual. Based on the calculations it is concluded that viewed large glaciers complete melting is not expected within this century even in this worst conditions scenario

On the mystery cloud of AD 536, a crisis in dispute and epidemic ergotism: a linking hypothesis

In AD 536, some kind of natural catastrophe(s) darkened the sun by what has been called a mystery cloud or a dust veil. The darkening of the sun lasted for over a year and initiated dramatic changes of the climate in the Northern Hemisphere,resulting in a series of cold ‘years without summer’. This climatic disaster has been linked to the so-called Migration Period crisis in Scandinavia, a time of population decline and reforestation of agricultural land. The extent of these changes and the relative importance of possible factors involved are matters in dispute; failed harvests and famine, plague, war and social changes have been discussed so far. The present comment puts forward the hypothesis that epidemic ergotism due towidespread contamination of food and fodder by poisonous ergot (Claviceps purpurea) also may have been a contributing factor. The main reason being the extreme weather conditions, which became exceptionally favourable for growth andspread of this highly toxic fungus in crops and pastures for several years in a row after the AD 536 event. It is pointed out how the ecological and toxicological characteristics of ergot are consistent with an irregularly distributed depopulation, aneed of several generations for recovery, an extensive reforestation of agricultural land and migration of settlements from lowlands to higher grounds. It is also argued for the possibility that the wording in two verses of the Old Norse poemVöluspá actually was inspired by long-time memories of illness due to ergotism