Seismic Activity Research Articles

РАСПРЕДЕЛЕНИЕ И ГЕНЕЗИС УГЛЕВОДОРОДНЫХ ГАЗОВ ДОННЫХ ОТЛОЖЕНИЙ ЛАПТЕВО-СИБИРОМОРСКОЙ ЗОНЫ ВОСТОЧНО-АРКТИЧЕСКОГО ШЕЛЬФА

Gases from bottom sediments of the Laptev–Siberian Sea zone contain methane (up to 8.3047 cm3/kg) and its homologues (down to and including pentane) totaling 0.0259 cm3/kg. The established values of the carbon isotope composition of methane (δ13С), the molecular weight of the hydrocarbon fraction, the weight concentrations of С1–С5 hydrocarbons and their ratios, the «wetness» and «transformation» coefficients of the hydrocarbons fraction, indicate the presence of various syngenetic and epigenetic gases in bottom sediments. Potential gas sources are modern sediments, peat, coal, gas and gas hydrate? deposits, solid bitumen, igneous rocks, and inferred oil and gas accumulations. It has been established that the distribution of hydrocarbon gases in sediments vertically and horizontally depends on the influence of a complex of geological factors – fold and fault tectonics, magmatism and seismic activity in the region, coal, oil and gas potential and bituminosity, organic saturation and lithological composition, hydrogeological, geocryological, and other conditions for accumulation of gases or their degassing.

Deformation and failure analysis of heterogeneous slope using nonlinear spatial probabilistic finite element method

<p>Slope failures in hilly terrain impact the social and economic balance of the community. The major reasons for these slope failures are steeper slopes, climate factors, seismic activity, nearby excavations, and construction. Natural slopes show significant heterogeneity due to the inherent randomness in material properties and geometric nonlinearities. Effective slope stability analysis solutions can be achieved by incorporating probabilistic approaches. We present a comprehensive method to develop and analyze a heterogeneous two-dimensional slope model, utilizing a non-linear-spatial-probabilistic-finite element method under a plane strain condition. The developed slope model encompasses geometrical and material nonlinearity with a uniform random distribution over the space. Also, the present slope model integrates the Mohr-Coulomb's constitutive model for elastoplastic analysis to capture more realistic and complex behavior. A benchmark soil slope problem was modeled using the spatial probabilistic finite element method, comprising all six material properties with uniform spatial uncertainties. These material properties are elastic modulus, unit weight, cohesion, friction angle, and dilation angle. During the numerical simulation, the detailed deformations, stress patterns, strain patterns, potential pre-failure zone, and failure characteristics of heterogeneous slopes were achieved under self-weight and step loading sequences. Nodal failure and probability of nodal failure were introduced as two novel quantitative parameters for more insights into failure investigations. The testbench slope model was subjected to self-weight load and external 100-step loading sequences with a loading increment of -0.1 kN/m. The percentage probability of nodal failure was obtained at 40.46% considering uniformly distributed material uncertainties with a 10% coefficient of variation. The developed testbench slope model was also simulated for different values of the coefficient of variation (ranging from 0% to 50%) and comparatively investigated. The detailed deformation patterns, thorough profiles of stresses-strains, failure zones, and failure characteristics provided valuable insights into geotechnical engineering practices.</p>

Analysis of space images of the fault system of the Altai-Sayan seismic active region based on Shearlet transform

The paper proposes a method for processing and analyzing satellite images of a territory with increased seismic activity to identify geological inhomogeneities (geological faults, blocks) on the Earth’s surface. The methodology is based on adapted algorithms for discrete Shearlet transform (Shearlet toolbox and FFST). The problems of noise filtering and contour extraction with contrasting and color coding for the studied visual observational data are solved.

The Future of Smart Buildings: Integration of IoT in Construction Engineering

Internet of Things isn’t always approximately about the things themselves; it’s approximately being clever. IoT is real and helpful because of its ability to apply intelligence to sense facts, especially in the context of construction engineering. A smart building’s architecture is a great place to start as IoT is reshaping every aspect of a building, from design to occupancy to maintenance. The experience of workers, control, and tenants is being optimized through the use of IoT data to inform decision-making. Better facilities may simplify corporate processes and increase revenue in smarter homes. The goal of intelligent houses is sustainability. There are several methods for automating tasks with the Internet of Things. It is necessary to address every single facet of the building architecture. This article discusses the problems and technologies of IoT-based smart building architecture. The Internet of Things (IoT) and embedded systems provide the foundation of the “Smart Building” idea. Together with smart lighting in smart buildings and seismic detection, the model that is being shown has several features. When the smart lighting system turns on and off, it is determined by the amount of natural light available and the presence of people within the building. In order to reduce the amount of maintenance needed, smart dustbins that open up when they sense a person are available. Watering systems that are designed to measure the moisture content of the soil are extremely useful for the maintenance of lawns. A seismic activity detection module allows for early warnings of earthquakes and other seismic activity that may occur in the future. It has been successfully developed a smart building concept that uses Arduino and a cloud server to analyze the data gathered from the smart building.

The performance of steel fiber reinforced concrete as structural elements of a seismic resistant three-story low-cost housing using SAP 2000

Seismic activity is a looming threat in many regions around the world. Hence, pursuing low-cost housing solutions that can withstand seismic forces while remaining economically viable is critical. This research is motivated by the urgent necessity to create innovative materials and cost-effective design methodologies that can withstand the forces of devastating earthquakes. This study explores the effectiveness of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) as a structural element in a three-story low-cost housing building. SFRC incorporates small and hooked steel fibers into concrete, improving its mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, toughness, and ductility. This study aims to replace traditional reinforced concrete with SFRC in building columns and beams and assess its seismic performance using Finite Element Method (FEM) analysis conducted through SAP 2000 software. This study conducted experiments using concrete mix samples with different percentages of steel fibers (0%, 0.3%, 0.5%, and 0.7% by weight) and found that the 0.3% SFRC sample exhibited the highest compressive and flexural strength. Four models evaluated the cost-effectiveness of SFRC compared to the control sample with regular concrete. The analysis revealed that Model (3), featuring 250 x 300 mm columns with SFRC, significantly decreased concrete volume and rebar quantity. It resulted in a 13.79% reduction in structural costs compared to the original plan. Overall, the study highlights the potential of SFRC to enhance the mechanical properties of concrete and reduce costs in seismic-resistant construction projects. By incorporating SFRC, engineers can improve buildings' structural stability and performance, particularly in earthquake-prone regions.

Assessing the stability of the reservoir rim in moraine deposits for a mega RCC dam

<abstract> <p>Diamer Basha Dam is an under-construction, 272-meter-high, roller compacted concrete (RCC) dam on the Indus River in Pakistan. Once constructed, it will be the world's highest RCC gravity dam with a 105-kilometer-long reservoir. Most of the reservoir lies in unstable moraine deposits with steep slopes. Events like saturation during reservoir filling, alternate wetting, drawdown during reservoir operation, or a seismic event could trigger a large mass movement of these slopes into the reservoir to disrupt the dam functionality. This work identified the 15 most vulnerable slide areas using digital slope maps, elevation maps, and satellite imagery. Deterministic slope stability analysis was carried out on the identified sections under various stages of reservoir operation for static and seismic loading, using pseudo-static and dynamic analysis approaches. Probabilistic analysis was then performed using Monte Carlo simulation. The findings showed that most moraine deposits would collapse under reservoir filling, rapid drawdown, or seismic activity. Following the assessments, landslide susceptibility maps were generated, and an assessment of potential impacts, including the generation of dynamic waves, reservoir blockage, increased sediment loads, and reduced reservoir storage capacity, was also performed.</p> </abstract>

ОБ АКТУАЛЬНОСТИ И ВОЗМОЖНОСТИ ПРЕДУПРЕЖДЕНИЯ СЕЙСМИЧЕСКОЙ ОПАСНОСТИ НА ТЯНЬ-ШАНЕ

The problem of activation of the seismic regime of the Tien Shan and the possibility of strong earthquakes in its southern and northern foothills in the next few years in connection with the earthquake of January 23, 2024, which occurred in the southern foothills of the Central Tien Shan in Ushi County (Ukturpan) of Aksu Prefecture of Xinjiang Province of the People's Republic of China, an earthquake of magnitude 7.1 occurred near the city of Aksu. The Ushinsky earthquake of 23.01.2024 may mean the beginning of a new seismic activation of the Tien Shan. Here is the previous cycle of eight strongest earthquakes with M=6.9-8.3 in the northern and six with M=6.8-7.8 in the southern foothills of the Tien Shan, which lasted 100 years, began in 1885 with the Belovodsky earthquake (M=6.9 near Bishkek) and ended with the Kashgar earthquake (M = 7.0) in 1985. There was another strong Suusamyr earthquake with M = 7.3 in 1992 in the middle part of the Tien Shan, which is atypical in this region. With the earthquake of Usha, the period of calm for earthquakes with magnitudes 7.0 and more, which lasted for almost 40 years, ended. A brief overview of the current state of the issue of forecasting strong earthquakes is given. It is noted that there is a certain discrepancy between the basic concepts of the existing earthquake source models and the available geomechanical data on the fragile destruction of rocks. The latest achievements of tectonophysics in the field of studying the current stress state directly in rock massifs are presented. It is shown that, based on the results of tectonophysical reconstruction of natural stresses, it is possible to perform zoning of active faults according to the level of coulomb stresses responsible for the implementation of brittle fracture. The analysis of the results of active fault zoning performed in the foci of the strong Wenchuan earthquake (M=8.0, 2008) and the Karamushir earthquake (M=7.8, 2023) is given. The analysis of the possibilities for long-term and short-term forecasting based on a complex of seismic, seismotectonic and geophysical methods based on the results of tectonophysical zoning of active faults is performed.

Mathematical modeling for assessing the seismic response of buildings in Al Hoceima

The purpose of this paper is to apply structural dynamics principles to conduct a comprehensive mathematical analysis of how buildings respond to earthquakes, with a particular focus on the dynamic behavior of a reinforced concrete structure in the city of Al Hoceima, located in the north of Morocco, which is subjected to frequent seismic activity. Considering various parameters such as building configurations, materials, soil characteristics, and seismic conditions, we will build a mathematical model for response of structures to earthquakes and conduct numerical experiments using ETABS software on a typical building in this region with a G+2 house elevation.

State‐of‐the‐Art Seismic Studies of Loess Tunnels in China

Large earthquakes occur frequently around the world. Due to the fragility of loess, the effects of seismic events on loess tunnel projects have received considerable in‐depth research attention. In this paper, we systematically review recent seismic research on loess tunnels and highlight deficiencies that require further study with a focus on the following topics: site selection, tunneling through landslides, shallow‐buried tunnels with bias pressure, dynamic analysis, and seismic liquefaction. For tunnels constructed through loess landslides, comprehensive prevention measures should be implemented to ensure the stability of the landslide and tunnel. For shallow‐buried loess tunnels with bias pressure, the lining of the deep‐buried side should receive more attention than that of the shallow‐buried side. It is necessary to consider the combined effects of seismic activity, rainfall, and train load on the stability and fortification of loess tunnels. The stress state of the surrounding loess should also be considered in further studies on tunnel liquefaction. Finally, the laboratory planar strain method should be simplified to address the discrepancy between laboratory and field results.

Public understanding and scientific uncertainty: The communication of risk in the L'Aquila earthquake

<p>On April 6, 2009, a magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck L'Aquila, Italy, causing extensive damage and loss of life, and raising significant issues around the communication of scientific risk. In the preceding weeks, increased seismic activity had alarmed the population, prompting authorities to seek expert advice. Public authorities reassured the population that the chances of a dangerous shock were slim. These assurances given by officials led many to remain in their homes when the earthquake struck. The subsequent legal actions against the scientists involved ignited a global debate on the responsibilities and challenges in scientific communication. This paper explores the complexities of conveying probabilistic risk information to the public and decision-makers. It highlights how different formats for presenting probabilistic data can significantly influence understanding and decision-making. In particular, it canvasses how the use of natural frequencies to convey probabilistic information makes it cognitively easier to understand and manipulate them, given how they make more salient and transparent the so-called base rate. However, the benefits of using natural frequencies decrease when dealing with low-probability, high-consequence (LPHC) events like major earthquakes, where even significant increases in relative probability remain small in absolute terms. Moreover, the paper investigates the social dimensions of earth science, examining the multifaceted role of scientists as both technical experts and social actors. The L'Aquila case exemplifies the need for integrating scientific accuracy with an understanding of its social implications. Effective risk communication must address cognitive limitations and the presence of social context to reach appropriate public behavioral responses. In order to achieve that, communication should be handled by actors that have specific expertise in its complexity.</p>

Prospects for mathematical modeling in mining system development: accounting for global oscillations and seismic waves

The article discusses the potential of mathematical modeling in understanding the impact of vibrations and seismic waves, aiming at enhancing the sustainability of systems within the mining industry. It explores the dynamic response of a tall, elastic structure with a uniform cross-section and a fixed cylindrical fluid reservoir, subject to various complex boundary conditions. The study delves into the vibrational behavior of the structure when exposed to seismic and harmonic forces, calculating frequency, vibration periods, and deriving formulas for stress, tension, deformation, bending moments, and shear forces in different parts of the structure through both theoretical and experimental approaches. Additionally, the article derives the differential equation for the free oscillation of a tall hydraulic structure in pure bending with an incorporated mass load under appropriate boundary conditions, identifying specific vibration frequencies and periods. The forced vibration scenario is also examined, focusing on the structure's foundation movement due to external harmonic forces. Numerical computation technology is utilized to analyze the change laws of principal quantities that describe both free and forced vibrational movements of the hydraulic structure, showcasing the applicability of these models in predicting and mitigating the effects of seismic activities on mining infrastructure.

Crustal response to water loads and expansion of triggered seismicity around the Xiluodu Reservoir, Southwest China

<p>The transition to low-carbon energy generation requires a diverse portfolio of energy sources. Large hydropower stations play a crucial role in providing eco-friendly energy but can lead to crustal deformation and seismic activity due to reservoir impoundment and discharge. The mechanism behind how impoundment-induced deformation influences reservoir-triggered seismicity remains unclear. We investigate this at the world��s 4<sup>th</sup> largest hydropower station in Xiluodu, China, using interdisciplinary analyses of relocated earthquakes, geodetic data, and numerical simulations. Geodetic observations confirm both a linear elastic response to hydrologic loading and the transition towards a relaxed and flexural response. Notably, approximately 81% of the earthquakes since impoundment occurred within ~15 km of the subsidence center. These events temporally relate to rapid hydrologic loading/unloading periods, with their spatiotemporal outward migration potentially caused by viscous relaxation of load stresses in the lower crust and upper mantle. The reservoir-induced flexural deformation and subsequent viscous relaxation may control the distribution and expansion of triggered seismicity. This research highlights the urgent need to enhance geohazard monitoring efforts around the subsidence center and emphasizes the vital importance of carefully considering this factor during the construction of large reservoirs to mitigate potential seismic risks.</p>

Seismic behavior of base-isolated building structures with lead rubber bearings (LRBs)

This study is designed to evaluate the efficacy of multi-storey buildings in mitigating seismic responses, particularly through the implementation of a base isolation system. Our focus centers on two reinforced concrete structures, one eight stories high and the other ten stories high, both outfitted with a base isolation system featuring lead rubber isolators to proactively minimize seismic risks. The primary objective of introducing a base isolation system is to curtail the potentially destructive impact of earthquakes on a building by attenuating the transmission of seismic forces from the superstructure to the foundations. This seismic protection technique involves strategically installing isolators between the building's superstructure and its foundations. The integration of lead rubber bearing (LRB) isolators into the building's base constitutes a pivotal approach to significantly augmenting the seismic performance of a structure. This method boasts several advantages, chief among them being a notable reduction in floor drift, a critical factor for ensuring the safety and stability of a structure amidst seismic activity. The outcomes of our study underscore the remarkable effectiveness of base isolation in substantially decreasing the overall seismic responses of buildings in the studied region. The observed reductions range from 50% to 70%, affirming the robustness and resilience that this innovative approach imparts to buildings in earthquake-prone areas.

Machine Learning Aids Rapid Assessment of Aftershocks: Application to the 2022–2023 Peace River Earthquake Sequence, Alberta, Canada

Abstract The adoption of machine learning (ML) models has ignited a paradigm shift in seismic analysis, fostering enhanced efficiency in capturing patterns of seismic activity with reduced need for time-consuming user interaction. Here, we investigate automated event detection and extraction of seismic phases using two widely used ML models: EQTransformer and PhaseNet. We applied both the models to four weeks of continuous recordings of aftershocks using a temporary array following the 30 November 2022, ML 5.6 earthquake near Peace River, Alberta, Canada. Both the tools identified >1000 events over the recording period. The aftershocks are located in close proximity to the ML 5.6 mainshock as well as to wastewater disposal operations that were ongoing at the time. Both the methods reveal an aftershock distribution that was not identified by the regional network; however, we find that events detected by PhaseNet have smaller event location errors and better depict subtle fault structures at depth, despite identifying ∼200 events less than EQTransformer. Our results highlight the advantages of using ML models for rapid detection and assessment of seismicity following felt events, which is important for rapidly assessing seismic hazard potential and risk.

ОБРАБОТКА РЕЗУЛЬТАТОВ GPS-МОНИТОРИНГА ПРИ ИНТЕНСИВНЫХ ДВИЖЕНИЯХ ЗЕМНОЙ КОРЫ В СЕЙСМОАКТИВНЫХ РЕГИОНАХ КАЗАХСТАНА

The article presents the results of GPS-monitoring studies in the zone of major tectonic faults on the territory of Almaty. It has been established that monitoring the movement of the Earth's crust is necessary to understand the processes preceding earthquakes and to develop forecasting models. Knowledge of the movement of the Earth's crust is important to ensure the safety of infrastructure such as roads, bridges and residential buildings. The results of the study can be useful for conducting scientific research (when monitoring, analyzing and predicting the movement of the Earth's crust in regions with increased seismic activity) related to the structure of the Earth's crust and the tectonics of the region.

Impact of earthquake on river water quality based on combination of satellite data and groundwater analysis

The impact of an earthquake on river water quality is massive, and the quality of life and environment typically changes as a result of a quick drop in the environment system. A 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck the Ranau area of Sabah, Malaysia, in 2015, affecting the Liwagu River’s water quality. Satellite data on earthquakes, coupled with local water quality data collecting, allows for an accurate assessment of water quality parameters. As a result, the Sabah Water Department provided secondary water quality data from Bambangan and Kimolohing on the Liwagu River. Following that, turbidity, color, pH, electric conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO), nitrate (NO3−), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), aluminum (Al), alkalinity, hardness, chloride (Cl-), and sulfate (SO42−) were chosen. The investigation discovered unusually high turbidity and color in the water on June 17, 2015, as well as elevated levels of Al, Fe, and Mn. DO concentrations plummeted to 3.8 mg/L on the same day. Statistical analyses, employing the Kruskal-Wallis test, identified significant parameters—Fe (0.001) and Mn (0.001) at both stations, turbidity (0.001), and color (0.003) in Kimolohing, and Al (0.027) in Bambangan. Recovery in water quality took two weeks to two months, with iron and manganese requiring over six months for restoration. The earthquake didn’t solely dominate the impact but altered pollution sources to the river. The discussion highlights the synthesis of spatial and temporal dynamics enabled by the integration of ground and satellite data. This approach not only refines retrospective analyses but also propels us into predictive modeling, enhancing preparedness for future seismic events. The study’s holistic environmental impact assessment extends beyond water quality, unraveling cascading effects on ecosystems, soil, and vegetation. Informed decision-making for sustainable resource utilization emerges as a pivotal outcome, emphasizing the interconnectedness of seismic activity, rainfall patterns, and water quality. The study serves as a blueprint for future environmental assessments, emphasizing multifaceted approaches to understand and mitigate the complex impacts of seismic events on water resources.

Geospatial conditions of landslide formation on the territory of Sakhalin Island

The paper considers the conditions for the formation of landslide-prone areas of Sakhalin Island, the intensity of development and the main characteristics of landslides of various types common on the territory of Sakhalin Island. Sakhalin Island, determined by the geospatial location of the territory. It is due to the geospatial location of the territory as a result of the tectonic and geological history of its development that the present relief, in addition to extensive sedimentation basins, is represented by steeply sloping erosion-denudation and abrasion forms of macro and mesorelief with high potential energy, overlain by layered significantly dislocated and structurally disturbed terrigenous strata represented by relatively weak rocks, the accumulation of which occurred as a result of cyclic sedimentation. The tectonic and accompanying seismic activity, as well as the geologic history of the terrane formation, have led to the formation of complex engineering, geological, and hydrogeological conditions of the territory. Furthermore, the marginal position of the region determines its monsoon climate with high cyclonic activity, leading to a general high moisture content of the territory and activation of exogenous processes. Thus, due to the geospatial position of Sakhalin in the transition zone, a whole complex of natural factors of landslide formation was formed in the territory, including global factors (tectonic, climatic) and their subordinate determinants, as well as secondary (trigger) factors (geomorphologic, geological, hydrogeological, seismic), contributing to the widespread development of modern active landslides of different scales, characteristics, as well as types of landslide process and mechanism of mountain displacement.

Seismic Vulnerability Assessment of Reinforced Concrete Educational Buildings Using Machine Learning Algorithm

The main objective of this paper is to assess the vulnerability of reinforced concrete (RC) educational buildings in Dhaka city to seismic activity by utilizing machine learning (ML) algorithms. There are three main stages in traditional seismic vulnerability assessment: rapid visual assessment (RVA), preliminary engineering assessment (PEA), and detailed engineering assessment (DEA). The conventional three‐step evaluation process for determining the seismic vulnerability of existing buildings is time‐consuming and expensive, especially when dealing with a large building stock or a city. This study focuses on using an ML‐based approach to evaluate seismic vulnerability, specifically in terms of the story shear ratio (SSR), which serves as the risk index. The main concept is the utilization of RVA data to obtain analytical results (SSR). The dataset utilized in this study comprises RVA data for 268 buildings and corresponding PEA data for the same 268 buildings. The RVA data include the construction year, condition, typical floor area, number of stories, total floor area, additions, alterations, redundancy, pounding, and irregularities. The PEA data comprise SSR, which was generated from linear dynamic analysis. These data were collected from the Urban Resilience Project of Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK), which is the development authority of Dhaka. Random forest regression (RFR), support vector regression (SVR), and artificial neural networks (ANNs) are employed to determine the SSR of existing educational RC buildings. A comparative analysis for each model is also made. From the analysis results, it shows that RFR, ANN, and SVR achieved coefficient of determination (R2) of 20%, 25%, and 35%, respectively. Based on the findings from the three separate model analyses, it can be concluded that SVR produced the highest performance among the considered models.

Comparative Study Probabilistic Seismic Risk Assessment for Regular and Irregular RCC Buildings

In the study numerous buildings exhibit irregularities of their architectural plans, a feature that could render them susceptible to excessive seismic activities in the future. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the seismic vulnerability and response of regular and irregular shaped multi-storey building of identical weight in context. Both static and dynamic (response spectrum) analysis has been done to observe the influence of shape of a building on its responses to various loading. G+12 storied regular (rectangular) and irregular shaped buildings have been modeled using program staad pro for seismic zone III. Impact of wind and static load on exclusive formed shape along with dynamic response spectrum has been meticulously analyzed considering the mass of each shaped is identical. A comparative analysis of the center of mass and maximum displacement overstorey of variously shaped buildings under static loading and dynamic response spectrum has been conducted. All form buildings react nearly in sync if the total mass fluctuates only little. But as the end result indicates, a structure's irregular dimensions are what expose it to its vulnerable direction. It is possible to build an irregularly shaped structure that might act more like a rectangular building while keeping the total mass the same.

A model of TEC perturbations possibly related to seismic activity

For application of observed anomalies of the total electron content (TEC) in the ionosphere for short-term earthquake prediction, it is necessary to understand the physical nature of such anomalies during the preparation of a strong seismic event. The physical mechanism of occurrence of such anomalies is considered in order to distinguish the TEC disturbance of a seismic origin and to clear the processes in the lithosphere resulted in an appearance of the TEC anomaly in the ionosphere. It is supposed that the observed TEC anomalies arise as a result of occurrence of additional electric field in the ionosphere demonstrated by numerous satellite data before the impending earthquakes. At the same time, an injection of charged aerosols into the atmosphere in the epicentral earthquake area was detected. As a result, an electromotive force arises in the surface layer of the atmosphere, which initiates a perturbation of the electric current in the global circuit and the electric field appearance in the ionosphere. We have shown that the TEC disturbance arises as a result of the heating of the ionosphere by electric current and the plasma drift in the electric field of this current. The spatial distribution of TEC arises as a result of the combined action of these two factors, and its nature depends on the relationship between them. Based on the developed model the numerical study of the spatial distribution of TEC in the ionosphere is possible for a given horizontal distribution of the concentration of charged aerosols in the atmosphere near the Earth’s surface.