Distribution of crinoidal remains in the Upper Cretaceous of the U.S.S.R.

A list of all Upper Cretaceous sea-lilies known from the U.S.S.R. is given. Their stratigraphic and geographic distributions are discussed. Three paleogeographic subprovinces, the south-eastern, the northern and the south-western, can be distinguished in the Mediterranean paleobiogeographic province of the U.S.S.R. based on the development and distribution of the Upper Cretaceous crinoids.     

Development of geological research in U.S.S.R Academy of Sciences and U.S.S.R. Ministry of Geology and Mineral Reserves

On October 12, 1962, a joint session of the Presidium of the U.S.S.R. Academy of Sciences and the Collegium of the U.S.S.R. Ministry of Geology and Mineral Reserves adopted a resolution “On the present state of the geological sciences in the U.S.S.R. Academy of Sciences and the U. S. S. R. Ministry of Geology and Mineral Reserves and their prospects for the future.” Important contributions of Russian geologists are acknowledged, but attention is drawn to many shortcomings. Future goals of geological study and work are given in detail. Twenty-one lines of research to be concentrated on are given, covering all phases of geology, geophysics, and geochemistry. In discussing the failings of the geological profession in Russia, it is of interest to note the following comment: “Geological research in other countries is still insufficiently studied and applied, and we are not making adequate use of geologic information from abroad.” The list of the Russian geologists' shortcomings sounds vaguely familiar. —J. R. Hayes     

Regional development and the natural resources of the U.S.S.R.

The recent experience of the rising cost of exploiting new material resources in the U.S.S.R. has led to exploration of alternative methods, particularly greater intensification of exploitation. The regional variations in the balance between intensive and extensive methods is considerable and is consequently an important aspect of Soviet geographical research. This paper discusses the criteria and methodology for this crucial economic/resource regionalization of the U.S.S.R.     

Crustal investigations of the U.S.S.R. by means of earthquake-generated converted waves

The method of earthquake-generated converted waves which is based on the simultaneous recording of longitudinal (P), transverse (S) and converted (PS and SP) waves has been used in the U.S.S.R. since 1956. Converted phases generated at crustal and upper-mantle discontinuities in the seismic focal area are carefully analyzed. In this paper some dynamic characteristics of transmitted PS- and SP-waves arising at different types of boundaries are described.

From a comparison of the properties of the recorded converted waves with the results of theoretical computations conclusions can be drawn with regard to the possible structure of the “exchange” (conversion) boundaries. Seismic cross-sections are presented which illustrate the high effectiveness of the method in regional investigations of crustal structure. Owing to its significance and the multitude of observations (over 22,000 km of observation lines) the method is one of the principal seismic techniques used in the U.S.S.R. which give quantitative information on crustal layering.     

GEOBOTANICAL MAP OF THE U.S.S.R.

A newly compiled geobotanical map of the U.S.S.R. scale 1:4,000,000 is described. Two hundred and ten categories of vegetation are mapped, classified under 15 major groups. The relation of the mapped vegetation units to climate, soil, ground condition (permafrost), watersheds, and major geomorphic features is emphasized. -- M. Russell.     

Structure of the earth''s crust on the territory of the U.S.S.R.

The compilation of statistical data for 269 seismic crustal sections (total length: 81,000 km) which are available in the U.S.S.R. has shown that the preliminary conclusions drawn on relations between the elevation of the surface relief and Bouguer anomalies on one hand and crustal thickness (depth to the M-discontinuity) on the other hand are not fulfilled for the continental part of the U.S.S.R. The level of isostatic compensation has been found to be much deeper than the base of the earth's crust due to density inhomogeneities of the crust and upper mantle down to a depth of 150 km.

The results of seismic investigations have revealed a great diversity of relations between shallow geological and deep crustal structures:

Changes in the relief of the M-discontinuity have been found within the ancient platforms which are conformable with the Precambrian structures and which can exceed 20 km. In the North Caspian syneclise, extended areas devoid of the “granitic” layer have been discovered for the first time in continents. The crust was found to be thicker in the syneclises and anteclises of the Turanian EpiHercynian plate. In the West Siberian platforms these relations are reversed to a great extent.

Substantial differences in crustal structure and thickness were found in the crust of the Palaeo zoides and Mesozoides. Regions of substantial neotectonic activity in the Tien-Shan Palaeozoides do not greatly differ in crustal thickness if compared to the Kazakhstan Palaeozoides which were little active in Cenozoic time. The same is true for the South Siberian Palaeozoides.

The Alpides of the southern areas in the U.S.S.R. display a sharply differing surface relief and a strongly varying crustal structure. Mountains with roots (Greater Caucasus, Crimea) and without roots (Kopet-Dagh, Lesser Caucasus) were found there.

The Cenozoides of the Far East are characterized by a rugged topography of the M-discontinuity, a thinner crust and a less-pronounced “granitic” layer. A relatively small thickness of the crust was discovered in the Baikal rift zone.

The effective thickness of the magnetized domains of the crust as well as other calculations show that the temperature at the depth of the M-discontinuity (i.e., at depths of 40–50 km) is not higher than 300–400° C for most parts of the U.S.S.R.     

Distribution of regional metamorphism fades in U.S.S.R.

A detailed classification of regional metamorphic rock facies is presented along with the results of compiling a small scale Map of Metamorphic Facies of U.S.S.R. It is demonstrated that typical metamorphic complexes are associated with certain large structural elements of the crust. The aspects of metamorphism are used in identifying the areas of ancient platforms, two types of mobile belts, and two types of high pressure zones at the junction of major structures of different degrees of stability.—Author     

Seismic studies of low-velocity layers and horizontal inhomogeneities within the crust and upper mantle on the territory of the U.S.S.R.

Recent seismological studies of low-velocity layers in the U.S.S.R. have led to the development of new methods of investigation. The most important results obtained are presented in this paper. Several new techniques of record treatment and advanced computer programs make it possible to solve two-dimensional problems of seismic wave propagation in complex media and to outline zones of velocity inversion in the crust and mantle of many regions in the U.S.S.R.Zones of this type seem to occur only locally and are typical of some particular geostructures. Lateral inhomogeneities are also found to be closely related to geological features. Their depths sometimes can reach 300–400 km.     

New genetic type of rare-earth mineralization in Precambrian migmatites of European U.S.S.R.

Rare earth mineralization, in the form of xenotime and monazite, occurs along tear faults at an unidentified locality in the Precambrian terrane of European part U. S. S. R. The petrographic and geologic relationships of the last rocks appear to reflect Mg-Fe metasomatism followed by metasomatisrn. The rare earth mineralization appears to have accompanied the K metasomatism. Chemical analyses are presented for one xenotime and two monazites; emission and X-ray spectroscopic analyses are presented for the xenotime. — R.V. Dietrich.     

Socio-economic geography in the U.S.S.R.

A major field of research since the 1920s has been methods and theories of economic regionalization. The territorial-production complex is now recognized as a key developmental tool within the framework of economic-planning regions. Recently, there has been a more marked growth of study into problems of natural-resource development, social progress and change in the U.S.S.R. as well as into the spatial structure of other nations, particularly other socialist countries and non-socialist developing countries.     

Phosphorus and ChlorinE Content of Eight New U.S.G.S. Standard Rocks

Data on the content of phosphorus and chlorine in eight new U.S.G.S. standard rooks obtained by radiochemical neutron activation analysis are presented and discussed.     

Decisions of the Standing Stratigraphic Commission on Ordovician and Silurian of U.S.S.R.

The Committee on Ordovician and Silurian Stratigraphy of the U. S. S. R. defines a number of time-stratigraphic subdivisions of the Russian Ordovician and Silurian Systems. — C.G. Tillman.     

Regional planning in the U.S.S.R.: Methodological principles and practice

Regional planning in the U.S.S.R. is part of a comprehensive and hierarchical spatial and sectoral planning system. Four levels are described: (a) the national level, involving the total settlement system; (b) the major regional level, handling major development schemes; (c) the minor regional level, with plans for administrative districts; and (d) the urban level, where city master plans are produced. The amount of detail and scale of working increased downwards through the hierarchy. The most pressing problem is planning for the emergence and growth of cities of 100,000 population or more. Moscow city-region is used as an illustration.     

Decisions of the Standing Stratigraphic Commission on Paleogene of U.S.S.R.

The committee on the Paleogene of the U. S. S. R. presents a tabulation of the lithologic and faunal characteristics of a complete Paleogene section in the Crimea. The Committee proposes that this section serve as a new type of section for the Paleogene of Europe. — C.G. Tillman.     

The protection of nature in the U.S.S.R.: Scientific and organizational principles

Nature conservation has assumed an increasing importance in the policies of the U.S.S.R., where the geographical diversity of the nation requires a comparable diversity of methods of nature conservation. Emphasis has now shifted from remedial methods to more preventative approaches. Six are particularly important: maintenance of the ecological balance regionally, conservation of renewable resources, protection of the gene pool, conserving ecosystems and geosystems, protection of the natural environment and provision of recreation opportunities.     

The distribution of lithium in selected soils and surface waters of the southeastern U.S.A.

The distribution of Li in the environment is not well documented although its geochemistry is thought to influence human health and agriculture. This study examined the distribution of Li in the soils and surface waters of the southeastern U.S.A., contrasting the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions. Previous studies have been limited to total, and to a lesser extent exchangeable, soil Li, usually at a single soil depth. This study evaluated more carefully the distribution of Li between the soil solution, exchange, and solid phases, and its distribution within soil profiles. Total soil Li was found to correlate strongly with clay content, and ranged from 3.74 to 59.93 mg/kg. Exchangeable Li ranged from 0.1 to 21.8 μmol/kg soil and constituted an insignificant portion of the total exchangeable cations (<0.09%) and total Li present (<1.1%) in the soils studied. Water-soluble Li ranged from 0.08 to 4.62 μg/l. Dissolved Li in 22 surface waters within the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions of Georgia and South Carolina was also determined and ranged from 0.26 to 4.16 μg/l. The soils and surface waters of the Coastal Plain region were found to be depleted in Li relative to the Piedmont region of the southeastern U.S.A.     

Prospects for deep and ultradeep oil and gas deposits in U.S.S.R.

In the U. S. S. R., so far, none of the hydrocarbon pools at depths exceeding 3500 m have been exploited. There are reasons to believe that large accumulations exist even below 5000 m depths, in areas shown on the map (fig. 1). Almost nine-tenths of proved economic reserves of oil and gas at shallow depths lie in terrigenous materials, the remainder in carbonates, in fissure-type-collectors. It is believed that the latter type of collectors will be found to be more abundant at greater depths. -- V. P. Sokoloff     

Bivalve mollusks of the Far Eastern Seas of the U.S.S.R. (Order Dysodonta)

This short section of Skarlato's monograph, Bivalve Mollusks of the Far Eastern Seas of the U. S. S. R. (Order Dysodonta), discusses the genus Arvella Bartsch, 1940 ms. The genus includes the species formerly assigned to Crenella. Diagnostic features of the species included in genus Arvella Bartsch are given. Vilasina Bartsch, 1940 ms is discussed, also The author states that the hinges of Vilasina clearly assign the species to the genus Crenella. The form and position of the umbo relate the species closely to the genus Arvella, though. The almost entirely smooth laminated surface distinguishes Vilasina from both genera, as does the finely serrated ventral edge of the shell. The last section discusses the genus Modiolus Lamarck, 1799. — A. W. Bellais.     

FIRST EXTENDED PLENUM OF THE INTERDEPARTMENTAL COMMISSION ON GEOMORPHOLOGY,DIVISION OF GEOLOGIC AND GEOGRAPHIC SCIENCES,ACAD. OF SCIENCES OF THE U.S.S.R.

Among the topics covered by the 12th plenary meeting of the Commission of Geomorphology were 1) status of geomorphological research and mapping in the U.S.S.R., 2) application of geomorphology in construction and mineral prospecting, 3) geomorphological training, and 4) standardization of mapping procedures and symbolism. The plenum went on record as favoring maps based primarily on genetic classification of features.—M. Russell.