Frozen mounds in Gorny Altai: geophysical and geochemical studies

The importance of pre-excavation permafrost detection within ancient burial mounds in the Altai by geophysical methods is hard to overestimate. There was no way of detecting small quantities of frozen ground or ice under stone mounds, and this is a topical issue in Russian archeology. Frozen mounds, which retain organic matter owing to natural processes, are an exceptional source of information about historical and cultural processes in the Early Iron Age. Pre-excavation geophysical prospecting is especially important in the context of global warming, which might destroy a whole layer of cultural and historical information.The integrated geophysical studies conducted in recent years focused on a group of archeological sites of the Pazyryk culture whose burial constructions are very likely to contain frozen artifacts. As a rule, such burial mounds are located at a considerable altitude and contain permafrost, which creates unique conditions for the preservation of artifacts. Such localities include the Ukok high plateau (southern Altai) and the northwestern part of Mongolian Altay. Systematic field studies were conducted on the Ukok Plateau in 2003 and 2007 and in the adjacent territory of Mongolian Altay in 2005 and 2006. The following geophysical methods were used: vertical electrical sounding (VES), electrical tomography (ET), shallow frequency scanning, georadiolocation, magnetic susceptibility measurements, gamma-ray spectrometry, and chromatography. The field works were planned with a heavy reliance on the 3D mathematical simulation of electric and EM fields, which is meant for a realistic estimate of the possibilities of geoelectrics and the best ways of its application to burial-mound studies and data interpretation.The excavations conducted in 2006 in northwestern Mongolia within the Altai Mts. confirmed the geophysical prediction of permafrost at all the sites identified by the geophysical studies in 2005. In one of the mounds, they yielded a unique intact tomb of a Scythian warrior.     

Chronology (SHRIMP II) of magmatism in the Kalguty rare-metal-tungsten-molybdenum ore-magmatic system,Gorny Altai,Russia

The Kalguty ore-magmatic system (OMS) contains economic greisen and vein rare-metal-tungsten-molybdenum mineralization. The data on U-Pb zircon (SHRIMP II) age of nine samples of igneous rocks from the Kalguty OMS are accompanied by chemical, ICP-MS, and ICP-AES analyses of the main rock varieties. Porphyritic biotite granite of the main phase of the Kalguty pluton is characterized by the concordant age of 207.5 ± 1.7 Ma (MSWD = 0.034). The concordant age of the leucogranitic dikes pertaining to the East Kalguty Complex is 204 ± 2 Ma (MSWD = 0.65) for elvan and 200.8 ± 1.1 Ma (MSWD = 0.72) for ultrapotassic rhyolite porphyry. The two-mica and muscovite leucogranite of the Eastern stock is significantly younger: 195 ± 2.7 Ma (MSWD = 0.076) and 193.1 ± 2.1 Ma (MSWD = 0.0009). Thus, the Chingadatui Complex (the main phase of the Kalguty pluton) and dikes of the East Kalguty Complex are Late Triassic in age. The two-mica leucogranites of the Eastern, Zhumaly, and other stocks are most likely correlated to the Early Jurassic Alacha Complex of rare-metal granites. The superposition of greisen mineralization on elvan and ongonite dikes may be related to the emplacement of younger, Early Jurassic ore-forming two-mica and muscovite granites. Judging from zircon xenocrysts in granites, the Mesoproterozoic igneous rocks dated at 1.5 Ga and products of erosion of the rocks dated at 1.7 and 2.5 Ga occur in the basement of the Kalguty volcanic-tectonic structure. This is sound evidence for the occurrence of ancient continental crustal blocks in the southwestern part of the Altai-Sayan region.     

湘西大溶溪钨矿床矽卡岩矿物的矿物学、地球化学特征及其形成机制

大溶溪钨矿床为湘西地区一层控型白钨矿矿床,白钨矿主要分布于矽卡岩和石英网脉中。在详细野外地质调查和室内镜下观察的基础上,利用EPMA和高精度LA-ICP-MS测试技术,对该矿主要矽卡岩矿物的矿物学和地球化学特征进行了研究,并初步揭示了其形成机制。研究表明,大溶溪矿区含钨矽卡岩为还原型类矽卡岩,矽卡岩矿物主要为辉石和石榴子石;辉石为透辉石—钙铁辉石—锰钙辉石系列;石榴子石以钙铝榴石为主,但锰铝榴石+铁铝榴石含量也较高。该区辉石REE具有总量较低、轻重稀土元素分馏不明显、正Ce和正Eu异常的特征;而石榴子石REE具有较高的稀土总量,呈现明显的重稀土元素富集、轻稀土元素亏损、负Ce异常、强烈正Eu异常的特点。辉石Ce和Eu异常可能与其形成时的水/岩反应及氧化还原条件有关。REE进入石榴子石的方式以REE~(3+)等价置换Al~(3+)的形式为主,正Eu异常主要为Eu~(2+)等价置换钙铝榴石Ca~(2+)所致,而负Ce异常则反映出热液沉淀正Ce异常辉石之后热液体系中贫Ce元素。该区含钨矽卡岩主要为热液与含锰灰岩在平衡机制下发生扩散交代作用所形成;而含钨石英网脉内发育的辉石、石榴子石等钙硅酸盐矿物,则是热液沿裂隙、孔隙对富钙变质砂岩进行交代的产物。矽卡岩形成过程中,相对贫Mn的辉石和石榴子石主要受交代流体作用控制,形成于一种相对高温、中等水/岩比的条件下;而相对富Mn的辉石和石榴子石,则可能是形成于靠近围岩一侧的相对低温、低水/岩比的环境中,部分锰质来自被交代的围岩。     

滇东南板仑磁铁矿集区矽卡岩矿物学、地球化学特征及其形成机制

位于华夏、扬子和印支板块交接部位的滇东南板仑磁铁矿集区属于个旧-文山-德保矽卡岩型锡钨多金属成矿带的重要组成部分。前人对该区矽卡岩型磁铁矿床的地质特征和矿床成因等进行了少量的研究工作, 但对矽卡岩的成因尚缺乏系统的研究, 这严重制约了对该矿集区内矽卡岩成因的认识及磁铁矿找矿潜力的准确评价。本文以矿集区内最为典型的坤洪和洞哈磁铁矿床的矽卡岩为主要研究对象, 在对矽卡岩及相关岩石的野外地质特征和岩相学等方面进行详细研究的基础上, 借助LA-ICP-MS和EPMA等方法手段, 重点对矽卡岩及相关岩石的地球化学和矿物化学特征进行系统研究。结果表明, 矽卡岩的成岩成矿演化过程可划分为早期进变质矽卡岩阶段、晚期退变质矽卡岩阶段和硫化物-碳酸盐阶段等3个阶段; (岩浆)热液成因的硅质岩条带与晚二叠世OIB型基性杂岩体(即"半瓦型"岩体)在原始地幔标准化微量元素蜘蛛网图和球粒陨石标准化稀土元素配分模式图上均存在显著的差异, 而与中三叠世岛弧型中-基性杂岩体(即"安定型"岩体)的模式曲线较为相似, 均显示出Nb、Ta、P和Ti等元素明显亏损的特征; 矽卡岩的模式曲线与硅质岩条带的模式曲线也较为相似, 且含矿矽卡岩比无矿矽卡岩无论在微量元素和稀土元素含量还是模式曲线上均更加接近于硅质岩条带。矿物化学的研究结果表明, 第一世代石榴石属于钙铁-铁铝-钙铝榴石系列(And80-83Alm9-11Gro5-7), 含较多的钙铝榴石(Gro); 而第二世代石榴石属于钙铁-铁铝榴石系列(And86-93Alm6-12), 基本上不含或仅含极少量的钙铝榴石(Gro); 由早期辉石→晚期辉石, 辉石端员组分中钙铁辉石所占的比例相对减少, 而透辉石的含量则具显著增加趋势。综合分析认为, 形成矽卡岩的热液流体主要来源于中三叠世岛弧型中-基性杂岩体; 矽卡岩型磁铁矿床的成岩成矿环境至少经历了从进变质矽卡岩阶段早期相对还原环境→进变质矽卡岩阶段晚期-退变质矽卡岩阶段相对氧化环境→后期硫化物-碳酸盐阶段相对还原环境的转变过程。     

重庆南川-武隆铝土矿矿物学、地球化学特征

重庆南川-武隆铝土矿属于渝南-黔北铝土矿成矿带,为喀斯特型铝土矿床。经显微镜、X射线粉晶衍射、矿物自动分析仪(MLA)、扫面电子显微镜等方法对该矿床矿物学的研究,发现组成铝土矿的主要矿物为一水硬铝石、高岭石、绿泥石,次要矿物为伊利石、一水软铝石、三水铝石、鲕绿泥石、菱铁矿、赤铁矿、针铁矿、黄铁矿、锐钛矿、金红石、磷灰石、石英、锆石、方解石、长石及稀土矿物等。矿石组构及矿物组合表明形成铝土矿的沉积/成岩环境为接近于潜流的环境。矿石结构和锆石形态指示成矿物质经过了短距离的搬运。地球化学研究结果显示,组成铝土矿的主要化学成分为Al₂O₃、TFeO、SiO₂和TiO₂,铝土矿化过程中REE、Zr、Hf、Nb、Ta、Th、Sc、Li和Ga发生富集。形成铝土矿的母岩物质主要来自下伏页岩的风化作用,灰岩和酸性火山岩对铝土矿的形成也有一定的贡献。结合稳定同位素资料,认为铝土矿的形成可能与生物作用有关。     

Geology and mineralogy of the Alakha spodumene granite porphyry deposit,Gorny Altai,Russia

The Alakha lithium–tantalum deposit in the southern Altai, Russia, is represented by a stock of spodumene-bearing granite porphyry localized in the Kalba–Narym–Koktogai lithium–tantalum rare-metal granitic belt, unique in extent (more than 1000 km). This belt is a part of the Altai accretionary–collisional system. Judging from forecasting, the Alakha deposit can be regarded as an uneroded proxy of a pegmatite body both in dimensions and mean Li₂O and Ta₂O₅ contents (0.98 wt % and 114 ppm, respectively); however, the oregenerating potential of this deposit remains insufficiently studied and had not yet been claimed. In this paper, we attempt to fill this gap with a detailed mineralogical study, which allows us to provide insights into the crystallization of Li-bearing high-silicic magma and redistribution of components during magmatic and postmagmatic processes. Accessory mineral assemblages in muscovite–spodumene–K-feldspar granite porphyry and muscovite albitite—the main petrographic rock varieties of the Alakha stock—turned out to be almost identical. A significant similarity in the chemistry of major rock-forming minerals is established for spodumene granite porphyry of the Alakha stock and spodumene pegmatites from large deposits, which makes it possible to suggest that they are close in the petrogenetic mechanism of their formation. The mineral assemblages of muscovite albitite in the apical portion of the Alakha stock are connected by gradual transition with those of spodumene granite porphyry. Such a transition is caused by postmagmatic metasomatic alteration of the latter.     

百里坪银矿床地球化学特征及找矿标志

本文介绍了吉林省和龙市百里坪银矿床发现的经过,也是应用地球化学方法找矿的一个典型实例。对地质找矿具有借鉴意义。     

江西朱溪铜钨多金属矿床矽卡岩矿物学特征及其地质意义

朱溪铜钨多金属矿床位于赣东北深大断裂北西侧。矿体主要产于燕山期侵入岩与碳酸盐岩接触带的矽卡岩或矽卡岩化大理岩中,代表性矽卡岩矿物有石榴子石、透辉石、透闪石、硅灰石、蛇纹石、金云母、符山石、绿泥石等。根据矿物共生组合及交代关系推断流体经历了5个阶段,分别为矽卡岩阶段、退化蚀变阶段、石英硫化物阶段、石英碳酸盐阶段和表生氧化阶段。特征矿物的电子探针分析结果表明,石榴子石主要为钙铝榴石—钙铁榴石;辉石以透辉石—钙铁辉石系列为主;角闪石属钙角闪石系列;绿泥石主要是密绿泥石和斜绿泥石。推测岩浆侵入后,在矽卡岩阶段为中酸性弱氧化条件,在退化蚀变阶段氧逸度和pH值升高,氧化物析出,随着氧逸度的又一次降低,金属硫化物沉淀。最后,通过其矿物成分特征推测该矿床金属矿化的种类。     

辽宁后仙峪硼矿床中电气石的矿物学特征及其成岩成矿意义

笔者对辽宁后仙峪硼矿床中电气石的矿物学特征和化学成分特征进行了分析．探讨了电气石化学成分对成岩成矿的指示意义。本区电气石属于镁电气石-铁电气石系列。其Mg／Fe与硼酸盐矿体有着密切的时空关系。不同产状中电气石的颜色、粒度、形态和环带特征都有明显的差别。靠近硼酸盐矿体的电气石环带各环圈都较为富Mg。从中心到边缘Mg总体有降低的趋势；远离硼酸盐矿体的各环圈都较富Fe。从中心到边缘Fe总体上有降低的趋势。电气石含量上盘总体上较下盘高，电英岩主要出现在硼酸盐矿体附近．Mg／Fe在远离硼酸盐矿体的电气石中与Na2O呈明显的正相关关系。电气石的上述化学成分特征反映了成岩成矿过程中流体演化的特点．早期的电气石是沉积物中富B部分经交代作用而成。在蒸发盆地的演化过程中，流体中Mg、Na、K成分增加，造成Mg／Fe的分带现象。电气石的所有矿物和化学特征表明电气石的形成方式包括沉积变质成因和热液交代两种．电气石的形成与硼酸盐的沉积过程密切相关．     

印度尼西亚Buti铜矿的土壤地球化学特征与成矿预测

文章通过分析印度尼西亚Buti铜矿的地质地球化学特征,圈定出5个矿致综合异常,并对可能富集成矿的异常进行成矿潜力评价,最后认定3个综合异常BT2,BT4和BT5具有寻找斑岩型和低温热液型铜-金矿的潜力。     

老挝甘蒙省钾镁盐矿床含矿段的矿物学和地球化学特征及成因

老挝甘蒙省钾镁盐矿床位于呵叻盆地的东隅,本文以该矿床ZK318钻孔的含矿段———下盐层为研究对象,对其开展了系统的矿物学和地球化学特征研究。结果表明,矿石矿物以石盐、钾石盐和光卤石为主,含少量方硼石和硬石膏。根据矿物与主量元素的分布特征,将下盐层分为5个次层,由下至上顺序为:盐岩层(石盐为主)→钾盐岩层(钾石盐为主)→光卤石岩层(光卤石为主)→薄盐岩层(石盐为主)→钾盐岩层(钾石盐为主)。微量元素Br值均大于200×10-6,表明卤水来源于海水;由盐岩层→钾盐岩层→光卤石岩层,B含量呈现出逐渐升高的趋势,表明B含量与卤水盐度呈线性关系。但顶部钾盐岩层的B含量高达890×10-6,与少量方硼石的存在相吻合,指示成矿卤水除了海水外,还有深部热液的贡献。按照卤化物卤水蒸发浓缩的顺序,光卤石是该卤水浓缩的最后阶段,但在光卤石沉积之后,又晶出一薄层石盐,表明曾经历过一次短暂的淡水补给。上、下两层钾石盐具有基本相同的Br含量,分别为1 790×10-6和1 792×10-6,且均直接沉积在石盐之上,故为原生钾石盐,而非光卤石的次生淋滤产物。认为甘蒙省钾镁盐矿床为海源陆相沉积,海水和深部热液是成钾物质的主要来源,钻孔中出露的两层钾石盐均为原生沉积。     

天宝山多金属矿床地球化学模式

天宝山铅锌矿山正处于资源枯竭状态,在该矿山附近寻找新的矿床对天宝山矿山来说是当务之急。我们对现有的区域地球化学和地质资料进行分析研究,总结出天宝山多金属矿床的水持地球化学异常特征、地球化学异常分带模式及地球化学找矿模式,在此基础上,提出了光新屯找远景区。     

安徽铜陵冬瓜山铜金矿床流体包裹体微量元素地球化学特征及其地质意义

安徽铜陵冬瓜山铜金矿床是狮子山矿田中埋藏深度和地质储量最大的矿床,同时发育层控矽卡岩型和斑岩型矿体.该矿床流体成矿从早期到晚期经历了多个矿化阶段.本文选取了钾长石化阶段、矽卡岩化阶段、早石英硫化物阶段和晚石英硫化物阶段矿石中石英的原生流体包裹体进行了ICP-MS分析,结果表明,各成矿阶段石英流体包裹体微量元素的陆壳标准化分布曲线具有较好的一致性,显示成矿流体具有统一的来源和演化;流体包裹体的REE配分曲线与岩浆岩的稀土元素配分曲线相似,均为平缓右倾型,轻稀土明显富集,LREE/HREE比值与岩浆岩接近,显示成矿热液具有深部岩浆来源的特征.流体包裹体微量元素的直接分析显示成矿流体为矿质富集的热液流体,且各成矿阶段热液流体中的成矿元素含量高低的变化与相应阶段的矿化强度及矿石品位高低变化相一致,早石英硫化物阶段是矿质集中富集的最佳阶段,至晚石英硫化物阶段可能有浅部热液流体的混入.     

内蒙古羊蹄子山-磨石山锐钛矿矿床斜长角闪岩类的岩石学和地球化学特征

内蒙古羊蹄子山-磨石山是本项目组近几年来发现和勘查研究的一个以锐钛矿为主的沉积变质型钛矿床,是钛矿床的一个新的成因类型。矿体产于中元古代二道凹群变质岩〔(1751±8)Ma〕中,其围岩为石英绢云片岩、绢云石英片岩、变质(粉)砂岩和斜长角闪岩等。矿石实际上是富含锐钛矿等钛矿物和直闪石、黑云母的变质石英(粉)砂岩和片岩。斜长角闪岩是矿体的重要围岩之一,多呈似层状、透镜状产出,与矿体在时、空、成因上有密切关系。按矿物组合特征,斜长角闪岩可分为角闪岩、斜长角闪岩和斜长岩等3类。恢复其原岩,大致相当于苦橄玄武岩、玄武岩、玄武安山岩和粗面质安山岩。岩石化学和微量元素地球化学特征表明,它们主要属于活动大陆边缘岛弧和洋脊过渡带的拉班玄武岩类,而且岩石分异演化较彻底。矿体和斜长角闪岩都是海底基性火山活动的产物,后又遭受了区域变质作用。     

内蒙古羊蹄子山-磨石山钛矿床锐钛矿、金红石和钛铁矿的矿物学特征

羊蹄子山-磨石山钛矿床的钛矿物主要为锐钛矿、金红石和钛铁矿。锐钛矿化学成分的特点是FeO含量明显比金红石要低;主要X光粉晶谱线为3.518(100)、2.377(14)和1.667(11);晶胞参数a()=3.786,c()=9.513;拉曼光谱谱线(cm-1)为516、395、195和143。金红石的主要X光粉晶谱线为3.250(100)、1.688(40)和2.488(29);晶胞参数为a()=4.595,c()=2.962;拉曼光谱谱线(cm-1)为610和446。钛铁矿的成分特点是富锰贫镁,与攀西地区岩浆型钒钛磁铁矿矿床中的钛铁矿正好相反。所有上述钛(铁)氧化物矿物学特征,进一步说明该矿床是在中元古代在海底与基性火山活动有关的热水沉积后经区域变质和局部又遭受后期热液改造而成。     

Mineralogical and geochemical investigations of the Mombi bauxite deposit,Zagros Mountains,Iran

The Mombi bauxite deposit is located in 165 km northwest of Dehdasht city, southwestern Iran. The deposit is situated in the Zagros Simply Fold Belt and developed as discontinuous stratified layers in Upper Cretaceous carbonates (Sarvak Formation). Outcrops of the bauxitic horizons occur in NW-SE trending Bangestan anticline and are situated between the marine neritic limestones of the Ilam and Sarvak Formations. From the bottom to top, the deposit is generally consisting of brown, gray, pink, pisolitic, red, and yellow bauxite horizons. Boehmite, diaspore, kaolinite, and hematite are the major mineral components, while gibbsite, goethite, anatase, rutile, pyrite, chlorite, quartz, as well as feldspar occur to a lesser extent. The Eh–pH conditions during bauxitization in the Mombi bauxite deposit show oxidizing to reducing conditions during the Upper Cretaceous. This feature seems to be general and had a significant effect on the mineral composition of Cretaceous bauxite deposits in the Zagros fold belt. Geochemical data show that Al₂O₃, SiO₂, Fe₂O₃ and TiO₂ are the main components in the bauxite ores at Mombi and immobile elements like Al, Ti, Nb, Zr, Hf, Cr, Ta, Y, and Th were enriched while Rb, Ba, K, Sr, and P were depleted during the bauxitization process. Chondrite-normalized REE pattern in the bauxite ores indicate REE enrichment (ΣREE = 162.8–755.28 ppm, ave. ∼399.36 ppm) relative to argillic limestone (ΣREE = 76.26–84.03 ppm, ave. ∼80.145 ppm) and Sarvak Formation (ΣREE = 40.15 ppm). The REE patterns also reflect enrichment in LREE relative to HREE. Both positive and negative Ce anomalies (0.48–2.0) are observed in the Mombi bauxite horizons. These anomalies are related to the change of oxidation state of Ce (from Ce³⁺ to Ce⁴⁺), ionic potential, and complexation of Ce⁴⁺ with carbonate compounds in the studied horizons. It seems that the variations in the chemistry of ore-forming solutions (e.g., Eh and pH), function of carbonate host rock as a geochemical barrier, and leaching degree of lanthanide-bearing minerals are the most important controlling factors in the distribution and concentration of REEs. Several lines of evidences such as Zr/Hf and Nb/Ta ratios as well as similarity in REE patterns indicate that the underlying marly limestone (Sarvak Formation) could be considered as the source of bauxite horizons. Based on mineralogical and geochemical data, it could be inferred that the Mombi deposit has been formed in a karstic environment during karstification and weathering of the Sarvak limy Formation.     

新疆西天山莫托萨拉热水沉积型铁锰矿床矿物学与地球化学特征

莫托萨拉铁锰矿床位于西天山阿吾拉勒成矿带东端,研究程度相对薄弱,在矿床成因方面存在热水沉积、沉积-热液改造、胶体化学沉积等争论。本文详细研究了莫托萨拉最上层锰矿及其围岩的矿物组成、结构构造和地球化学特征,并综合前人资料对整个铁锰矿床的成因做了进一步探讨。本研究首次在矿区发现了热液长石岩,其主要由钠长石、钾长石以及少量重晶石、霓石、锌铁黄长石等矿物组成,类似于白烟型热水沉积岩。莫托萨拉最上层锰矿主要由锰橄榄石、褐锰矿、红硅锰矿、磁锰铁矿以及少量重晶石、方铁锰矿等矿物组成,发育有典型的热水内碎屑结构,指示其沉积于海底热液喷流口附近。该层锰矿的Al/(Al+Fe+Mn)值很低(0~0.02)、Si/Al值较高(7.9~10.9)、Fe/Ti值很高(428~1353),通过UCC标准化后发现明显富集Zn、Ba、Pb等元素,而Co、Ni、Cu等元素未见富集,以上地球化学特征与现代海底热液成因铁锰沉积物一致。在Fe/Ti-Al/(Al+Fe+Mn)、SiO2-Al2O3、10×(Co+Ni+Cu)-Fe-Mn、100×(Zr+Ce+Y)-15×(Cu+Ni)-(Fe+Mn)/4等判别图中,莫托萨拉的锰矿层和铁矿层样品均落在海底热液沉积区。锰矿层和铁矿层的稀土元素经PAAS标准化后具有明显的Ce负异常、Eu正异常和Y正异常,与现代海底热液成因铁锰沉积物的稀土配分模式非常相似。综合分析本次研究的矿物学、岩石学、地球化学特征以及前人资料,本文认为莫托萨拉铁锰矿床为海相热水沉积成因,成矿与同期海底火山的间歇性活动密切相关,海底热液的化学组分、温度高低和活动强弱都具有明显的脉动性。莫托萨拉矿区铁锰共存但各自独立成矿,且铁锰分离程度较高,这在显生宙沉积型锰矿中独具特色。鉴于前人曾报道莫托萨拉铁矿石中存在菌藻类微生物化石,我们推测,该矿床的铁锰分离过程除了受控于沉积环境的氧化还原条件变化外,微生物的选择性氧化沉淀可能也发挥了重要作用,值得开展深入研究。     

大松树金矿化探异常特征及隐伏矿体预测

大松树金矿位于小四平-荒沟山贵金属有色金属成矿带南段,地球化学测量显示Au主要与As、Sb、Ag相关,坑道岩石地球化学测量表明Au及其伴生元素均为内带异常,并在下部出现板状激化体,预测深部有高品位金矿体存在.     

The Upper Ordovician of northeastern Gorny Altai: Stratigraphy and deposition environments

Comprehensive lithofacies and biofacies analysis provided constraints on the origin of Upper Ordovician clastic and carbonate deposits in northeastern Gorny Altai, which form large low-elevated flat carbonate banks located relatively close to the shore. The sediments were deposited during the Sandbian and early-middle Katian stages, according to new conodont data. Upper Ordovician sections in northeastern Gorny Altai store record of two global regressions: the early Sandbian (Vollen Lowstand) and early Katian (Frognerkilen Lowstand) events.