The refined Quaternary stratigraphic scale of the Fore-Urals and main events in Southern Urals Region

The refined Quaternary stratigraphic scale of the Cisuralian and Bashkortostan regions, approved by the Commission on the Quaternary System of the Interdepartmental Stratigraphic Committee in 2007, includes the Eopleistocene (with three superhorizons and seven horizons), Neopleistocene (with three superhorizons and 13 horizons), and Holocene (one horizon and three subhorizons). The first defined Holocene Agidel Horizon with three subhorizons, the Middle Neopleistocene Klimovka, and the Upper Neopleistocene Kushnarenkovo Horizon are correlated with the Shuvalov, Gorka, and Mikulino horizons, respectively. New names and reference sections are proposed for all the Eopleistocene units. Local formations are proposed for the horizons, whose stratotypes are located in the northern Fore-Urals. The Quaternary stratigraphic scale is correlated with similar scales of the Urals, the East European Platform, and the Lower Volga region. The scale takes into account all the available data derived from the analysis of original (sediments, faunal and floral remains), published, and archival materials, which make it possible to trace in detail the main Quaternary events that occurred in the Fore-Urals.     

A modern approach to the Neopleistocene stratigraphy and paleogeography of Central European Russia

The study compiles the current knowledge on the Neopleistocene stratigraphy and paleogeography of Central European Russia (including the limits of ice sheets in the first half of the Middle Neopleistocene and Late Neopleistocene) on the basis of new data and provides a draft of the revised regional stratigraphic scale adopted by the regional Interdepartmental Stratigraphic Committee on the Central and Southern Russian platform. The proposed scale incorporates a number of new horizons: the Setun’, Moiseevo, Navlya, and Ikorets horizons of the Lower Neopleistocene; Vologda and Gorki horizons of the Middle Neopleistocene; Chermenino Horizon of the Upper Neopleistocene; and Shuvalovo Horizon of the Holocene. The adopted scale is correlated with the oxygen-isotopic stages and substages identified in the Neopleistocene by the decision of the ISC of Russia, as well as with glacials and interglacials of Lithuania, Poland, Germany, and England. The study discusses the problem of a division of the Pleistocene with respect to duration of Pleistocene stages.     

Pleistocene sediments in the Shapkina River valley (Bol’shaya Zemlya Tundra)

Facies-genetic and stratigraphic subdivision of the Quaternary sequence in the Shapkina River valley has been accomplished. The riverbank shows outcrops of three glacial complexes with different mineralogical-petrographic compositions and structural characteristics, which can be correlated and stratificated. Datings of intermoraine horizons (alluvial, marine, lacustrine, and lacustrine-boggy sediments) have been based on the palynological and paleomicrotheriological data. The middle Neopleistocene section can be divided into two till horizons corresponding to two autonomous glaciations (Pechora and Vychegda). They are separated by a member of subaqueous Rodionov sediments. The Pechora till formed in the course of motions of glaciers from the northeast. Glacial horizons are mainly composed of the Vychegda till delivered from the Northwest terrigenous provenance. Lithology of the upper Neopleistocene Polyarnyi till testifies to its formation in the upper course of the river from material delivered from the Northeast terrigenous-mineralogical provenance in the upper course of the river and from Fennoscandian glaciation center in the lower course of the river. The paper presents the first lithological investigation and substantiation of genesis of various facies of Neopleistocene intermoraine marine sediments (sediments of the beach and fore-beach zones and shallow-water shelf).     

New data on mammoth fauna mammals in the central Lena River basin (Yakutia,Lenskie Stolby National Nature Park and adjacent areas)

This paper considers the data on new findings of mammoth fauna remains in the Middle Lena basin used to specify the species composition of large Late Neopleistocene mammals represented by eleven species. The obtained range of radiocarbon dates made it possible to state that mass burials of Pleistocene mammal remains were formed in the region during the Karginsk Interstadial (24 000–55 000 years ago).     

Litho- and Biostratigraphy of the Middle Neopleistocene of the European Northeast of Russia

The materials on litho- and biostratigraphy (collared lemming, Dicrostonyx) of the Middle Neopleistocene of the northeast Russia were revised and litho- and biostratigraphic methods were mutually tested for determination of the age of geological bodies. The reasonable stratigraphic division and correlation of the Neopleistocene are especially topical because of the current preparation of a new common stratigraphic chart of Quaternary sediments. The petrographic composition of the coarse-clastic material and the orientation of clasts in moraines are regionally consistent lithostratigraphic criteria. In the Pechora (Dnieper) moraine, the elongated rock clasts are oriented in a sector of 20°–60° in contrast to an azimuth of 270°–360° of the Vychegda (Moscow) moraine, which, in addition to petrographic composition of rocks, indicates the contribution of terrigenous material from different glacial provenances during formation of moraines. Certain differences were revealed also in assemblages of heavy minerals. The Middle Neopleistocene rodent fauna was found between the Pechora and Vychegda moraines. The stratigraphic position of microtheriofauna is identified on the basis of evolution level of molars of collared lemmings. By proportion of simplicior and henseli morphotypes for M1 and M2, all fossils belong to three groups corresponding to three evolution stages of a tooth system: Late Pechora (Late Dnieper, MIS 8), Rodionovo (Shklov, MIS 7), and Early Vychegda (Early Moscow, MIS 6). They include D. simplicior morph 2 (Gavrilovka, Bol’shaya Sluda, Akis’, Laya-4 localities), D. simplicior morph 3 (Sercheiyu-1, Laya-3 localities), and D. ex gr. simplicior—gulielmi (Shapkina-4, Chuley, lower horizon of Kipievo localities) morphs. These evolution stages correspond to Late Pechora (Late Dnieper, MIS 8), Rodionovo (Shklov, MIS 7), and Early Vychegda (Early Moscow, MIS 6) intervals. Taking into account the paleoclimate data, the presence of the lemmings in the region during the Rodionovo time is rather plausible.     

Facies Structure and Quantitative Parameters of Pleistocene Sediments of the Bering Sea

Lithofacies zoning is described for the first time for the Neo- and Eopleistocene of the Bering Sea. Four lithofacies sedimentation zones are distinguished: (I) terrigenous; (II) siliceous–terrigenous; (III) siliceous, and (IV) volcanoterrigenous ones. Corresponding maps were treated using Ronov volumetric method to quantify sedimentation parameters for distinguished lithofacies zones (subzones) and types of Pleistocene sediments. It was revealed that terrigenous sediments predominate over other sediments. Accumulation of the terrigenous sediments was more intense (by 1.4 times) in the Neopleistocene than in the Eopleistocene. The sedimentation rate of siliceous sediments of the Bowers Ridge in the Eopleistocene was two times higher than in the Neopleistocene.     

中建南盆地新生代层序地层特征

中建南盆地是在晚白垩世末南海中南部的一次张性构造运动──礼乐运动作用下开始形成的。盆地的发育经历了中、晚始新世之间的西卫运动造成区域抬升,使中建南盆地的下伏地层遭受变形、隆升和剥蚀;晚渐新世─中中新世的南海中央海盆扩张──南海运动;中中新世末期的万安运动和中新世末期南海整体沉降作用。共划分了6个层序组,8个层序,即A层序组(含A层序)、B层序组(含B层序)、C层序组(含C1层序和C2层序)、D层序组(含D层序)、E层序组(含E1层序和E2层序)和F层序组(含F层序)。     

Traces of paleoearthquakes in the Quaternary deposits of intermontane basins in central Gorny Altai

Study of the sections of Neopleistocene–Holocene deposits filling the basins in central Gorny Altai has revealed earthquake-induced soft-sediment deformation (seismites). They formed as a result of the brittle deformation of deposits and liquefaction of loose water-saturated sediments under vibration seismic impact. The paleoearthquakes resulting in such seismites had the minimum intensity I = 6 and magnitude M = 5–6. Hence, the study region underwent strong earthquakes in the Neopleistocene–Holocene.     

Biostratigraphy of the Late Middle Pleistocene (Middle Neopleistocene) of the Southern Urals region

A summary of published and unpublished materials on the stratigraphy of the Late Middle Pleistocene (Middle Neopleistocene according to the Russian stratigraphic scheme) of the Southern Urals region is given. Deposits of different origin in the regional stratigraphic units are characterized. The results of mammalian investigations provide the basis for the stratigraphical subdivision. Mollusca and palynology are used for the reconstruction of the palaeoenvironments. The stratigraphical positions of the main Middle Neopleistocene localities and precise definitions of the stratigraphical scheme of the Southern Urals region are discussed. The Southern Urals subdivisions are correlated with the Western European stratigraphical schemes (Holsteinian–Saalian interval).     

Quaternary stratigraphy and developmental history of the Central Russian Periglacial–Loessal Province

As a result of complex investigation in the Central Russian Loessal Province, detailed lithologic, geochemical, paleopedological, and paleontological characteristics of the young deposits of the stratotype section Mikhailovka are obtained. They provide the basis for facies genetic differentiation, stratification, and correlation of particular horizons chronologically coordinated by paleopedological and paleontological data with the geological scale of the Neopleistocene. The loess–soil sequences corresponding to climatolites of the Lower, Middle, and Upper Neopleistocene are established and characterized. In dynamical history of the Central Russian Periglacial Loessal Province, thirteen paleogeographical stages of natural–climatic changes (seven warm interglacial and interstadial epochs, six cold epochs alternating with them) are revealed. A rhythmic climatic substantiation for the stratigraphical division of recent sediments in the investigated region is provided.     

New Iguanodonts from Central Asia

Ornithischian dinosaur remains from the Maortu site in Alashan' occur in three bone bearing horizons; those in the lower two are of advanced iguanodont affinity and those in the upper are very primitive hadrosaurs. These are the first beds in which iguanodonts have been found so closely associated with hadrosaurs. The uppermost bed is well developed at Iren-Nor, not far from Maortu, from which the primitive hadrosaur Bactrosaurus johnsoni was described. Other remains from Asia described as iguanodonts, upon re-diagnosis turn out to be sauropods. The iguanodont remains from Maortu are assigned to a new genus Probactrosaurus, on the basis of hadrosaur-like characters of dentition and limbs and other distinctive characters that show no particular trend. Two species are described, P. gobiensis from the lowermost horizon, and P. alashanicus from the next superjacent horizon. P. alashanicus is more nearly like the hadrosaur B. johnsoni in most respects, and the sequence P. gobiensis - P. alashanicus - B. johnsoni may indicate stages in a rapid transition from an iguanodont to a hadrosaurian level of organization. On the basis of the morphological affinities of the dinosaur remains, the uppermost bed at Maortu is assigned a Cenomanian (earliest Upper Cretaceous) age, while the two lower beds may be dated to the Aptian-Albian (end of the Lower Cretaceous). — N.H. Hotton III.     

The first uranium-thorium dating of the Middle Neopleistocene peat in West Siberia

For a sample from the roof of peat (0–2 cm) located in a reference section for the Middle Neopleistocene in West Siberia near the village of Krivosheino, we obtained an exorbitant value of ¹⁴C date ≥53.9 ka B.P. (LU-6024). In the peat proper, the ²³⁰Th/U dates obtained by the isochronous method are 195.2 ± 10.8/9.1 ka B.P. for the L/L model and 204.1 ± 17/13 ka B.P. for the TSD model. The palynospectra of the peat characterize, from the bottom up, birch forests with fir and spruce participation; then spruce forests with fir; next spruce-cedar forests, similar to the middle taiga subzone. In the clay, the following palynospectra have been examined: forb-gramineous grasslands and light forests with spruce and Betula fruticosa. In the upper part of clays, the palynospectra reflect the evolution of swampy, birch, light forests with spruce participation. The conclusion is made that the studied part of the section formed at the end of the Samarovo Ice Age and in the last third of the Taz Ice Age. The break in sedimentation related to the erosion contact covers a part of the Samarovo Ice Age and the first two-thirds of the Taz Ice Age.     

Lithogeochemistry of rocks of the Upper Neopleistocene Ust-Oda reference section in the Irkutsk Amphitheater of the Siberian Platform

The results of study of rocks of the Ust-Oda section, one of the key outcrops of Upper Neopleistocene sediments in the Irkutsk Amphitheater of the Siberian Platform, are presented. It is shown that primary sediments were deposited in the Neopleistocene under subarid conditions and relatively high sedimentation rates. Similar contents of trace elements in all rock lithologies suggest that the provenance was unaltered during sedimentation. It is shown that variation in the sediment transport mechanism is one of the signs of changes in the paleoclimatic setting. Climatic cyclicity of the Ust-Oda section formation and succession of sedimentation setting, which were reconstructed on the basis of grain size data, correspond to variations in the petrochemical correlations and geochemical coefficients.     

Upper Oligocene VirgulinellaBed of the Ciscaucasus, Volga–Don, and Mangyshlak Regions (Central Part of the Eastern Paratethys)

This work presents the first integral characteristic of the VirgulinellaBed corresponding to the middle part of the Oligocene–Lower Miocene Maikop Group throughout its entire distribution area in the central part of the Eastern Paratethys. It considers lithology, structure, faunal assemblages, and formation settings of carbonate layers with Virgulinellaremains (VirgunellaBed) at the base of the Upper Oligocene clayey sequence that represents the well-expressed marker horizon. It deposited during a brief specific episode in the Oligocene basin development, some features of which remain still unclear.     

Formation of the Mineral Composition of Neopleistocene Basal Moraines in the European Russian Subarctic

Lithology and Mineral Resources - The results of long-term studies of the heavy mineral composition in Neopleistocene basal moraines, carried out according to a unified technique in numerous...     

The paleogeographic and stratigraphic confinement of giant floods in West Siberia in the Late Neopleistocene–Holocene

The concepts of the role of catastrophic breakthroughs of ice- and rock-dammed and thermokarst lakes in West Siberia in the Late Neopleistocene–Holocene are systematized. The Late Neopleistocene glacial maximum in the mountains and on the plain was obviously at the same time, at 90–60 ka. It has been revealed that the basal part of the Late Quaternary cyclic three-stage upper Ob' River terrace is formed by catafluvial sediments including boulder-gravels, which descend from the valley edge beneath the water line. The Early Karginian (Kharsoimian) marine layers are spatially related to the valleys of the rushed waters of ice-dammed Lake Ermakovskoe. Substantiation is given to the concept of catastrophic flows that arrived at the plain from the Pamir and Tien Shan mountains in the Holocene Optimum and carried the Aral microfauna through the Turgai trough into the Lake Chany area. Floods resulted from the breakthrough of thermokarst lakes in the north of the West Siberian plain were typical in Karginian and Holocene time. The breakthroughs of moraine-dammed basins in the Altai Mountains took place mainly in Karginian time, whereas the breakthroughs of rock-dammed lakes, in the Sartan and Holocene epochs.     

Age of a Cross-Layered Sand Sequence of the Yar Sredny Reference Section (Central Kamchatka): Data on Combined 230Th/238U and 14С Dating of Peat

Doklady Earth Sciences - The first quantitative data on the radio-isotope age are presented for a sequence of cross-layered sands abundant in the Neopleistocene reference sections of loose...     

吉黑造山带古生代构造古地理演化

吉黑同山带夹持于华北板块和西伯利亚板块之间。对该构域古生代构造古地理演化规律的研究,是恢复板块间碰撞拼合及古亚洲洋发展演化历史的关键。在早古生代期间,华北板块与西伯业板块间通过古亚洲洋板块相接。