Paleontology, Stratigraphy and Biogeography of the Late Precambrian and Phanerozoic Formations of Russia

Abstract —This special issue is dedicated to discussing the possibility of the stage division of the Vendian system, specifically, a composite section of the Siberian Platform is proposed as a stratigraphic standard. For the Ordovician system of the Siberian Platform and Northeastern Russia, certain changes in stratigraphic charts are proposed, nomenclative issues and different variants of correlations of regional horizons with the General Stratigraphic Scale (GSS) of Russia are considered. A geochemical analysis of Bajocian and Bathonian belemnite rostra of Arctic Siberia was carried out and for the first time a comprehensive C, O, and Sr isotope characterization of the sections was obtained, making it possible to propose a comparison of the studied sections with the European standard and to develop paleogeographic models. Comprehensive studies of the Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous series of the Anabar Bay deposits (Laptev Sea) led to an improved biostratigraphic division for this reference section and to the identification of the levels for interregional and global correlation. The magnetostratigraphic division of the Jurassic–Cretaceous boundary interval and its comparison with the Tethyan regions are discussed. Taking into account biostratigraphic data, the δ13Corg variation curve can also serve as a correlation tool. The clinoform structure of Upper Jurassic strata was revealed in the northwest of the Anabar–Khatanga depression, based on the interpretation of seismic profiles calibrated against studied sections. The formation of this complex allows us to consider this stage as the initiation of the Verkhoyan orogeny in this folded area. Analysis of variations in the thickness of sediments allows us to deduce that intense tectonic-sedimentary processes took place during the Late Jurassic epoch, along with subsidence of the bed of the sedimentary basin. Analysis of a specific assemblage of lacustrine fossils from the reference section of the upper part of the Lower Cretaceous series of Transbaikalia and of published data showed that this fossil assemblage was widespread in East Asia. Biofacies analysis made it possible to reconstruct the paleoenvironments of this time.