Geological history of the Voronezh anteclise during the Turonian-Coniacian time based on lithological and geochemical data

Abstract

As a result of summarizing a large amount of data, a paleogeographic model has been proposed and the geological history of the development of the Voronezh anteclise in the Tithonian and Cognacian periods has been clarified. The strong facies variability, as well as the variability of sedimentary thicknesses, is explained by vertical tectonic movements against the backdrop of the uplift of Laurasia. The relatively shallow depth of the epicontinental basin, which is around 30–50 meters, is highly sensitive to vertical tectonic movements. With an amplitude of about 10 meters, the coastline shifts by tens or hundreds of kilometers, and the shallow basin is quickly replaced by an extremely shallow basin that splits into a series of isolated basins surrounded by paleo-uplifts, from which the transport of clastic material begins. During the Tournasian period, in an arid climate, transgressions occur from the Tethys Ocean, coming from the south, and carbonate deposits are primarily accumulated. During the Cognacian time, transgressions came from the south (warm waters, carbonate sediments formed) and from the north (cold waters, siliceous sediments accumulated), and the volume of terrigenous denudation increased in a humid climate.