Composition and structure of the speleothem from Vorontsovskaya Cave (Krasnodar Region) and its potential for paleoclimatic and paleomagnetic studies
https://doi.org/10.55959/MSU0579-9406-4-2026-65-2-98-105
Abstract
This study presents a detailed petrographic characterization of the speleothem from Vorontsovskaya Cave (Krasnodar Region, Russia) and proposes a model for its formation. Incremental chronology indicates that flowstone growth began more than 82 ka. Scanning electron microscopy reveals accessory minerals, including magnetic phases, supporting its suitability for paleomagnetic investigation. However, because these minerals occur predominantly within pore spaces between calcite crystals, they may have been reoriented by percolating fluids; this potential post-depositional reorientation should be considered when interpreting the paleomagnetic data.
About the Authors
A. E. Masloboeva
St. Petersburg State University ; Geological institute, Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Anna E. Masloboeva
St. Petersburg; Moscow
A. E. Masloboeva
St. Petersburg State University ; Geological institute, Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Anna E. Masloboeva
St. Petersburg; Moscow
K. Yu. Vasileva
St. Petersburg State University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Kseniya Yu. Vasileva
St. Petersburg
D. A. Gavriushkin
Schmidt Institute of Physics of the Earth, Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Dmitriy A. Gavriushkin
Moscow
R. V. Veselovskiy
Lomonosov Moscow State University ; Schmidt Institute of Physics of the Earth, Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Roman V. Veselovskiy
Moscow
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Review
For citations:
Masloboeva A.E., Masloboeva A.E., Vasileva K.Yu., Gavriushkin D.A., Veselovskiy R.V. Composition and structure of the speleothem from Vorontsovskaya Cave (Krasnodar Region) and its potential for paleoclimatic and paleomagnetic studies. Moscow University Bulletin. Series 4. Geology. 2026;65(2):98-105. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.55959/MSU0579-9406-4-2026-65-2-98-105
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