The age of the Khvalynsk terrace deposits in the north of the Caspian lowland
https://doi.org/10.55959/MSU0579-9414.5.80.6.11
Abstract
During the Early Khvalynian stage, fluctuations of the Caspian Sea level formed a number of marine terraces, which are well pronounced in the relief of the northern part of the Caspian Lowland. The paper presents the results of studies of the lithological structure and radiocarbon age of the sediments that correspond to the maximum Early Khvalynian terrace at the northern edge of the Caspian Lowland (north-east of the Volgograd Region). The results obtained from studying the sediments in NP-1 and NP-2 boreholes within the Eeruslan River valley showed that the upper layers of sediments that correspond to the maximum Early Khvalynian terrace accumulated in subaerial conditions during the period of 26,7–19,5 ka cal BP. The composition of the sediments formed during that time interval is almost uniform. These features suggest stable conditions of their accumulation with a permanent supply of silt-sand material. During the last glacial maximum, the Early Khvalynian basin was probably located at elevations significantly lower than 40 m a.s.l. The subsequent rise in the Caspian Sea level and erosion of the upper part of subaerial deposits resulted in the isolation of the maximum Early Khvalynian terrace as a relief form.
Keywords
Late Pleistocene,
Holocene,
Caspian Sea,
Khvalynian stage,
early Khvalynian terraces radiocarbon dating
Supporting agencies: The study was financially supported by the Russian Science Foundation (project 25-17-00024)
About the Authors
R. R. Makshaev
Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Geography, Research Laboratory of Recent Pleistocene Deposits and Paleogeography
Россия
Россия
Senior Scientific Researcher, Ph.D. in Geography
E. Yu. Matlakhova
Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Geography, Department of Geomorphology and Paleogeography; Research Laboratory of Recent Pleistocene Deposits and Paleogeography
Россия
Россия
Associate Professor; Senior Scientific Researcher, Ph.D. in Geography
N. T. Tkach
Geological Institute, RAS, Laboratory of Geochemistry of Isotopes and Geochronology
Россия
Россия
Senior Scientific Researcher, Ph.D. in Geology and Mineralogy
N. V. Sychev
Institute of Geography, RAS, Laboratory of Paleoarchives of the Natural Environment
Россия
Россия
Junior Scientific Researcher, Ph.D. in Geography
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Review
For citations:
Makshaev R.R., Matlakhova E.Yu., Tkach N.T., Sychev N.V. The age of the Khvalynsk terrace deposits in the north of the Caspian lowland. Lomonosov Geography Journal. 2025;(6):143-153. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.55959/MSU0579-9414.5.80.6.11
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