REFERENCE SECTION OF THE LOG KRASNYI LOESS AND SOIL FORMATION OF THE LOWER PLEISTOCENE IN UPPER REACHES OF THE DON RIVER

Abstract

Materials of geological, paleontological (small mammals and freshwater mollusks), paleopedological, palynological, paleomagnetic and magnetic studies are considered to characterize the Log Krasnyi loess-and-soil formation of the lower Pleistocene in the upper reaches of the Don River. The comprehensive investigation revealed four thermochrons in the lower Pleistocene sequence. The upper three thermochrons are within the Brunhes Chron. The second thermochron from the top and partly the underlying cryochron span the interval of geomagnetic excursion. Alluvium corresponding in time to the Matuyama Chron and underlying the loess-and-soil deposits yielded the most representative collection of the early Tiraspol' theriofauna that was studied in detail. The Log Krasnyi section can be considered as a stratotype of the loess-and-soil formation in the upper reaches of the Don River.