Geological and Paleogeographic Map of the Eastern Arctic

Abstract

The Atlas summarizes geological and geophysical data acquired in recent years while preparing the 1:1 M State Geological Map of the Russian Federation and the implementation of the international project Atlas of Geological Maps of the Arctic. A set of tectono-stratigraphic charts has been produced for Arctic islands (Severnaya Zemlya Archipelago, New Siberian Islands, Wrangel Island) and the continental land (Taimyr Peninsula, Northeast Eurasia). Results of the latest studies, including international ones, on the determination of main stages of tectonic evolution in Arctic regions, specification of petrological composition and age of sedimentary and igneous complexes, as well as paleogeographic and geodynamic setting of their formation for each tectonic stage have been taken into account. A set of maps including the 1:5 M Geological Map, Tectonic Map, Paleogeographic maps for age levels was prepared based on a comprehensive analysis of seismic data and geological studies for the North-East of the Russian Federation and adjacent water areas. The general pattern in geology of the studied area has been identified; it is reflected in the gradual change of the Cretaceous fold area to the Baikalian and Elesmerian fold areas in the northern direction. On the Mendeleev Rise, Precambrian consolidation block is reconstructed from results of bottom stone sampling. Main tectonic structures of the East Siberian shelf are traced to the deepwater part of the Arctic Ocean. Cretaceous movements were most pronounced in the junction zone of the Canada Basin and the Wrangel-Geraldine Block, where a thick thrust zone and the North Chukchi Foredeep are formed. To the west, on the De Long Islands and Kotelny Island, the Cretaceous dislocations are much less pronounced; here, the structural geometry that formed in the Late Paleozoic is preserved.