Lithogenesis on peneplaned сontinented platform of Kazakhstan and Siberia during the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary epoch

Abstract

Research subject. The inner structure, composition, and genesis of the poorly studied formation of weathering crusts are studied with reference to peneplaned platform territories in Kazakhstan and Siberia during the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary epoch. This formation hosts many valuable minerals, such as bauxite, iron ores, refractory clays, etc., thereby attracting much research attention. Materials and methods. The results were obtained following a series of long-term studies and a review of available data recently obtained on the weathering crust formation in the territories of Kazakhstan and Siberia. The methods of lithological facies and formation analysis were used, along with the separate studies of the eluvial material – weathering crusts in erosion areas and intra-formation weathering horizons in accumulation areas. Results. The weathering crust formation in the study area is shown to comprise two kinds of rock mass: siliceous-kaolinite ones forming erosion-tectonic depressions and kaolinite-bauxite ones forming karst depressions. The inner structure, composition, and genesis of both rock mass units are studied in detail, with all their sedimentation stages being analyzed. The sedimentation process is traced from the preparation of the material in weathering crusts at erosion areas to the deposition of this material and its post-sedimentation transformations (mostly with the involvement of subaerial diagenesis) in depressions. Detailed information is presented on subaerial diagenesis, which deserves further studies. Conclusions. This publication is the frst to present detailed information on the inner structure, composition and genesis of the ancient formation of weathering crusts produced in hot humid climate on peneplaned land territories. It is confrmed that the processes underpinning this formation – starting with the preparation of the material and ending with its accumulation in depressions – were different from those typical of modern orogenic environments. This conclusion extends the current understanding of the forms and nature of ancient lithogenetic processes.