New data on stratification, composition and absolute age of Upper Pleistocene and Holocene deposits in the southern part of Central Taimyr have been obtained in the course of geological mapping by the Central Arctic Exploration Expedition, Norilsk in 1987-1993. 70 exposures and cores of 3 survey holes have been studied. More then 500 samples were analyzed for pollen, microfauna, lithology and more than 60 values of absolute age have been obtained. Pollen has been studied by L.V. Kalugina, T.I. Kazartseva (St. Petersburg University), malacofauna by A.D. Naumov (Zoological Institute RAS) and by V.M. Makeyev, foraminifers by L.M. Sedova (Central Exploration Expedition), O.F Baranovskaya (Sevmorgeologia) and S.M. Vitskikh (Uralgeologia); ostracods by S.M. Vitskikh and N.V. Kupriyanova (VNIIOkeangeologia), diatoms by G.V. Stepanova (VNIIOkeangeologia) and R.N. Dzhinoridze (St. Petersburg University). The comprehensive lithological analysis has been performed by V.E. Yegorova (Central Exploration Expedition). Datings by radiocarbon method has been carried out by Kh.A. Arslanov and T.V. Tertychnaya (St. Petersburg University) and by ESR method by A.N Molodkov (Institute of Geology, Estonia).

The study area embraces the middle course of river Verkhnyaya Taimyra and valleys of its large tributaries - Ayatari, Deptumala, Kolou, Luktakh, Gorbita. It is situated near the southern slopes of the Byrranga Mountains and adjacent northern part of the North Siberian Plain. The latter is a hummocky accretion plain 10 to 220 m asl covered by a thick (up to 100 m and more) Cenozoic mantle. Paleogene, Neogene, Lower and Middle Pleistocene deposits are buried and known only from boreholes.

Upper Pleistocene deposits are subdivided into the Kazantsevo, Murukta, Karginsky and Sartan horizons composed of specific sets of genetically various facies. The leading role in topography belongs to the complexes of glacial, glacio-aqueous, fluvial and lacustrine deposits of the Murukta and Sartan horizons. Holocene deposits are localized within river valleys and lacustrine- paludinal basins.

The composition and paleontological interpretation of stratons are described. Paleogeography and sedimentary environments are discussed. The conclusions are based on 64 datings by radiocarbon and ESR.

The 7 years cycle of geological mapping has provided new and extensive factual material as a basis for State Geological Maps at 1:200,000 scales.

Reference:

Shneider G. Upper Pleistocene and Holocene deposits of river Verkhnyaya Taimyra catchment, Central Taimyr. Correlation of Pleistocene Events in the Russian North. International Workshop Abstracts. 4-6 December 2006. Saint-Petersburg, 2006, p. 86.