Laboratory for Orogenesis

Scientific results:

New models for the formation of the Siberian Craton and its accretionary growth are proposed for various time intervals.

Reviews of existing paleogeographic models have been performed and new global reconstructions have been obtained for the Archean supercratons (~2.6 Ga), supercontinents Nuna (1.6-1.3 Ga), Rodinia (0.9-0.75 Ga), Gondwana (550-180 Ma) ) and Pangea (330–180 Ma ago), as well as for the island-arc complexes of southern Siberia (500 Ma) and Kamchatka (90–80 Ma), collisional structures of the late Mongolia-Okhotsk paleo-ocean (180 Ma) and postcollision extension (150–110 Ma).

Data on the correlation of supercontinental cycles with other global processes (magmatism, orogeny, paleoclimate) have been obtained.

A number of new geochronological, geological, paleomagnetic, geochemical, isotope and other data on the Siberian Craton and its framing have been obtained, on the basis of which a number of new hypotheses relating to orogenic processes have been put forward.

Petrological and geochemical studies have been carried out, shedding light on the formation of carbonatite magmas.

Based on new models of origin, development and growth of the Siberian Craton, the processes of ore formation, formation and development of sedimentary basins and hydrocarbon deposits have been studied.

Implementation of research results:

Techniques for elemental analysis of minerals have been developed: in apatite by total reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis (TXRF), in olivine, pyroxenes, amphiboles, garnets and zircon by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS).

Techniques have been set-up: U-Pb dating of zircon, apatite, titanite and andradite garnet using LA-ICP-MS, fission track dating of apatite and Raman dating of zircon, and the study of minerals by confocal Raman spectroscopy.

The methodology for the quality of paleomagnetic studies has been modernized, taking into account the latest methods of paleomagnetic studies and statistical analysis.

Two federal certificates of state registration of computer programs have been recieved: "DE-ZIR-teer" (software for processing and analyzing U,Th-Pb isotope geochronological data) and "Squid to Enkin converter" (software for converting paleomagnetic data format).

Organizational and infrastructural changes:

A new high-class center for geochronology, geochemistry and paleomagnetism has been created at the Institute of the Earth's Crust of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

The laboratory was equipped with modern equipment:

1. Agilent-7900 inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer with Analyte Excite laser ablation system;
2. Confocal Raman spectrometer (CRS) Alpha300r;
3. AGICO LDA5 alternating magnetic field demagnetizer
4. Picarro L2130-i isotopic water analyzer;
5. High frequency surface wave radar "OKO-3";
6. Total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometer S4 T-Star 400;
7. Automated complex "ASIS" for the study of the mechanical properties of soils and rocks.

Education and personnel occupational retraining:

Throughout the project, undergraduate and graduate students were supervised by fellows of the laboratory of orogeny. During the implementation of the project, the degree of Doctor of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences was awarded to 1 employee of the laboratory, the degree of Candidate of Geological and Mineralogical Sciences was awarded to 4 employees.

Developed and implemented scientific and educational courses for postgraduate studies at the Institute of the Earth’s Crust SB RAS:

1. Study curriculum "Paleomagnetism and paleogeography";
2. Study curriculum "Exploration geophysics";
3. Study curriculum "Probe methods of investigation of matter in geology".
4. Study curriculum “Geochemistry”.
5. Study curriculum “Geochronology”.

A series of popular science lectures has been prepared, lectures and practical exercises for schoolchildren and students are regularly conducted by laboratory staff.

Cooperation:

1. University of Western Australia (Australia)
2. University of Tasmania (Australia)
3. Institute of geology and geochronology of Precambrian RAS (Saint-Petersburg, Russia)
4. Shmidt Institute of Physics of Earth RAS (Moscow, Russia)
5. Vinogradov Institute of Geochemistry SB RAS (Irkutsk, Russia)
6. Saint-Petersburg State University (Saint-Petersburg, Russia)
7. Geological Institute RAS (Moscow, Russia)