Laboratory for Orogenesis

Scientific results:

• New models have been proposed describe the formation of the Siberian craton and its accretionary growth for various time intervals.
• We have reviewed existing paleogeographic models and obtained new global reconstructions of the Archaean cratons (~2.6 billon years ago), the supercontinents Nuna (1.6-1.3 billion years ago), Rodinia (0.9-0.75 billon years ago), Gondwana (550-180 million years ago) and Pangea (330-180 million years ago), as well as for island-arc complexes of southern Siberia (500 million years ago) and Kamchatka (90-80million years ago), collision structures of the time of the closure of the Mongol-Okhotsk paleoocean (180 million years ago) and the post-collision extension (150-110 million years).
• Data has been collected related to the correlation of supercontinent cycles and other global processes (magnetism, orogenesis, paleoclimate).
• An array of new geochronological, geological, paleomagnetic, geichemical, isotope and other data concerning the Siberian craton and its framing, on the basis of which we proposed a number of new hypotheses related to orogenic processes.
• Petrological and geochemical studies have been conducted, elucidating the formation of carbonatite magmas.
• On the basis of new models of the formation, development and growth of the Siberian craton we have studied the processes of ore formation, the formation and development of sedimentary basins and hydrocarbon deposits.

Implemented results of research:

• We have developed methodologies of multi-element analysis of minerals: in apatite using total reflection X-ray fluorescence analysis (TXRF); in olivine, pyroxene, amphiboles, garnets and zircon using laser ablation with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS).
• Our researchers have refined several methodologies: the U-Pb dating of zircon and a series of  uranium-containing minerals using LA-ICP-MS, the dating of apatite and zircon by tracks of fission fragments, the research of minerals using confocal Raman spectroscopy.
• We have modified a methodology of the classification of the quality of paleomagnetic research accounting for advanced methods of paleomagnetism research and the statistical analysis of results.
• A number of certificates of state registration of computer software programs has been obtained from Rospatent: «DE-ZIR-teer» (a program for the processing and analysis of U,Th-Pb isotope geochronological data) and «Squid to Enkin converter» (a program for the conversion between formats of geochronoogical data). 

Education and career development:

• One Doctor of Sciences and 4 Candidate of Sciences dissertations have been prepared and defended.
• We have developed and launched research and education courses for the postgraduate school of the Institute of the Earth's Crust of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences: working programs «Paleomagnetism and paleogeography», working program «Exploration geophysics.», working program «Local methods of the research of matter in geology».
• The Laboratory has developed a number of popular science lectures, employees of the Laboratory regularly deliver lectures and practical case studies for school and university students.

Organizational and structural changes:

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

Collaborations:

University of Western Australia, University of Tasmania (Australia), Institute of Precambrian Geology and Geochronology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Schmidt Institute of Physics of the Earth of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vinogradov Institute of Geochemistry of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Geological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint Petersburg State University (Russia): joint research.