Typification of geological sections of Quaternary deposits territory of the Vitebsk region

Abstract

Introduction: Quaternary deposits on the Vitebsk region territory cover older rocks with a continuous cover. They are distinguished by their extreme diversity and complexity of structure. This is manifested in a significant variability of their thickness, ratios in the section of layers of different composition, age and genesis. This specificity of the Quaternary strata makes it difficult to identify common characteristic features of the structure and composition of deposits, predict common minerals, and assess geochemical, landscapegeochemical, ecological-geological and other settings. In solving such problems, the typification of sections of the Quaternary strata of the region under consideration can be important, which is considered as a scientifically based reduction of the entire variety of geological sections to a small number of their types based on the most common and informative features. Methodology: The typification is based on a comparative analysis of a series of thematic maps (geological, geomorphological, structural, thicknesses of Quaternary deposits, ratios in the context of various genetic types of deposits, the number of moraine intervals), as well as numerous well sections that were drilled in different years by various specialized organizations in the territory Vitebsk region. Results and discussion: Eleven types of Quaternary sections of the Vitebsk region are identified and described based on the analysis of the stratigraphic completeness of the sections, the thickness of the Quaternary deposits in general and their individual layers, the features of the lithological composition, the spatial distribution of the main genetic types and their share in the total volume of the Quaternary strata, the nature of the structure of its bed and topography earth's surface. Conclusions: The developed typification of Quaternary sections can be used in solving problems related to paleogeographic reconstructions, geochemical, ecological-geological and other types of mapping, as well as forecasting common minerals in the Quaternary stratum.