The First Results of U–Pb Dating of Detrital Zircons from the Oligocene of the Southeastern Part of the Voronezh Anteclise and Their Importance for Paleogeography

Abstract

The first results of U–Pb (LA–ICP–MS) isotope dating of detrital zircons (dZr) from the Upper Oligocene sands of the Poltava Formation exposed on the southeastern slope of the Voronezh anteclise are presented, providing information on the provenance sources. It is established that the dataset of dZr ages (provenance signal) is characterized by a predominance of ages within the range of 1–2 Ga with a low number of Phanerozoic, Late Proterozoic (younger than 1 Ga), and Archean dates. It is revealed that the cumulative ages of the complexes of the Svecofennian and Sveconorwegian orogens and, to a lesser degree, the Cadomides of Central Europe provide entirely the provenance signal recorded in the sands of the Poltava Formation. The data obtained allow us to refine the paleogeography of the Paratethys northern margin during the Late Oligocene. It has been found that the Poltava Formation was accumulated due to water transport of sediments from intensively eroded structures of western Fennoscandia from the North Sea to the Scythian Sea.