The Kantemirovka Paleogene reference section of the Voronezh region

Abstract

The section on the outskirts of the town of Kantemirovka is proposed to serve as a reference one for Paleogene deposits of the Voronezh region. Observing the requirements of the current Stratigraphic Code of Russia, it is suggested to introduce the Middle Eocene Sergeevka and Tishki formations, which were defined previously by V.P. Semenov as mappable lithostratigraphic units instead of the Kiev Formation (regional stage) in the Paleogene stratigraphic scale of Ukraine, into the regional Paleogene stratigraphic scale of the Voronezh anteclise. The structure of the Sergeevka Formation and hypostratotype of the Tishki Formation defined in this section are considered with the analysis of the distribution of nannofossils, foraminifers, and diatoms in corresponding deposits. Benthic and planktonic foraminifers are used for defining regional biostratigraphic units, which are correlated between each other, with zones of the standard stratigraphic nannofossil scale, and units of the Middle Eocene Kiev regional stage of northern Ukraine. The boundary between the formations under consideration is universally marked by the replacement of carbonate sediments by terrigenous‒siliceous facies, disappearance of calcareous fossils, and development of a new biota. These features allow the boundary between these formations to be conditionally correlated with that between the Keresta and Kuma regional stages of the North Caucasus region.