The role of the leading formations of crystalline basement in the generation of clay minerals of weathering crust (East of the Russian plate)

Abstract

The studied weathering crust on the basement rocks of the central part of the Volga-Ural anteclise lies at great depths under thick sediments of sedimentary cover. A diversity of initial basement rocks, features of formation and secondary changing processes of weathering crust determine interest for this geological formation and its uniqueness. Clay minerals play a major role in the composition of the weathering crust and determine its features. A change in the associations of clay minerals by the weathering profile allows distinguishing different zones, which confirm the zonal structure of this formation.