Koryak Upland Research Articles

A new 87Sr/86Sr record of Cretaceous marine invertebrates from the palaeo-Pacific and its implication for stratigraphical and palaeoenvironmental reconstructions

We present the first strontium isotope data of Cretaceous marine invertebrates from north-eastern Russia and the Magellan Seamounts. These provide evidence of a late Turonian age (91.2–90.4 Ma) for the upper part of the Penzhinskaya Formation (Koryak Upland) and a late Coniacian date (90.4–86.4 Ma) for the cephalopod-bearing deposits of the Magellan Seamounts. In addition, they yield information on seasonal variations in the 87Sr/86Sr ratio in marginal marine environments during the late Turonian. These data raise doubts about a previously postulated hiatus spanning the Turonian–Santonian interval. Our results reveal a close temporal correlation between Sr-isotope excursions and the major Oceanic Anoxic Events (OAEs), which suggests a causal link. However, the link between the late Santonian–early Campanian Sr-isotope minimum and Oceanic Anoxic Event 3 (OAE-3) has yet to be fully resolved and requires additional evidence.

Diversity of Pinus pumila-dominated communities on the Kamchatka Peninsula

Abstract On the Kamchatka Peninsula, Far East Russia, Pinus pumila-dominated communities occur from sea level up to 1200 m and geographically from the southern extremity of the peninsula up to the Kamchatka Isthmus and the Koryak Upland. Variation in species composition and abundance in P. pumila stands are determined mainly by the habitat’s moisture, soil fertility (expressed as the litter-humus coefficient) and altitude. The fertility level of the habitats has a significant positive impact especially on the abundance of the herb layer species, and to a lesser extent on the cover of the shrub layer. The growth of dwarf-shrubs and lichens is inhibited in habitats with better fertility. In relation to the fertility gradient, the vertical structure of the communities is also changing explicitly; the thickness of snow cover and exposition has a modest effect on the vegetation of P. pumila stands on Kamchatka. The analysed set of 272 relevés were clustered into six community type groups: (i) pure dwarf-pine communities, (ii) shrub-rich communities, (iii) dwarf-shrub-rich communities, (iv) herb-grass-rich communities, (v) moss-rich communities and (vi) lichen-rich communities; further 18 community types were established. They have a fairly good correspondence with most of the syntaxa described by previous scholars, but this is not always the case.

Marine Paleogene of the Koryak Upland, Northeast Asia: Stratigraphy, Mollusks, Correlation, and Geological Events

Marine Paleogene of the Koryak Upland, Northeast Asia: Stratigraphy, Mollusks, Correlation, and Geological Events

STONE-BIRCH FORESTS ON THE GOVENA PENINSULA AND OLYUTORSKY GULF COAST (KORYAKSKY DISTRICT, KAMCHATKA KRAI)

Stone-birch (Betula ermanii) forests were studied at the northern limit of their range in the north of the Koryaksky District. The species composition, community structure, and habitats of stone-birch groves are described. Their altitudinal position and geographical distribution are discussed. A classification of stone-birch communities on Olyutorsky Gulf coast was developed using the dominant-determinant approach. Within the study area, the community diversity of stone-birch forests was represented by 5 associationsforming 3 groups of associations: Betuleta pteridosa (fern-rich stone-birch forests), Betuleta calamagrostidosa (grass-rich stone-birch forests), and Betuleta fruticosa (shrub-rich stone-birch forests). All the syntaxa have been previously described from the Kamchatka Peninsula. The Koryak communities differed from their Kamchatka analogues in the floristic composition, lower species diversity, and high density of the shrub layer. The most important characteristics of shrub-rich stone-birch communities were the high abundance of Sorbus sambucifolia and Alnus fruticosa, while for fern-rich communities it was the predominance of Dryopteris expansa in the herb layer. The intrazonal stone-birch groves are considered to be the remnants of widespread birch forests of the Holocene climate optimum, which ended ca. 5 Ka B. P. They have survived on the southern maritime slopes of the Koryak Upland ridges and turned into fragmentary and floristically impoverished communities. The relic stone-birch groves of the Koryak Upland are regarded as rare and endangered communities in need of special protection.

Cenozoic Stratigraphy of the Eastern Part of the Opukha–Pekulney Depression, Koryak Upland, Northeast Russia

The Cenozoic marine deposits (two formations) developed in the eastern part of the Opukha–Pekulney Depression of the Koryak Upland are described. Until recently, there was scarce information about them. The lower (Retyrveem) formation is composed of dark conglomerates and sandstones with a large number of carbonate nodules and representative assemblages of bivalve and gastropod mollusks (more than 400 tests and imprints were studied) and Early Eocene benthic foraminifers. Two subformations and six units were distinguished in the formation. The upper (Morzhovaya) formation is composed of light loose gravestones and sandstones, including fragments of Early Miocene mollusks and foraminifers. The study of faunal assemblages makes it possible to correlate these formations with stratigraphic units of adjacent areas and to reveal hiatuses in the section covering most of the Paleocene sequence, on one hand, and the Upper Eocene and Oligocene, on the other hand. The Retyrveem Formation encloses warm-water molluscan assemblages, the appearance of which in the northern boreal latitudes is supposed to be related to the Early Eocene global warming. Images of the characteristic molluscan remains are given for the first time.

Phytogeography boundaries between Stone-birch and White-birch forests in the North of the Koryak Region

The distribution boundaries of the two birch species communities: Stone-birch (Betula ermanii Cham.) and White birch (Betula platyphylla Sukacz) forests have been firstly reliably established for the North of the Koryak Region. The remote sensing data, aerial observations, original relevés, and itinerary research data were used. A map of the Stone-birch and White-birch forests allocation in the mainland part of the Koryak Region was compiled. It was shown that Stone-birch groves were found in relatively warmer and wetter areas adjacent to the Bering Sea coast. They occupy Southern and South-Eastern slopes of the Koryak Upland spurs; whereas White birch forests are common in the continental districts. They are found in the valleys of the rivers Penzhina, Talovka, Belaya, Oklan, Apukvayam, on the Penzhinskiy Ridge slopes. Stone-birch forests do not occur North of 62° northern latitude, do not overcome the boggy depression of Parapolsky Dale, and do not occur to the West of 167° 30’ eastern longitude. The natural phytogeographical boundary between the areas of the two birch formations are the Southern and South-Eastern spurs of the Koryak Upland.

Latest Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) climate of the Koryak Upland of North-East Russia based on a quantitative analysis of a palaeo-polar flora

We describe fossil plant assemblages from the late Maastrichtian Kakanaut Formation of the Koryak Upland, North-East of Russia, which represent a high (75oN) palaeolatitude flora. The flora contains about 40 species, including liverworts, horsetails, ferns, cycadophytes, ginkgos, conifers and angiosperms. Angiosperms and conifers predominate and, unusually, the flora contains typical Cretaceous taxa admixed with elements that are more characteristic of the Paleocene. Reconstruction of the palaeoclimate in the Kakanaut area was made using the Climate Leaf Analysis Multivariate Program (CLAMP) employing a recently developed calibration that yields 23 different climate variables. Analysis was made based on 21 morphotypes of woody dicotyledonous plants from the Kakanaut flora. The analysis indicated a mean annual temperature of 12.2 ± 2.0 °C, a warmest month mean temperature of 20.6 ± 2.5 °C, a coldest month mean temperature of 4.8 ± 3.2 °C. The growing season lasted approximately 7 months, during which there was almost 1 m of precipitation. This and other indicators (relative humidity, vapour pressure deficit and potential evapotranspiration) all suggest a year-round humid regime. The winter temperatures suggest occasional mild frosts in this near sea level setting, so that at higher elevations freezing conditions would have been more persistent. These results throw new light on the living and breeding conditions of diverse latest Cretaceous Arctic dinosaur populations as represented by numerous skeletal and egg remains associated with the plants.

Differentiation of Asian North Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta W.) Based on Microsatellite Markers

The study includes 41 sample sets of chum salmon from the northern part of its geographic range analyzed at ten microsatellite loci. In the northern part of the range of Asian chum salmon, the following groups of samples are clearly distinguished: “Magadan oblast,” “Northern Kamchatka,” “Penzhina River,” and “Anadyr River basin.” Populations of chum salmon from the Apuka River and the “Koryak Upland” group show low genetic differentiation from other groups. There is a positive relationship between the latitude and the average expected heterozygosity in this part of the range. Chum salmon of the Penzhina River shows close genetic relationship to chum salmon from the Anadyr River basin, probably because of gene flow.

Accessory Minerals of the Galmoenan Mafic-Ultramafic Massif, Koryak Upland, Kamchatka

A group of accessory ore minerals is revealed in rocks of the Galmoenan mafic-ultramafic massif (Koryak Upland, Kamchatka, Russia), represented by native metals (iron, copper, zinc, and silver), iron-nickel and cobalt-iron intermetallic compounds, sulfides (pentlandite, cobaltpentlandite, pyrrhotite, sphalerite, heazlewoodite, millerite, shandite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, and Cu3S2 phase), arsenides (maucherite, nicolite, orcelite, and modderite), and some other minerals. Their chemical compositions, crystal forms, and paragenetic associations are described. Formation of these minerals is attributed to serpentinization of rocks.

Radiolarians of family Heliodiscidae Haeckel, 1881 from the upper cretaceous (campanian–maastrichtian) chert deposits of the Vaamychgyn unit of Yanranai accretionary complex, Koryak upland

Campanian–Maastrichtian radiolarians from the section of Vaamychgyn unit in Yakenmyveem River (Koryak Upland, Ekonai terrane) were studied for the first time. The age of studied assemblage is determined as Campanian–Maastrichtian due to common presence of Excentrosphaerella vivenkensis (Lipman), Lithomespilus mendosa (Krasheninnikov) and Stichomitra livermorensis Campbell et Clark. Representatives of family Heliodiscidae Haeckel are abundant. This family is widely common in boreal and austral regions and can be of high value for stratigraphy and paleobiogeographic reconstructions. New data allow to refine the time of first appearance of Excentrosphaerella teuria (Hollis), that was previously known only from the Early Paleocene. The species Cromyosphaera vivenkensis Lipman is assigned here to genus Excentrosphaerella Dumitrica.

Radiolarians of Family Heliodiscidae Haeckel, 1981 in the Upper Cretaceous (Campanian–Maastrichtian) Siliceous Deposits of the Vaamychgyn Unit of the Koryak Upland

The radiolarians from the Campanian–Maastrichtian deposits of the Vaamychgyn unit sequence (Yakenmyveem River, Koryak Upland, Ekonai terrane) were studied for the first time. On the basis of the joint occurrence of Excentrosphaerella vivenkensis (Lipman), Lithomespilus mendosa (Krasheninnikov), and Stichomitra livermorensis Campbell et Clark, the studied complex is attributed to the Campanian–Maastrichtian. The assemblage contains abundant representatives of the family Heliodiscidae Haeckel, which are widely common in the Boreal and Austral realms and can be of high importance for the stratigraphic and paleobiogeographic paleoreconstructions. The new data allow one to establish the time of the first occurrence of Excentrosphaerella teuria (Hollis), which was previously known only from the Early Paleocene. The species Cromyosphaera vivenkensis Lipman is attributed in this work to the genus Excentrosphaerella Dumitrica.

Pyroxenite veins in spinel peridotites of the Unnavayam sheet, Kuyul ophiolite terrane (Koryak Upland): Origin and setting of formation

Pyroxenite veins in mantle peridotites of the Unnavayam sheet of the Kuyul ophiolite terrane (Koryak—Kamchatka folded area) are composed of clinopyroxenite and websterite crystallized from a boninite-like melt. The host clinopyroxene-bearing spinel harzburgites are moderately depleted residues, whose mineral compositions and conditions of formation correspond to those of peridotites from mid-oceanic and back-arc spreading centers. Mantle peridotites of the Unnavayam sheet may have formed a part of the mantle wedge above a subduction zone and have been intruded by boninitic melts at a certain stage of their evolution.

The genus Schistidium (Grimmiaceae) on the Koryak Upland (Far East)

We have revised previously identified collections and processed newly collected specimens of the genus Schistidium fr om the Koryak Upland, wh ere 6 species were listed earlier. Annotated list of 10 species detected on the upland is provided; it includes S. agassizii, S. dupretii, S. frigidum, S. liliputanum, S. platyphyllum, S. papillosum, S. pulchrum, S. rivulare, S. sordidum, and S. tenerum. For each species characteristic of habitats is given. For some rare species distribution in the Russian Far East is discussed. Five species are new to the Upland territory: S. dupretii, S. liliputanum, S. papillosum, S. pulchrum, S. sordidum. Schistidium sordidum has previously been known in Kamchatsky Territory from single locality, S. liliputanum is new to Chukotsky and Koryaksky Areas, S. dupretii is new to Chukotsky Autonomous Area and rare in the Russian Far East.

Fagaceous foliage from the latest Cretaceous of the Koryak Upland (northeastern Russia) and its implications for the evolutionary history of Fagaceae

The first record of the genus Fagopsiphyllum (Fagaceae) from the Maastrichtian Kakanaut Formation of the Koryak Upland, northeastern Russia, is described and compared to other recorded of Fagaceae and fagaceous-like leaves from the Cretaceous and Paleogene of the Northern Pacific Region. The distribution and morphological variability of Fagopsiphyllum groenlandicum are investigated. Fagopsiphyllum groenlandicum leaves resemble mainly the foliage of the extinct genera Fagopsis and Barykovia. New finding of Fagopsiphyllum groenlandicum extends the stratigraphic range of this taxon and contributes to the Cretaceous morphological diversity of extinct leaf forms assigned to Fagaceae. Taxonomic position of Fagopsiphyllum is discussed.

Milax vitukhini, a new radiolarian species from the Upper Jurassic of the Ust’-Belaya Mountains of the Koryak Upland

A new species, Milax vitukhini sp. nov., from the newly recognized Kimmeridgian–Tithonian radiolarian association from volcanogenic–siliceous–terrigenous rocks of the Borozda Creek Basin (Ust’-Belsky Mountains, Koryak Upland) is described.

Distribution and variability of Nilssonia serotina Heer (Cycadales) in the Cretaceous and Paleogene floras of northern Pacific Region

Variability of Nilssonia serotinaleaves was studied by the material from the Sakhalin, from the Maastrichtian deposits of the Kakanaut Formation (Koryak Upland), the upper Albian-lower Turonian deposits of the Krivorechenskaya Formation (Anadyr River Basin) and the Santonian-upper Campanian deposits of the Chignik Formation (Alaska). Type material of Nilssonia serotina Heer from thе Santonian deposits of upper part of the Arkovo Formation of Sakhalin restudied for the first time. This collection is stored in Komarov Botanical Institute. A lectotype was selected, and an extended specimen diagnosis was defined. Leaves of N. serotina are varied from nearly entier with rare dissections, to those having numerous triangular or trapezoidal segments. Distribution of Nilssonia serotina from the Albian to the Paleoсеne was revealed. This species was distributed on the Sakhalin, Northeastern Russia, Western Canada, Alaska and North Dakota (USA).

The deep structure of the Olyutorskii earthquake rupture zone in the Koryak Upland: Geophysical evidence

This paper considers the data of magnetotelluric sounding (MTS) and gravity and magnetic surveys, as well as other geological information. We describe the methods that were used in making the observations and for interpretation of MTS data. We focus on incorporating the influence of the shift effect and the coast effect. Generalized geoelectric sections are based on mean longitudinal curves, which are less subject to distortion. Transverse curves were used for fault identification. The geoelectric sections include a sedimentary-volcanogenic layer, a high ohmic crust, and a conductive lithosphere layer. They contain faults that were detected from the divergences between oriented MTS curves and other data. The deep-seated faults in the Vyvenka basin have surface expression in the form of seismotectonic discontinuities that extend for 80 and 140 km. It was found that the hypocenters of the Olyutorskii earthquake and its aftershocks were in the crustal layer above the conductive lithosphere layer. Most aftershock hypocenters are typically situated in the area of the deep fault. We discuss a possible origin of the conductive lithosphere layer and of deep faults.

The current state of glaciers within the Koryak Highland and assessment of their development by the middle of this century

The Koryak Upland, located in Russian Far East, has so far been poorly studied in terms of glaciology. The information contained in the USSR Glacier Inventory (1982) was obtained by analysis of topographic maps and aerial photography. On the publication date, the Inventory of Koryak Upland included 715 glaciers. To study of the current state of Koryak glaciers, we used satellite imageries – Landsat, Terra /Aqua (EOS AM-1) and ASTER. Deciphering the scenes showed that a significant portion of the glaciers melted away since the mid-1970's until now. We have found only 237 glaciers. Some glaciers are appeared to be rock glaciers, filled with detrital material, cemented by ice in a single body. They might be taken for real glaciers while categorization. The analysis of the retreat (reduction in area) of Koryak glaciers by groups with the same morphological type and the same aspect was conducted. The total retreat of the glaciers of this region varied from 40 (for those measured in situ) to 70% (mean total) as compared to aerial photography surveys (1950). This is the most intense reduction among the studied glacier systems of the Russian Subarctic. It can be explained by the changes in atmospheric circulation due to climate change, the Koryak Upland dries out while the increasing of annual air temperatures. Significant reduction of the glacier area was an incentive for us to undertake a work to assess the evolution of the glaciers in the near future. We used a GCM – ECHAM5 (B1) as the climatic scenario. The projection method has got further development: we have estimated the evolution of glacier systems in which the prevailing type is corries (relatively small circus glacier). The results show a diverse picture of glacier reduction by area, but in general the glacierization will not disappear for the period 2049–2060, reducing the extent by only 17% of the contemporary state.

Остатки ископаемых растений из высокореченской свиты (поздний мел, Корякское нагорье)

The Vysokorechensk floristic assemblage comes from the Vysokorechenskaya Formation (Khatyrka and Svetlaya Rivers interfluve, southeastern part of the Korayk Upland). It contains 12 species: Equisetum sp., Sphenopteris sp., Ginkgo ex gr. adiantoides (Heer) Unger, Elatocladus smittiana (Heer) Seward, Mesocyparis beringiana (Golovn.) McIver et Aulenback, Sequoia sp., Тaxodium sp., Сelastrinites septentrionalis (Krysht.) Golovn., Corylus sp., Peculnea sp., Platanus sp. Trochodendroides sp. According to systematic composition the Vysokorechensk floristic assemblage is similar to the Kakanaut flora from the Kakanaut Formation (Kakanaut River Basin). The Vysokorechenskaya Formation is represented by marine volcanogenous-terrigenous sediments. It contains inocerams and ammonites of the upper Maastrichtian (Schachmaticeramus kusiroensis (Nagao et Mat.), Pachydiscus subcompressus Mat.). On this base the age of the Vysokorechensk floristic assemblage is determined as the beginning of late Maastrichtian. The correlation of the Maastrichtian deposits of diff erent areas of eastern part of the Koryak Upland was carried out.

Regularities of spatial differentiation of fauna and bird population on the Putorana Plateau

The spatial differentiation of the bird population on the Putorana Plateau has been analyzed. One hundred and thirty-seven bird species nest in the region. Species diversity, bird population density, and abundance of most species decrease with altitude. The largest decrease in bird population density occurs during the transition from the subalpine belt to the alpine belt; a little less significant one occurs during the transition from the forest belt to the subalpine belt. Most bird species inhabit a wide range of altitudes, which usually involves at least two altitude belts. The bird population density at the level of alpine, subalpine, and forest altitude and landscape belts decreases in the direction from west to east (from the Putorana Plateau to Koryak Upland). The spatial dynamics of the bird population density and abundance of most background species of the Putorana Plateau has a tendency to increase from the highest internal regions of mountain countries towards the periphery. At the Putorana Plateau, the communities of birds from the forest belt are more diverse, stable, and homogeneous in space and time when compared with the alpine and subalpine belts. In addition to high values of the population similarity coefficient, minimal amplitudes of species diversity and bird population density, and a relatively even distribution of more than half of the species composition along the region territory, insignificant provincial differences in the composition of leaders were detected here.