Authigenic Minerals in Phanerozoic Volcanogenic-Sedimentary deposits of the Northern Part of the Transition Zone from the Asian Continent to the Pacific Ocean

Abstract

Authigenic minerals in Phanerozoic volcanogenic-sedimentary deposits in the northern part of the transition zone from the Asian continent to the Pacific Ocean have been studied. Сhlorite, mica, corrensite, rectorite, defective chlorite, kaolinite, smectite, calcite, barite, gypsum, epsomite, zeolites, cristobalite, quartz, and goethite were found. Corrensite, rectorite; associations: corrensite-laumontite, corrensite-epsomite-authigenic calcite and mica-kaolinite-quartz have significant indicative properties. Such a set of minerals indicates that the thickness of sediments in the studied basins could reach three to five kilometers, and the temperature of their formation could be more than 150°C. The mica-kaolinite association may indicate epicontinental sedimentation conditions associated with coal formation on nearby land, corrensite-chlorite association may indicate conditions favorable for the evaporation of sea water, and the presence of laumontite in it may indicate the periodic calcium supply to the sedimentation basin. Periods of mineral formation, possibly related to global climatic events — 113–120, 110–113, 105–110, 93–95, 72–83, 61–72, 56–61, 33–56 Ma, were identified, which can serve as reference for reconstructing the conditions of sedimentation and a basis for more reliable stratigraphic constructions.

Keywords

• phanerozoic deposits
• authigenic minerals
• transition zone
• sedimentation conditions