Reconstruction of the development stages of Mikulin paleoslope (Upper Don basin)

Abstract

The structure of quaternary deposits of the III fluvial terrace above flood-plain of Upper Don and Nepryadva river (northern part of Middle-Russian highland) was studied. The eroded Mezinian loess-soil complex overlies the periglacial alluvium and slope-balka deposits. Two Middle-Valdai soils (Monastyrskaya and Bryanskaya) have been distinguished in the upper loess part of the section. Their C¹⁴ dating are 29100±340 BP and 24400±700 BP. The history of buried paleoslope evolution was reconstructed. It underwent the whole Late Moscow-Mikulino-Early Valdai erosion cycle. Paleoslopc does not manifest in the recent relief, but the structure of recent soil cover derives from it.