Holocene and Late Neopleistocene paleoreconstructions for the lower Lena River valley: new data, contradictions and problems

The Lena River with its tributaries is one of the largest river systems in the world. During three field seasons, 18 outcrops of alluvial deposits on terraces of different levels of the Lower Lena Valley from the mouth of the Aldan River to the “Lena Pipe” were studied. Terrace heights were determined using topographic maps, leveling and GPS survey. The outcrops were described in the field with sampling for radiocarbon dating and infrared stimulated luminescence (IR-OSL) method. A total of 26 radiocarbon and IR-OSL ages were obtained. The low floodplain was studied most in detail on the section from the mouth of the Aldan River to the mouth Vilyuy River, where it has a height of 5–6 to 8–9 m. The deposits of the high floodplain in the section between the mouths of the Aldan River and Viluyu River, in the area of the mouth of the Dyanyshka River and in the section between the villages of Siktyakh and Kyusyur were studied. It has a height of 6–10 to 15– 16 m. The deposits of the 1st terrace (7–15 m) and 2nd terrace (20–23 m) most in detail in the area of the mouth of the Dyanyshka River were studied. In some areas (the lower reaches of Dyanyshka River, near the mouth of the Menkere River and the mouth of the Natara River), deposits of higher terraces were dated. Investigation and dating of the floodplain and first terraces in the valley of the Lower Lena River confirms that their formation was caused by sea level fluctuations in Holocene and at the end of Late Pleistocene as well as in the Lena River Delta. The results of IR-OSL dating alluvial deposits of 40–60 me terraces contradict the ideas about their age, formed in the 3rd quarter of the 20th century. Glaciations of Verkhoyansk Ridge could not influence to configuration of the Lena River valley as mountain glaciers had not rich the Lena River since the end of Middle Pleistocene. 

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