Interregional correlation stratigraphic scheme of the Phanerozoic deposits in the Russian Arctic (methodology and compilation experience)

The authors developed and tested a methodology for compiling interregional stratigraphic correlation schemes for the land-sea transition area of the Russian Arctic. The methodology combines seismic profiling results obtained with the common depth point seismic reflection method, geological structure data, litho-biostratigraphic data on offshore and onshore boreholes, geological survey results on islands and archipelagos, as well as information on outcrops and drilling in the coastal zone. To clarify the ideas about the areal sedimentation, the unified palaeogeographic maps of the Russian Arctic are created for subdivisions of the Phanerozoic systems. GIS technologies contributed to compiling new unified structural-facies zoning maps. Interregional stratigraphic correlation schemes are based on developed new zoning maps. The work was based on the modern General Stratigraphic Chart of Russia as well as updated and new stratigraphy data. The results obtained are of practical value for ongoing mapping works in the Russian Arctic and correlation of the subdivisions within the area of the Northern Kara Sea — Barents Sea, Southern Kara Sea, Laptev Sea — Siberian Sea, Chukotka, Taimyr — Severnaya Zemlya, and Ocean legends to series of State geological maps (scale of 1 : 1,000,000). The creation of a unite set including the combination of bio-lithostratigraphic data, dating of rocks and seismic horizons is important due to the insufficient knowledge on the geological structure of the offshore area of the Russian Arctic and the high oil and gas potential of the region as a whole.