Marine Geology

Mass extinctions were caused by powerful volcanism, asteroid impacts and, probably, changes in the frequency of geomagnetic inversions. These factors acted within close time intervals. This gives reason to believe that they are coherent, interconnected, by a common root cause of a higher order, located outside the solar system.

The area studied is characterized by a regional stratigraphic gap from the early Miocene up to the Quaternary. Deposits from the late Eocene to the early Miocene were revealed at the bottom surface or under a thin sedimentary cover. Ferromanganese nodules, mostly of the Oligocene age, are deposited over the surface layers of the Tertiary or Quaternary sediments. A detailed micropaleontological study of a block of dense ancient clay coated with a ferromanganese crust was carried out. A study of the composition of the radiolarian and diatomaceous complexes found proved that the crust was formed in the Quaternary over an eroded surface of late Oligocene clay. In the Quaternary, the Neogene sediments were eroded and washed away by the near-bottom currents. It is likely that the erosion began 0.9-0.7 Ma at the beginning of the "Glacial Pleistocene." The erosion could be initiated by the loosening and resuspension of the surface sediments, resulting from the seismic action generated by strong earthquakes in the subduction zone of Central America. The same vibration maintained residual nodules at the seafloor surface. Thus, for the area studied, a common reason and a common Quaternary interval for the formation of the following features is supposed: the regional stratigraphic gap, the formation of the residual nodule fields, and the position of the ancient nodules over the surface of the Quaternary sediments.

Maria Vasilyevna Klenova: Science and Life Professor M.V.Klenova (1898–1976) was the founder of Russian marine geology, the first professional marine geologist. Her fundamental monograph “Geology of the Sea” (1948) is still relevant. Starting from work in the Barents Sea on the legendary ship Perseus (1925) and to work in 1972 on the ship Vityaz, she participated in many expeditions. Klenova was a passionate polar exploration enthusiast. She worked in the Arctic and Antarctic. She is the author of more than 250 scientific publications. Klenova had a passionate, sharp temper. Her extraordinary deeds and statements spawned numerous legends. Her will, purposefulness, and dedication to science evoked the respect of all who knew her. Профессор Мария Васильевна Кленова (1898–1976) — основоположница российской морской геологии, первый профессиональный морской геолог. Автор более 250 научных публикаций. Ее фундаментальная монография «Геология моря» (1948) актуальна до сих пор. Начиная с 1925 г. (легендарное судно «Персей», работы в Баренцевом море) и до 1972 г. («Витязь») она участвовала во множестве экспедиций. Клено� ва была горячим энтузиастом полярных исследований и проводила их и в Арктике, и в Антарктике. Кленова обладала пассионарным, резким характером. Ее неординарные поступки и высказывания порождали многочисленные легенды. Ее воля, целеустремленность и преданность на� уке вызывали уважение у всех, кто ее знал.