The Campanian-Maastrichtian magnetostratigraphy of the Volga region (vicinity of Volsk town)

Abstract Paleomagnetism and rock magnetism have been studied for the first time in Campanian-Maastrichtian carbonate deposits (Sengilei, Karsun, and Radishchev Formations) from the Bolshevik and Kommunar quarries near the town of Volsk (Saratov area, Volga region). Characteristic components of normal and reverse polarity were detected in samples demagnetized in the alternating field, and positive results of the reversal test were obtained. The virtual geomagnetic pole wander paths calculated for the Sengilei Formation and lower Karsun Formation rocks showed statistical similarity to those for stable Europe of the respective age. The magnetostratigraphic zones revealed in the Bolshevik and Kommunar sections were correlated to chrons 33r, 32n2, 32n1, and 31r of the geomagnetic polarity time scale. The magnetic zones of predominantly reverse and normal polarity detected, though discontinuously, in the low magnetic uppermost Karsun Formation and in the Radishchev Formation correspond to the top of chron 31r and joint chrons 31n and 30n, respectively. Rock magnetic data help identifying deposits rich in cosmogenic metal particles and provide stratigraphic constraints on the Radishchev Formation base.