New data on the stratigraphy of the crystalline complexes of Mongolia

Abstract

At present, in Mongolia crystalline complexes are reliably established in almost all major structural elements. The largest field of these complexes is recognized in the Early Caledonian structures of the North-Mongolian Folded Belt, in the Tarbagatai and Baidarik blocks. The crystalline complexes of the South Altai Belt have previously been interpreted as fragments of the Precambrian basement. Recent geochronological and isotope geochemical data have shown that pre-Riphean and Early Hercynian formations can be recognized in the Precambrian of Mongolia. These complexes show evidence of similar metamorphic processes, but are different in structural position and geological history. The paper contains new stratigraphic schemes for metamorphic complexes of the Baidarik and Tarbagatai blocks and also the South Altai Metamorphic Belt (SAMB).