Some features of the lithology and folded structure of the Taurida strata of Crimea

Abstract

The Taurida Formation of Crimea is a unique sandy shale formation dating back to the Upper Triassic - Lower Jurassic. It is usually called the "shale formation" or "Taurida shales", sometimes its flysch nature is mentioned, and a very complex folded structure is noted, but these features do not provide a sufficiently complete description. In 1937-1940, and then in 1946-1951, we studied the Taurida Formation in all the main areas of its distribution - on the northern slopes of the Crimean Mountains, to the southeast of the Simferopol-Bakhchisarai line (the environs of Simferopol and the upper reaches of the Alma, Bodrak, Kacha and Belbek rivers), and on the southern slopes of the Crimean Mountains, along the Black Sea coast - from Simeiz to Alushta and east of the latter. Everywhere, the Taurida Formation has a number of similar features in its material composition, alternation of rock varieties (rhythmicity) and the nature of the folded structure. All these features indicate that the Taurida strata are typical flysch strata. It should be emphasized that the layers of the Taurida strata are often inverted bedding. Therefore, it is necessary to be able to easily establish the true bedding of the layers in each outcrop based on their macroscopic features. The identification of such features of the Taurida strata is the main objective of this article.