GİA

ATLAS OF LITHOLOGIC-PALEOGEOGRAPHIC MAPS OF AZERBAIJAN TERRITORY AND AZERI SECTOR OF THE CASPIAN SEA (Scale 1:1 000 000)



I. Scientific background of the project


Geology of Azerbaijan had been studied for more than a century. During this time middle- and large-scale survey have been carried out throughout the territory of out country. As a result of that paleontologic-stratigraphic, lithological and structural-tectonic peculiarities of all sedimentary complexes were studied and geologic, tectonic, neotectonic, lithologic, seismotectonic, etc. maps of Azerbaijan were compiled.


However, in this field of knowledge there exist certain gaps. One of them is lack of a summary generalizing rich lithologic-paleogeographic cartographic material on the territory of Azerbaijan. The first effort taken in this field resulted in the Atlas compiled in years 1962-1963 in scale 1:2.500.000. However, it can not be used for the solution of many problems arising in practice owing to its small scale and a restricted scope of the presented material. Only Meso-Cenozoic history of the Greater and Lesser Caucasus (without depression zones) were presented in it and the Paleozoic period was not presented at all. And at last the material illustrated in the Atlas became obsolete. For the last 40 years in the field of stratigraphy, facies and Paleozoic thickness serious changes have taken place and new results have been obtained which are not familiar to our foreign colleague.


The mew Atlas which will include lithologic-paleogeographic maps of a larger scale (1:1.000.000) characterizing history of geologic evolution of Azerbaijan since the end of the Early Devonian of the Paleozoic erathema (400 Ma) till nowadays. It will also demonstrate tectonic and paleogeographic processes and event which occurred there. They will allow clarifying some issues associated with history of formation of main structural elements and with the assessment of potential of some stratigraphic complexes in connection with economic minerals exploration while developing a complex of lithologic-paleogeographic maps for the new Atlas and appropriate legends there will be used a great experience accumulated by geological science after publication of new works of V.V. Belousov who applied analysis of thickness to assess scales of tectonic movements (1940) and to publish a number of fundamental works (see list of references). Among these works one should make emphasis on Atlas of lithologic-facial maps of the Russian platform (1952-1953) based on the assessment of distribution of different type of rocks in different fields and Atlas of paleogeographic maps of the Eurasian shelf in the Mesozoic and Cenozoic (1990).


II. Objective. Tasks. Information - Methodical Provision


The new Atlas will include 44 colour maps showing all main stratigraphic units of the geologic section of Azerbaijan. Details of the maps will probably depend on the actual and its objective interpretation. For this reason while compiling the Atlas there will be used all available geologic and geophysical data. Their systematization and interpretation will be carried out by research workers - geologists experienced and skilled in the appropriate field of science.


Objective of the project - reconstruction of paleogeographic and geotectonic environments existing in Azerbaijan in former geologic periods, epochs and ages, restoration of historic paleorelief of land and "scenary" of existed geologic processes and also study of history of formation of main structural elements of the region.


To achieve the above mentioned objective the authors are faced the following basic problems:

  • gathering, systematization and data analysis on flora and fauna, lithofacies thickness of the stratigraphic units (from natural seeps and wells) related to the maps in the Atlas;
  • scientific analysis and interpretation of geophysical (seismic, electric, etc.) data characterizing lithofacies and thickness of certain stratigraphic units in the closed areas;
  • role of tectonic faults in the distribution of lithofacies zones and deposits thickness;
  • substantiation of criteria of identification of relief of land and floor of marine basins;
  • correlation of sections, determination of "gaps" and unconformities;
  • compilation of maps with the application of advanced information technologies (GIS).


Methodic base. Normally the paleogeographic map is compiled with account of the initial facts of stratigraphy, lithology and paleontology with the application of different data on the initial distribution of facies of the given geologic time. Unlike the up-to-date geographic maps the paleogeographic maps are the reconstructed outlines of former mainlands and seas and former location of fields and sea depth character of land relief, climatic conditions, etc. most important peculiarities of former geologic epochs. The paleogeographic maps are confined to certain intervals of geologic time - age stratons of the sections and they are based on elements of ancient landscapes which very seldom are preserved in their initial form. For this reason paleogeographic maps with isopachs are compiled mainly with the application of common method of historical-geologic analysis of the facies and thickness of old sedimentary deposits.


III. Structure of the Atlas


The proposed Atlas will consist of 2 volumes. One of them (set of maps) will have a hard cover and another one (explanatory note) will have a soft cover.


The cover of the first volume should contain all necessary title data: Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences; Geology Institute; name of the volume (Atlas of lithologic-paleogeographic maps…) logotype of the Institute; year and place of publication. Content of this volume: page "Content" page "List of the map authors" section "Legend of the maps" and a set of 44 maps:


1. Early- Middle Devonian epoch. Emsian and Eifelian ages.
2. Middle Devonian epoch. Givetian age.
3. Late Devonian epoch. Frasnian age.
4. Late Devonian epoch. Famennian age.
5. Early Carboniferous epoch.
6. Permian period.
7. Triassic period.
8. Early Jurassic epoch. Hettengian and Sinemurian ages.
9. Early Jurassic epoch. Pliensbachian Toarcian ages.
10. Middle Jurassic epoch. Aalenian age.
11. Middle Jurassic epoch. Bajocian age.
12. Middle Jurassic epoch. Bathonian age.
13. Middle Jurassic epoch. Callovian age.
14. Late Jurassic epoch. Oxfordian age.
15. Late Jurassic epoch. Kimmeridgian age.
16. Late Jurassic epoch. Tithonian age
17. Early Cretaceous epoch. Berriassian and Valanginian ages.
18. Early Cretaceous epoch. Hauterivian age.
19. Early Cretaceous epoch. Barremian age.
20. Early Cretaceous epoch. Aptian age.
21. Early Cretaceous epoch. Albian age.
22. Late Cretaceous epoch. Cenomanian age.
23. Late Cretaceous epoch. Turonian age.
24. Late Cretaceous epoch. Coniacian age.
25. Late Cretaceous epoch. Santonian age.
26. Late Cretaceous epoch. Campanian and Maastrichtian ages.
27. Paleocene epoch.
28. Early Eocene epoch.
29. Middle Eocene epoch.
30. Late Eocene epoch.
31. Oligocene and Early Miocene epochs. Maikopian age.
32. Early-Middle Miocene epoch. Tarkhanian and Chokrakian ages.
33. Middle Miocene epoch. Karaganian and Conkian ages.
34. Late Miocene epoch. Sarmatian age.
35. Late Miocene epoch. Meotian age.
36. Late Miocene epoch. Pontian age.
37. Early Pliocene epoch. Balakhanian age (the age of Productive Series or the age of Productive Series forming)
38. Late Pliocene epoch. Ackchagil age.
39. Early Quaternary period. Absheron age.
40. Early Quaternary period. Turkian age.
41. Early Quaternary period. Bakuvian age.
42. Middle Quaternary period. Early Khazarian age.
43. Late Quaternary period. Khvalyn age.
44. Late Quaternary period. Newcaspian age.


An "Explanatory note" would be included in the second volume of the Atlas. It is a material consisting of 100-150 pages, containing a description of all lithologic- paleographic maps.


IV. Group of Authors


Editorial Board


Editor-in-chief: Acad. Ali-Zadeh Ak.A.
Editor, work supervisor: Acad. Mamedov A.V.
Deputy editor, executive performer: Dr. Babaev R.G.
Members of editorial board: Dr. Akhmedbeyli F.S., Dr. Gasanov T.A., Dr. Babayev Sh.A.


The authors of the Maps, included into Atlas (vol. 1)

Surnames and initial Positional number of the map, in compiling of which he/she participates 1
Agayev V.B. 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16
Aliyev Ad.A. 38, 39
Aliyev G.A. 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
Aliyeva L.I. 38, 39
Ali-Zadeh Ak.A. 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26
Allakhverdiyev G.I. 14, 15, 16
Alyyeva S.G. 43, 44
Atayeva E.Z. 32, 33, 34, 35
Akhverdiyev A.T 40, 41, 42, 43
Akhmedbeyli F.S. 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26
Babayev R.G. 12,13,14,15,16
Babayev Sh.A. 27, 28, 29, 30
Bagmanov M.A. 27, 28, 29, 30
Gadiyeva T.M. 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26
Gasanov T.Ab. 27, 28, 29, 30
Gasanov T.A. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
Gasanov I.S. 38, 39, 41, 42
Guseinov A.N. 37
Idrisov V.G. 28, 29, 30, 31, 37
Karayagdi S.K. 36
Korobanov V.V. 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26
Mamedov A.B. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Mamedov A.V. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 13, 14, 15, 16, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 38, 39, 41, 42, 43, 44
Mamedov S.B. 28, 29, 30, 31, 37
Suleymanov A.M. 27
Shirinov O.N. 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26
Eyvazova D.A. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

1 Corresponds to the serial number of the map in section III


The Authors of the "Explanatory Note" (vol. 2)

  • Mamedov A.B. (Lithologic-paleographic maps of the Paleozoic)
  • Gasanov T.A., Babayev R.G. (Lithologic-paleographic maps of the Triassic and Jurassic)
  • Akhmedbeyli F.S., Gadiyeva T.M. (Lithologic-paleographic maps of Cretaceous Age)
  • Babayev Sh.A. (Lithologic-paleographic maps of the Pliocene and Eocene)
  • Mamedov S.B. (Lithologic-paleographic maps of the Oligocene-Early Miocene: Maikopian age)
  • Mamedov A.V. (Lithologic-paleographic maps, covering the period from the Early-Middle Miocene till the Newcaspian age)


V. Terms of carrying out the project

  • Starting: January, 2002
  • Completing: March, 2003


For more detailed information please contact:
Academician Akif A. Ali-Zadeh
29A H.Javid Avenue, Baku AZ1143, Azerbaijan
Phone: (99412) 438-62-30; 497-52-86
Fax: (99412) 497-52-85
E-mail: [email protected]

 





16.12.2010     Print  Print