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—The previous paleomagnetic studies of the Upper Vendian Zigan Formation sediments on the western slope of Southern Ural revealed uncommonly numerous magnetic polarity zones (Bazhenov et al., 2016). The dating of magmatic zircons from the tuff interlayer constrained the age of this formation to 547.6 ± 3.8 Ma. The rate of reversals estimated from most general considerations is about 20–30 per Myr which is approximately two to three times higher than the highest reversal frequency in Phanerozoic. In this work, a more accurate estimate of the rate of reversals is obtained from cyclostratigraphic study of the lower red-rock part (74 m) of the Zigan Formation in its continuous section along the Sterlitamak–Magnitogorsk road—the longest one among those previously studied by the paleomagnetic method. The correlation of the detailed cyclostratigraphic studies with the magnetostratigraphic column allowed a more reliable estimation of the reversal rate. The studied section in which we identified 20 reversals was accumulated during 1.6 Myr, i.e., the reversal frequency in this interval was 12–13 per Myr. Our quantitative assessment shows that the previous studies overestimated the geomagnetic reversal frequency by a factor of two. However, even the reversal rate estimated in this study can be regarded anomalously high, and the previous conclusions about the existence of a period with anomalously frequent reversals in terminal Ediacaran 547.6 ± 3.8 Myr ago can be considered validated.

A number of ecological and geochemical transformations occurred during late Ediacaran and early Cambrian time, the effects of which are difficult to overestimate. However, the strong linkage of biostratigraphic and chemostratigraphic methods with lithofacies makes the localization of the Precambrian–Cambrian boundary and its correlation with lithologically contrasting sections highly debatable. We analyse the taxonomy and stratigraphic distribution of small skeletal fossils and trace fossils, the carbonate carbon and oxygen isotope composition, and U–Pb detrital zircon age in the Ediacaran–Cambrian transitional interval of the Irkutsk Cis–Sayans Uplift (southwestern Siberian Platform). This interval (Moty Group) comprises a transgressive succession with red-coloured alluvial to deltaic siliciclastic deposits (Shaman Formation) and overlying shallow-marine carbonates (Irkut Formation). The lower Irkut Formation hosts sporadic and poorly preserved tubularCambrotubulusfossils, which are known from both the terminal Ediacaran Period (c. 550–541 Ma) and the Terreneuvian Epoch (541–521 Ma), and typical Fortunian trace fossils, including an index ichnotaxon of the Cambrian boundaryTreptichnus pedum. The biostratigraphic and carbonate carbon isotope data and U–Pb concordia ages of 531.1 ± 5.2 Ma (mean weighted, 530.6 ± 5.3 Ma) of the five youngest zircon grains from the lower Irkut Formation indicate that at least the shallow-marine carbonates of the upper Moty Group correspond to the Cambrian Stage 2 (c. 529–521 Ma). In the Irkutsk Cis–Sayans Uplift, the Cambrian Period tentatively began before or during the accumulation of the alluvial to deltaic siliciclastic Khuzhir and Shaman formations, and this crucial divide remained unmarked in the palaeontological and isotopic records.

U–Th–Pb (SHRIMP II) isotopic dating of accessory zircons from Vendian (Ediacaran) ash tuffs of the Basa formation section (Asha Group, Southern Ural) was performed for the first time. The concordant age obtained (573.0 ± 2.3 Ma) can be interpreted as the upper age limit of the onset of the Timan Orogeny in the structure of the Southern Urals. Fossil remains of Kuckaraukia multituberculata and several paleopascichnids, belonging to the genera Palaeopascichnus and Orbisiana, were previously found in the rocks of the Upper Basa Subformation, and the first occurrence of Arumberia banksi was established. The age obtained indicates a more ancient age of this Vendian assemblage compared to the previously accepted one.

—The analysis of paleomagnetic data from Late Neoproterozoic complexes of Siberia and Australia is carried out. We show that the existing paleomagnetic datasets are in a disagreement with the concept of the axial-dipole configuration of the Late Neoproterozoic geomagnetic field: proposed non-actualistic models of the field do not reasonably explain the distribution of the paleomagnetic poles. We carried out analysis of paleomagnetic and virtual geomagnetic poles distribution based on simple geometric calculations. The analysis suggests that the configuration of the Late Neoproterozoic geomagnetic field was determined by the coexistence of a weak, long-lived source that was stably fixed in space, with a main dipole source that experienced sporadic multidirectional jumps within a certain preferred region of the Earth. Predominantly equatorial orientation of the main dipole source is substantiated by paleoclimate proxies. We propose a descriptive non-actualistic model of the Late Neoproterozoic geomagnetic field—the Devious Equatorial Dipole hypothesis, which brings paleomagnetic and paleoclimate data into accordance.

New data on the 87Sr/86Sr ratio variations in carbonate rocks of the Dal’nyaya Taiga Group in the Vendian reference section (Ura Uplift, Central Siberia) are presented. The 87Sr/86Sr variations correlate with the sequence-stratigraphic scheme reflecting evolution of the paleobasin, δ13C variations, and paleontological data. Limestones with a high (>1050 µg/g) Sr concentration, which do not show any signs of alteration of the Sr isotope system, were used for reconstructing the secular 87Sr/86Sr variations. Increase in the 87Sr/86Sr ratio from 0.70755 to 0.70823 complicated by subordinate fluctuations was established in seawater during the accumulation of the Dal’nyaya Taiga Group carbonate rocks. Duration of the postglacial deposition of the Dal’nyaya Taiga Group is estimated at no less than 14–15 Ma. Secular variations of the 87Sr/86Sr ratio measured in the Dal’nyaya Taiga Group limestones are similar to changes of this ratio after the Marinoan glacial period. The Sr and C isotope correlations suggest a prolonged hiatus between the Dal’nyaya Taiga and Zhuya groups.

—Paleo- and rock magnetic, sedimentological, and isotope geochemical study is carried out for the carbonate member of Late Neoproterozoic Nichatka Formation (Siberian Platform, western slope of the Aldan Shield) enclosed within glacial deposits corresponding to the hypothetical event of “Snowball Earth” global glaciation. Based on the sedimentological, rock magnetic, and geochemical indications it is established that sediments composing this member have varve-type seasonal stratification and, according to our estimates, have been accumulated for at most 13 thousand years. Obtaining the detailed paleomagnetic data for the Precambrian varves allowed us to reveal a linear trend in the distribution of the virtual geomagnetic poles and to link it with the peculiarity of secular variation of the geomagnetic field during the time span of the Nichatka Formation. The paleomagnetic record in the periglacial sediments of the Nichatka Formation testifies to their deposition close to the equator which might be considered as supporting the Snowball Earth hypothesis. However, the absence of annual temperature fluctuations within the equatorial belt makes the formation of seasonal deposits at low latitudes barely possible and completely excludes such a possibility in the conditions close to total glaciation. The contradiction between paleoclimatic and paleomagnetic data is not explained in the context of the actualistic model of the geomagnetic field. The peculiarities of the paleomagnetic record in the Nichatka Formation, similar to the record of the field during the reversal, suggest that the geomagnetic field in the Neoproterozoic could be determined by substantial contribution of the low-latitude non-axial-dipole component. This peculiarity of the Neoproterozoic geomagnetic field can explain the entire set of the worldwide paleomagnetic data implying low latitude glaciations in the Neoproterozoic.

U–Pb dating, Hf-isotope, and trace-element studies on two detrital zircon samples from sandstone interlayers in the Upper Jurassic conglomerates of the Southern coast of the Mountainous Crimea provide new information on the primary crystalline complexes from which those conglomerates were sourced. The U–Pb age spectra of studied zircons suggest that they were most likely sourced from the (meta)sedimentary complexes of the Eastern and Western Pontides blocks and the Dobrogea platform. In particular, a close similarity of the Precambrian age spectra with the detrital zircons from Late Neoproterozoic–Late Paleozoic (meta)sedimentary complexes of the Dobrogea block provides strong supporting evidence for the affinity between the Pre-Mesozoic basement of the Crimea and the Dobrogea platform. The zircons in the first sample were recycled through Dobrogea sedimentary complexes and originated from terranes with Amazonia affinities, while zircons in the second sample were recycled through the Taurides and originated from terranes related to northeastern Africa and Arabia. The strong similarity of the Precambrian parts of the age spectra of the Dobrogea complexes and the sample K15-007 suggests a resemblance of the Crimea’s Pre-Mesozoic foundation and the Dobrogea platform. Initial analytical data are provided in Electronic Supplementary Materials A (ESM A). Descriptions of measurement parameters, methodologies, and constants used to process primary analytical data and some processing results are reported in ESM B (Figs. B1–B8). Schemes of locations within Balkans–Anatolia–Black Sea–Caucasus region the crystalline complexes with Jurassic, Triassic, Permian–Carboniferous, as well as Late Neoproterozoic–Cambrian and Ordovician–Devonian ages are in ESM C (Figs. C1, C3–C5).

The U–Pb dating and Hf isotope systematics of detrital zircons from a sandstone interbed in the section of the upper conglomerate sequence of the Mt. Southern Demerdzhi were carried out. The dominant populations of detrital zircons in the studied sample characterize episodes of magmatic activity within the source of the Upper Jurassic conglomerates. Magmatism was manifested in the Vendian-Cambrian, Carbon-Triassic, and Late Jurassic. The eHf values of detrital zircons of these ages indicate the insignificant role of the ancient (Archean–Early Proterozoic) continental crust in the protolith of magmatic chambers. The similarity of the detrital zircons age distribution from the Middle Jurassic and Upper Jurassic conglomerate strata suggests that they are molasses of the Cimmerian orogen. The absence of products of Middle Jurassic magmatism in molasses of the Cimmerian orogen, which we fixed, limits position of the Cimmerian orogen in the southern part of the Scythian plate. It is shown that the primary source of the Precambrian detrital zircons were mobilized within the Cimmerian orogen the crustal fragments of the Peri-Gondwanan origin, rather than the basement complexes of the East European Platform, similar to the complexes of the Ukrainian shield. The reconstruction of the main stages of the accumulation of the coarse-grained strata of the Mountaineous Crimea in the context of the tectonic evolution of the southern margin of Laurasia during the Mesozoic is presented.

The results of U–Pb-isotopic dating of detrital zircons from sandstones of the Proterozoic Pogor’uy Formation, occurring to the north and south of the East Angara block of Yenisei Ridge, are presented. The sandstones of the northern part of the East Angara block are dominated by Archean and Paleoproterozoic populations of detrital zircons, while the samples from the southern part of the East Angara block have been revealed up to 25% of Mesoproterozoic age grains. The detrital zircon ages allow limiting the maximum sedimentary age of the Pogor’uy Fm. and the entire interval of its formation to 1.2–0.9 Ga. The paleogeographic features of the Pogor’uy Fm. deposition in the context of the existing opinions on the location of Siberia within the Rodinia supercontinent were examined.

U/Pb-isotope dating of detrital zircons from conglomerates of the reference section of the Demerdzhi Formation on the western slope of Mount Southern Demerdzhi was carried out. A cluster of the five youngest, reliably dated zircons with an average age of 154.1 ± 0.73 Ma was revealed, which indicates that the formation of conglomerates overlying the studied layer began to form not earlier than in the Late Kimmeridgian. The dating obtained forces us to reconsider the age of the Demerdzhi Formation, which was previously specified as Oxfordian–Early Kimmeridgian. New data on the age of thecoarse-grained sedimentary rocks of the Crimean Mountains advance concepts about Late Jurassic Cimmerian tectonic activity on the northern Tethys margin.

The paper presents results of the lithological study of Upper Jurassic limestones, flyschoids and limestone breccias on the southern side of the Baidar Valley in the Crimean Mountains. Study of the microfacies revealed that the limestones are represented by deposits on lagoons, platform edge shoals, reefs, and forereef aprons on the carbonate platform slope. Flyschoids include deposits in the distributive turbidite channels and hemipelagic sediments in the deep-water part of the basin. Limestone breccias were formed by gravitation flows on the carbonate platform toe-of-slope and slope. The presence of gravitation deposits in the Upper Jurassic carbonate complexes of the Crimean Mountains can testify to the primary clinoform structure of this sedimentary sequence. Comparison of the obtained sedimentological data made it possible to reconstruct the facies model of the Crimean carbonate platform and main episodes of its formation. Development of the carbonate shelf was related to two transgressive-regressive cycles. A dome-shaped reef was formed away from the coast at the initial (Oxfordian) stage. The carbonate platform was formed at the early Kimmeridgian lowstand stage when sediments were deposited in the internal part of the platform adjacent to land. In the late Kimmeridgian and early Tithonian, configuration of the carbonate platform profile resembled a distally steepened ramp, and its active progradation and shelf expansion took place in the course of transgression. Regression in the late Tithonian–early Berriasian led to regressive transformation of the ramp into platform with a flattened shallow-water shelf. Tectonic deformations at the Jurassic/Cretaceous transition promoted the formation of megabreccias on the carbonate platform foreslope. The tectonically reworked rock sequence of the “extinct” carbonate platform was overlapped transgressively by the upper Berriasian or lower Valanginian, relatively deep-water deposits of the Cretaceous platform cover.

The main results are presented on U/Pb-isotope dating of 100 detrital zircons and, selectively, on the Lu/Hf-isotope system of 43 grains from sandstones of the Lopatinskii formation (the lower stratigraphic level of the Chingasan group). Ages from 896 ± 51 to 2925 ± 38 Ma were obtained with a pronounced maximum of ~1890 Ma in the curve of probability density, along with eHf estimates from +8.4 to–15.1, which allow one to throw doubt upon the molasse nature of the Lopatinskii formation.

New data were obtained on δ13Сcarb and δ18O variations in the sequence of deposits of the Dal’nyaya Taiga series at the western and eastern flanks of the Ura anticline. The summary δ13С curve was plotted in view of the correlation of sequence–stratigraphic data of the basin analysis. A series of positive anomalies was found within the succession. Alternatives for global chemostratigraphic correlation of the Dal’nyaya Taiga series of the Ura uplift were considered.

The paper presents the results of study of the Sr, C, and O isotope compositions in Upper Jurassic carbonate rocks of the Baidar Valley and Demerdzhi Plateau in the Crimean Mountains represented by different facies of the carbonate platform at the northern active margin of the Tethys. The 87Sr/86Sr value in them varies from 0.70699 to 0.70728. Based on the Sr chemostratigraphic correlation, the age of massive and layered limestones in the western part of the Ai-Petri and Baidar yailas (pastures) is estimated as late Kimmeridgian–early Tithonian, whereas the age of flyschoids of the Baidar Valley are estimated as late Tithonian–early Berriasian. The nearly synchronous formation of carbonate breccias of the Baidar Valley and Demerdzhi Plateau in late Tithonian–early Berriasian is substantiated. A summary section of Upper Jurassic rocks is compiled based on the Sr chemostratigraphic data. It has been established that δ18O values in the studied carbonate sediments vary from–2.9 to 1.3‰ (V-PDB). At the same time, shallow-water sediments in the internal part and the edge of the Crimean carbonate platform are depleted in 18O (–2.9 to +0.1‰) relative to sediments on the slope and foothill (–0.5 to +1.3‰). It is demonstrated that δ13C values do not depend on the facies properties and decrease in younger carbonate sediments from 3–3.5‰ to 1–1.5‰ in line with the Late Jurassic general trend. The δ13C values obtained for the Crimean carbonate platform turned out to be 0.5–1‰ higher than the values typical of the deep-water marine setting at the western margin of the Tethys. These discrepancies are likely related to peculiarities of water circulation and high bioproductivity in marine waters of the northern Peri-Tethys.