Russian Journal of Earth Sciences
Vol. 4, No. 4, August 2002
Geochronology of basalts from the Valley of Lakes,
Mongolia, and their correlation
with the Cenozoic sedimentary sequence
E. V. Devyatkin, K. Balogh, and A. Dudich
Abstract
The Valley of Lakes, Mongolia, is a key region in which to elaborate the
geochronology of biostratigraphic horizons of the continental Paleogene and Neogene. Here,
basaltic volcanism is developed widely. Basalt flow units are found alternating with and
overlying sedimentary strata, while dikes and bosses cut through Paleocene, Oligocene, and
Miocene faunal horizons. Analyzing biostratigraphic material in combination with K–Ar
dating affords upgrading the biogeochronological subdivision and correlating some of the
horizons with the mammalian zonation of Europe. The Valley of Lakes thus becomes the
stratotype locality for Cenozoic continental sections in Inner Asia.