Russian Journal of Earth Sciences
Vol. 6, No. 4, August 2004

Elbrus active Volcano and its geological history

A. G. Gurbanov¹, V. M. Gazeev¹, O. A. Bogatikov¹, V. B. Naumov², A. Ya. Dokuchaev¹ and A. V. Shevchenko³

¹Institute of Geology of Ore Deposits, Petrography, Mineralogy and Geochemistry, Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russia
²Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Moscow, Russia
³Kabardino-Balkarian University

Abstract

Using the new geological map of the Elbrus Volcano (scale 1:50 000) and the new isotopic datings of the volcanic rocks, the formation history of Elbrus Volcano was found to include a pre-caldera, a caldera, and a post-caldera cycle, during which the modern Elbrus stratovolcano was formed. The Early and The Late period of the volcano's evolution have been identified in the two latter cycles.