Reference sections of late‒middle neopleistocene friable sediments in Kamchatka: Present-day state and issue of age, and perspectives of study

Abstract

Reference sections of friable sediments in central Kamchatka are studied and their present-day state is described. Previous concepts of the Middle Pleistocene age of these sediments are critically examined. Radiocarbon dates performed in the 1980s‒1990s by researchers at the Geological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, are revised. It is shown that some (oldest) part of dates did not pass the quality check. Results of the new (2016‒2017) radiocarbon dating agree well with the data accomplished previously and supported later by revision. Based on the combined databank with 65 determinations of different species of the buried organic material and mammal bones, the Late Pleistocene age of sediments is suggested. A new interpretation is proposed for the formation setting of some sequences in the studied sections.