Usolka Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) for the  base of the Sakmarian Stage of the International Permian Timescale is ratified for the first time in Russia. The deep-water condensed Usolka section and the subsidiary thick shallow-water Kondurovka section with abundant fossils were studied for justification of the base of the Sakmarian Stage taking into account all present-day international requirements.

Polychronic zircons in basite-ultrabasite igneous rocks from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge have been studied. A number of features distinguishing oceanic crust formation were discovered following the zircons’ age determination. It was found out, that along with young zircons, whose age is close to the time of Cenozoic basalt eruption, more ancient (xenogenic) zircons occur in the rocks. It was determined how young zircons differ from ancient ones in their morphological features, internal structure, crystallization temperature, and REE content. Discrete concentrations in zircon dating, coinciding in their manifestation time with tectonic-magmatic epochs in the adjacent continents were identified. In accordance with the geological data, it appears that the present crust in the Atlantic Ocean represents a basement composed of Archean-Paleozoic basite-ultrabasite dislocated and metamorphosed rocks along with Pleistocene-Holocene unmetamorphosed effusive and sedimentary rocks.

Lammin-Suo swamp area is a State hydrological reserve, as well as a training ground of the State Hydrological Institute. The isotopic composition of groundwater and surface water has been measured for the first time. Two different types of water have been identified based on results of δ¹⁸О and δ²Н values. The microcomponent composition of the water has been analyzed during further research. The resulting values confirm the earlier assumption of the contribution of additional swamp supply source. Moreover, these results indicate the sorbent properties of peat deposits.

Detailed lithologic and petrographic studies were carried out. It was identified that the Vereysky horizon rocks are represented by twelve main lithotypes, which  dramatically differ in the character of interrelation between reservoir parameters that is controlled by secondary (postsedimentary) processes. Data of optical-microscopic examinations and laboratory studies of the poroperm properties made it possible to identify that the postsedimentary processes such as leaching, calcitization, recrystallization, silification and sulphatization are the main factors affecting the reservoir properties of carbonate rocks. Structural and textural features of reservoir rocks of the Vereysky horizon and the degree of their postsedimentary transformation are reflected in the character of distribution and interrelation of reservoir properties across the section.

Authors, being guided by geological laws of Nicholas Steno (1669) and using the method, which they called as genetic, have studied the formation and evolution of geology as a rigorous descriptive science. It is shown that regional geology and owing to it, comprehensive geology, originated from stratigraphy, which created the main scientific model of our science – the geological map, and the main scientific method – the geological survey. The epithet “descriptive” as applied to geology expresses its advantage over other rigorous sciences, consisting in the limitless possibilities of factual substantiation of its conclusions.

The problem of the colour model for General stratigraphic chart of Russia in its current version compared to previously published ones is identified. CMYK and RGB colour models along with colour codes for all geological units up to the stage are developed in accordance with the State geological map-200/2 standard of graphic arts. An adapted version of the General stratigraphic chart of Russia for the PetroMod software is presented.

Understanding of sulfur source during metamorphic rock reworking is important for understanding the complete cycle of ore genesis in sulfide deposits. The T-P limits of pyrite-pyrrhotite transformation, which released sulfur as a result of metamorphism, are discussed in the paper. Results of the study show that most of sulfur is released in a narrow interval of temperature that transforms chlorite to muscovite and simultaneously releases H₂O. Most of sulfur and water for hydrothermal fluids, when gold ore deposits can also be formed, are generated under metamorphism from greenschist to the lowertemperature part of amphibolite facies. Tectonic positions for forming such ore deposits and role of carbonic-sulfide sediments and deformations also are shown.

The paper presents new geochronological results on pitchblende from Tuyukan ore cluster in the Tonod district by U-Pb ID-TIMS technique. It has been established that the age of uranium-bearing veins with the richest mineralization is 1234 ± 12 Ma. The conclusion is made about the stage-by-stage hydrothermal uranium ore process with the formation of telescoped polychronous ores in the Tuyukan deposit and later (Riphean) pitchblende veins in its flanks. The latter environment as independent one was first characterized and dated in the Natalie ore occurrence.

In the Ryabinovoe copper-gold-porphyry deposit, the ore mineralization is belonging to multi-stage metasomatism fields, which were formed in two stages. In the first, pre-ore stage, high-temperature potassium-sodium metasomatites – aegirine feldspathites – were appeared whereas gumbeites – in the second, low/medium-temperature stage as a both – carbonate-sericite-muscovite-orthoclase and quartz-carbonate-barite-adular varieties. The results of isotopic investigations (U-Pb, Rb-Sr, Re-Os, ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar, ³He/⁴He, ²⁰Ne) of the above-mentioned metasomatites and ore mineralization are discussed in the paper.

Information on the metallogeny of the Amur Province, the identification of metallogenic zones and ore-placer clusters in it, placer and ore gold extraction since 1868 is given. The ore-placer clusters were ranked as high- (more than 50 tons mined), medium- (10–50 tons) and low-productive (less than 10 tons) according to the amount of gold mined. High-productive ore-placer clusters are subdivided into predominantly placer, ore-placer and predominantly ore clusters. It is shown that high-productive ore-placer clusters have the highest potential in the exploration of new gold deposits; in them, primarily, ore clusters and then ore-placer and placer clusters are most promising.

In the paper, on the basis of applied aspects of modern geology – geological mapping and metallogeny, the possibility of creating a universal geodynamic concept for continents and oceans is being discussed. The non-linearity, non-equilibrium and irreversibility of the Earth’s evolution as a whole, as well as individually of continents and oceans, makes it possible to consider the practical expediency and scientific timeliness of the creation of geodynamic constructions separately for continents and oceans with their inherent subjects and methods of studies. In this regard, we can assume that there is hardly an opportunity today and in the near future to create a universal geodynamic concept.