Geological heritage of the academic expeditions of 1973, 1974, 1976 and their contribution to the knowledge on the geology of the Yuzhny Island of Novaya Zemlya (along the routes of V. A. Rusanov made in 1911)

The work describes the expeditions of 1973, 1974 and 1976 to the Yuzhny Island of the Novaya Zemlya archipelago, which were organised by the Institute of Geology FRC Komi SC UB RAS. The sea field studies done repeats partly the route of V. A. Rusanov’s expedition of 1911. The geological data obtained by V. A. Rusanov during his expedition are highlighted. The contribution of the scientist to the geological knowledge of the territory is analysed. V. A. Rusanov built up paleontological and mineralogical collections. But the actual stone material of V. A. Rusanov remains unavailable. The employees of the Institute of Geology conducted large-scale stratigraphic and paleontological studies, identified ore deposits and ore occurrences in the 1970s. The conducted studies confirmed widespread development of fluorite mineralisation in the southwestern part of Novaya Zemlya. Several dozen new manifestations of fluorite mineralisation were discovered. Devonian volcanic rocks and related manifestations of native copper were studied in detail. Previously unknown areas with copper, lead-zinc and fluorite mineralisation were discovered. The colestine potential of the region was evaluated. Structural and tectonic surveys were carried out. A large amount of paleontological material was collected. This allowed for stratigraphic separation of sediments and their arrangement into layers, as well as for reconstruction of paleogeographic and paleotectonic conditions. For the first time, the northern part of the Yuzhny Island of Novaya Zemlya was identified for Middle Carboniferous deposits, the Lower Carboniferous limestones were found for bitumen occurrences, which were identical to bitumen occurrences in the north of the Bolshezemelskaya tundra. The stone material collected during the expeditions on the Yuzhny Island of Novaya Zemlya is stored in the Scientific Geological Museum named after A. A. Chernov of the Institute of Geology. It is a unique tangible result of the conducted research work and scientific expeditions.