Established and Proposed Geosites of Visean (Carboniferous) Plants from the Moscow Basin

Fossil plant localities are potential geosites, but related information is limited for some paleofloristic domains. Four geosites representing Visean (Mississippian, Carboniferous) plant-bearing deposits are reported from two areas of the Moscow Basin (central eastern Laurussia). These are the Mount...

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Main Authors: Yulia V. Mosseichik, Igor A. Ignatiev, Natalia N. Yashalova, Dmitry A. Ruban
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Geosciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/15/5/159
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author Yulia V. Mosseichik
Igor A. Ignatiev
Natalia N. Yashalova
Dmitry A. Ruban
author_facet Yulia V. Mosseichik
Igor A. Ignatiev
Natalia N. Yashalova
Dmitry A. Ruban
author_sort Yulia V. Mosseichik
collection DOAJ
description Fossil plant localities are potential geosites, but related information is limited for some paleofloristic domains. Four geosites representing Visean (Mississippian, Carboniferous) plant-bearing deposits are reported from two areas of the Moscow Basin (central eastern Laurussia). These are the Mountainous Msta area in the northwestern segment of this basin and the Tula Region in its southern segment. The localities were examined in the field and characterized with criteria related to geoheritage properties (e.g., geoheritage types, physical view, accessibility, vulnerability, and research importance). One of these localities has already been established as a geosite (official status of protected area) and three other localities are proposed as geosites in this work (two of them are situated in the planned protected area). It is established that all considered geosites represent notable assemblages of Visean plants, with some exhibiting unique preservation and interesting sedimentary features, such as the “Tula pipes”. Essentially, the localities are small natural outcrops and abandoned quarries with perfect accessibility. They have potential for future research projects, as well as for geological education and tourism. Presently, their vulnerability is only potential, but it can increase due to touristic exploitation in the nearest future; thus, this property requires special attention. More generally, these geosites are important sources of the knowledge of the Early Carboniferous equatorial vegetation in eastern Laurussia.
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spelling doaj-art-7dcfbcec474345709df93c78dbf4ab4f2025-08-20T01:56:28ZengMDPI AGGeosciences2076-32632025-04-0115515910.3390/geosciences15050159Established and Proposed Geosites of Visean (Carboniferous) Plants from the Moscow BasinYulia V. Mosseichik0Igor A. Ignatiev1Natalia N. Yashalova2Dmitry A. Ruban3Geological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pyzhevsky Lane 7(1), 119017 Moscow, RussiaGeological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pyzhevsky Lane 7(1), 119017 Moscow, RussiaDepartment of Economics and Management, Business School, Cherepovets State University, Sovetskiy Avenue 10, 162600 Cherepovets, RussiaInstitute of Tourism, Service and Creative Industries, Southern Federal University, 23-ja Linija Street 43, 344019 Rostov-on-Don, RussiaFossil plant localities are potential geosites, but related information is limited for some paleofloristic domains. Four geosites representing Visean (Mississippian, Carboniferous) plant-bearing deposits are reported from two areas of the Moscow Basin (central eastern Laurussia). These are the Mountainous Msta area in the northwestern segment of this basin and the Tula Region in its southern segment. The localities were examined in the field and characterized with criteria related to geoheritage properties (e.g., geoheritage types, physical view, accessibility, vulnerability, and research importance). One of these localities has already been established as a geosite (official status of protected area) and three other localities are proposed as geosites in this work (two of them are situated in the planned protected area). It is established that all considered geosites represent notable assemblages of Visean plants, with some exhibiting unique preservation and interesting sedimentary features, such as the “Tula pipes”. Essentially, the localities are small natural outcrops and abandoned quarries with perfect accessibility. They have potential for future research projects, as well as for geological education and tourism. Presently, their vulnerability is only potential, but it can increase due to touristic exploitation in the nearest future; thus, this property requires special attention. More generally, these geosites are important sources of the knowledge of the Early Carboniferous equatorial vegetation in eastern Laurussia.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/15/5/159equatorial paleoenvironmentsLaurussiaLate Paleozoicpaleobotanical heritageresearch potential
spellingShingle Yulia V. Mosseichik
Igor A. Ignatiev
Natalia N. Yashalova
Dmitry A. Ruban
Established and Proposed Geosites of Visean (Carboniferous) Plants from the Moscow Basin
Geosciences
equatorial paleoenvironments
Laurussia
Late Paleozoic
paleobotanical heritage
research potential
title Established and Proposed Geosites of Visean (Carboniferous) Plants from the Moscow Basin
title_full Established and Proposed Geosites of Visean (Carboniferous) Plants from the Moscow Basin
title_fullStr Established and Proposed Geosites of Visean (Carboniferous) Plants from the Moscow Basin
title_full_unstemmed Established and Proposed Geosites of Visean (Carboniferous) Plants from the Moscow Basin
title_short Established and Proposed Geosites of Visean (Carboniferous) Plants from the Moscow Basin
title_sort established and proposed geosites of visean carboniferous plants from the moscow basin
topic equatorial paleoenvironments
Laurussia
Late Paleozoic
paleobotanical heritage
research potential
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/15/5/159
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AT natalianyashalova establishedandproposedgeositesofviseancarboniferousplantsfromthemoscowbasin
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