Sarykol Gr

As an independent stratigraphic subdivision, it was first identified by E.Ya. Leven (1960).

Synonym: Sarykol series, Сарыкольская серия

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The Sarykol Gr is composed of interbedded greenish-gray and dark gray phyllite-like slates and metamorphosed sandstones containing a few interlayers of marbleized limestones and metavolcanics. These monotonous rocks appear to be dipping monoclinal to the north at angles of 60-80° or are inverted; the tectonic structure of the vast area they occupy is not reliably clarified. Therefore, the thickness of the Sarykol series is also unclear. Estimation of its thickness is roughly 6000-10000 m.* The development of a stratigraphic scheme for the Sarykol series represents an exceptionally difficult task.

During mapping of these deposits, it has only been possible to distinguish a number of layers possessing a rather distinct individuality, but their stratigraphic position remains unclear. E. F. Romanenko and E. S. Chernykh (1970a) from south to north in the visible monocline of the series distinguish five layers: the Muzkol (2000 m) - phyllites with interlayers of limestones; the Apak (1500 m) - quartzites and quartzitic sandstones; the Kulyayryk (2000 m) - quartz sandstones and phyllites with horizons (200 m) of marble-like limestones; the Karatekin (2000 m) - phyllitic shales and sandstones; and the Koshdjilgin (1500 m) - phyllites with interlayers (20-30 m) of limestones.

Its constituent deposits are poorly characterized by organic remains. All known collections of fossil remains in the Sarykol Gr were mainly made from the Muzkol layer (муакольской толщи). Alongside Permian fusulinids and crinoids, remains of Carboniferous foraminifera and algae, as well as Devonian crinoids and tabulates have been found in it (Romanenko et al., 1970b). However, the stratigraphic relationships between the fossil collection points remain reliably unknown. Palynological studies of the Sarykol Gr, conducted by I. A. Siverskaya in 1965-1967, showed that among the spore-pollen complexes there are forms of various botanical-geographical provinces - Westphalian, Gondwanan, Cathaysian, and Tungus. Moreover, forms typical for the Lower-Middle Carboniferous, particularly for the Visean stage of Europe, are met together with the pollen of ancient conifers typical for the Kungurian stage of the Russian Platform and the Urals (Romanenko et al., 1969).