Lower Permian (Asselian-Sakmarian) stratigraphy and biostratigraphy (Ammonoid and Conodont) of Novogafarovo and Kondurovsky, southern Ural Mountains, Russia

Detailed description and analysis of the lithostratigraphy, and ammonoid and conodont biostratigraphy of the upper Carboniferous - Early Permian Novogafarovo and Kondurovsky stratigraphic sections, southern Ural Mountains, Russia has provided a better understanding of the tectonostratigraphic history of the Pre-Uralian Foredeep.; The Pre-Uralian Foredeep was formed during the Middle Carboniferous as the result of Late Paleozoic orogenic events during the suturing of Pangaea and persisted as a structurally complex sedimentary basin through the Permian. Late Carboniferous to Early Permian foredeep sediments accumulated on a mixed siliciclastic-carbonate ramp that sloped westward into a deeper water basin, bordered by the Uralian orogen on the east and shallow water carbonate platform of the Russian Platform to the west. Late Carboniferous to Early Permian strata at Novogafarovo and Kondurovsky reflect deposition on this storm dominated mixed siliciclastic-carbonate outer to middle ramp.; This study has furnished important biostratigraphic data for establishing the Lower Permian (Cisuralian) global geologic time scale, in particular providing crucial supporting data for Kondurovsky as the potential stratotype for the base of the Sakmarian Stage. Discovery and identification of a diverse streptognathodid conodont assemblage provides the data to precisely define the basal Sakmarian boundary. The ammonoid biostratigraphic data supports the placement of this boundary.