{"id":2547,"date":"2021-01-02T18:04:29","date_gmt":"2021-01-02T12:04:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/geotianshan.org\/?page_id=2547"},"modified":"2022-12-17T18:42:24","modified_gmt":"2022-12-17T12:42:24","slug":"2547-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.geotianshan.org\/en\/expeditions\/2547-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Paleontological expedition to the South Tian-Shan. Research of the Mesozoic fauna and flora of Madigen. Completed in 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>IGCP 727 Geological heritage \u2013 sustainable management of geological hazards and water resources in transboundary region of Kyrgyzstan<\/strong><\/p>\n

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The Tian-Shan Geological Society, together with the Academy of Sciences of Kyrgyzstan, in August-September 2021, is organizing a paleontological expedition to the future UNESCO Geopark “Madygen”. We hope that international cooperation will be the basis for good results that will contribute to achieving the status of a UNESCO Global Geopark. In this regard, we invite interested researchers to take part in a paleontological expedition to the southwestern Tian-Shan. The expedition is scheduled from August 13 to September 01, 2021. <\/strong>For those wishing to leave earlier, transport will be provided to the airport in the Osh city, on August 25-26.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Expedition organizers:\u00a0\u00a0Tien-Shan Geological Society<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0and\u00a0Institute of Geology of the National Academy of Sciences of Kyrgyzstan<\/a> .<\/p>\n

Dates are subject to change.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Research of the Mesozoic fauna and flora of Madigen. <\/strong><\/p>\n

The Madigen Mountains are located in the southwestern Tian-Shan of Kyrgyzstan. These unique places are still untouched by tourists.
\nMadygen is known in the scientific literature as a unique stratotype area with the distribution of Triassic geological layers containing various paleo-fauna. It is an area with an extensive distribution of the Mesozoic complex of continental deposits, creating unique geological landscapes. Madygen is a striking and classic example of the Mesozoic (MZ) era on the Eurasian continent. This area is known in the world paleontological science as an area with rare representative forms of fossils. Single specimens of many species of paleo-fauna and paleo-flora were found here, which made it possible to reconstruct paleogeographic and geological events over millions of years. The paleontological findings of Madigen have become outstanding discoveries of scientists.
\nThe mountains of Madigen are striking in their beauty! Madygen is an outstanding aesthetic landscape that must be preserved for future generations and science. These landscapes are intended for the aesthetic enjoyment of nature. These fantastic landforms attract many tourists from around the world.
\nThe most common representatives of the fossil fauna in Madigen are bivalve mollusks of the Bivalvia class. Fossilized shells are made up of powerful geological layers. The large thickness of these formations indicates their mass extinction in different periods of the Mesozoic era.<\/p>\n

The world fame for this area was brought by unique and single in world practice, paleontological finds. For example: Sharovipteryx mirabilis – lived during the Triassic period 242-227 million years ago. One of two species in the Sharovipterygidae family and the only one of its kind Sharovipteryx. He is known for the only fossil found in the Madygen tract, so it is assumed that he lived in the territory of modern Central Asia.<\/p>\n

Some rare species of fossil fauna of Madigen<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

The vicinity of Madygen is a territory where Paleozoic (Silurian, Devonian, Permian periods) and Mesozoic geological layers (Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous) are common in a relatively small area. The structural geological structure is also striking in its diversity.
\nThis area is of global importance, which describes a long period of geological history. Currently, Kyrgyz scientists and officials are working to make this area a UNESCO Geopark.<\/p>\n

In this regard, we invite paleontologists and geologists to take part in an expedition to the south-west of Kyrgyzstan in order to study the paleontology and geological history of Madygen.
\nIn addition to unique geological formations, there is also a canyon formed in Devonian limestones. The canyon contains a variety of evidence reflecting the tectonic evolution of the region. For example, sediments in the form of outliers at different heights of the vertical canyon walls, marking the level of the basis of erosion. There is also the ancient Kani-Gut cave mine and metallurgical complexes, in which ore was extracted for the production of coins on the Great Silk Road. There are amazingly beautiful geological landscapes that can confidently claim the status of a UNESCO Geopark.<\/p>\n

Despite previous studies, the Mesozoic layers of Madygen remain unexplored for the creation of a Geopark.<\/strong> For this, it is necessary to study and systematize the objects of the geological heritage, to carry out the reconstruction of the geological history. It is necessary to carry out stratigraphic studies.
\nIn addition, we plan to study the most representative objects of the geological heritage to show them to tourists, develop infrastructural and technical solutions in order to preserve the objects of the geological and cultural heritage.<\/p>\n

In this regard, we invite scientific centers, experts, associations, institutes and universities, as well as other interested organizations for cooperation.
\nWe look forward to the help of international organizations, sponsors and international donors.
\nWe hope to use modern research methods<\/p>\n

The main goals of the expedition:<\/strong><\/p>\n