Abstract
Purpose. Studying the genesis and position of the Zhailma trough in the tectonic structures of Central Kazakhstan. Methodology. Critical analysis of literature and stock materials, comparative analysis of geological, geophysical and morphological factors characteristic of continental rifts, features of the formation of volcanic graben synclines, analysis of the results of isotope dating of rocks. Findings. The Zhailma graben-syncline is not an independent structure of the rift origin. The formation of Zhailma is associated with the general evolution of the Sarysu-Teniz segment of the Devonian volcano-plutonic belt. The formation of the Zhailma graben syncline is associated with subsidence after ejections of significant masses of felsic magmatic material. Originality. The authors carried out a comparative analysis of the geological, geophysical and morphological data of the Zhailma structure with similar data characteristic of modern continental rifts. As a result of the analysis, it was established that the rift genesis of Zhailma remains controversial. This structure developed simultaneously with the Devonian volcanic-plutonic belt, and is genetically related to the processes of volcanism. The authors suggest that Zhailma is a volcanic graben-syncline. Practical value. Over a long period of studying the structure, an opinion was formed about the futility of the Sarysu-Teniz segment of the Devonian volcano-plutonic belt for the identification of industrial deposits. An exception was the Zhailma trough, which is a unique Famennian-Carboniferous sedimentary structure in terms of ore saturation, containing significant reserves of iron-manganese, barite-polymetallic and barite proper ores. In this connection, the authors consider it practically important to study the existing graben-synclines in the area of the Devonian volcano-plutonic belt in order to identify industrial deposits of the Atasu type.