Pyroclastic rocks in deposits of the potassic subformation of the Pripyat intracontinental palaeorift

Abstract

The paper presents characteristics of composition, structure and distribution pattern of tuffaceous interbeds of the Mid-Late-Famennian potassic subformation of the Pripyat intracontinental palaeorift (the Pripyat Trough, Belarus). Solid products of volcanic activity found there are proofs of significant volcanism influence/contribution on/to accumulation of salt deposits in the Pripyat Trough. Abundance of clastic material, its granulometric and mineralogical composition and distribution within the sedimentary area affected formation of lithological complexes. Interbeds of tuffaceous clays, occurring at 12 levels of the potassic subformation, suggest that the salt accumulation was accompanied with the volcanic processes. Pyroclastic rocks are represented by ash particles (morphologically well-preserved in some crystal-vitric tuffs), pumice, mineral crystals and lithoclasts.