The structure of the Yantyshevsko-Juluksky fault which is dividing maksut and suvanak metamorphic complexes forming Uraltau zone (Southern Urals) is examined. This fault is proved not to be an east-vergent back thrust, according to the results of investigation of mezostructural paragenezises of folds developed in the zone of dynamic influence of the southern part of the Jantushevsko- Juluksky fault. A new model proposing that this fault is a deformed thrust in which zone rocks of the suvanak complex were thrown from east to the west over metamorphic rocks of the maksut complex.

A new horizon, called Zaplavnensky, is suggested on the base of verhnesukhorechenskaya subsuite of Buzulukskaya depression in the Lower Triassic of the East European platform. The horizon occupies an intermediate position between the Vokhminsky and the Rybinsky ones and is Dienerian (Late Induan) by age. The main characteristics of Zaplavnensky horizon are a specific pozdnesukhorechensky tetrapod assemblage described earlier as a special «Selenocara-Syrtosuchus fauna», as well as a reversal residual magnetization of the most of its strata.

We conducted complex comparative mineralogical and spectroscopic researches on the quality of quartz raw from the quartzites and associated rocks at the Big Tyuters Island in the Gulf of Finland (Baltic Sea). Various geological and mineralogical studies of quartzites, which were rare in the eastern part of the Baltic shield, and related iron-alumina metasomatites, and also breaking them granitic dykes, revealed the features that they were secondary quartzites formed in the process of carbon dioxide metasomatism under the influence of volcanic fluids. The quartzites are well-processed by a number of characteristics, and according to ESR (electronic spin resonance) data they contained a relatively small amount of Al, Ge, Ti isomorphic impurities and could raise a commercial interest.

The informative and in the whole interesting and useful book of James Wilson and, in particular, a principal scheme of the standard facial zones are analyzed. The book is shown to reflect only one and not most important carbonate sedimentation environments. The very environment is commonly used as an absolute etalon, reference to which does not demand any additional proves.

On the basis of geological and hydrogeochemical analysis, the issue of forming of hydrothermal plumes in Atlantic Ocean is considered. Forms of the ore elements migration in hydrothermal solutions of the Logachev vent field (14°45' N) were researched. According to thermodynamic calculations the main migration forms of zinc and copper were determined in the vent orifice, buoyant and lateral hydrothermal plumes. This analyses allowed establishing the main features of migration forms alteration. In the short term knowledge of migration forms correlation will give a possibility to improve solution analysis with ion-selective electrodes, which are used in hydrothermal plumes prospecting in the ocean, and also to improve a methodology of geochemical research data interpretation and, as the result, to increase a prospecting efficiency.

One of possible relations of stresses in earthquakes centers with physical fields is considered, being expressed in the equations of heat electromagnetic elasticity that are written with the Rabotnov-Lomakin parameters and measurable on the Earth. Such equations are aimed at the search for the earthquake precursors. This paper is of theoretical character. Its main objective is studying the physical-mathematical potential aimed at the search for short-term earthquake precursors that can be presented in physical fields: seismic, thermal, electromagnetic, gravitational, which are measured on the Earth’s surface.

The assessment of the state of pollution of Azov sea bottom sediments with heavy metals - Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, and Hg using the data of «Azovmorinformtsentr» (concentration of heavy metals in bottom sediments in 2010-2014) and published data for 1991-2009 is shown. The highest Pb concentrations (22 to 23 ґg/g for the allowable concentration of 85 ґg/g) were observed in the Taganrog Bay and the sea itself in the mid and late 90-s. In 2014 the maximum concentration in sediments was 44 ґg/g with an average concentration actually in sea equal to 10 rg/g. In 2013-2014 excess of permissible concentrations for Cd of 1,5 ґg/g was documented. Exceeding of the permissible level of Cu (38 rg/g for the allowable concentration of 35 ґg/g) was observed in the period from 1992 to 2005, as in the Taganrog Bay and around the sea. In 2014, the concentration of Cu over the entire area of the sea was still high - 30,2 ґg/g. In the 90-s in the sea of Azov there was a high Zn concentration (104 ґg/g), in 2014 - 48-50 ґg/g, a maximum of 130 rg/g (aliowable - 140 ґg/g). In bottom sediments of the Azov sea there are not the high concentrations of Hg, the maximum content was observed in the 90-s, then the concentration declined and in 2014 does not exceed 0,041 ґg/g (maximum of 0,3 ґg/g).

The express analysis of statistical data on the general tendencies of development of the Russian economy in 2015, and also the main indicators of activity of the mineral and raw complex (MRC) for this period is carried out. The situation in MRC remains unsatisfactory owing to a variety of reasons among which: insufficient funding of investments into fixed capital and in research and development, deterioration in an environment of production of raw materials, decrease in demand for raw materials, updating of environmental problems. Besides, rates of works on diversification of branches and to the solution of innovative tasks are insufficient MRC. The effective organization of an initial stage of geological researches for ensuring reproduction of mineral resources, and also preliminary preparation of development of production of prototypes of the corresponding equipment is necessary.

Reducing the volume of budget financing of higher education, along with the reduction in the number of Russian universities, leads to strengthening of the value of training on a fee-paying basis and the need to find its new forms. We investigated the current state of the market of educational loans. The basic reasons for the low activity of educational loans are revealed. The prospects of development of Russian financial support for pupils and students at the present stage in the form of bank loans are estimated. New approaches to the concept of credit support for national education are justified and defined.

Proved the uniqueness of the educational geological polygon located at the confluence of the Kacha and Alma (southwest Crimea). Consider the organization of training geological practice second course of MGRI in Crimea. Shown modern problems of geological training bases. Proposals for their development.

The first description of the complex of bones from one individual plesiosaur marine reptile from the Upper Cretaceous deposits of the Central Urals is done; the reptiles remains of different species encountered in these sediments so far. The new finding comes from the neighborhood of Kamensk-Uralsky, Sverdlovsk Region. Earlier, these representatives of the Late Mesozoic marine life were not known. The research was conducted by Undory paleontological museum in cooperation with regional specialists of the Middle Urals.

On the basis of specification areas, created in three stockwork deposites - Pervomauskaya, Sherlovaya Gora and Krutoy of Pyrkayiskiy tin ore unit, differing from each other in internal structure, the type of variation of useful components’ contents was analyzed. At stockwork deposits with steep ore-bearing veins’ dip angles the low representativeness of the results of testing on the specification areas was explored, created by vertical drilling of blasting holes. The results of the research showed that the possibility of selective mining should be estimated on the basis of a detailed study of the structural features of ore-bearing veins, which affect the type of variation of the useful components’ contents.

An algorithm for realization of the concept of the early warning of the negative engineering-geological processes development at the base of the structures is offered. It was developed in MGRI-RGGRU in relation to the monuments, on the example of the historical buildings of the Kirill-Belozersky monastery. The features of engineering-geological conditions of the territory of the Kirill-Belozersky museum-reserve are described, the results of the retrospective analysis of the development of historical natural-technical system (HNTS) and its typing are given. The use of the algorithm helped carrying out the assessment of the status and mode of functioning of the local natural-technical systems and establishing the paragenesis of the processes affecting the stability of the monuments.

Statement of an actual scientific and practical task of designing a branch innovative system in geological prospecting branch (BISGeo) is proved. Competency and expediency of creation of BISGeo are caused by requirements of the state innovative policy and strategy of development of geological branch till 2030. Target problems of creation of BISGeo and the basic principles of her functioning are formulated.