The basement’s top tectonics of the East European platform (EEP) has been considered on the basis of the modern mapping data. The importance of the long-lived tectonic zones that form the vortex megastructure has been justified.

Their Riphean — early Vendian evolution was associated with activation of the Paleoproterozoic tectonic zones, which were transformed into paleorifts (aulacogens). The systems of the EEP aulacogens show the features of nonlinear structure and development: their evolution proceeded in the mode of transtension inside asymmetrically organized space between the active and passive paleocontinental margins; most of the paleorifts display wedge-shaped morphology, signs of asymmetric rifting and blocks rotation, a complex combination of elements of shear zones and gentle detachment zones tectonics, the vortex megastructure of the entire rifts system. Using an «iris diaphragm» model and the reconstructions with reversing plate rotation makes possible to explain the main patterns of the long-lived vortex structure of the EEP.

Litho-mineralogical and structural-formation generation features of Upper Devonian-Carboniferous crusts of weathering on terrigenous-carbonate rocks, kimberlites and deposits enriched by products of their redeposition, have been studied, that allowed restoring of the specific features of upper Paleozoic productive horizons generation of the main diamondiferous regions of the Siberian platform, and then, the areas, favorable for generation and preservation of kimberlite (including diamondiferous) material dispersion haloes, have been distinguished within them. Analysis of Upper Paleozoic deposits facies, as well as specific features of their location, has allowed to establish that denudation of the rocks of the region was insignificant since the moment of their crust formation and up to completion of upper Paleozoic sedimentation, and occurred only along the stream flows. The omnipresent availability of crusts of weathering on terrigenous-carbonate rocks of lower Paleozoic, preserved from washout by upper Paleozoic deposits, points on it. These formations are usually elongated in the form of narrow streams and represent fragments of most initial erosion of the crusts of weathering in post-Carboniferous time. That is why, at such minimal shear, practically all kimberlite minerals, occurring in Upper Paleozoic deposits, are redeposited from more ancient pre-Lapchanian formations. The necessity of differentiated approach to studying formation conditions of various facies of diamondiferous upper Paleozoic deposits of continental and coastal genesis has been substantiated, and firstly — studying of their specific features. The complex research is required, with application of structural-tectonic, lithological-facial and formation-cyclic analyses, which would allow allocating specific areas favorable for generation of ancient placers of diamonds or discovering kimberlite pipes.

In the structure of the Sakmara allochthon of the Southern Uralssequence with rhyolites and ignimbrites locally occures. They have Nb-Zr-REE geochemical specialization. This sequence unconformably overlays folded Paleozoic complexes, including the Devonian ones. Rhyolite contains K-feldspar and quartz phenocrysts, K-feldspar glomeroporphyrites and granite xenolith. Geochemical features of the rhyolites show intraplate-originated affinities and A-type granite composition. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age of the felsitic matrix of the rhyolites of 303±2 Ma defines the age of the volcanic complex origin. For feldspar phenocrysts the age of 306±3 Ma and 337±3 Ma is obtained. The first value coincides to the matrix age and connected with formation of the volcanic complex. The second value belongs, apparently, to xenogenic material. Obtained age values reflect the evolution of Carboniferous active continental margin magmatism, widespread in different structural zones of the Urals. Rare-metal rhyolites characterize the final late Carboniferous intraplate (rift-related) back-arc magmatism at the active continental margin. Volcanism preceded to a collision-related ophiolitic thrust nappes emplacement.

Areas of distribution of alkaline granitoids in southernKazakhstanhave been identified, most of which are located within the Kendyktas-Chu-Ili-Betpakdalin uranium-bearing province, traditionally considered as Late Devonian-early Carboniferous. Arguments in favor of late Paleozoic age of alkaline rocks have been given. The proximity of the petrographic composition, petrochemical and geochemical features of the alkaline granites of the Chu-Ili-West-Balkhash area and late Paleozoic alkaline granites of the Zailiysky area has been established, confirming their age and continental rift origin. Similarity in the development of magmatism and hydrothermal mineralization of ore-bearing volcanic structures of the Chui area (Kurmanshitinskoe) and North-Western Chingiz (Ulkentuz and Dostar) has been revealed. In these structures, Devonian volcanic rocks are interspersed with subvolcanic bodies of comendites and later dikes of microgabbrodiorites and microdiorites. The hydrothermal mineralization of these structures took place in multiple stages. The early stage includes secondary quartzites, which developed in Devonian volcanogenic rocks. Comendite is associated with K-feldspated and albitized rocks, as well as with zones of rare-metal (Zr, Nb, Th, U and TR) Fe-Mg metasomatites that originated in the middle stage. In the later stage, after the introduction of microgabbrodiorite dikes, berezites with U-Mo mineralization formed. Comendites in the structures of the North-Western Chingiz break through the deposits D2-3 and D3-C1 and are considered to be the comagmatic alkaline granites of the neighboring late Paleozoic massifs (Tleumbet and Kuyrektykol). The noted similarity may also indicate that the Chui area comendites are likely to be dated to the late Paleozoic age. Examples have been given to the superposition of berezites and U-Mo mineralization on the late Paleozoic granosyenites, which are widespread in the Kurdai volcanic structure, as well as on the alkaline granites of Karasai volcanic structure. Their age may also be late Paleozoic. Additional research has been recommended for the final conclusions on the age of alkaline rocks and uranium mineralization.

The results of field work carried out by the authors in September2017, inthe region of the eastern side of the southern part of the Pre-Urals foredeep, have been presente. It has been shown that the studied object has significant prospects of oil and gas potential, which has been confirmed by a number of marked signs and assumptions (oil manifestations, presence of a smell of oil). The results of studies of 21 samples of Paleozoic rocks of different ages, selected during the field work, by the Rock-Eval express method have been presented. At such analytical level, for the first time in the region, the Silurian deposits (Sakmar Formation of the Llandoveri Stage) have been studied. According to the results of pyrolytic studies it has been proved that the rocks of this age within the southern part of the Pre-Urals trough are oil and gas source rocks and are characterized by a rich generation potential.

A possible correlation between the destructive earthquakes of magnitude M = 7 and above and luni-solar gravity variations between 1975 and 2015 has been analyzed. The lunar-solar variations are characterized by three extreme points: the maximum and minimum values of gravity, and the maximum rate of change of variations. At this time, there is an extreme impact of lunar-solar attraction on the earth’s crust and the Earth as a whole. Variations can be a source of irreversible deformation in the earth’s crust. If in this case, there is an additional external impact of space factors, the probability of an earthquake is increased. In a time, the earthquakes are grouped near extremes of lunar-solar variations: half of the events are associated with the maximum gradient of variations change, and the second half is equally confined to the maximum and minimum value of gravity variations. Lunar-solar variations of gravity in conjunction with other cosmic influences can cause earthquakes.

The paper describes the interpretation of the terms «ecologic potential» (EP) and «environmental and hydrogeological system», proposed by the author to assess the ability of the hydrogeological system to maintain or restore the properties of its self-organization under the influence of the man-caused stress. The environmental-hydrogeological systems developed within the boundaries of Pekhorskoe deposit of groundwater in the area of landfill «Kuchino», have been considered. The high level of the groundwater pollution of the lower-middle Quaternary aquifer as a system of the type I devoid of aeration zone as a result of storage of municipal solid waste (MSW), has been suggested. The evidence data of the groundwater quality of the aquifer Kasimov as the EGGS of type II has shown the formation of the high ecologic potential, stable for more than 50 years as a result of the processes of destruction in relation to nitrogen compounds, organic substances, petroleum products, anionic surfactants, pathogenic microorganisms, phenols. It is also shown that macro-components have a lower potential, which is provided by the processes of groundwater flow expansion of the the solid waste landfill.

The Iultinskoye deposit was discovered 80 years ago in the remote and unexplored region of Chukotka. Discovery and development of the deposit were accompanied by serious difficulties. A brief biographic data about the discoverer of the deposit V.N. Milyaev has been presented here. The Iultinsky mining processing plant, which was opened in 1959, was closed in 1994 due to the changing in the economic situation. The deposit was conserved, Iultinsky village was liquidated. Vernadsky State Geological Museum RAS has samples of cassiterite and wolframite, collected by geologists of the Second Chukotka Glavsevmorput expedition in the year of the deposit discovery.

The main side of the W. Smith’s work — geological mapping — has been shown to be expressed in the series of maps, created by him, and first of all in the «Map of layers of England and Wales». The layers represented for Smith an object for mapping. His stratigraphic tables constitute the lists of stratons, systemized in the order of their bedding and origin. W. Smith discovered a general sequence of 34 layers ofEnglandandWales, in more detailes separated the deposits, substracted later in the Jurassic system. Fossils were considered by W. Smith as specific features of layers, being mapped. The very combination of the characteristics of talented geologist — map-maker und collector of fossils — allowed making the famous conclusion that every layer contained the fossils, typical exactly for it. W. Smith showed the specifics and continuity of paleontological characteristics of different layers, predefined the oportunity of their recognition and identification and designed the base for the development of biostratigraphic method and historical geology in a whole. The short biographic data for Smith has been given.