Specialists from the Karpinsky Institute took part in the public opening ceremony of Russia's first "golden nails" of the International Stratigraphic Scale.

After the official approval by the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS) of the global stratotypes of the boundaries of the two stages of the lower Permian system in the territory of the Toratau Geopark in the Gafuriysky District of Bashkortostan, the "golden nails" of the lower boundaries of the Sakmarian stage - in the section "Usolka" and the Artinskian stage - in the section "Dalniy Tulkas" were solemnly fixed. The event was held with the support and participation of the Government  The Republic of Bashkortostan, members of the UNESCO Global Network of Geoparks, representatives of the national and international scientific community.

Now researchers all over the planet will compare their data with Bashkir standards.

The global stratotypic section of the stage boundary provides the most reasonable level with reliable stratigraphic and paleontological information for the division and correlation of sedimentary formations in the region and for interregional correlation.

"This day is an important step for Russia in world science," said the First Deputy Director General of the Karpinsky Institute Maxim Tkachenko at the ceremony. — Many countries are struggling to have stratotypic sections of the International Scale on their territory. In addition to prestige and new opportunities for scientific tourism, it is also a matter of ensuring the accuracy of determining chronostratigraphic (age) levels during geological work. The installation of two "golden nails" on the territory of Russia at once is a worldwide recognition of the high level of our specialists."

The special symbolism of the event is given by the connection with the heritage of Alexander Karpinsky. He was one of the pioneers of the study of the Paleozoic deposits of the Urals and the Permian system identified in 1841 by R. Murchison. It was A.P. Karpinsky who in 1987 first introduced the "Artinskian stage" as a transitional subdivision of permocarbon, which later became the basis for distinguishing the current Sakmarian and Artinskian stages of the global scale. Subsequent generations of scientists, including our Institute, have made a huge contribution to today's success.

"The Karpinsky Institute is proud of its contribution to this achievement. For many years we have been systematizing data on Russian stratotypes, creating a single digital database and an interactive map within the framework of the "Unified Geological-Cartographic Model". The study of stratotypic sections is an important part of our geological and cartographic field. We actively support the research of potential "gold" and "silver" nails throughout the country and are ready to continue this work," said the Head of the Department of Stratigraphy and Paleontology Elena Rayevskaya.

The establishment of the "golden nails" in Bashkortostan is a vivid confirmation of the strength of the Russian geological school, faithful to the traditions of A. P. Karpinsky, and its leading role in world science! Now these sections are not only scientific standards, but also protected natural monuments, preserved for future discoveries.