Tag Archives: Russia

Goal!

Mark Wilson June 8, 2009 2:23 am

BABINO, LENINGRAD REGION, RUSSIA–Today we visited an active quarry, which is a different experience from the riverbank exposures and abandoned quarries we have been frequenting.  Quarry mud has a special character — a kind of purified mud, the kind of … Continue reading →

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Typical Geological Field Day in This Part of the World

Mark Wilson June 8, 2009 2:20 am

LENINGRAD REGION, RUSSIA–Before I describe the usual routine we have for this fieldwork, I should note that we are in the “Leningrad Region”, which is distinct from the “St. Petersburg Region” in a formal political sense.  The Leningrad Region is … Continue reading →

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The Other Kind of Deep History

Mark Wilson June 7, 2009 2:16 am

STARAYA LADOGA, LENINGRAD REGION, RUSSIA–This place, known as “Old Ladoga” is where the Russian state began.  It is an important trade junction situated on the Volkhov River not far from where it enters Lake Ladoga.  The Viking roots of this … Continue reading →

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Eating Well in Russian Geologist Style

Mark Wilson June 7, 2009 2:11 am

NEAR KHAMONTOVO, LENINGRAD REGION, RUSSIA–Like most American travelers, I worry most about foreign food and bathrooms.  The food, at least, turns out to be delightful. I try to drink just water and tea where possible, but I am occasionally encouraged … Continue reading →

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Ordovician Hardgrounds

Mark Wilson June 7, 2009 2:06 am

SYAS RIVER, LENINGRAD REGION, RUSSIA–The main geological attractions for me on this expedition are the abundant carbonate hardgrounds in the Lower and Middle Ordovician in this part of the world.  A carbonate hardground is a cemented seafloor.  What were soft … Continue reading →

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A Tunnel to a Frozen Past

Mark Wilson June 6, 2009 2:06 am

SYAS RIVER, LENINGRAD REGION, RUSSIA–“Do you have a light? We are going into caves tomorrow.” I must admit to a bit of trepidation, hearing that question. I indeed have a small flashlight, but not one I’d like to have with … Continue reading →

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First Find

Mark Wilson June 5, 2009 2:02 am

NEAR KHAMONTOVO, LENINGRAD REGION, RUSSIA–When you’re a paleontologist in the field with other geologists for the first time, you need to prove your general scientific worth by either saying witty things or finding an excellent specimen right away. I went … Continue reading →

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A Geological Field House

Mark Wilson June 5, 2009 1:59 am

NEAR KHAMONTOVO, LENINGRAD REGION, RUSSIA–It is not your typical Russian dacha, this field house.  It was purchased partially-finished by Andrey because it is ideally located (N60.01114°, E32.56416°) very near important Paleozoic outcrops.  The setting is beautiful — on the top … Continue reading →

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Sleeper Train West

Mark Wilson June 5, 2009 1:55 am

Andrey and I boarded a west-bound train in Moscow at 6:25 in the evening. It is a nine-hour ride to Volkhov, so the cars are equipped as sleepers. This meant that we shared an open compartment with two other people, … Continue reading →

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Touring Moscow

Mark Wilson June 4, 2009 1:52 am

MOSCOW, RUSSIA–As I write this entry and the following few, I’m deep in the Russian woods in a small “field house” with no internet connections.  I will post this entry and the others when I get the chance and back-date … Continue reading →

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