This article presents an updated structural map of the crystalline basement surface in southeastern Belarus, covering the eastern parts of the North Pripyat Shoulder and Zhlobin Saddle, the southern part of the Orsha Depression, the southwestern slope of the Voronezh Anteclise (including the Klintsy Graben, Surazh and Gremiach basement highs), and the Gomel Structural Bridge. The map depicts the structure of the crystalline basement surface: tectonic blocks are identified, local structures are outlined with contour lines, and tectonic faults that disrupt the basement surface and bound tectonic structures are indicated. A geological cross-section along a line of boreholes drilled in the Voronezh Anteclise and Orsha Depression demonstrates that faults of different orders in this area affect only the Middle Riphean deposits of the platform cover, without penetrating into the overlying sediments.

A fairly large array of information on the water level regime, hydrogeological parameters of water-bearing and low-permeability deposits was collected and analyzed, all large groundwater deposits in the country (with a capacity exceeding 5 thousand m3/day), confined to deposits of the Quaternary, Paleogene, Cretaceous, Jurassic, Devonian systems and Upper Proterozoic rocks were examined. With the modern method of mathematically made warehouse storage, the development and development of the depressive zones of both exploited and the highest groundwater reservoirs (complexes) has been carried out. Ground waters of Belarus are closely connected with ground and surface waters.

The classification of fresh groundwater deposits in Belarus according to the conditions of their relationship with ground and surface waters was developed more than 30 years ago and was improved as research was conducted, which was reflected in a number of publications and is still very relevant today. The authors express their deep gratitude to the team of authors/researchers who took part in the research and geological exploration work that formed the basis for the creation of this typification.

This article examines the distribution patterns of gold and rare-metal mineralization within the Karatau ore zone, part of the Zarafshan-Nuratau metallogenic zone of the Southern Tien Shan. It is shown that two genetic types of mineralization are developing within the area: rare-metal mineralization associated with Early Permian granitoids, and gold mineralization confined to dike belts of Silurian and Late Carboniferous subvolcanic intrusions. Analysis of the geological structure, ore-controlling factors, and orebody morphology revealed a number of characteristic patterns in their spatial localization. Particular attention is paid to fault field structures, cataclasis zones, brecciation, and vein silicification, which determined the distribution of ore bodies in the Kurai, Pridorozhnoye, Aydinbulak, and Pirali ore occurrences and the Sarmich deposit. Common structural features have been identified, allowing us to substantiate the prospects for further exploration in adjacent areas.

The article provides a brief description and reconstruction of a Middle Frasnian coral-stromatoporoid buildup, uncovered by the Rahachouskaya-742 borehole. It is preserved as a xenolith in younger Devonian volcanic formations of a volcanic pipe in the Zhlobin Saddle. The buildup, at least several tens of meters in diameter, could have represented a bioherm or part of a more complex framework structure. The main rock-forming organisms were Tabulata and Rugosa corals, as well as Stromatoporoidea. The organogenic limestones and secondary dolomites of the buildup are characterized by noticeable porosity, indicating their potential for high reservoir properties. Paleogeographically, this structure is confined to the proposed East Belarusian reef belt of the Semiluki Time (Middle Frasnian).

The present study reports data on conodont assemblages recovered from Lower Famennian sediments of the Tremlia and Visha Horizons within the Pripyat Trough. Conodont associations comprising taxa diagnostic of biozones of the Standard Conodont Scale have been recognised. The conodont assemblage recorded from the Tremlia Horizon is assigned to the Palmatolepis termini and Pa. glabra prima zones, whereas the assemblage identified in the Visha Horizon corresponds to the Pa. glabra prima and Pa. glabra pectinata zones. The stratigraphic ranges of the species Polygnathus inaequilateralis Strel’chenko 2013, P. barskovi Strel’chenko 2013, and P. polesicus Strel’chenko 2000 have been refined. Regional stratigraphic correlations have been established between this interval of the Pripyat Trough succession and coeval sections in Volyn–Podolia, the central regions of the East European Platform, the Volgograd– Volga region, the western slope of the Southern Urals, Lithuania, Pomerania, and the Świętokrzyskie Mountains of Poland. Furthermore, palaeogeographic reconstructions were undertaken and spatial patterns in Conodont Alteration Index (CAI) values were evaluated.

This article examines the characteristics of the natural-technical ecological-geological systems of recreational complexes widespread in Belarus. Despite the fact that these systems occupy significant areas of the country, they remain virtually unstudied, with only fragmentary and scattered information available on their abiotic and biotic components. Building on the authors’ previously developed taxonomy of ecological-geological systems in Belarus, this article attempts to compile their general characteristics and identify and characterize the characteristics of their abiotic (lithotope, hydrotope, edaphotope) and biotic (microbocenosis, phytocenosis, zoocenosis) components. The identified patterns and characteristics of the EGS of recreational complexes in Belarus can be viewed as common to similar EGS in Russia and should be considered in engineering and environmental surveys and research.

The work was carried out within the framework of the scientific direction “Rational use of natural resources and environmental protection of the Belarusian Lakeland” (section “Study of the patterns of functioning of natural and technical systems of Belarus, monitoring and management of their state”) of Vitebsk State University named after  P.M. Masherov, approved by the order of the rector No. 7-n dated 20.02.2025, as well as within the framework of the state assignment of the Lomonosov Moscow State University using equipment purchased using funds from the Moscow University Development Program.

This article is devoted to the development of criteria for assessing the geodynamic hazard of active faults. The following research objectives were addressed: substantiating criteria for assessing the geodynamic hazard of fault zones; studying subsurface hydrogen and helium fields in groundwater; conducting gravimetric studies and their analysis; conducting lineament analysis and studying the spatiotemporal dynamics of tropospheric methane fluxes using satellite imagery; and testing a targeted geophysical system for assessing the hazard of geodynamically active zones. A targeted geophysical system for assessing the hazard of geodynamically active zones in industrial and urban areas is proposed, including hydrogen and helium surveys, gravimetry, and Earth remote sensing. Using the study area as an example, a combined analysis was performed of the spatial distribution of hydrogen anomalies in subsurface air, helium anomalies in groundwater, spatiotemporal gravity field anomalies, lineaments identified using the STRM digital elevation model and Landsat satellite images, spatiotemporal changes in the NDMI spectral index, and tropospheric methane flux. Based on the analysis, the current geodynamic activity of the test sites was assessed, and two zones of increased geodynamic hazard — Kostyukovka and Aleksandrovka — were identified.

This article presents the experience of creating a geological information model of the Sozh stadial subhorizon of the Middle Pleistocene Pripyat Horizon in the Vitebsk Region. The modeling was based on a database of drilling data from over 2,300 wells located within the region. ArcGIS, QGIS, SAGA GIS, and other software products were used for data processing and visualization. This paper describes the stages of initial data preparation, the selection of interpolation methods, and the construction of digital models of the roof and base surfaces of the Sozh stadial subhorizon of the Middle Pleistocene Pripyat Horizon. The use of GIS technologies allowed for a detailed characterization of the Sozh deposits’ bedding and an assessment of their thickness and spatial variability, which provides the basis for forecasting the development of common mineral deposits associated with this subhorizon, taking into account rational subsoil use.

The study was conducted as part of task 10.4.02 “Development of geological information models of Cenozoic deposits in Belarus to forecast new, most accessible mineral deposits and manage the mineral resource base” of subprogram 10.4 “Belarusian Subsoil” of the State Scientific Research Program “Natural Resources and the Environment” for 2021–2025.