Studies in paleomagnetism, structural geology, and paleontology (mammals, molluscs, palynology) in the coastal sections of the Taman Peninsula north-eastern part (2017–18) resulted in definition of three sedimentary members. The sandy and clayey lower member (I) formed at 2.1–1.7 Ma. It contains a normally magnetised zone within deposits of reversed polarity correlated to the Olduvai Subchron and the Matuyama Chron.
The middle member (II) is composed of the basal pebbles overlain by sands. The reversely magnetised deposits hosting the Sinyaya Balka site, the type locality of the Tamanian faunal complex, is correlated to the basal bed of the middle member II. The overlying sands are normally magnetised (Jaramillo Subchron) in the lower part and show reverse polarity (late Matuyama Chron) in the upper part. The member II is dated in the range of 1.3–0.78 Ma.
The silty upper member (III) represents Middle-Late Pleistocene. The dissimilar displacement degree of the members reflect developmental stages of the Quaternary deformation.
The member I is characterised by dip angles up to 70° is fragmented by faults into blocks. The member II filled the relief of the eroded surface of the Member I and also displaced by faults. The faulting separated the bone-bearing body of the Taman faunal complex as a rock land-slide. The attitude of the member III outline an anticline with a gentle south-western and a steeper north-eastern limbs eroded by land-slides and marine abrasion. During its entire life the anticline was affected by mud volcanism. The anticline continues its development at the present stage.
Mud Volcanism on the Mediterranean Ridge
