AGE OF THE PARAMONOVO FORMATION (THE ALBIAN OF THE RUSSIAN PLATFORM) AND GLOBAL TRANSGRESSIVE-REGRESSIVE CYCLES OF THE CRETACEOUS

An assemblage of calcareous foraminifers (including the planktonic spe cies), which was distinguished for the first time in the Paramonovo Fo rmation of the Moscow region, suggests that the stratigraphic position of the unit corresponds to the terminal Albian (Vraconian), and likel y, to basal Cenomanian. The sedimentological features and ecological t ype of fauna indicate that the initial basin depth of about 90-100 m d ecreased later to 40-50 m, as follows from the appearance of tempestit es in the section. Sediments of the Paramonovo Formation mark the term inal Albian transgression spread over the Russian platform, when the s ea level rose up to +240 m. Comparable amplitudes of sea-level rise we re recorded only for the Oxfordian and late Santonian-early Campanian transgressions. The ''Paramonovo event'' of that high sea-level stand is also traceable in Western Europe.