ИСТИНА

Study area is located on the eastern macroslope of Suzdal Opolie MIS6 glacial upland (56°22'24"N, 40°23'45"E, app. 143 m a.s.l.) and represents flat and gently sloping hilltops composed of glacial diamicton covered by loess-like loams. Postglacial thickness (3-4 m) is lateraly differentiated reflecting paleocryogenic polygonal microtopography. Despite being almost levelled the latter is considered to play a leading role in the formation of surface polygenetic soil complexes. However reconstructions of the Late Pleistocene – Holocene history of sedimentation and erosion, as well as their interrelation with pedogenesis and cryogenesis in the region remain controversial. We aimed to link pedogenic features with the buried geomorphic surfaces and trace their spatial distribution. To achieve this, we studied a paleocryogenic system of polygons, throughs and associated erosional forms found on the local watershed. Field study supported by the UAV and geophysical surveys, in situ magnetic susceptibility measurements and laboratory investigation allowed distinguishing stratigraphical units and levels of stabilization highlighted by pedogenic and cryogenic horizons and features. We found erosional boundaries indicating multiple denudation periods resulted in the truncation of soils and formation of welded profiles. Buried surfaces were reconstructed based on the interpolation of geological and geophysical data allowing creation of 3D model of the key site and delineation of the soil bodies with different sets of multi-temporal features related to MIS3 interstadial, Late Glacial and Holocene pedogenesis. Research was supported by Russian Science Foundation project #23-17-00073 since May 15 2023.