Abstract

The paper presents a critical review of the hypothesis that the Khvalynian transgression resulted from abundant inflow of meltwater from Siberian proglacial lakes through the Aral Sea and along the Uzboi channel into the Caspian Sea, and may be considered as a prototype of the Noah's Flood. A thorough analysis of evidence cited by proponents of the hypothesis revealed the lack of factual substantiation; there are no facts indicative of the Aral being a drainage lake, or of Siberian proglacial water inflowing into the Caspian Sea. Spatial distribution of mollusk fauna does not provide support for the view that the Khvalynian transgression was essentially influenced by thawing of ice sheets on the Russian Plain. The Khvalynian transgression, though geologically short-termed, could not be an analogue of the catastrophic Noah's Flood. The sea level was rising at a rate of a few centimeters per year for several thousands of years; that interval covered lifetime of many generations of the Caspian coast inhabitants. The Khvalynian water overflowing along the Manych Strait into the Pontian basin was of even less consequence. It resulted in flooding over the middle part of the Black Sea shelf, sea level rising by 30 m and water salinity increasing by 5‰.

Keywords: Caspian Sea; Khvalynian transgression; Manych Strait; Neoeuxinian basin, Noah’s Flood.