This article presents the results of research conducted to determine the possibility of accelerating strength gain and enhancing the operational reliability of concrete. The study tested the effects of modern modifiers on concrete in order to select the composition of rapid hardening concrete (RHC) with better frost resistance characteristics. A basic composition of RHC grade C 25/30 was developed using traditional concrete calculations. Based on the analysis of previous studies by other authors, two basic modifiers (microsilica and calcium chloride (CaCl₂)) and a chemical additive (a hyperplasticizer based on polycarboxylate esters) were selected. Then, a working hypothesis was adopted to find optimal and effective combinations of these components in the concrete composition. In the course of experiments, the most effective combination of additives for obtaining the best RHC composition was deduced by modeling the average strength values of samples in the early ages of curing. Further, RHC samples were tested for frost resistance in an aggressive environment at the ages of 3, 7, 28, 90, and 180 days to determine operational reliability and durability. The test results showed a real possibility of accelerating concrete hardening by 50% at the age of 2 days and achieving up to 25% strength gain by using both microsilica and calcium chloride (CaCl₂). The best frost resistance indicators were observed in the RHC compositions with microsilica replacing part of the cement. The frost resistance indicators also improved with an increase in the amount of microsilica.

Studying paleoclimatic conditions across geological epochs is essential for understanding climate evolution and its influence on Earth’s biosphere. Leaf macrofossils serve as a crucial data source for reconstructing ancient climates due to their sensitivity to environmental changes. Advanced analytical methods, such as the Climate Leaf Analysis Multivariate Program (CLAMP) and the coexistence approach (CA), enable precise assessment of past climatic parameters using fossilized leaf remains. The Erzhilansay locality, dated to the early Miocene, represents a remarkable site with exceptionally preserved and diverse plant fossils, making it pivotal for paleoclimatic reconstructions. This study reveals that mean annual temperatures and summer temperatures in the early Miocene were relatively stable over millions of years. In contrast, winters were notably milder, exhibiting warmer and more consistent conditions. Precipitation levels were significantly higher, fostering the development of dense vegetation, unlike the arid environment seen today. These findings underscore the importance of employing integrated methodologies to reconstruct ancient climates and interpret geological-scale climate changes. The study also offers critical insights into climate dynamics, supporting the development of strategies to mitigate current environmental challenges.

The study and identification of regularities of geological and paleogeographic development of Central Kazakhstan in the Cenozoic is fundamentally important for understanding the geological processes of Eurasia as a whole, as they were reflected in the marine and continental landscapes of the adjacent regions of Western Kazakhstan, Central Asia and Western Siberia. Practically from the beginning of the Cenozoic, a continental mode of sedimentation was established here, with landscapes of denudation plains and low highlands. Organic remains make it possible to dissect the Cenozoic continental strata and reconstruct the stages of landscape development from typically tropical and subtropical in the Paleocene and Eocene to steppe and savannah landscapes by the beginning of the Quaternary. The Goose Flight fauna locality is a stratotype of the Pliocene Pavlodar Formation. It is one of the largest localities of Miocene Hipparion fauna of Eurasia, located in the north-eastern part of Central Kazakhstan, on the Irtysh River, within the city limits of Pavlodar. The location «Goose flight» is comparable to such widely known localities of Hipparion fauna as Taralyk-Cher and Kholu (Russia, Tuva), Baode fauna in Shansi province in China, Grebeniki and Berislavsky in Ukraine, Taraclia in Moldova. The locality needs protection and defence as it is destroyed due to erosion of the banks of the Irtysh River and uncontrolled sampling. The article provides a description of the Pavlodar Formation sediments, its geological and palynological characteristics, as well as the history of the study of the Goose Flight locality, the most complete list of fossils, gives their environmental characteristics and concludes on the conditions of accumulation of the Pavlodar Formation strata.

The article discusses the main provisions of the Charter of the International Program for Geosciences and UNESCO Geoparks, the goals and objectives of UNESCO global geoparks, prospects and opportunities for the organization and development of geoparks in Kazakhstan, their role in the sustainable development of tourism. Tourism in geoparks is focused on a long-term period, in which a balance is achieved in the implementation of economic, environmental, social and cultural development goals, the interests of all stakeholders are taken into account based on the rational use of tourism resources and comprehensive partnerships. Geoparks in Kazakhstan can become a breakthrough project aimed at preserving the country’s natural and cultural heritage, sustainable development of tourism, improving the economic situation and modernizing the consciousness of citizens. В статье рассматриваются основные положения Устава Международной программы по геонаукам и геопаркам ЮНЕСКО, цели и задачи глобальных геопарков ЮНЕСКО, перспективы и возможности организации и развития геопарков в Казахстане, их роль в устойчивом развитии туризма. Туризм в геопарках ориентирован на долгосрочный период, в котором достигается баланс в реализации экономических, экологических, социальных и культурных целей развития, учитываются интересы всех заинтересованных сторон на основе рационального использования туристских ресурсов и всестороннего партнерства. Геопарки в Казахстане способны стать прорывным проектом, направленным на сохранение природного и культурного наследия страны, устойчивое развитие туризма, улучшение экономической ситуации и модернизацию сознания граждан. Аннотация. Мақалада ЮНЕСКО-ның геоғылымдар мен геопарктер жөніндегі Халықаралық бағдарламасы Жарғысының негізгі ережелері, ЮНЕСКО-ның жаһандық геопарктерінің мақсаттары мен міндеттері, Қазақстандағы геопарктерді ұйымдастыру мен дамытудың перспективалары мен мүмкіндіктері, олардың туризмнің тұрақты дамуындағы рөлі қарастырылады. Геопарктердегі туризм дамудың экономикалық, экологиялық, әлеуметтік және мәдени мақсаттарын іске асыруда теңгерімге қол жеткізілетін ұзақ мерзімді кезеңге бағдарланған, туристік ресурстарды ұтымды пайдалану және жан-жақты әріптестік негізінде барлық мүдделі тараптардың мүдделері ескеріледі. Қазақстандағы геопарктер елдің табиғи және мәдени мұрасын сақтауға, туризмді тұрақты дамытуға, экономикалық жағдайды жақсартуға және азаматтардың санасын жаңғыртуға бағытталған серпінді жобаға айналуға қабілетті.

The article is devoted to the study of geoheritage objects and scientific justification for the creation of a geopark in the Ulytau region of Central Kazakhstan. This region is the largest copper-bearing province in the world and has a unique natural and cultural heritage. Purpose of the article: to show the scientific and tourist significance of geoheritage objects of the potential Ulytau Geopark. The geological history of this area tells about no less than 500 million years of the planet's development. Geological, historical and sacred objects make this area an extremely interesting object for the development of geotourism and the creation of geoparks as a basis for sustainable development of the area. The research methods include a bibliographic method, which made it possible to collect information on the geoheritage of the territory; field survey techniques; and methods based on the evaluation of the criteria for eligibility for UNESCO Geoparks. The methodology includes five main blocks of assessment (geology and landscape, structure and management model, interpretation and environmental education, geotourism, sustainable development at the regional level) and represents an integrated interdisciplinary approach that allows to present regional features in the context of the geological heritage of the world. Despite the length of time geology has been studied and resources actively used, geoheritage sites have not been previously studied and characterised. Geoparks in Kazakhstan are at an early stage of development and this article aims to show the potential for establishing geoparks in the Ulytau region.

This article is devoted to the study of geoheritage objects and the scientific justification for the creation of a geopark in the Ulytau region of Central Kazakhstan. This region is the largest copper-bearing province in the world and has a unique natural and cultural heritage. The purpose of this article is to show the scientific and tourist significance of geoheritage objects of the potential Ulytau Geopark. The geological history of this area tells about no less than 500 million years of the planet’s development. Geological, historical and sacred objects make this area extremely interesting for the development of geotourism and the creation of geoparks as a basis for the sustainable development of the area. The research methods included a bibliographic method, which made it possible to collect information on the geoheritage of the territory; field survey techniques; and methods based on the evaluation of the criteria for eligibility for UNESCO Geoparks. The methodology included five main blocks of assessment (geology and landscape, structure and management model, interpretation and environmental education, geotourism and sustainable development at the regional level) and represents an integrated interdisciplinary approach to present regional features in the context of the geological heritage of the world. Despite the length of time geology has been studied and the resources actively used, geoheritage sites have not been previously studied and characterised. Geoparks in Kazakhstan are at an early stage of development and this article aims to show the potential for establishing geoparks in the Ulytau region.