Manifestation of intrusive masses structure in the Middle and Southern Urals topography

Abstract

Present-day topography of the Middle and Southern Urals presents different manifestation of intrusive masses. Those corresponding to topographic elevations wedge out downwards, intrusive masses which have no topographic manifestation are horizontal sheets. An analysis of the masses forms, their geomorphological features, physical properties of rocks (including resistance to weathering and erosion) as well as data on dynamic conditions of the Urals neotectonic development leads the authors to the conclusion that the topographic elevations within the intrusive masses area are due to tangential contraction of the earthcrust, the tectonic wedges being thus squeezed upward.