Paleogene-Neogene denudation processes and relief if the mountain Altai

Abstract

Cenozoic sediments volume within the Chuya Basin is about 360-800 km², while rock volume removed during formation of 16 main valleys which come into the basin amounts to 3000 km³. Thus 2/3 of the valleys incision belonged to Pre-Cenozoic time, and the subsequent denudation proceeded in the form of erosional deepening of the valleys and their widening with slope processes. The conclusion has been confirmed by analysis of Cenozoic deposits, stages of predominance of a certain group of processes can be identified. There have been recognized two stages of intensive chemical weathering. i. e. Cretaceous and Late Miocene-Early Pliocene. Character of Cenozoic denudation processes was mainly controlled by geomorphic conditions (rugged topography) and climate as well as by slow uplift of the whole Altai.