On the Aral Sea terraces

Abstract

The paper deals with terraces at the Aral Sea coast, number, height and age being discussed of the proper Aral Sea terraces as well as terrace levels out of the limits of the Aral basin. Geomorphology and geology of low and high Aralian terraces (of the Small Sea) are described and compared with similar levels observed at other parts of the coast by number of geologists. The author came to the conclusion about recent transgression of the Aral Sea (up to 60 meters a. s. l.).

Geomorphological and geological evidences are given about the existence of individual Aral-Siarykamysh terrace (68-72 meters high), its surface being traced through Algal, Sarykamysh and Assake-Audan depressions. Uncertainty of its age is stressed and some considerations of its relative youthfulness are given.