On paleo-relief reconstruction in volcanic regions

Abstract

A new method (structural-projectional) is proposed for reconstruction of paleorelief of folded mountains with lava covers. The method consists in paleo-topography tracing by structural scheme construction of a basal surface of lava's cover formed during time interval under consideration. The structural scheme reflects morphological features of pre-lava topography, deformed and reduced to recent hypsometry. Ancient (pre-lava) topography image is obtained by correction for value of differentiated vertical displacement during time interval since lava effusion. Technique is developed of vertical displacement estimation. The structural-projectional method allows reconstructing with high precision absolute and relative heights of ancient topography, degree of its dissection and features of its elements. The data are of importance for paleogeographic analysis with the aim of forecasting and prospecting hypergenous mineral deposits.