Present-day denudation intensity at road cut slopes in the Sochi region (Westarn Caucasus)

Abstract

Field observations at test sites gave values of erosion of road cut slopes consisting of Oligocene terrigenous subflysch, During the period of observations (513 days) the quantity of rock matter removed by slope processes was 140,7 kg/m² at north-facing slope and 96,8 at the south-facing one, the slopes' retreat value being 64 and 44 mm respectively. Mean annual erosion intensity- at the northern and southern slopes is 100,1 and 68,9 kg/m² or 46 and 31 mm. It will take respectively 22 and 32 years to remove a layer l meter thick. A certain dependence of the process on the Slope's exposition and steepness has been found. At the first test site the slope is north-facing 60o steep; it retreats 1,5 times faster than the south-facing slope 45o steep, debris dimensions at the first site being larger.