Problems of young mountain countries mapping and the new geomorphological map of the Caucasus

Abstract

Young mountains in the Alpine orogenic regions present many difficulties for geomorphology mapping due to their heterogeneity as they include re-built ancient structural elements, superimposed and new-formed neotectonic morphostructures, paragenetic morphosculptural complexes belonging to different paleogeographic stages. Means of cartographic presentation at small - scale maps are limited, which itself presents the main problem for geomorphologists of various countries. Recently the Caucasus has been type area where mountain relief and its polymorphic character is intently investigated as well as geomorphological mapping is carried out on various scales. Detailed analysis of the new geomorphological map of Caucasus (1979) and the corresponding parts of geomorphological maps of Europe and the USSR, both compiled at the scale 1 12500 000 but using different principles, shows that the most promising is complex interpretation of the topography on the clear morphostructural base; it is especially important for Alpine orogenic regions where neotectonic movements of high intensity were of primary significance.