Special features of the Eurasia's neotectonics and their significance for Quaternary paleogeography and geology understanding

Abstract

Land surface topography is a manifestation of neotectonics as well as the most important component of landscape. General small-scale neotectonic maps elucidate correlation between geological, geophysical, geodetic and geographical elements. Structural plan of the continent and the recent topography formation proved to be connected with the geoid's surface morphology. Some special features of the Asia neotectonics are noted which are essential for understanding the Quaternary paleogeography and geology, such as rhythmic and stadial character of tectonic movements and their internal interdependance. Stages of tectonic movements intensification are established, the recent mountain relief proved to be young, linear elements of landscape being controlled by the earthcrust block structure. Rift areas position in Asia is discussed. Neotectonic structural features of both stable and mobile belts in Asia had been predetermined by structure of the substratum involved, its historical evolution as well as by inheritance from previous stages and structural position of the belts. Within the limits of continental ice sheets the movements» mechanism was controlled by glacio-lisostasy, increase and decrease in the upper mantle density as well as by inherited tectonic movements. Causes of neotectonic movements are discussed, their global character being confirmed. Some data are presented which contradict to neotectonics' explanation from the plate tectonics viewpoint, inner causes of the movements are assumed to lie within the distorted fragments of the earthcrust, with proper consideration of deep processes which manifest in different manner in areas of different exogenous regime.