THE MUDFLOW DISTRIBUTION ON THE BLACK SEA SHORES OF THE CAUCASUS (WITHIN THE TERRITORY OF RUSSIA)

Abstract

There are two stages in the investigation of the mudflows on the Black Sea shores of the Krasnodar Territory the descriptive stage (1903-1963) and special purposed investigations (1963 - present days). The long showers and abundant precipitations originating from the tornado collapsed over the land are the sources of the fluid component of the mudflows. In the four regions of the seashore the sources of solid material of the mudflows are different. Within the Novorossiysk region the mining of the cement primary products - marl plays an important role. In the Gelengic region landslides and earth falls are the main sources of solid material. In the Tuapse region the erosion in the small erosional forms makes the main contribution to mudflows. In the Large Sochi region the mudflows appear in the result of different processes due to diversity of natural conditions and ever-increasing human impact. On the whole the mudflows intensity in the Black Sea shores is much less then in the other mountain regions of the Great Caucasus due to more forestation and less relief amplitudes.