Altitude and age correlation of planation surfaces at the Great Caucasus

Abstract

Orogenic planation surfaces at the Great Caucasus may be correlated according to their altitude and age. A superposed series of longitudinal profiles reveals planation surface system which seems to be related to base level oscillation during transgressive stages of the Pont-Caspian basin. The present position of the planation surfaces resulted from the arch-block upwarping of the Great Caucasus, the neotectonic movement of the area demonstrates decaying cyclicity. An importance is noted of river terraces and ancient glaciers in the planation surfaces formation.