Conceptual and terminological problems of structural geomorphology

Abstract

The polysemy of the concept of «morphostructure» as the main object of «structural» geomorphology is accounted for first of all by differently understanding the geological term «structure». Taking structure as a fundamental scientific concept will lead us to morphostructure belonging to two related but different geological and geomorphological objects, Therefore there are all grounds to divide structural geomorphology into two disciplines-tectonic geomorphology dealing with landforms of tectonic nature (morphostructures) and morphotectonics dealing with land surface forms of geological bodies (morphotectures). The term «structural geomorphology» is advisable to retain for the part of geomorphology studying land surface relief, the shape, structure and symmetry of its constituents of any rank, complexity and origin as static systems, i. e. from structural and geometrical point of view.