Structural-geomorphological features and main stages in the development of the Maikapchegai intramountain basin, Southern Altai

Abstract

The Maikapchegai intramountain basin is shown to originate at the end of the Oligocene, at a certain stage of the Altai arch elevation, enlargement and differentiation of its block structure. Subsequent tectonic activity brought about further complication in the relief of the basin itself and of the surrounding mountains, most pronounced at the beginning of the Late Miocene, at the end of the Pliocene - beginning of the Pleistocene and also in the Late Pleistocene.