Geomorphic levels and the problem of equilibrium in relief formation

Abstract

The «egeomorphic levels» (first introduced by K. K. Markov) cannot be considered a reliable indicator of the endogenic-exogenic processes interaction in the relief formation. The leveled mountains summits («the upper level of denudation») often do not indicate equilibrium between the endogenic input of the material and its removal by erosion. The summit level comes into being because of limited energy of the uplift and load beyond the strength of solid rocks in the mountains base and also because of deep layers being fluidized and spread under the load of the whole mountain formation. The authors think it more reasonable to replace the term upper level of denudation» with some other, which does not imply its genesis (such as «Summit level» etc.)