Large gravitational displacements and morphostructural nodes of the Lesser Caucasus

Abstract

Morphostructural nodes are most important elements of the earthorust block structure. They are formed by lineaments intersections and feature increased rates of enogenic and exogenic processes. A majority of the morphostructural nodes of the Lesser Caucasus are prone to earthquakes of magnitudes not less than 5.5. Field data, aerial photos interpretation and analysis of literature reveal numerous large gravitational mass displacements (landslides, rockfalls, etc.) restricted to highly seismic morphostructural nodes. The largest displacements are recorded in the nodes prone to earthquakes of M = 6.5 or more. The indentification of rnorphostructural nodes liable to form large gravitational displacements is of theoretical and practical interest.