Oro-hydrographic paradox of the Great Caucasus axial zone

Abstract

Morphostructures of the Great Caucasus may be explained both from neomobilistic points of view and in terms of geosyncline theory. The valley network originated using faultline system. At the neotectonic stage, the water divide coincided with the Glavny Range. During the Quaternary, tectonically more active Bokovoi Range was rising, it formed an orographic axis of the arch-block uplift, though not the divide (as indicated by antecedent character of transversal valleys, distribution of terraces and segments of alluviation and erosion in the valleys). There are no morphostmctural nor neotectonic evidences of the water divide migration form the Bokovoi Range to Glavny one.