Deep sea trenches are gigantic troughs of the earthcrust which both spatially and possibly genetically are in close connection with island arcs. Analysis of data on geomorphology, geology and geophysics shows that deep trenches come into being as rather shallow troughs and later on pass various stages as follows: a) very deep troughs with thin sediment cover; b) deep troughs with thick sediments at the bottom; c) troughs nearly completely filled with sediments. Later the sedimentary mantle within the trench may be folded and an inversion takes place-formation of folded rodge instead of the trough (e. g. Timor and Barbados). Thus deep trench in the course of its evolution passes the same stages as geosynclinal trough. At the time of the trench closing a new trench is usually formed at an adjacent part of the earthcrust, thus a lateral migration of the trench occurs (e. g. Timor trench). In some cases the deep trench increases its length (e. g. Aleutian trench). Deep drilling data from Japanese and Aleutian trenches do not confirm hypothesis of the trenches formation due to subduction. Some other hypotheses are discussed.

Position of glacial centers and ice sheets boundaries both at land and on sea floor has been located more precisely by means of the analysis of marginal features of the last glaciation of North Eurasia using new data especially on the sea floor geomorphology. Configuration of Late Pleistocene ice sheets has been reconstructed on the basis of all glaciological and geomorphological data.

A new map of neotectonic of the USSR territory and adjacent regions (scale 1:5000000) issued in 1979. On the map not only continental neotectonic structures are shown, but also those of ocean and transitional regions. Zones are outlined differing in direction and intensity of neotectonic movements, in age and structure of geological framework. Geostructural features and distortions of dome and fault type as well as magmatic features reveal manifestation of various endogenic regimes at the Earth's surface, -show their significance for the present day topography of land and sea floor and allow to conclude about inherited or superimposed character of neotectonics and large landforms. According to the earthcrust evolution direction during the Cenozoic tectogenesis, geostructures are subdivided into constructive, destructive, reconstructive and restructive ones.

Young mountains in the Alpine orogenic regions present many difficulties for geomorphology mapping due to their heterogeneity as they include re-built ancient structural elements, superimposed and new-formed neotectonic morphostructures, paragenetic morphosculptural complexes belonging to different paleogeographic stages. Means of cartographic presentation at small - scale maps are limited, which itself presents the main problem for geomorphologists of various countries. Recently the Caucasus has been type area where mountain relief and its polymorphic character is intently investigated as well as geomorphological mapping is carried out on various scales. Detailed analysis of the new geomorphological map of Caucasus (1979) and the corresponding parts of geomorphological maps of Europe and the USSR, both compiled at the scale 1 12500 000 but using different principles, shows that the most promising is complex interpretation of the topography on the clear morphostructural base; it is especially important for Alpine orogenic regions where neotectonic movements of high intensity were of primary significance.

The study of composition and texture of different moraines has been directed to determine sedimentary environments and geomorphological processes in the glaciated areas of the Central Caucasus. Various analytical methods were used, including grain-size distribution, lithology, pebble morphology and till fabric analysis. Samples were taken from superglacial and basal debris, end moraine ridges and till horizons. Quantitative parameters were established for different glacial environments and till accumulation processes. The local participation of superglacial debris was noticed in some end moraines, but the most part of these moraines had been created due to glacial abrasion and plucking. Our investigations point to considerable erosion of mountains by temperate glaciers.

Some results are given of mathematical modeling of slope processes. A model is developed which describes slope profile evolution through time, taking into consideration rock weathering and viscous-plastic movement, the latter depending on the loose mantle thickness. Slope evolution has been calculated (using computer) for different states of the base level and rates of weathering, ground viscousity being continuous of changing along the slope profile. The results of modeling show that under condition of constant base level the slope evolution may be either down-wearing or parallel retreat together with summit lowering, which depends on rock weathering features and loose mantle humidity.

A possibility is shown to define the intensity of presentday erosion processes on arable slopes by means of measurements of changes of humic horizon thickness during a certain time span; it is also possible to use a formula which is the product of specific soil wash and work of water flowing downslope. The formula includes also coefficients considering slope form and exposition, soil mecanical composition and degree of erosion, degree and type of soil salinization and soil protection against erosion. Present day erosion intensity is defined at arable slopes of the Central Chernozem Region, the value at the Middle Russian Upland appeared to be between 0,71 and 1,48 millimeters per year.

Progress of the geomorphology at the Kazan University (to the 175th anniversary of the Kazan University)

Range of Late Oligocene-Neogene neotectonic movements at the South of Soviet Central Asia was defined using the difference between the initial (pre-orogenic) and Pre-Quaternary hypsometric position of the planation surface. The Pre-Quaternary position has been established by reconstruction of Oligocene-Neogene valleys floor before the Quaternary as well as analysis of data on depth of rivers downcutting planation surface. The results are shown at a scheme, and for the first time isolines are drown of tectonic deformations of mountain regions for the southern part of the Soviet Central Asia.

New data are given on geological and geomorphological structure of lagoons and bars at Arctic coast of the Chukchi Peninsula at Valkarai Lowland, resulted from detailed studies of coastal landforms and sediments. A history of the coast's evolution during Late Pleistocene and Holocene is described as well as the conditions of the bars' and lagoons formation.

A new geomorphological map of the African-Sicilian Strait (Mediterranean) is presented based on generalisation and analysis of numerous data on bathymetry, seismic profiling, bottom sediments and solid rocks sampling. Main morphostructural elements are characterized. Conclusions have been drawn about the time of the elements' foundation and evolution resulted from complex endo- and exogenetlc factors.

At slopes with angle α which is less than the angle of repose β individual dry rock: fragments may move downslope due to diurnal changes of temperature. The value of as parallelepiped al fragment movement per day is: d=x∆tltg α ctg β, where x - is linear heat expansion coefficient, ∆t - range of the rock fragment temperature, l -the fragment's length (along the slope dip).

Orogenic epoch of the evolution of the area under consideration embraces time from Late Cretaceous to Holocene and includes four main stages: Early Cretaceous- Oligocene; Oligocene-Middle Miocene, Middle Miocene-Early Pliocene, Middle Pliocene-Early Pleistocene. During each stage at first highly dissected mountain topography and thick sediments in depressions are formed, then a piedmont planation surface and crusts of weathering. Last three stages correspond to neotectonic stage, as the beginning of the Oligocene stage is one of the main milestones in the region's evolution and is most close to generally accepted lower boundary of the neotectonic stage. The stages become short ter in the course of time (from ancient to young ones) and the rate of tectonic uplift within mountain regions increases.

Methodical prerequisites are discussed of forecasting of effect of river flow divertion on relief and geomorphological processes. Some examples are given illustrating changes of relief and processes presumably resulting from divertion of the Pechora River. Possible changes of the relief and geomorphological processes due to inter-zonal re-distribution of water resources are to be considered using criterion of essential impact, i. e. reversible or irreversible disturbances of the dynamic equilibrium.