Some geomorphological aspects of global plate tectonics are discussed with view to origin of Indo-Pacific geotecture which is a giant system of subcontinerital massifs, island arcs of various types, deep oceanic depressions and troughs, the system is located between two oceanic basins (Pacific and Indian) and between two continehts (Asia and Australia). The origin and evolution of this global geomorphological phenomenon was controlled by complicate two-way spreading and subduction processes.

The age of planation surfaces within South America has been revised. Dominant surface which cuts Pre-Cambrian and Lower Paleolithic rocks (L. King considers the surface to be Sul-American) is proved to be Mesozoic Post-Gondwanian one. Sul-American and younger surfaces are developed mostly on Mesozoic and Cenozoic rocks, but more widely within the limits of the Andes zone. Tectonic uplift amplitudes are defined by measurements of planation surfaces distortions, shown at the applied map with isobases.

A classification is given of geomorphic indicators of tectonic activity at lithospheric plates boundaries. Morphostructures are subdivided into types on constructive, destructive and neutral (transform) boundaries of continental and oceanic plates. Speeial attention is paid to geomorphological description of destructive boundaries corresponding continental plates collision within Central Asia as well as to continental and' oceanic plates interaction at Eastern Asia.

A thorough consideration given to a number of publications dealing with the geomorphology's object and methods proves the main problem to lie in the fact that the «relief» concept is interpreted in different ways. The author criticizes other investigators interpretation of the term and gives one of his own. The content of the geomorphology is discussed.

A new technique is introduced which aimed to tectonic maps compilation is showing vertical movements amplitudes during separate neotectonic phases. The maps are based on measurements of height differences between planation surfaces of different age, the results being corrected according to the World Ocean level changes.

A model of graded profile of a river is based on the load balance equation. Several case studies are discussed which corroborate the theoretical argumentation of the model. The models advantages are emphasized, as it can be realised using analog electric models. An example is given of the model usage for valley floor profile deformation forecasting after a canal having been built. Canal lay-out technique is discussed taking into consideration the stabilization of the valley profile.

Evolution of the sea coast near Sukhumi which is mainly built up of the Gumista River alluvium, differed essentially from other parts of the Black Sea coast within the limits of Georgia. Cape of Sukhumi grew for a long time being blocked from NW by the Esker promontory; sediments constantly accumulated in the bay. As the Esher massif was steadily eroded by waves, wave regime in the bay gradually changed. Spits which began to grow near the Gumista and Kelasuri Rivers mouths divided from the sea large area which became a lagoon. Peat and clays began to accumulate at the surface of a previously existing terrace. The cape growth and final modelling of the bay coast took place after the Fanagorian time.

Ridge topography of the basin floor is discussed, the ridges size being defined and their position being mapped on the basis of precision measuring. The author considers hydro- and lithodynamic environment of the contact zone at the basin's floor and concludes on hydrogenous-gravitational nature of the ridges on the basis of their geomorphic and hydrologic parameters.

About 80% of the Tkibuli Basin area is subjected to direct or indirect influence of mining works. Many man-made landforms came into being, such as quarries, trenches, hollows, embankments, dumps and waste heaps. Band of deformed land surface coincides with southern slope of the Nakeral Ridge. Fissures formation at the slopes and the surface subsidence result in landsliding which is favored by cutting of clayey and sandy slopes by pits. The studies reveal close interrelation of natural and man-induced factors of the relief-formation within the Tkibuli Basin.

For the first time the meander evolution is traced at a large river (Vilyui) under conditions of downstream changes of the main channel-forming factors. The valley's segments with incised channel and with wide floodplain are identified. Incised meanders are typical for gentle bending (big radius of curvature) which is accounted for by high specific channel-forming discharges, high resistance of solid rocks at the banks etc. Series pattern is established in position of free meanders and curves of the dynamic axe of the stream. The series include several adjacent meanders, their curvature steadily increasing downstreams, the stream's bends curvature increases at greater rate than the curvature of the channel's meanders. Long existing bends series account for the alternation of wide and narrow segments in the lower Vilyui valley.

Various forms of surficial and underground cavities in loess are described. Processes giving rise to such cavities are discussed as well as environmental and loess properties which are lavourable to pseudokarst development. Importance of man-induced (technogenous) factors is evaluated.

Elements of geomorphology had been applied until recently only to searches for mineral placers. Recently ancient planation surfaces and associated linear weathering crusts were identified at the eastern USSR, as well as oxidized zones up to 300 meters thick including subzone of hypergenous enrichment about 50 meters thick. Thus direct geomorphological criteria could be successfully used for gold ores searches.

Various landforms are described which are due to both -rapid (seismic) and slow tectonic movements. Those are scarps, ridges, troughs and swells resulted from Holocene and recent displacements along faultlines framing the Issyk-Kul basin. Some results of emanation profiling indicate present-day activity of the faults.

Age determination of the Tier Shan is critically revised and a conclusion is drawn on mostly.Late Pliocene age of the mountains. Maximum value of neotectonic uplifts at Ghissar Alai is 5 to 6 kilometres, and this of Chatkal-Kuramin Mountains is 4 to 5 kilometres. Out of these values 3.5 to 4 km and 2.5 to 3 km fall respectively on the Late Pliocene, including late Akchagylian – up to l to 1.5 km, early Apsheronian – 1.5 to 1.7 km and late Apsheronian – 1.0 to 1.5 km.

Formation of the present topography at Pamir-Alai took place earlier as compared with the Chatkal-Nurata region topography (Akchagyl-Apsheron in the first case and Apsheron- Pleistocene in the second). The difference of the relief age may be used as one of basic principles of morphotectonic subdivision of the area.

As the analysis of boulder-like bauxite ores revealed, they are products of repeated redeposition of substance of eroded bauxite layers. A considerable volume of essentially clayey matter had been formed due to limestones dissolving, weathered alumosilicates desintegration from the roof of primary bauxite layers, repeated grinding of allitic and bauxite formations themselves, the clay mass forms the cement in the bauxite boulder-like ores. The ore deposits are located mostly within the limits of anticlinal structures. Schemes in the paper illustrate the pediplanation progress and the present-day topography formation.

Новый учебник по морской геологии: Леонтьев О. К. «Морская геология (Основы геологии и геоморфологии дна Мирового океана)» (М.: Высшая школа, 1982. 344 с.)

Первая монография по морскому геоморфологическому картографированию: Ласточкин А. Н. «Методы морского геоморфологического картирования» (Л.: Недра, 1982. 272 с.)