A new floodplain classification is introduced, taking into consideration 5 main floodplain forming factors, such as lateral and vertical channel deformations, flood stream, natural and man-induced not-fluvial relief-forming processes. The classification table consists of several sections, each factor impact on floodplain formation being considered in consecutive order within different sections. Thus in each section an independent characteristics is used for classification, it permits to avoid logical errors which often occur when objects of complicated genesis are classified.

Hydrochemical data reveal both areal and altitudinal variability of denudation mean rate for west, central and east segments of the Great Caucasus, the values are in the ratio of l : 1.67 : 2.18 respectively. Changes of the denudation rate from low mountains through middle to high mountains are expressed with ratio l : 1.50 : 1.74. Mean total transit denudation of the Great Caucasus is 0.331 mm per year, mechanical component being about 82% of the total value.

Forms and age of talus base are described for eroded and uneroded scree slopes. Uneroded talus base profile is reconstructed using Lehman equation and appeared to be similar to measured profile. Eroded talus base profiles can be convex, concave, convexconcave, concave-convex and rectilinear. Equations are given which were used for calculation of 25 talus and their base age (under assumption of parallel retreat of scree slope). Average denudation rate for the slope estimated by means of dendrochronology appeared to be 13.6 mm per year. Uneroded talus age corresponds to the age of its base and that of the scree slope. Eroded talus are yuonger than their base and far younger than the scree slope.

Geomorphological forecast based on observations series does not always produce satisfactory results. A new approach to forecast is introduced based on concept of process development, i. e. functional geomorphological forecast, which presents in essence a search and analysis of combinations of geographic situations, their evaluation and coding in special prognostic-euristic maps. The functional forecast is based on conceptual models. The models' construction and subsequent analysis permit a search for spatial and temporal regularities as well as for «local unhomogeneities» which are sites of new geographic spatial-temporal structures.

Basing on measurements of the sheet wash performed .from 1969 to 1975 the most important indices of the geological activity of the process were quantitatively evaluated. A general amount of the sheet wash into Lake Baikal is estimated to be 722 tons of mineral and 106 tons of organic matter per year. An average layer of' mineral particles, when calculated for the area of possible sedimentation in the lake is 0.03 micron. Sheet wash at steep slopes facing the Baikal Lake ranges from 7.3 micron in steppe to 0.0008 micron in open woodland. The values of denudation rate are compared with those obtained for other regions.

The Badkhyz-Karabil Upland resulted from a Quaternary tectonic inversion (regional upwarping) of a vast Murgab foredeep of platformian type. Most important in the process were neotectonic movements along deep-seated (mostly longitudinal) faults. Movements of the adjacent Alpine erogenous area involved the southernmost marginal part of the basin. Similar process of morphostructures inversion at erogenous belt forelands has been also described in other regions of western Central Asia.

Morphology of depressions which the Ob'trench consists of is discussed using data of recent geological and geophysical studies. Some regularity in the trench topography indicates that it becomes younger eastward. The eastern part of the trench is proved to be formed simultaneously with the Naturalist basin. Seismic data compared with deep sea drilling results and the bottom sediments composition analysis suggest the Ob'trench came into being on a carbonate platform in Eocene-Oligocene time and at first stages developed as subcontinental rift.

Channel studies at the Aldan, Dnestr and Vilyui rivers revealed that geologic and geomorphic factors not always influence river meanders formation and morphology in the same way. Within a series of entrenched and free meanders a transition can be seen from passive adaptation to geologic structure towards active transformation of the structure, different factors may be of primary importance under different conditions. The main cause of meanders active development is a certain hydrodynamic characteristics of the flow at channel's bend, which accounts for asymmetry of both channel and valley profiles within the meander zone. With reference to clayey channels the author demonstrates the channel floor resistance to erosion to be the main factor controlling both rate and direction of meander development.

Within the areas where the crystalline basement forms the surf ace or lies near it, unhomogeneities of ice sheets structure and dynamics inevitably put in motion the mechanism of differentiated isostatic subsidence of individual large crust blocks delimited by ancient deep faults, the process being reflected in the Pre-Quaternary bedrock topography. The bedrock topography controls distribution of the accelerated debris accumulation and morphogenetic types of glacial depositional landforms (which depend on paleoenvironments).

Comparative description of guyots morphosculpture at the Nasca Ridge (Pacific Ocean) is given on the basis of submarine observations. Some relict landforms are found at the guyots, such as coral reefs, erosion furrows, remnants and terraces due to marine erosion, karst sinkholes, which indicate that the guyots emerged as flat-topped sea islands after Miocene At present the most active processes are gravitational ones at ancient reefs slopes, sedimentation at the tops being negligible.

Ive rafting of beach debris captured by the f as ice is widespread over the NW part of the White Sea. The process results in marine sediments formation which include ice-rafted boulders. Fast ice in the Kandalaksha Bay does not produce striae or grooves at crystalline rocks and boulders surface.

Solid discharge deposition at gullies and small valleys floor has no impact on soil erosion at slopes as it does not influence water runoff conditions no erosion rate within the drainage basin. The most important result of sediments accumulation at gullies floor is prevention of silting of water reservoirs and agricultural lands on floodplains. A complex of erosion control measures is necessary for watersheds protection.

В августе 1984 г. в г. Астрахани состоялось совещание, посвященное палеогеоморфольги ческам исследованиям нефтегазоносных регионов СССР. Совещание созвано ВНИГНИ и естественно-географическим факультетом Астраханского педагогического института. В его работе приняли участие геоморфологи, геологи и геофизики из 22 научно-исследовательских и производственных геологических организаций.

Совещание подвело первые итоги деятельности рабочей группы, созданной при ВНИГНИ по рекомендациям 2-го палеогеоморфологического совещания (г. Актюбинск, 1978). Основной задачей рабочей группы было совершенствование методики палеогеоморфологических исследований и ее апробация в нефтегазоносных районах. На совещании заслушано и обсуждено 25 докладов.

Ледниковый рельеф в работах белорусских исследователей: сборник: «Морфогенез на территории Белоруссии» (Минск: Наука и техника, 1983. 140 с).

О книге А.М. Короткого «Сток и геоморфологические процессы» (Владивосток, 1983, 53 с.)

Иннокентий Петрович Герасимов