Two global factors deeply influenced geomorphic evolution throughout the Phanerozoic time, i. e. the topographic structure continuously becoming more complicated (from ancient to younger epochs of prevailing continental development) and cyclicity (relative frequence) of some geomorphic processes of primary importance. Data obtained by studies of the mentioned regularities of the geomorphic evolution at the USSR territory of both scientific and applied significance with view to general problems of paleogeographic analysis as well as to search for hypergenous mineral deposits.

Arid morphodynamic system of the Trans-Altai Gobi (Mongolia) includes a complex of present exogenous relief-forming processes and landforms. Mountain and plain relief of deserts and semideserts at the south of the Mongolia Peoples Republic is modelled by fluvial, eolian, slope processes and by processes of arid denudation. The processes result mostly in stony deserts (hammada) dissected by valleys and dry channels. A classification of erosional landforms is developed.

Perspectives of study of exogenous geomorphic processes are described based on century-old regime observations, taking into consideration influence of both natural and technological sources of vibration. Recommendations are provided on the improved technique of the rate of exogeomorphic processes measurements based on the author's experience. Fundamental differences are noted in denudation rates of similar by appearance fresh artificial and old natural exposures of solid rocks.

Computer simulation of the relief evolution consists of calculation of series of consequent states of land surface (spatial structure of drainage included) using sediment balance technique, both tectonic and climatic regimes assumed to be constant. Simulation algorithm includes the sequence of operations: input of the initial state of model as an altitude matrix and regimes of endogenous and exogenous influences, automatic deciphering and coding of the flows structure, the model functioning, i. e. matter exchange between all the sections of drainage net in accordance with their structure; formation of a new matrix of the topography which is used as the initial one tor the next time interval. The model can be used to analyse morphostructures evolution or self-organization of topography and to trace the history of landforms.

Complex technique is developed and put into practice at the Urals for identification of local both annular and linear morphostructures. A genetic connection of the morphostructures is traced to certain geological structures such as fault-lines, intrusive bodies, volcanic edifices etc., which provides certain possibilities for a region's evaluation with view to search for useful minerals.

Some gully landforms due to thermal erosion are discussed which has been observed at the north West Siberia. A new index is introduced to characterize volume of material removed by thermal erosion; the area has been subdivided into regions according to the index values. Main factors are considered which control the thermal erosion character and distribution. The process is demonstrated to be mostly developed in the north, within the arctic tundra zone, the gullies size and volume being maximum within the zone. Southward the values decrease and become smallest within the forest-tundra and northern taiga. Zonal character of the thermal erosion is preconditioned by climatic parameters of the zones; northern regions are typical for maximum concentration of the runoff (due to rapid snow melting) and almost complete absence of developed root system, as the plants are mostly presented by moss and lichens.

The former floor of the Aral Sea, long developed under water and now emerged, becomes the area of subaerial exogenous processes, rosy eolian and halogenous ones. Eolian processes result in diverse biilt-up landforms or deflation hollows, depending on the floor sediments composition. The processes are responsible for rapid changes in the primary surf ace of the marine plains. At present it seems of great importance to study the rate of the exogenous processes as well as the transformation of the primary landforms of the emerged sea floor into zonal arid morphosculpture.

The paper gives fundamentals of the methods and determines tasks of middle-scale geomorphological mapping of glaciated shelves regions. The data on morphology, genesis and age of the sea floor relief are discussed which resulted from the investigations at the SE Baltic Sea.

Channel processes in the Baltic region are preconditioned by intensive man-induced changes of the environments. The land reclamation, floodplains cultivation, river channels straightening as well as the riverside vegetation elimination resulted in considerable increase in solid runoff from the watersheds. Many rivers of Lithuania become shallow; their depth is now 30 to 50% less. Horizontal channel deformations replaced the vertical ones. During the last decade at almost all the Lithuanian rivers the channel process is more and more influenced by aquatic plants, nowadays it is one of most important factors which control the channel deformations.

Channel processes at small rivers are considered for the Vologda region, channels morphology and deformations appeared to depend on geological and geomorphological conditions, the stream's size and its position within the drainage net structure as well as on economic factors. The region is subdivided into areal units according to conditions of the channel-forming discharge at small rivers. Some aspects of environmental protection are considered, measures are recommended to prevent the small rivers from silting and pollution resulting from the cultivation of the rivers valleys and water-sheds.

A technique of detailed geomorphological mapping is introduced; the topography appearance is shown through elements of a morphodynamic model-etalon, the latter being based on the well-known concepts of slope evolution together with notions of the complete cycle of slope development and its phases. The genesis of topographic elements is shown by col our, their age-by the colour shade or intensity. Features of the topography are identified by means of comparison with the model-etalon, as well as by joint consideration of its main aspects-morphology, genesis and age presented at the map separately. The technique permits to get some new information on the conditions of the topography evolution as well as to cover large areas with large-scale mapping.

In low and middle mountains of the southern Far East the denudation of def luction slopes proceeds at the whole length of the slopes profile which results in formation of narrow (5 to 40 m) pediments of complex structure at the slope foot. Pediments in the area under consideration differ in process of development and debris movement type from similar landforms in the East Siberia and the northern Far East.

New geological data reveal complicated structure of alluvium buried under small and medium valleys floor at the south of the Transuralian region. Most deeply buried and thickest alluvium is not younger than Pliocene. Recent valley pattern inherits the ancient one, the drainage network of the region being thus of the Pliocene age. Stratigraphic position of the ancient alluvium and its conservation are characterized in connection with the valleys size and morphostructural frame. The data essentially contribute to the knowledge of the structure and age of the southern Transuralian region valleys network as well as provide the ground for alluvial mineral deposits search.

The paper gives some data obtained when studying spatial correlation between orography and drainage net elements and structural lines within sedimentary cover at the western Yamal peninsula, rather close connection of the phenomena being established for several regions.

Биоспелеологический метод определения возраста карстовых пещер (на примере пещер Южного Урала)

Первая международная конференция по геоморфологии проходила в г. Манчестере (Великобритания) с 15 по 21 сентября 1985 г. В её работе приняли участие более 700 делегатов из 54 стран, в том числе советский делегат А. В. Живаго. Конференция была организована по инициативе Британской геоморфологической исследовательской группы и географического факультета университета г. Манчестере в организации приняли участие также Королевское общество (Британская академия наук), Королевское географическое общество, ЮНЕСКО и др.

Иркутский межведомственный геоморфологический семинар организован в 1967 г. с целью координации научных исследований геоморфологов, работающих в различных научных и производственных организациях Иркутска (Институт земной коры и Институт географии СО АН СССР, Восточно-Сибирский НИИ геологии, геофизики и минерального сырья, Иркутский университет, Политехнический институт и др.). Председателем семинара является Н. А. Флоренсов, заместителем председателя Л. Н. Ивановский. В задачи семинара входит: 1) обсуждение научных сообщений по геоморфологии, геологии кайнозоя и неотектонике, физической географии, палеогеографии и археологии, 2) чтение лекций по современным проблемам геоморфологии и неотектоники, 3) обмен информацией о работе геоморфологов различных организаций, 4) решение организационных вопросов. Основной формой деятельности семинара являются заседания, на которых заслушиваются и обсуждаются научные доклады.

31 мая 1985 года в Москве, в Институте географии АН СССР проходило рабочее совещание по проблеме геоморфологического районирования: о роли геоморфологического районирования в разработке схем компонентных и синтетических природных районирований Совещание было организовано Геоморфологической комиссией АН СССР и Отделом геоморфологии Института географии АН СССР.

Перспективный путь анализа и прогнозирования геоморфологических систем - монография Миханкова Ю. М., Федорова Б. Г. «Прогнозирование изменений геоморфологических систем при техногенном воздействии» (Л.: Изд-во Ленингр. ун-та, 1984. 143 с.)

Советская геоморфология и физическая география понесли тяжелую утрату, 11 октября 1985 г. на 101 году жизни скончался выдающийся советский географ, крупнейший геоморфолог, основатель кафедры геоморфологии в Московском университете, создатель учения о геоморфологических ландшафтах Иван Семенович Щукин.