Post-war development of the geomorphology abroad can be subdivided into two periods. During the first- 1945 to 1975 - the studies concentrated on denudational chronology, climatic geomorphology, quantitative dynamic geomorphology. During the second period dynamic geomorphology made a progress using modern methods, techniques and approaches. Stationary observations, modeling and system analysis of geomorphic objects are most commonly used. Some works of applied character are currently in progress, f. e. in the field of environmental geomorphology.

Recent rise of the Caspian level at a rate of 12.5 cm per year resulted in that the deposition within the coastal zone switched over to erosion. Changes in the coastal dynamics due to sea level rise may take different courses depending on the offshore slope: from simple submergence of vast flats or formation of various transgressive lagoons up to active coastal erosion (including former depositional coasts). In conclusion, a problem is considered of short duration of coastal processes cycles (erosion or deposition).

A new classification of man-induced geomorphic processes is introduced, zonal and azonal processes being distinguished. The zonal processes are further subdivided into groups: l) those controlled by climatic zonality (such as irrigation and melioration, cultivation, timber cutting); 2) those controlled by geologic zonality (quarring, mining, placers exploitation, oil and gas production). Azonal processes include construction of water reservoirs, dams, dikes and embankments, roads, coasts protection, civil engineering.

Existing classifications of exogenic processes are briefly discussed with a view to possibility to use them in mapping. A new approach is suggested to classification and mapping of exogenic relief-forming processes on the basis of their manifestation on elementary surfaces of relatively ideal geomorphic profile. Regional examples (from the Central Siberian Plateau) display advantages of the suggested approach.

The authors suggest to use cesium-137 (which came into being as a result of nuclear explosions in open atmosphere) as a marker dating recent deposits within various links of erosional systems (from slope to river valley). The technique of field sampling and laboratory treatment is described, as well as results interpretation; the latter varies depending on the position of the zone of» sedimentation. The technique described has been applied to assess changes in average rate of deposition within balks's systems in the forest zone, forest-steppe and steppes of the USSR.

Local morphostructures are identified on the basis landscape-geomorphic indicators of neotectonic and recent tectonic movements. The geo-indicators are chosen taking into account their anomalous characteristics (in comparison with the geomorphic background) , spatial location and tectogenic nature. The morphostructures themselves are mapped taking into consideration all the geo-indicators on the basis of sequential and preventive analysis. The study results in the structural-geomorphological map of analytic type.

A number of geological-geomorphic cryogenic relicts was studied in the Middle Protva drainage basin, including polygons up to 50-100 m wide on interfluves and river terraces. Earth veins and cryoturbations belong to three generations, one of Late Moscow and two of Valdai age. Two layers of covering loams were formed on interfluves, principally in lake and bog environments during the Early and Late Valdai time, and were reworked by cryogenic processes. Relict dells (primarily erosional landforms) are typical of the upper parts of waterdivides. Terraces scarps are masked by thick (up to 6-7 m) slope deposits and transformed into «terrasouvals». Alluvium of small rivers also shows «periglacial» features (thickness two to three times more than «normal», indications of lacustrine regime, «cold» pollen spectra). Cryogenic relicts influence the landscapes of the region as well as the present-day morpholithogenesis.

The paper summarizes rather scarce data on ancient karst of the Karelia-Kola folded region. Two morphological types of karst are described here: swallow holes and linear cavities. Karts landforms began to develop during the Mesozoic-Paleogene epoch of crust formation, when tectonic and climatic conditions were favourable for active dissolution of carbonates. The cavities were infilled mainly during periods of tectonic reactivation (Oligocene, Pliocene, Late Pleistocene). The ancient karst is an important geomorphic pre-requisite of placers' formation.

During the last few decades small rivers of the Vologda region show an increase in processes of the channel silting and the sources «dying оff». Data on hand indicate such increase to result from environmental changes within drainage basins. The river runoff has been disturbed by agrotechnical and hydro-meliorative measures, forest cutting, dams' destruction, construction (especially of roads) and breach of land use regulations. Solid discharge has been considerably increased by human impact. The channels themselves undergo changes which have an effect on the erosion, transport and alluviation. Organic-mineral matter settles down in channels and soon solidifies and becomes unerodible.

Large-scale geomorphological studies in the Central Tien-Shan were aimed for searches for mineral placers. The data obtained permitted to reconstruct former river valleys and condition of their evolution since the Middle Pleistocene. Two types of ancient valleys are distinguished: uplifted (most widespread type) and buried valleys (of limited distribution). Each type is subdivided into subtypes on the basis of the position of fossil valley floor with respect to recent ones, and their outlines. The data obtained facilitates search for placers in the tectonically active mountains.

A paragenetic assemblage of gravitational processes takes part in slope modelling at the Southern coast of the Crimea, including rock falls, scree sliding, landslides and creep. The processes are elements of the complete cycle of slope formation, the rock and soil being involved into movement gradually, starting from the sea coast and proceeding to the Crimean Plateau (Yayla). Individual landforms evolution may be controlled by technogenous factors as well as by natural ones. Slopes morphoelements are discussed, which are characterized by 'certain gravitational processes and resulting landforms.

Contemporary average values of solid runoff in the Carpathians depend on geological (mainly lithological) and morphological factors. This differentiation is made stronger by economic pressure of man. The quickest denudation takes place in the marginal parts of the mountains. Fluvial erosion makes clear the main morphological contrast within the mountains by higher rate of the process in areas of younger stage of the relief development.

Recent erosion rate within the Khangai-Khentei Upland has been calculated from the solid and chemical (ionic) discharge of rivers in the region. When calculating chemical discharge, salt input by the atmospheric precipitation was taken into account, the rain water mineralization may be as high as 40 to 45 g/l. The author compiled a series of maps showing erosion rate (in isolines) separately for chemical (0.003 to 0.005 mm per year), mechanical (0.004 to 0.008 mm per year) and total erosion (0.006 to 0.008 mm per year). Mean calculated rate of total erosion is about 0.007 mm per year.

The Small Kuril Ridge is a typical example of non-volcanic island arc resulted from the process of subduction. The islands topography analysis reveals the structure having been formed under stable tectonic regime and strong tangential compression directed from the trough towards the arc. In spite of high values of the residual gravity anomaly within the islands, they did not submerge and continued to «float» for a long period because of dynamic support from the subsiding oceanic plate in the Kuril-Kamchatka trough.

Long-term stationary observations were carried out on a scree formation within the wet tropics of Western Caucasus using repeated phototheodolite survey. The volume of debris coming to the scree apron has been found to bear a certain relationship to moisture regime and seismicity of the area. The input and output in the budget of gravitational flow (which feeds the scree apron) has been calculated and stadia changes in the longitudinal profile have been identified in the screes which rest on floodplain; the stages are presumably due to rivers action under changing moisture regime.

21-25 октября 1990 г. в Ереване проходило совещание, на котором впервые в СССР была рассмотрена группа проблем, связанных с морфологией и развитием склонов сейсмотектонически активных орошенных областей.

26-28 сентября 1991 г. состоялись очередные заседания Иркутского геоморфологического семинара, на этот раз посвященные проблеме «Время и возраст рельефа»

Рельеф Земли в фотографиях - Helmut Blume. Das Relief der Erde. Ein Bildatlas. 252 abbildungen, davon 217 Farbfoios. Stuttgart: Ferdinand Enke Verlag, 1991. 140 s.

Рельеф Польских Татр - Klimaszewski M. Rzezba Polskich Tatr. Warszawa: PWN, 1988, 668 p.