The notion of genesis in geomorphology, as well as in the case of the Earth sciences in general, may be applied in a broad or narrow sense. In its most restricted sense, the genesis is origin of the phenomena under discussion. In a broad sense, it covers both origin and evolution of landforms. It is close to the implicit (real) meaning of the term which bears generalized characteristics of the determinism of the spatial-temporal structure of topography or of the state of «space - time» of relief.

The Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Channel Processes was established by N.I. Makkaveev in the beginning of 1969. The .work of the Laboratory generally follows the same lines of investigation as that of the earlier organized by N.I. Makkaveev Laboratory of Experimental Geomorphology; the lines are as follows: investigation of channel processes regularities in various environments, soil erosion studies; estimation of man-induced changes in channels; channel processes mapping and modeling, studies of river mouths. The results are being turned to practical use, such as: improvement of navigation conditions; search for placers and oil-bearing structures; development of erosion control measures, estimation of erosion hazard (including gully erosion) etc. The field studies covered* practically all the regions of the former USSR and some other countries.

The author considers the current .usage of terms «model» and «modeling» («simulation») in geomorphological studies. The terms are analyzed in comparison with the notion of «experiment». An attempt is made to give more general definition of the terns «model», «n1odelling», «experiment» which would cover the whole span of the methods application to geomorphology, while preventing them from becoming terms of free usage.

The paper describes types of space photo-imagery most efficient for slope processes studies in mountains with active morphotectonics (with special reference to Dagestan Mountains). Principal factors are outlined which aggravate the ecological-geomorphic situation. Slope processes and situation in general are most clearly indicated by the degree of turf development and forestation; both being identified from spectrozonal space images. The area is subdivided on the basis of the ecological-geomorphic situation.

Processes of floodplain formation had a profound impact on the ground properties and groundwater location within the area of the city of Veliky Ustyug; they are reflected in the topography of the present-day floodplain and terraces. Early in the city history, the -architectural planning was controlled by the natural topography. At present, the engineering-geomorphological analysis is required to make up for recent mismanagements within the limits of the Veliky Ustyug territory.

A new method is suggested to subdivide an urban territory into regions different in their resistance to dynamic (vibrational) action, on the basis of a series of geological and geomorphological characteristics of the environment. The subdivision is carried out using the «GEO» information system. The estimate is given taking into account the increase in seismicity due to hydrogeological (groundwater level) and geomorphic properties.

The analysis of field investigation data together with aerial and space images of the region of the Racha earthquake (the strongest one at the Caucasus) revealed most irregular distribution of seismic- gravitational surface deformations within the epicentral zone. Lateral and vertical unhomogeneities in the field of tectonic jointing as shown by tire space images permitted to outline a series of moving blocks of the earthcrust and to explain the observed differences in seismological and geological manifestations in the western and eastern epicentral zone .

28 year series of stationary observations over exogenic processes using surface phototheodolite survey and local meteodata were used to estimate rainfall importance in the debris formation within individual links of a mountain drainage basin in wet subtropics. The data processed by a special technique show the possibility to obtain information (even in mountain areas) on spatial and chronological variability of the processes under the study. The results can be used as a basis of more precise forecasting natural hazards and catastrophes.

Erosional dissection of mountain ridges between the Pamir and Tien-Shan had been profoundly influenced by folding process within the upper 10 km of the sedimentary mantle, displaced and deformed by the tangential pressure of the Indostan plate. As the uplift proceeds, folding processes continue, and valley floors do not keep pace with ridges. At early stages fluvial processes contribute to the relative heights increase, but later they cannot remove all the debris and the latter accumulates in valleys. The balance between the input from slopes and removal by streams is achieved after glaciers formation. Increase in slope angle and valley depth results in development of an optimum cross-profile of the range, usually with narrow crest and rather steep slopes.

A channel stability is estimated using a number of coefficients (those introduced by Lokhtin, Makkaveev, Lapshenkov), their informatively and relation to channel processes factors being assessed. The stability coefficients are proved to be closely related to morphodynamic type of channel and to geological-geomorphological environments of the channel formation.

The upper plateaus of various elevated areas outside the limits of the Late Pleistocene ice sheet appear to possess some properties in common, which permit to consider them as a historic-genetic unity. They formed as a result of two phases of semiarid-semihumid pediplanation. In the first stage (the end of the Miocene - the early Pliocene) the upper plateau was modeled, in the second phase (Eopleistocene) - the delimiting scarp was formed and the lower plateau surface developed. Posterior tectonic activities raised considerably the upper plateau surface near the platform - orogens boundary and brought about local distortions of the surface in various regions.

Kimberlite Fields of the north-eastern Siberian Platform and the Kuloi Plateau are distinguished for complicated geomorphic structure as compared with adjacent areas. The topographic pattern tends to persist under conditions of prolonged erosion and therefore may be used as a basic guideline in the survey of kimberlee-bearing regions.

Investigations in the Volga delta morphology and regime revealed principal characteristics of the dynamics of the delta surface, its coastline and bottom morphology, as well as channel network on the delta; changes in water and sediments distribution between delta branches, water level fluctuations -both within the delta and offshore, and water and 'sediment flows dynamics. The processes are shown to be considerably influenced by the changes in the Caspian Sea level.

Aleksei Aleksandrovich Aseev (1924- 1993)