Both regional and dynamic approaches first appeared in the Moscow University in 1920ies. Regional studies comprise monographic description of individual regions of the Earth general and specialized maps of various scales, studies, of land, continental shelf and ocean floor, development of computerized maps and data base. Dynamic approach is based on joint analysis of topography and substrate. Dynamic geomorphology includes problems of morpholithogenesis, of conformity and disconformity between relief and geological formations, studies of relief-forming processes mechanism, problems of dynamic geomorphology are tackled by applying a large array of methods, including experiments and stationary observations. A series of manuals and textbooks have been published on both branches of geomorphology, and special courses of lectures are read for students, post-graduates etc.
A review of studies carried out by the team of the Laboratory of Experimental Geomorphology, Moscow State University, gives a description of results obtained and problems tackled in the course of development of a new - experimental - branch of geomorphology. Laboratory experiments were applied primarily to investigations of fluvial processes for 40 years, they were based on theory of a single process of erosion and alluviation as developed by N.I. Makkaveev. The results permitted to verify some propositions of the theory, to elucidate Mechanism of individual Process, to develop criteria by which a dynamic state and stage of the phenomena under study may be determined. The experiments were also applied to some practical purposes.
The paper considers geomorphological aspects of «geo-ecological hazard» notions. Pollutants accumulation and concentration are shown to depend on structure of river basins, which are subdivided into three categories: basins-accumulators, transit basins, and basins disposing of pollutants. A possibility is shown to apply the basin approach to studies of pedologic-geochemical (catenas) organization of an area. Techniques are developed to calculate an index of ecological-geomorphological hazard.
The paper summarizes principal achievements of the Department of Geomorphology and Paleogeography in the field of searches for oil and gas. Special techniques were developed for geomorphological studies of land coastal areas and shelf, aimed for oil prospecting. Geomorphological criteria were found which permit to identify tectonic structural landforms holding interest for oil and gas searches. Direct correlation between geomorphic and geological-geophysical characteristics allowed tracing deep structure of oil-bearing areas. An attached reference list contains main publications of the Department members on the above topics.
Methodical aspects are discussed which concern the geomorphological analysis application to search for ore deposits and their exploitation. A notion of «ideal ore-forming landscape» is developed on the basis of studies of sedimentary and telethermal ore deposits in various environments. Large possibilities are shown to apply morphostructural analysis to problems of ore and mining geomorphology. An essence of «optimum morphostructural-metallogenic environments», «morphogeodynamic regionalization», «morphodynamic typization of disjunctions» are discussed in details. The given materials form a basis for concept of applied geomorphological studies.
Historic-genetic and paleogeomorphological approach to studies of relief and placers produced essential results in elucidation of the relief evolution in many regions of the country, as well as in explanation of the mechanism of short-range placers formation. Geomorphological criteria were developed which permitted assessment of regions with a view to search for mineral deposits, hundreds of sites were recommended for detailed prospecting, and many of them proved to be mineral-bearing.
Научные сообщения
Possibilities of budget method application to studies of ways and rates of matter movement within catchment are demonstrated with an example of stationary observation data of present-day geomorphic processes in the Protva drainage basin (centre of the Russian Plain). Areas of the matter removal and sedimentation in the basin are defined, relative importance of individual processes being assessed. Budget approach is strongly recommended in studies of geomorphic processes in different regions and environments by way of creation of united network of observation stations.
Energy approach to the surface relief study calls for taking into account the potential energy of the topography, as well as estimating energy of endogenic and exogenic processes involved. The notion of «energy of relief» should be considered in two aspects: 1) as gravitational energy potential of the earth's surface, and 2) as volume energy potential of the relief, that is gravitational energy of mass of rock which composes relief and rises above the equipotential surface of its gravitation field. Both aspects of the relief's potential energy should be taken into account when considering the energy balance of relief-forming processes.
A necessity is shown to classify river valleys not only into afferent orders, but also to distinguish broad and narrow links within valley of a certain order. Any difference between valleys of different order is due to area concentration of runoff, while differentiation into links results from alternation of concentration and deconcentration of channel flow, which is typical of rivers. The process in further complicated by external factors, such as outcrops of rocks different in resistance to erosion, local tectonic movements or inherited non-fluvial features. The stated positions are used as a basis of a map of river valleys.
An environmentally-oriented technology applied to open mining ensures minimum volumes of rock mass transported when leveling recultivated dumps. Stable technogenic landforms appear in the process, which favor normal course of restoration of hydrological regime, microclimate, soil and vegetation on the recultivated areas. The technology in successfully practiced in large mining works.
Open mining usually creates pits and heaps of rock waste which may be used for recreation in case they are close to settlements or located in places short of recreational ground. When recultivating the damaged areas, esthetic needs of man should be taken into account. It calls for investigation into possibilities of landscape architecture as applied to the land recultivation.
The paper describes geological and geomorphological block of educational GIS specially developed for Satino research and training base of Moscow State University, which considerably enhanced the capabilities of analysis of Quaternary morpholithogenesis and present-day topography.
Regressions were of considerable importance in the Quaternary history of the Capsian Sea. Studies carried out by the Laboratory of Marine Geomorphology (Geographic Faculty of the Moscow State University) revealed a series of deep regressions, when not only North Caspian shallows but almost the whole surface of the Caspian shelf emerged. Each regression is proved to be a complicated event, developed through many phases, with alternating changes of level. The present-day floor relief was modeled to a large extent during regressions.
Critical review of papers which argue that the Caspian Sea stood high in the late 18th - early 19th centuries, suggests that historic and archaeological materials which provided the basis for the papers were insufficient for judgment on absolute altitudes of the past sea level; they could indicate only trends in the level fluctuation. Reliable data on the past sea level may be obtained only from detailed analysis of the coastal zone geology and geomorphology. The analysis indicates that the Caspian Sea level did not rise above minus 25 meters abs. during the last 400 or 500 years. Higher levels are not to be expected in the nearest future, and considering human impact, levels are more likely to stay below minus 26 m.
On the basis of short description of the present state of the Russian coasts of the Caspian Sea, a general trend of their evolution is predicted under condition of continuous rise of the sea level. A number of issues are proposed for consideration within the frame of discussion of the Federal Complex Program of Coast Protection
A composite section of loose deposits of Western Okhotsk region has been compiled, and environments of sedimentation determined. A transition of graded topography with extensive weathering crusts and fine sediments towards rugged topography (low and medium-height mountains), with associated coarse - pebble and cobble - deposits, is recognized as the main trend in the Cenozoic morpholithogenesis. Most abrupt change falls on the middle Pliocene.
Юбилеи
1 апреля 1994 г. исполнилось 70 лет со дня рождения крупнейшего геоморфолога России, заслуженного деятеля науки Республики Татарстан, члена комиссии «Геоморфологическая реакция на изменение окружающей среды» Международного геоморфологического союза, члена редколлегии журнала «Геоморфология››, доктора географических наук, профессора Казанского государственного университета Алексея Петровича Дедкова.
Потери науки
3 октября 1993 г. ушла из жизни Инга Константиновна Рундквист (Волчанская) - доктор географических наук, талантливый исследователь в области геоморфологии и ее применения в металлогении науке о закономерностях размещения полезных ископаемых.
ISSN 2949-1797 (Online)
