Geomorphological map of -Asia (scale 1:8000000) is compiled as a part of the international project «Megamorphology of Asia». Principal aim of the map is to show morphotectonic features of continents and sea floor in the context of the plate tectonics. The legend is presented in a tabular form, with morphotectonic Categories being grouped on one side, and their relation to plates' margin (both recent and ancient), types of contact, and plates' interior, on the other.

Mountain drainage basins are considered, featuring different Configuration and pattern of drainage net and water divides. A hypothesis is introduced which-explains the mechanism of the mountain drainage basin formation as a result of endo- and exogenic processes interaction. The leading role is attributed to relaxation processes in the mountain mass when it appears on the day surface. The pressure release results in a fissure system formation which may be considered a prototype of channel network concentrating surficial and subterranean waters. A river channel is regarded as an independent emergent system created by the principal processes interaction.

Aerial and space survey provided materials for compiling a series of maps, including geomorphological, geological, morphostructural, lithodynamic maps and a map showing sources of man-induced contamination. A resulting map of geoecological regionalisation based on those listed above permits to estimate qualitatively the ecological state on any region in conventional units. The Buor-Khaya Bay, the Laptevs' Sea, is taken as a reference case.

Geology, topography and climate of the area under consideration contribute to high concentration of extreme geomorphic processes. Most hazardous and most important for the relief formation are earthquakes which induce seismic rockfalls, debris falls and landslide activation. Other catastrophic events are related to monsoon floods and autumn storms, often accompanied by storm surges and resulting in accelerated marine erosion. The land use in the area must be under strict control.

A geomorphological structure is analyzed as reflected in a chronological-geomorphological map, where complexes of elementary landforms are shown in their genetic interrelation together with altitudinal characteristics. The synthesis is given, in particular, in the form of structural-numerical models, developed for morphostructures, their groups and the morphotecture as a whole; they are represented by variation series of elementary landforms elevation frequency, primarily for planation surfaces and steps in channels, according to cycles of erosion.

Some geomorphic features of the Maritime fault are outlined, which was active during the Late Cenozoic time and related to the Balkalian rift zone evolution. The morphostructure appeared to be inherited from geological and tectonic structure of the region. The deformations and seismic processes within the fault zone created an assemblage .of specific landforms, there exist also a number of pseudo-tectonic elements of topography resulted from human activities and exodynamics.

Catastrophic floods released from enormous Pleistocene glacial lakes transformed essentially the former topography and created an assemblage of erosional and depositional landforms, a kind of alpine scablands, not unlike to the Channeled Scabland of North America. At their peak discharge, the glacial foods due to outbursts of the Chuya-Kurai system of the ice-dammed lakes were about 1 to 18 mln. cub. m per second. Those were the greatest fresh water flows known on the Earth.

The seismic hazard of the Upper Amur region is proposed to be determined using the volume of seismogeneration blocks, the area of seismic spots and the values of rate gradients of recent tectonic movements considering the dimension of gradient zones. The vlocks of probable earthquake chambers (PEC) which are marked by the obtained calculated magnitudes (M) and energy classes (K) of maximum probable earthquakes are intended to be distinguished on the map.

Earthflows are discussed which are characteristic of various regions where loose sediments overlie permafrost. Their shape and genesis are considered as well as processes generating the earthflows and associated with them. 4 different types of the earthflow are distinguished. It is noted that active land use in the susceptible regions contributes to the process of the formation of earthflows, including big ones which endanger constructions and sometimes destroy them.

Two types of inselbergs are recognized in Eastern Mongolia: structural, that is created by block uplifts, and erosional ones (resulted from erosional dissection of plains). Inselbergs of the first type continue to rise and involve adjacent areas of plains. The second type is erosional remnants of mountains lowered and dissected by erosion. Landforms typical of each type of inselbergs are considered, including specific debris flows and sand flows. The flows were formed in the process of irregular uplifts, probably accompanied by seismic shocks and shaking.

Progress in studies of erosion and channel processes

Geomorphic response to climatic changes in the Mediterranean and arid region

New views on recent geodynamics of morphostructures of Cuba

Clifford Embleton (1931- 1994)