The paper deals with the control over slope evolution exerted by gravitative downslope movement of rock debris. A concept of saturated debris How is introduced, the saturated flow accounts for interruption in the slope denudation. Along with intentionally simplified models, the slopes are analysed which represent complex morpholithodynamic systems including elementary surfaces different in angles, but related to each other by the evolution processes.

The paper discusses problems of feedback existing between the land surface relief, stress fields within the upper lithosphere, neotectonic movements and deformations. Possibilities are indicated of a large scale interaction between the relief and a number of processes due to gravity at the Cenozoic stage of the geological history. The structural plan of the upper lithosphere is suggested to be much more complex than deeper interior of the Earth.

The paper discusses the importance of thoughts of N.l. Makkaveev stated in his monograph "River channel and erosion within its basin" (published about 40 years ago) for the development of geomorphology. The concept of united erosional-depositional process and the hydrornorphic approach to studies of fluvial landforms and drainage basins gave rise to new branches in geomorphology, hydrology, physical geography, and theory of placer formation. Thoughts of N.I. Makkaveev have received wide acceptance in channel studies, inveastigations of erosion, and fluvial geo- morphology.

The channel processes are seen as complex phenomena related to channel - bed interaction, erosion, transport of sediments and alluviation, the notion is used as a basis for channel processes typization. The types of channel processes are shown to correspond to channels' subdivision into those of plain, semi-mountain, and mountain rivers. That forms the first block of the morphodynamic classification of river channels which includes also morphological types of channels (with wide floodplain, incised, adapted ones), types of bed macroforms, morphodynamic types of channels, bedford hierarchy, and types of channel landforms, each group forming an individual block in classification. Morphodynamic channel types are considered with reference to plain rivers. Unresolved problems of the river channel classification are pointed out.

Geonmoalphological approach is shown to be useful in solving geoecological problems. A correlation between the topography and pollution dispersal is found in a case study of a worked-out mine in Central Kazakhstan.

The paper gives geomorphological basis for modeling outer waste heaps with view to land reclamation. A technique of the design is developed and equations for calculation are given, principal parameters in the equations being explained.

A number of problems related to the morphometric analysis of gully and balks systems as a basis of their classification are considered taking the Central Black-Earth (Chernozemic) region as a case study. Areal characteristics of watersheds measured in the regions are compared with results previously obtained for other regions. Equations approximating the so-called graded profile of gullies and balkas are correlated with measurements from large-scale maps.

A field of seismic deformations (seismotectonic and seismogravitational) of topography is found 15 to 20 km east of the Erevan center, the deformations probably being most significant ones within the whole Caucasian region. They cut across the southern slope of the Vokhchaberd Ridge and adjacent parts of lower tilted plateau and are formed by a system of intercrossed seismic steps and related forms, which coincide in direction with largest and most active faults of the region. Most of the dislocations are parallel to the transversal Ararat-Sevan fault of NE direction. The seismic steps are 5 to 10 m high, locally up to 40 m. The Garny seismic deformations complex was probably formed in the course of several seismic events, which might be correlated with known earthquakes dated to the 7th century B.C., the 9th century, and the 1679 A.D. earthquake.

The notion of "storeyed valleys" was introduced by S.V. Gbruchev. They are formed in mountains on the valley slopes as a result of meltwater flows erosion and are usually represented by narrow gorges and canyons. They are considered to be specific forms due to longitudinal slope erosion, associated with valley glaciers. The problem is discussed using materials obtained from the fonder glaciation of the Khangai Mountains studies.

The block tectonics was of primary importance in the island's relief formation during the Holocene. In the Late Pleistocene (Sartan) time the island was actively uplifted (probably due to the process of salt diapirism); the uplift became differentiated, with eastern part being higher and forming a scarp about 90 m high. The scarp keeps its height due to active rockfalls and debris fall, the debris being transported by a strong longshore current. The island differs from adjacent coastal areas in that the morpholithogenesis is much more active here. The man-induced thermal erosion and gravitational slope processes sometimes take on a catastrophic character.

Эрозионные террасы и экзогенная геоморфология Северо-Восточного Сайлюгема, бассейн Чуйской котловины, Горный Алтай

О сеймогравитационных образованиях на Мангышлаке

Новая сводка по геоморфологии Азербайджана - многорафия Рельеф Азербайджана. Баку: Элм, 1993. 280с.

Кафедра геоморфологии и палеогеографии географического факультета МГУ провела 16-18 мая 1995 г. в Москве очередную научную конференцию III Щукинские чтения, продолжив тем самым традицию организации регулярных научных совещаний по геоморфологической тематике. Эта традиция зародилась в 1985 г. - в год празднования 100-летнего юбилея основателя кафедры геоморфологии, крупнейшего географа-геоморфолога страны, профессора И.С. Щукина, и была продолжена после его кончины. С самого начала "чтения" были задуманы как открытые встречи отечественных геоморфологов с широким кругом участников, представляющих главные геоморфологические школы, что позволяет учесть и оценить разные подходы к решению рассматриваемых проблем. Проведенные в мае сего года III Щукинские чтения были посвящены 110-летию со дня рождения И.С. Щукина. К этой юбилейной дате было приурочено издание небольшой брошюры "Климат и рельеф" (М.: 1995. 102 с.), подготовленной по последней рукописи И.С. Щучина и продемонстрированной на конференции.