With the use of kinematic model based on the differential equation of parabolic type the development of some landforms with heterogeneous substratum was demonstrated. The likeness of the modelled and natural landforms confirms the reliability of the supposition about slope degradation used in the model. The morphology of lithogenic forms at every time step depends on the relation of strengths of the different rocks in the substratum and the initial morphology of the layers. The influence of the layers with different strength spreads up and down slope. The hard rock layer blocks the degrading of the lower part of the slope thus increasing its steepness. Degrading of the heterogeneous slope changes its configuration, which doesn’t stay similar to itself as it would happen at the condition of homogeneous substratum.

The results prove that many characteristic lithogenic features of landforms rise due to parallel slope degradation. That is why such features are most prominent in the arid regions, where the processes of viscose flow on the slopes are negligible.

The history of the inselbergs investigation is given. The features of the different inselberg types (structural, cut from the plain surface, and exhumed from under the ancient crust of the weathering) are described. Deflation in the arid plains manifests in perpetual movement of the thin sand cover of different coarseness along the predominant wind directions. In this connection the author suggests the term “deflation denudation” – the process resulting in the formation of the deflation-denudation peneplain. Deflation manifests unevenly, with pulsations, its most intensiveness corresponds to the periods of strong solar activity changes, for instance, Mounder Minimum of the Little Ice Age. The depressions surrounding the inselbergs were discovered and described, as well as the human induced transformations of the inselbergs.

The Middle Atlantic Ridge is one of the most complex geomorphic objects of the Ocean. The Russian part of the Ridge lies within the 12.5°–21° N interval. In the 2012 it was occupied for 15 years for the subaquatic polymetallic sulphides prospecting. The principally new stage of the deep water works is beginning. The largescale investigations are needed for the ore deposits exploration. The main objectives of this stage are the different scale mapping of the rift zones, structural-genetic and age aspects of the sea-bottom forms, their evolution, and relation to geologic structure. Engineer-geomorphologic and ecogeomorphologic investigations of the hydrothermal deposits are also needed.

Morphological structure of the river bed and flood plain determines hydraulic parameters on the given reach of the river. Using morphological and hydraulic parameters of the river bed and flood plain streams one may assess their mean velocity and runoff with sufficient for practical purposes accuracy. The length of the designed river interval should by of sufficient length but less then distance between two adjacent bars. The accuracy of the assessments depends on that of the angle measurements between geometric axes of channel and flood plain and on the scale of the land survey on the designed interval. The morphology of the flood plain is of great importance too, especially the height of the beach barrier edge and the existence of vegetation on it, as they govern the dynamics and directions of the flood plain streams.

The relief оf the rift zone of the South Atlantic Mid-Ocean ridge is presented by tectonic and magmatic morphostructures, the good example of which one can see in the segment between Ascention and Bode-Werde transform faults. Tectonic morphostructures with the clear cut rift valley are typical for the edge parts, which are joined to transform faults. Magmatic morphostructures are characteristic for the middle of the segment. This division of the morphostructure along the segment’s axial zone conforms to some theoretical magmatic camera models. Therefore geomorphological data can be important criterion for the solution of the inversed problems in geodynamics of oceanic crust.

Influence of geological structure of coastal areas on morphogenetic types of river mouth systems has been proved, basing on the results of analysis of geological and geomorphic structure of deltas of a number of large rivers of the World, including rivers of the Caspian Sea basin. It has been established that geological structure controls formation of certain morphodynamics types of river mouths geomorphic systems (silt deltas and prograding deltas), while fluctuations of the sea level and river flow determine cyclicity of the river mouth systems development and intensity of delta-forming processes.

Gullies with the length more than 70 m were included for the first time on the map of the “Erosion network structure of the European Russia” besides of rivers and dry valleys. Total density of erosion network (km/km2) within the 1st Hortonian Order river basins has been determined as well as percentage of each level of the fluvial network (gullies, dry valleys, and small rivers) in total value of the drainage density. These percentages were also evaluated within the geomorphological regions of the European Russia, which allows distinguishing the dominant types of erosion network for any such region. Analysis of the map has shown that total density of erosion network varies from 0.2 to 3.5 km/km2 within the European Russia.

The paper deals with the mechanisms of abrasion destruction on a near-dam shore strip of the Irkutsk Reservoir within the urban territory. The survey of five profiles showed that the retreat of the shore at the case site constituted 1–3 m for the 2004-2006 period. The investigation revealed the main stages of the process development to be closely related to the water level fluctuations in the reservoir. At the low water level the slope of the shore is flattening and its profile become stable and equilibrium. At the high level the shore is washing out and its profile become unstable. Loams and sandy loams present in the section, marked by low firmness and small strength, cause the development of plastic deformations at significant moistening. The water level fluctuations in the reservoir lead to cyclical nature of shore degradation; physical, physical-chemical, and stress-strain properties of soils affect its rate.

Collective of authors – colleagues, friends, followers and students of MSU Department of Geography, members of RGS, staff of RAS Geomorphological Department, and members of RAS Geomorphological Commission and editorial board of Geomorfologiya (Geomorphology RAS) Journal congratulate one of the masters of Russian geomorphology – Georgiy I. Rychagov – with his 90^th anniversary.

Present paper states review on book devoted to complex geologic-geographical analysis of arid territories. Their geomorphological state and present-day dynamics of relief are considered in various natural environments under impact of natural trends of environmental development and under impact of human factor within large territory – the Northern Africa and Eurasia. The author of the monograph – Valery P. Chichagov – widely known for his research in this field of science, and his new book is a result of the longstanding researches. The book is unique not only for Russia, but also for world-wide scientific literature. Thanks to encyclopedic approach to problems of arid relief forming this monograph could be considered as a base of new scientific branch – arid geomorphology.

29 of October – 1 of November 2013, IGEM RAS hosted Commemorative All-Russian Conference devoted to 100^th anniversary of the Academician Nikolay A. Shilo (1913-2008). 168 scientists participated in Conference, 227 report (from 261 predicated) were presented – 84 oral and 125 desks. Proceedings of the Conference were published in “Proceedings of the All-Russian Conference devoted to 100^th anniversary of N.A. Shilo (1913-2008). Ore-forming processes: from genetic conceptions to the ore deposits and provinces prognosis” (Moscow: IGEM RAS, 2013, 262 p.)

After cruel and long disease Georgy I. Reisner passed away – outstanding Russian scientist – seismotectonist, geomorphologist, author of some progressive methods and responsible forecasts, model of analysis of present-day endogenous regimes based on much-characteristic framework, and also former head of Seismotectonics Department, RAS Institute of the Earth’s Physics, chief researcher, doctor of geologic-mineralogical sciences.