A methodology is suggested for the definition of a «geomorphological background» and «geomorphological anomalies» which helps to differentiate the Earth's surface by quantitative indices of a certain quality of relief. The author substantiates the usefulness of defining geomorphological anomalies while searching local (neotectonic) structures, which is very important for prospecting oil and gas.

Morphosculptures are divided into main, superimposed, and underlying groups. It helps to estimate more precisely the genesis and morphology of relief, and in a number of cases, it makes possible to visualize a historic sequence of the exogenic development of certain territories.

Problems of the origin and age of planation surfaces in the peninsular block of Hindustan are discussed alongside a morphostructural analysis of the area. It is noted that the river valleys are very ancient and are related to regional fractures. The shore line of Hindustan reveals sea-level fluctuations and tectonic movements of the coast in Pleistocene. A morphostructural classification of the relief is suggested.

The numerous large storage reservoirs essentially change the landscape of many river valleys. The rising of the erosion basis, caused by the construction of a dam, as well as the transformation of a hydrologic regime of a river under the influence of the storage reservoir, are the reasons for a sequence of interrelated geomorphological processes. From the edge of the affluent, caused by the dam, further up the river there gradually spreads a regressive accumulation, due to which simultaneously with the rising of the valley floor, the levels of water in the river also rise. Within the storage reservoir itself, under the influence of waves, lengthwise currents, seasonal changes of the water-level, and gravitational processes on the slopes, there forms a peculiar relief of the coast, characterized by large areas of recurrent inundation, an abundancy of lagoons — detached bays, and high cliffs of retreating banks in the abrasion areas. Downstream below the dam there develops deep erosion. A terrace forms rapidly here, the relative height of which on the main river diminishes towards the mouth, while on the tributaries, on the contrary, it increases towards their estuaries.

An analytical or genetic method of geomorphological mapping — when elementary forms of relief serve as the main objects of the survey—is the most suitable method for the purposes of reconnaissance and exploration for placers. In the legend of a geomorphological map of gold placers presented in the article there are five genetic types of relief: denudational, fluvial, cryogenic, glacial and fluvio-glacial. Each type of the relief is subdivided into destructional, destructional-accumulative, and accumulative forms of relief. The geomorphological map also gives special information on ore-bearing areas and ore deposits, on the distribution of different placers, and on the rates of slime exploration of a territory.

The article deals with the main principles of exploring for buried local structures in application to the following types of relief: the structural-denudational Plateau Ustyurt of the Post-Pontian age; the Pre-Ustyurt accumulative plain composed by Quaternary marine sediments; and an intermediate zone between the first two types, that is a composed polygenic scarp. A regular connection between certain complexes of relief forms and disjunctive tectonic features is established.

The problems of age of the Tien-Shan valleys and their relations with the structure of this mountain region are hardly dealt with in literature. The inheritance of intermontane depressions from Paleozoic structures and the alluvial character of the Upper-Triassic and the Lower-Jurassic continental thicknessess testify to a profound antiquity of many present longitudinal valleys. In the period of Cenozoic regeneration of the Paleozoic structures of the Tien-Shan and their partial rearrangement, and under the influence of glaciation many river valleys have undergone an essential change.

Six types of valleys can be singled out according to the relation of valleys to the orotectonic structure: simple transverse, complex transverse, longitudinal intermontane. .longitudinal intermontane with a transverse outlet, secondary longitudinal with a transverse antecedent outlet, and complex bead-like valleys. Each type of the valleys has a certain purpose in economy.

The valley of Nile is of a tectonic origin. The most recent movements of disjunctive structures of the north-west (erythrian), north-east (akabian), and meridional courses played an important role in the valley's formation. The general direction of runoff has been predetermined by the neotectonic uplift of the East-African Desert. The big meanders of the valley are associated with the cross-knots of fractures. The initial stage of the Nile valley dates from the beginning of the Neogene.

Since the time of its emergence the Early Permian land has been exposed to the processes of intensive denudation. Karst is best manifested in the areas of development of the weathering crust.

On the coastal and especially piedmont plains of South-West Turkmenia, specific near-bush consolidated hillocks (tommocks) are widespread, the origin of which depends on eolian processes. In nature the eolian formations correlative with the hillocks-tommocks are rather numerous, beginning with small near-bush hillocks and up to big eolian constructions forming under analogous conditions of a wind flow in the shadow of uplands («shadow dunes») or in the regions of travelling sands (Baer knolls). Wind is the main agent under the influence of which the material for these formations ns accumulating, but the emergence of a concrete variety of these forms is determined by the regime of winds, the level of ground-water, as well as by the properties of plants or other obstacles which create the wind shadow.

An original technique of defining undulating deformations of the Earth's crust is considered, illustrated by the territory of the West Siberian Plain. Meridional and latitudional undulating deformations of different lengths and amplitudes have been defined. All the main features of the West-Siberian orohydrography are conditioned by the over lapping of undulating deformations.

The book review Leontiev O. K. Дно океана Изд-во «Мысль», М., 1968. Главная редакция географической литературы; 319 стр.