The analysis of two pictures of the Earth taken from the outer space are presented to show the possiblilities for their geomorphological interpretation. The improvement of cosmic methods will help to considerably increase accuracy of geomorphological informa­tion, to obtain data on the dynamics of relief forming processes and to characterize the physical features of basement surfaces

The main peculiarities of the recent mophostructure of the Siberian Platform are con­sidered to be the result of a complex interaction of crystalline base blocks, which irregu­larly moved in the Mezosoic and Cenozoic Eras. They are grouped into semicircle zones of direct, reversed, and complex morphostructures, which have undergone wave-like move­ments of a planetary character. The blocks form a framework of submeridional and north­east directions.

In the Caucasus chemical denudation makes up 34 million tons each year and its annual layer is 38 microns. In the basin of the Black Sea It is most intensive — 130 microns — due to the solubility of mountain rocks and the abundance of atmospheric precipitation. To the east the chemical denudation becomes weaker. Denudation according to the suspended alluvium of rivers makes up 130 million tons, and the annual layer—150 microns. It is most intensive in the basins of Samur and Sulak — up to 3500 tons per sq. km. The involved alluvium makes from 10 to 50 per cent of the suspended one.

Described are the main placers of the Urals, their association with accumulative com­plexes and tectonic structures of different age, as well as their dependence on the bed­rock sources of gold. Late Mizosoic and Late Paleogene metallogenic epochs are singled out; underlined is the role of Mezosoic erosional and structural depressions in the for­mation of Pre-Quaternary placers.

The expansion of modern geomorphology beyond its traditional limits leads, on the one hand, to the strengthening of its contacts with adjacent sciences, particularly with geology, on the other hand, to the distraction of its attention from the main aim — a study of present-day landforms and external geodynamic processes. While interacting with («ther science about the Earth, geomorphology must preserve its distinctive features and position. Reconstructions of landforms of the past geological epochs is the problem of historical geology and, particularly, paleogeomorphology, which is a branch of geology.

Time in a geomorphological process, as well as in other natural processes is not an independent factor, but is only a directed continuous link of discontinuous (limited) geodynamic events.

Presented are mathematical definitions of relief of the earth surface and space, and the state of relief as objects of geomorphological investigations. These definitions are used for setting up a mathematical approach in geomorphology and for singling out its main sections: geometry, kinematics, statics, and dynamics of relief. The material is given in terms of the theory of multitudes, topology, and mathematical logic.

Field observations and experimental research in the sands of the South-East Kara Kum have shown that with the sum of velocities of active winds being equal, the rate of movement of the barchan chain’s crest is two times as high when its surface is wet as when it is dry. At the same time, the structure of a wind-sand stream and the character of movement of eolian forms in the wet period of a year sharply differs from their dyna­mics in the dry period.

Rock landforms of the mountain countries of arid climate are characterized by an intensive development of specific gravitational and denudational forms, the deposition of which is connected with tectonic fracturing, while their development depends on the corrasion of an impact or scrape type. Described isf a genetic order of corrasion forms of rock relief. The corrasion forms are the following: rock joints and chimneys rock chu­tes, corrasion troughs and corrasion valleys. The analysis of corrasion forms is very important for studying the history of development of mountain relief.

In the southern regions of Transbaikalia there are relicts of a single surface of pla- nation, which has formed mainly in the Late Cretaceous-Paleogene time. The surface of planation is a slanting and undulating denudational plain with locally preserved insular mountians. It is fixed with particolored and redcolored crusts of weathering. The pro­cesses of pediplanisation and peneplanisation of the initial relief played an equal role in the formation of the surface.

In order to make a quantitative evaluation of the velocity of present-day exogenic geomorphic processes and the surface dynamics in the Mountain Crimea there was carried cut a three-stage (with a two-year interval) land stereoscopic photographic survey of 12 objects under different geological and geomorphological conditions. The article presents methods and the first results of analysis of the survey materials for the following two objects: a collapsed and crumbled slope of the Demerdzha mountain near the town of Alushta and a badland plot in the East Crimea. The rate of denudation and accumulation on separate plots of slopes was defined; the volume of demolished and accumulated material calculated. The rliability of the results obtained was evaluated and their representativeness proved. This method is economical, accurate, and documentary. It is recommended for the use in other mountain areas.

Presented are data on microrelief of the floor of the Indian Ocean obtained With the help of a new stereoscopic photographic device «Microb-68». The stereopar-plan of the floors microrelief has been subjected to a photogrammetric treatment. Described are methods of the adjustment of cameras and a quantitative analysis of the microrelief. There are some conclusions on the origin of the microrelief of different geomorphological zones and an analysis of errors in the definition of spatial coordinates of objects points for the use of the stereoscopic photogrammetric method in underwater research.

Stationary surveys from the same bases and the same orientation of the optical axis and the height of a theodolites objective make is possible to detect the change of state, form and spatial situation of the studied objects surface. Pairs of simultaneous and non- simultaneous pictures are grouped for deciphering and measuring.

There predominates a well regulated movement of the surface layer of rock waste by way of the sliding of surface forms and separate fragments. The intensity of move­ment depends on the degree of saturation of the active layer of water. The velocity of movement of unmarked fragments has been measured with great precision.