Heavy dust storms within the area of eolian morphogenesis in Eurasia and orientation of eolian mineral flows are related to formation of Asian anticyclone and its influence on atmosphere. Its centre is moving from Middle and Lower Volga, Western Kazakhstan to Altai-Sayan Mountains and Northern and Central Mongolia. Formation of cyclonic whirlwinds by its periphery determines the formation of storms, hurricanes and strong blowing dust. These processes are especially strong during early spring (March-April) when contrasts of temperatures are maximal and cyclonic activity is most intensive at the polar front. When center of anticyclone is over Central Mongolia and cyclone is over the Yellow Sea and Korea eolian processes are extremely strong; in such case there happen severe dust storms in the areas of air currents convergence over the eastern Goby, plateau Ordos, and Loess plateau.

The new typification of river valleys is put forward, wherein the morphological types of river valleys are determined by riverbed processes, shaping these valleys. Thus a possibility arises of combination of river valleys` typification and riverbeds classification (according to R.S. Chalov), and, consequently, of compiling the integrated characteristics of riverbeds and river valleys in general. There are the river valleys without flood-plain and with narrow ones with incised riverbeds, box-shape and U-shape valleys with adapted riverbeds, and terraced valleys with wide floodplains.

 Sheet, rivulet, and gully erosion form the basin runoff. A new hydrological method of basin and riverbed components of erosion assessment is proposed. The method is based on functional dependence: r_i=А_эрIQ^µ , where r_i and Q – monthly averages water suspended sediments (SS) runoff, А_эр – empirical complex erosion coefficient, I – slope of riverbed, µ – power coefficient. This dependence was obtained for drought periods in different years with different low water runoff and was extrapolated on other phases of hydrological regime. This extrapolation allows calculating riverbed and basin components of SS runoff in its bulk multiyear average. Data of more than ten years observation on 124 small and average rivers of East European Plain, the Urals, East Carpathian, Cis-Caucasus, mountains of Middle Asia were used. The average share of riverbed erosion and SS runoff was shown to be 8.8±1.6% with minimum of 6.3±2.3% in the low mountain rivers and maximum of 11.8±3.9% in the plain river basins. 
 
 

The author analyzes the potential of Azerbaijan part of the north-eastern slope of Great Caucasus for development of geotourism. Based on cartographic sources with application of GIS technology the 1:600 000 map of “Geotourism potential of the north-east slope of Great Caucasus” was compiled. A package of recommendations for effective use of geotouristic resources was developed.

It has been revealed that forms of glacial landscape are widely spread in Tigertysh mountain junction (Kuznetsk Alatau). There are about 132 cirques. Their area is from 0,2 km² to 2,2 km². They are usually located one above the other, forming a kind of a stair widening at the top, with 2-4 altitudinal levels. The lowest level is occupied by the lakes with a basin of glacial genesis. The upper steps of cirques occupied by snowfields and glaciers are being formed at present time. Single cirques were formed in the places at low elevation but with heavy snow deposits. Peculiar feature of single cirques is their large size. Cirques with northeastern and northern exposure were rejuvenated by small glaciers and snowfields. They look younger in comparison with southern and southwest cirques. U-valleys are typical for northern slope of Tigertysh range. The average length of U-valleys is 4-6 km. U-valleys often end with ancient moraines, but the valleys of the rivers Karatas and Nizhnaya Tayzhasy have U shape lower terminal moraine complexes. Ancient moraines are widely spread here and clearly visible in the landscape. Four stage moraines of different age are found. They are not covered by loess. So we date moraine of the first stage as formed during the last glaciation maximum. After studying the lay out of old moraine complexes we found 56 glaciers with total area of 245,3 km² which had existed during last glaciation epoch. Moraines of the 2^nd and 4^th stages mark the position of the ends of glaciers in postglaciation time and Holocene. The four stages of moraines and stair-step structure of exarational landforms can witness about repeated and continuous glaciation of Kuznetsk Alatau. 

Complexes of exogenous processes and morphosculptures in the mountain valley of the Mashey river (North Chuya Ridge, Central Altai) are described. 5 cites with different geomorphic structure were distinguished: two – in the river head occupied by glacier, two – in the high mountain part, where Pleistocene trough is transformed intensely by slope, cryogenic and fluvial processes, one – in the low mountain part, where the relics of glacial forms are predominant. On the base of paleo-trough and associate landforms morphometry the reconstruction of paleoglacier Mashey was fulfilled. We ascertain that no Pleistocene moraines exist in the upper part of the valley, and that in Holocene a sharp change of geomorphologic situation took place, which led to accumulation renewal.

Anthropogenic mudflow landscape in the Teberda river valley and avalanche-mudflow landscape of the Gonachkhira river valley are described. Mudflow activity at both sites depends mainly on summer cyclones, carrying warmth and precipitation. This influence is especially strong in Gonachkhira valley, where precipitation is heavier. Rapid and different changes are characteristic to landscape of this site. Large mudflow took place in 2004, several micro-mudflows in 2008, and avalanches in 2009-2010. These events each time changed young small forest composition and cover sediment layer.

Mudflows in the Lower Teberda site occur on the surface dump of old coalpit. This highly erodible ground undergone heavy washout by melt, rain, and mine water. Rapid alternation of erosion and accumulation lead to high changeability of micro- and mesorelief. 

Karst and erosion were the dominant geomorphologic processes on the territory of the central part of East-European Plain before the beginning of the Ice Ages. The landscapes of pre-Quaternary age reflect the diversity of landforms of appropriate origin. Their investigation is based upon the drilling data. Karst processes were prevalent on the surfaces with carbonate substratum. Erosion was typical for the areas with considerable thickness of terrigenous sediments. During the period of 360 Ma relief of the central part of East-European Plain was forming in different ways. Shelf sedimentation was typical for the thalassic periods: carbonaceous in Palaeozoic and terrigenous in Mesozoic. Karst and erosion processes were developing with different rates due to sediment’s peculiarity during the geocratic periods. Tropical karst process was vastly spread on the territory under study until the sea transgression of the LateJurassic. Terrigenous clayey and sandy deposits had no influence on the intensity of karst process. Erosion processes began to dominate after Cretaceous sea regression. Data concerning areas of distribution of pre-Quaternary buried landforms of karst and erosion origin allow defining seven regions in the central part of East-European Plain.

Numerous examples of mass movements on slopes of western Andes and related landforms are analyzed. Regionalization of the country is fulfilled, taking into account climatic and hydrologic factors. 9 regions were distinguished with more or less similar physical-geographical conditions for mass movements’ development. Recommendations are suggested concerning future investigations in the field of mass movements risk under the rising anthropogenic impact.

The paper describes the reconstructed history of landscapes and relief of the Central Mexican plateau in the final stage of Late Pleistocene and Holocene. The new stage of erosion has started in LGM with the formation of small lakes and further initiation of barrancos –gullies along the slopes of small and large volcanoes. This stage was not unidirectional, but had several alternating stages with the filling of depressions (small lakes, heads of barrancos, paleocuts) and their stabilization with the formation of heterochronous soils. The highest rates of gullies formation took place at the end of Pleistocene – beginning of Holocene, and at the present time when the badlands are forming. The stages of linear erosion (formation of barrancos) alternated with the increased sheet erosion (accumulation of colluviums in the depressions with further soil or tepetate formation). Soils were associated with the warm and wet enough climatic conditions about 13 350, 8 100, and 6 200 years ВР. Tepetates were formed under cool and wet environment. The role of small lakes was revealed. Small lakes at various levels being periodically broken through gave rise to the barrancos formation or dried out. The anthropogenic erosion had several stages: formation of the eroded sites (heads), barrancos formation inside the filled paleocuts, badlands formation. The “scalped” areas were formed in the sites of the contact of several exposed tepetates of various gullies. Such areas (badlands) may reach considerable size and are practically unsuitable for agricultural use.

Concept of “karst system” is analyzed. The properties, hierarchy and organization of karst systems are considered. It is marked that the organization of karst systems is manifested, on one hand, in the relation of the superficial and underground systems, and, on other hand, in its hierarchy; there are three main levels of the organization – global, regional and local.

Article contains review to the new edition of geomorphology study book, published by a team of authors of St.Petersburg State University, Department of geography and geoecology.

Article contains review to the first geomorphologic atlas of Antarctic, published by team of authors of St.Petersburg State University, Department of geography and geoecology.