In spite of achivements of structural geomorphology during the last 30 years, most large-scale units of the Earth's surface (elements of its architecture) have not been sufficiently explained from geomorphological point of view. The new theory of global plate tectonics is most promising in the mater; it was confirmed when compiling the map of planation surfaces of the USSR territory. According to the theory, the following events were of most importance during the middle macrocycle of the geomorphological stage of the Earth's development: a) lateral displacement (drift) of continental plates (continents) and oceanic basins formation («opening»), b) Alpine orogenesis. These processes resulted in the formation of largest geotectures within oceans and continental plates. 15 main elements of the Earth's architecture have been defined from the positions of the new theory; the elements are in good agreement with global tectonic structures and characterize by special set of morphostructures.

There are two tendencies in solving of the problem of tectonic structures manifestation in the present-day topography: firstly, acceptance of notion on autonomous (not inherited) character of neotectonic movements instead of ideas that the movement pattern being completely inherited and everywhere manifested in topography, secondly, development of ideas of inherited neotectonic movements playing important role in development of Pre-Cenozoic structures. There are data on presence and absence of connection between relief and structures which require to assume that neotectonics consist of both inherited and autonomous components. The acceptance of the simultaneous and general manifestation of inherited and autonomous movements in topography and structure allows to identify morphostructure as a part of the Earth's surf ace. Inherited component in neotectogenesis which controls efficiency of structural geomorphological methods application to structures prospecting increases along with transition: I) from folded to fault-block tectogenesis, 2) from small to large structures and from ancient to young ones, 3) towards marginal zones of plates where Sedimentary mantle becomes thinner, general tendency to subsidence persisting at central parts.

Formation of the main divide of the Russian Plain took place in Pleistocene and was connected with residual deformation of tectosphere resulting from repeated glacial iostatic subsidence and upheaval of the earthcrust due to growth and degradation of sheet glaciation. The main divide position is controlled by features of the basement block tectonics of the East European plate, first of all, by N. E. system of deep faults which outline the Mazur-Moscow linear megablock separating Baltic shield from Ukrainian, Voronezh and Volga-Uralian blocks. The Baltic megablock subsidence went along with the uplift of the Mazur-Moscow one, the latter being the frame of the main divide. Most active movements took place as long ago as during the first sheet (Varangian) glaciation, which preconditioned (together with lowering of the Black and Caspian Seas levels) the deep Pleistocene incision of the Kama, Oka, Volga and Dnieper Rivers at Pre-Solikamsk (Pre-Venedian) time.

Stereophotogrammetric processing of aerial photographs taken at different times has been used for quantitative studies of gullies dynamics at a seismic mountain area of Tadzhikistan. The study's objects were two gullies of 4-10⁵ sq. m area and to 150 m depth, having common fan. For 20 years mean thickness of layer washed from the gully slopes appeared to be 7±1 m, the gullies area increased for 65000 sq. m. Irregularity in the denudation rate through time has been established; for two years of study including an anomalous meteorological period the values were 4±1 m and 20000 sq. m respectively. The analysis of the stereophotogrammetric measurements accuracy (using surface stereo-photogrammetry) has revealed that the-aerial photographs scale 1:10 000-1:20000 can be effectively used for estimation of gully erosion within tectonic active mountain region.

P. A. Kropotkin – founder of the continental glaciation theory (to the centennary of publication of «Essays on glacial age»)

Present-day topography of the Middle and Southern Urals presents different manifestation of intrusive masses. Those corresponding to topographic elevations wedge out downwards, intrusive masses which have no topographic manifestation are horizontal sheets. An analysis of the masses forms, their geomorphological features, physical properties of rocks (including resistance to weathering and erosion) as well as data on dynamic conditions of the Urals neotectonic development leads the authors to the conclusion that the topographic elevations within the intrusive masses area are due to tangential contraction of the earthcrust, the tectonic wedges being thus squeezed upward.

Calculated data are given on absolute and relative values of ionic runoff and chemical denudation intensity at 16 drainage basins at high, middle and low mountain belts at the Western Caucasus. The largest rivers – Laba, Belaya, Pshekha – are proved to have the greatest values of the ionic runoff. The ionic runoff index decreases towards north-west in connection with change of the environment. The chemical denudation intensity diminishes at the same direction, its maximum values being within the belt of middle-height mountains with the optimum hydrothermic regime. The chemical denudation index is estimated at 78 m³/km² per year or 78 mm per 1000 years.

Most typical topographic features of Timan are discussed and an orographic scheme of the ridge is suggested. The chain of low uplands the Timan Ridge cosists of has been formed by active tectonic movements (neotectonics in particular), the passive lithological control being of minor significance. Within the limits of the ridge an erosional planation surface exists which is subdivided into two levels of different age (both withing Mesozoic time). A series of accumulative steplike surfaces is situated at 140-180 m a. s. l. and lower. The possibility has been confirmed to consider the Timan Ridge to be of the same genetic group with other platformian ridges of the Russian Plain.

The relief development at the territory under discussion is closely related to paleomorphological cycles of various order (macrocycles, mesoccycles etc.) with duration about 160-156, 83-75 and 44-37 million years. During the Late Tournai – Early Lias macrocycle base uplift occured at the area of the South Tier Shan geosyncline. In Middle Lias – Middle Oligocene the uplift was eroded and heterogeneous topography was created which was buried later on. In Neogene-Pleistocene block mountains came into being with relicts of planation surfaces and weathering crusts of Mesozoic, Cenozoic and Paleozoic age. Weathering crusts of humid lithogenesis had been formed in the beginning and final stages of mesocycles, arid lithogenesis and crust formation developing within the intervals.

Ramified paleo-drainage of Pre-Akchagylian age is discussed, which had been buried under Pliocene-Quaternary deposits at the sand plains of Low and South-Eastern Kara Kum. Main valley was paleo- Amu Darya, which crossed Kara Kum from East to West and had several left tributaries (paleo-Balldi, paleo-Murgab, paleo-Tedgen etc.). Right tributaries have not been known yet. Studies of ancient valley pattern in Turkmenistan are of importance for geological prospecting, fresh water and hydrocarbons in particular.

The moments, when the shoreline has not yet got and already got its present position, are assumed to be dated by age of spits situated within the bay and its inlets at various height from 0 to 10 meters a. s. 1. The spits age defined as time interval which is necessary for the spit accumulation was calculated on the base of the spit volume and energy, duration, and frequency of sediment-moving waves within the bay. The calculation was complicated by special hydrological conditions of the bay, by very high level of storm surges in particular. An uncontradictory time series has been deduced, its average values being from 7,5 to 1,5 thousand years. The reference sea level at the Vankina Guba bay rose for two meters within the time interval.

A cartographic analysis of drainage pattern allows to get quick information on main morphostructures of the region under study. Conceptions of «drainage pattern» (geometrical scheme of network formed by streams) and «stream distribution» (distribution of drainage directions) are defined, the two main properties jointly characterize type of drainage net. The methods of analysis include the territory regionalization according to types of drainage net, some additional properties of the net being used; the materials obtained are interpreted from the point of view of morphostructures. Morphostructural regionalization of the North-East Asia on the base of drainage pattern analysis is considered as a case study.

The Pitsunda Peninsula is considered to be an aggregation form typical for the Caucasian coast. Its complex structure is determined not only by high variety of the rock facies but by their lateral changes as well. Time model of the Pitsunda mass has been constructed on the base of sediments absolute dating, which was used as a main criterion for estimation of the formation regime.

A valuable textbook on sea coasts

A book on interaction of tectonic and glacial phenomena

Discussion of problems and tasks if geological and geomorphological studies of the Caspian Sea coasts and bottom.