Geology, geography and global energy

Scientific and Technical Journal

Formation ridges on the northwest caucasus: their morpho-lithological conditions

2013. №1, pp. 199-206

Yefremov Yuriy V. - D.Sc. in Geography, Professor, Kuban State University, 149 Stavropolskaya st., Krasnodar, Russian Federation, 350040, efremov_kubsu@mail.ru

Shumakova Alena A. - Post-graduate student, Kuban State University, 149 Stavropolskaya st., Krasnodar, Russian Federation, 350040, extremalka_@mail.ru.

The article covers the Northwest Caucasus (NwC), a mountainous area in the Greater Caucasus that occupies the extreme western position on the range. It adds that the NwC stretches from the city of Anapa (Krasnodar) on the southeast to the Fisht-Oshten mountain pass. Furthermore, the NwC is separated from the Western Caucasus by the Pshehsko-Adler meridional faults. At this stage, the critique turned its focus to the geological traits of the NwC. It indicated that the NwC has macro-and mezzo-forms of relief, having changes in structural and lithological rock complexes. The main characteristics of the rocks – erosion resistance, compressive strength, degree of erosion and fracturing level – determine their stability as well as their propensity towards erosion and denudation. The latter, the paper states, mainly occurs in the midland low mountain terrain at an altitude not exceeding 2000 m above sea level. Its ranges, with few exceptions, have relatively soft contours and are covered with dense forests. Many geological factors – such as the intensity and direction of neo-tectonic movements and the nature of exogenous processes – have influenced the region’s modern relief structure. Moreover, the relief appearance has largely been determined by the lithological composition of rocks contained in its individual plates (though little investigation on the rock composition and structure has yet been conducted). The blueprint states, in conclusion, that the NwC region is marked by a geological structure incorporating the abovementioned rock properties, with their relief peculiarities affected by recent tectonic movements. Each of its zones has significant geological compositional differences, which reflect the erosion that has occurred to the rocks forming its ridges and hollows.

Key words: lithological complexes,erosive durability,compression of rocks,denudation,erosion,speed of erosion

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