DEVELOPMENT OF EXOGENOUS GEOLOGICAL PROCESSES AND PHENOMENA ON THE UDOKAN – NAMINGA HIGHWAY (THE NORTHERN TRANSBAIKALIA)

Abstract

The paper considers exogenous geological processes and phenomena on the Udokan–Naminga highway in 2017, which are compared with the previous results obtained by the expedition of the Lomonosov Moscow State University in 1986. The engineering geological conditions and manifestation specifics of these processes and phenomena are analyzed. The geocryological conditions and the relevant combinations of engineering geological processes and phenomena were typified according to various geological features. As proceeds from the comparison of the results for different years, the type and number of exogenous geological processes and phenomena have not changed much. The concentrated transport of fine earth and temporary water runnel flows on roads appear to be the most active and frequently occurring processes. The most deformed sections of the road were those that run along the cut slopes with stone streams (kurums). The results of the study show that special attention should be paid to stone streams because of their wide distribution along the road and their cooling effect on the average annual temperatures of the surrounding soils and rocks.