Development of the Relief of Plakors in the North-Eastern Azov in the Neopleistocene

Abstract

The structure of the integumentary loess-soil series of the North-Eastern Azov was studied in coastal outcrops and in cores of drill holes on four key parts of the coast of the Taganrog Gulf. The morphology of the paleo-relief for the chrono-slice corresponding to interglacial epochs for the last 500 thousand years is determined by the location of paleo-soils in plakor sections. The analysis showed that the major features of the primary fl uvial and estuary-liman relief of terraces were inherited throughout the subaerial stage of development of the surface. At the same time, the surface of plakors at this stage signifi cantly transformed by the processes of loess accumulation, on the one hand, and erosion on the other. In general, in the development of the relief of plakors up to the Valdai glacial epoch the predomination of loess accumulation can be traced. Valdai epoch was characterized by the stage of denudation unique in the intensity that has resulted in the development of linear erosion and slope processes, even on very gently sloping areas. It is established that by this time there is intensive growth of gully network inward watershed areas. A relic of the network in the modern relief of plakors is an extensive network of gullies.