The geographical prerequisites for the identification and prevention of dangerous geomorphological processes in the mountain geosystems of the Alpine-Himalayan belt (on the example of the Major Caucasus of Azerbaijan)

Stara A Tarikhazer

doi:10.15421/112016

Abstract

Destructive natural phenomena are a serious, sometimes unsolvable, regional and local environmental and socioeconomic problem. This paper presents the results of a comprehensive analysis of materials from long-term geomorphological studies in the mountainous areas on the example of the Major Caucasus of Azerbaijan. The dangerous geomorphological processes on the example of the Major Caucasus of Azerbaijan were investigated in detail using large-scale maps, satellite imagery and aerial photography. Geomorphological maps were drawn (map of mudflow hazard and map of landslide hazard in the Azerbaijani part of the Major Caucasus). The research determined the dangerous zones where landslides could cover 65–70% of the total area and outlined the zones and regularities of spread of various types of mudflow origination sites. The analysis of the manifestations of most active (with catastrophic consequences) destructive natural processes and the morphotectonic structure of the studied area showed that the their occurrence and maximum intensity was confined to the weakest plexuses of mountains – intersections of faults and fractures of various directions and orders. A technique for assessing the eco-geomorphological risk to prevent dangerous natural phenomena was offered. The technique is based on the detection of zones with intensive geomorphological processes, which are often not dangerous separately, but could have catastrophic consequences together. The results obtained during the assessment of the effect of natural and man-caused factors on the stability of montane ecosystems may be used to forecast dangerous natural phenomena and to research geodynamical dangerous geomorphological process not only in Azerbaijan, but also in other regions of the Alpine-Himalayan orogenic belt. The obtained results can be used to plan and perform economic activities, determine and minimize the hazards and risks of occurrence of dangerous natural phenomena, and forecast such phenomena in the future.

Highlights

Over recent decades have seen a trend of increasingly intensive involvement of mountainous areas in human economic activities, which include mass construction and expansion of settlements, motorways and railroads, pipelines, agricultural and industrial facilities, construction of Olympic facilities, sanatoriums, hotels, holiday centers, etc
This paper presents the results of Accepted: 07.01.2020 a comprehensive analysis of materials from long-term geomorphological studies in the mountainous areas on the example of the Major Caucasus of Azerbaijan
Destructive natural phenomena against the backdrop of urbanization, expansion of agricultural lands and industry in mountainous and piedmont regions of Azerbaijan, the sudden occurrence of said phenomena, their unpredictability, and close relation to geological, geomorphological, and other geodynamic processes are a serious, sometimes unsolvable, regional and local environmental and socioeconomic problem, the consequences whereof have a negative effect on the development of the entire country

Summary

Introduction

Over recent decades have seen a trend of increasingly intensive involvement of mountainous areas in human economic activities, which include mass construction and expansion of settlements, motorways and railroads, pipelines, agricultural and industrial facilities, construction of Olympic facilities, sanatoriums, hotels, holiday centers, etc. The dynamic of these processes and phenomena can be traced in the geo-dynamically active area of the Major Caucasus of Azerbaijan, most of which is part of zones with a high level of general eco-dynamic hazard that are exposed to several intensive dangerous terrain-formation processes and a probability of catastrophic manifestation of some of them.

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