Geological conditions of development and landscape differentiation of modern geological and geomorphological processes in the highlands of the Chornohora massif (Ukrainian Carpathians)

Abstract

The aim of the research is to analyze the factors of development, distribution and landscape differentiation of geological and geomorphological processes in the subalpine and alpine highlands of Chornohora, as well as to determine the influence of geological structure and morphometric features on the intensity of their development. The methodological basis of the study is a combination of methods of field research and geoinformation analysis using GIS, which allowed to identify the main centers of the highlands of Chornohora of rockfalls, screes, landslides and linear erosion. On the basis of the landscape approach the spatial differentiation of geological and geomorphological processes in high altitude terrains and landscape structures is analyzed and their complex analysis is carried out, and with the help of geoinformation and statistical data processing on location and number of cells the intensity of negative processes is calculated. The main result of the study is a map of the distribution of negative geological and geomorphological processes (rockfalls, screes, landslides and linear erosion) in the landscape complexes of the subalpine and alpine highlands of Chornohora, as well as a map of a key area near Smotrych Mountain, which expresses landscape processes at the level of landscape striyas and tracts. As a result of the research the structure and specifics of development of geological-geomorphological processes in geocomplexes of different origin and with different morphological and morphometric parameters are analyzed. The influence of geological structure on the development of processes is manifested in the dominance of massive sandstones and sandstone flysch, which contributed to the development of large and steep landforms with inherent intense rockfalls, screes and linear erosion. The analysis of the intensity of the manifestation of these processes testifies to their greatest development in the geocomplexes of ancient-glacialexarational genesis – corries, cirques, glacial troughs, nival niches, etc. The development, nature and intensity of the manifestation of negative geological and geomorphological processes in landscape complexes of nival erosion and denudation genesis differ significantly. The peculiarity of the differentiation of processes here is their clear dependence on the composition and peculiarities of the occurrence of bedrock stratum, relief morphometry and so on. An important result of the study is the above-mentioned map of the highlands in the vicinity of Smotrych Mountain, which expresses the previously little-studied landslides to the narrow bands of argillites and argillite flysch. Originality. The relationship between the diversity and distribution of negative geological and geomorphological processes with the genesis of landscape complexes of the Chornohora highlands, their structure, structural-lithological and morphometric features is determined. Landscape differentiation and intensity of rockfalls, screes, landslides and linear erosion in the highlands of the studied massif are analyzed and described. Practical significance. The results of the study contribute to the further study of the dynamics and properties of highlands landscape complexes of Chornohora, as well as provide an opportunity to predict the peculiarities of the geological situation and optimize the nature management system, in particular – organizational features of recreational and tourist activities.