E. A. Kozyreva

The article discusses the history of the development of analytical research at the Institute of the Earth’s Crust, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences over the past 22 years. An overview of the existing scientific equipment, current analytical techniques and some examples of their application in geological research are provided. It is shown that the availability of highly qualified personnel and modern scientific equipment at the Center for Geodynamics and Geochronology allows, both entirely on its base and in cooperation with other Russian and foreign organizations, to conduct state of the art research with the publication of results in leading international journals.

Water flows with significant flow rate feature a high destructive force and can lead to catastrophic consequences. Fluvial processes caused by uneven distribution of rain precipitation over the area pose risks to the developed inland foothill territories. The purpose of this study is to carry out a quantitative morphometric analysis of the territory in order to identify the formation features of flood flows. The analysis and ranking of catchment basins are performed using a basin approach. On the basis of SRTM images and the use of stock cartographic material in the GIS program the authors have built specialized electronic maps that allow to obtain quantitative parameters reflecting the morphometry of the basins under analysis including basin geometry, drainage network and terrain relief. On example of the Ulaanbaatar agglomeration territory it is shown how initial morphometric parameters of basins and watercourses (length, width, area, perimeter, erosion dissection, drainage network density, terrain relief coefficient, Melton coefficient, etc.) form the features of flood flow. For developed territories, the initial data on the catchment basin morphometry constitute the basis for compilation of specialized maps to be used in planning and construction. The combination of morphometric indicators on the territory of the Ulaanbaatar agglomeration indicates that there is possibility of large flood formation and development of dangerous mudstone flows in some catchment basins.

The article reviews the experience of aerial surveys using a quadcopter DJI Inspire 1 PRO (unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV) for solving problems of engineering geodynamics. It describes the application of photogrammetry to estimate quantitative parameters of the studied objects, the experience of using UAVs to study flood processes in the Tunka valley (Russia) and erosion structures in the Ulaanbaatar agglomeration (Mongolia). The first UAV‐acquired data on debris flow alluvial fans and elementary drainage basins of erosion structures are presented. The ranges of UAV flight heights were 100–150 m and 1–30 m for local and detailed aerial photography surveys, respectively. Local surveys covered relatively large objects – debris flow alluvial fans and drainage basins. Detailed aerial photography aimed to investigate the granulometric compositions of debris flow deposits and to construct transverse profiles of erosion structures. Processed aerial photos provided a basis for a schematic map showing the distribution of accumu‐ lated debris flow deposits. The granulometric compositions of coarse fractions in the debris flow deposits were de‐ termined. Based on the survey results, 3D models of the fragments of the erosion structures and their cross‐sections were constructed.

The shores of the Bratsk reservoir are widely affected by bank gullies. We monitored the short- and medium-term gully dynamics at three key sites. The interaction of karst-erosional, aeolian-erosional, and gully and shore erosion processes were determined and presented as conceptual models. Gully and shore erosion were the dominating processes in the Rassvet site in the period of heavy rainfall and the maximum shore edge retreat at high water level stand (2009–2010). During 2011–2013 aeolian process prevailed over erosion due to small rainfall and low water-level stand, and aeolian material accumulated in the gullies. A high water-level period at the Ulei site resulted in shore edge retreat, hanging of gully mouths, formation of wave-cut holes in the shore scarp, and rejuvenation of retrogressive erosion in gully thalwegs. The combined action of karst and gully erosion processes led to a maximum increment in gully size (4486.34 m³), recorded at the Khadakhan site in 2004–2008 (at periods of reservoir water-level lowering following water saturation of shore massif at high water levels). This case study shows that the dynamics of the processes, their interactions, and environmental changes are characterized by a certain cyclicity corresponding to water-level changes.

In our study, high-resolution digital elevation models (HRDEM) were generated by combining the data from airborne laser scanning (ALS, 2012) and long-range terrestrial laser scanning (TLS, 2015) and used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of recent morphodynamic processes in the Vistula river bed near Nieszawa, Central Poland. The study area was a river stretch nearly 1 km long, in its lowland part, with the 440 m wide channel and 3.5-5.0 m high banks. It is located 27 km downstream from the reservoir in Wloclawek, so it is under the influence of the reservoir. The TLS measurements were performed from the opposite bank of the river, from a distance of up to 750 m. By combining the ALS and TLS data, we investigated and evaluated both the horizontal variations in the height of the river bank and changes in its profile, with a high resolution of about 900 points/m(2). Our results show that in this river stretch, both the transverse profile of the river bank and the location of its upper edge have been changed during the three years between the ALS and TLS measurement sessions. The scale of this phenomenon varies from a complete lack of erosion to lowering of the upper edge of the cliff by about 1 m, in some points even up to 2 m. The applied methods allowed us to estimate the area of the observed transformations, in contrast to the conventional methods that enable only analyses in selected transverse sections.

The paper deals with investigation of potential geological hazards to be taken into consideration in designing of the aerial rope-way, as well as problems of development of the recreation infrastructure in mountain lands with the complicated building conditions.