TRACES OF CRYOGENIC PROCESSES IN SOILS IN THE VALLEY OF THE BELAYA RIVER (SOUTHERN BAIKAL REGION)

The paper considers the most common cryogenic structures found in soils in the Belaya River valley. They were formed mainly in the cold Sartan time (corresponding to MIS 2). As a result of cracking, heaving of soils, involution and solifluction, various morphological structures has emerged in soil profiles. The active development of cryogenic processes was facilitated by the heavy granulometric composition of soils and sediments. Since the study area currently has a wide range of fluctuations in heat and humidity throughout the year, soils are also susceptible to cryogenesis, but to a lesser extent. This is manifested in the formation of a tiled soil structure in the lower horizons, small frost-bearing cracks on the soil surface and cryoturbations in the profile.