Plan-altitude parameterization of relief types for dangerous gravitational processes diagnostics

The authors present the results of a comprehensive geomorphological analysis of the mountain relief types in the middle part of the Verkhnyaya Angara basin (lake Baikal region) for geoinformation diagnostics of dangerous gravitational processes. The relevance of the study is due to the increasing importance of the Baikal-Amur Mainline; the novelty lies in the fact that a high-precision plane-and-height assessment of the Baikal basin northern part’s hard-to-reach areas. The physical and geographical characteristics of the studied territory are given, tectonic and geological features of the relief formation are indicated. For the metric assessment and subsequent mapping of the terrain in the Arc GIS software environment, a digital model of the studied territory and raster coverings of morphometric parameters of slope and exposure were created based on isolines and elevation marks of the topographic base scale 1:100000. In the process of analyzing the model and geomorphological decoding of the arch-block mountains, the planned-altitude metric parameters of relief types with their characteristic forms and elements, morphometric properties with determining factors of formation and development of gravitational processes were established. High-mountain erosion-exaration-, denudation-erosion-; medium-mountain erosion-denudation-, denudation-erosion- and low-mountain denudation relief types are distinguished. For geomorphometric analysis and diagnostics of slopes, reference polygons characterizing the types of arch-block mountains relief, possessing certain geophysical properties and features were selected. To visualize each polygon, slope mapping-and-exposure was performed, as well as a satellite image was presented. As a result of the conducted research, a typical set of dangerous gravitational processes was identified for each type of relief, as well as their possible intensity, which can create risks of economic activity in mountainous areas. The results of the study can be used in design work for the modernization of the Baikal-Amur Mainline and the development of new mineral deposit