On the genesis of Quaternary deposits in the Yaloman-Katun zone of the Altai Mountains and the practicability of introducing the catafluvial genetic type

The paper discusses the research and methodological aspects of introducing the new term “catafluvial deposits” into genetic classification of Quaternary deposits. For this purpose, fieldwork was carried out aimed at studying terrace complexes within the Yaloman-Katun zone of Gorny Altai, which in recent decades became a peculiar natural laboratory for studying hypothetical glacial superfloods. Based on original materials and data from other areas with similar geological and physico-geographical conditions, it is concluded that the categorization of a separate genetic type “catafluvial” should currently be considered premature.