Activation of landslide processes caused by urbanization of mountainous areas

Introduction. Dangerous exogenous processes of various nature including landslides, are significantly developed on the territory of the North Caucasus. A large number of various dangerous emergency situations are associated with them. The active development of domestic tourism in Russia in recent years contributes to the active development of previously unused high-mountainous territories of the North Caucasus, simultaneously increasing the geoecological load, which determines the relevance of its assessments. The purpose of the work is to identify and assess the factors that form the load on the natural system, subject to regular and long-term anthropogenic impact. Materials and methods. The study uses methods of expert assessments of impacts of various natures, which are based on modern concepts of geodynamic processes in rocks. The use of expert assessments made it possible to introduce quantitative characteristics of impacts caused by lithological, geomorphological, endogenous, exogenous geological and natural-climatic factors. Results. It has been established that endogenous activity is a significant factor in the activation of exogenous processes, which are characterized by stable association with tectonic faults and nodes of different-rank fault structures, focal zones of seismic and volcanoplutonic activity. Discussion. The assessment of the level of geoecological loads assumes the necessity of identifying the factors that form them. It becomes possible to forecast the impact of natural and man-made loads and develop measures to mitigate the consequences of the development of dangerous natural processes and the manifestation of dangerous exogenous processes: landslides, mudflows, collapses during practical construction. Conclusion. 1. The stress-strain state of a rock massif under natural conditions is the most important characteristic of the manifestations of geodynamic effects. Potential sources of dangerous geological processes are in a state of varying degrees of equilibrium, the exit from which is possible when a certain situation arises. 2. Endogenous activity is the causal factor in the activation of exogenous processes, including landslides. An important factor in the development and subsequent accumulation of quaternary deposits are endogenous processes. The diversity of the lithological composition of rocks and the activity of geological processes determine the diversity of genetic types of quaternary deposits. Resume. Using expert assessments, the contribution of each factor to the formation of vulnerability and risk was assessed. Zoning of the geoecological load was performed using the example of a mountain range between the valleys of the Ardon and Fiagdon rivers and adjacent territories Suggestions for practical applications and future research directions. It becomes possible to forecast the level of impact of natural and man-made loads and develop measures to mitigate the severity of the consequences of the development of hazardous natural processes and the manifestation of hazardous exogenous processes: landslides, mudflows, rockfalls during practical construction.