Integrated Geomorphological and Morphotectonic Studies Using Remote Sensing Data from Space as a Basis for Increasing the Efficiency of Geological Works

Abstract—Underestimating the complex application of geomorphological and morphotectonic information and space imagery materials in thematic geological studies, geological surveys, and forecast and prospecting work significantly reduces their effectiveness. This may be due to the imperfection of the methodology of geomorphological studies aimed at studying the relief of territories as a set of surfaces of geological bodies. Prospects are revealed by the transition to studying relief forms and geological structures and bodies in their unity as three-dimensional volumetric objects. Fundamentally new opportunities for studying the geology of the sea and ocean floor are associated, in particular, with the visualization of digital 3D relief models created based on the GEBCO 2014 global bathymetric database, regional maps of echo sounding measurements, altimetry materials, and remote sensing of the Earth from space. The relevance of these studies is largely due to the fact that geological models based on the ideas of plate tectonics cannot explain many features of the structure and development of the relief of the Earth and individual regions. A number of examples show that modern geomorphology in combination with morphotectonics, methods of remote sensing from space, and computerization should be considered one of the necessary disciplines for carrying out work aimed at solving various geological problems. The further development of sciences on the relief of the planet (geomorphology + morphotectonics) determines the need to train geomorphologists both in geographical and geological faculties of universities.