GEOMORPHOLOGICAL LANDFORM ANALYSIS OF THE AREAS IN THE UKRAINIAN CARPATHIANS ATTRACTIVE FOR RECREATION (THE CASE OF THE CHORNA TYSA BASIN)

Abstract

The promising area – attractive for recreation – is located within two large geomorphological regions, the Polonynsko-Chornohorsky Carpathians (Svydivets Massif) and the Vododilno-Verhovynsky Carpathians (Bratkivsky Ridge of the Pryvododilny Gorgany). The area includes the highest part of the Svydivets Massif, i.e., Urdu-Flavantuch Ridge (Mt Blyznytsia, 1881 m), Apshynets and Svydivets Ridge (Mt Kotel, 1770.8 m; Mt Dogiaska, 1761.7 m; Mt Troyaska, 1762.6 m), whose structure contains sediments of fine rhythmic flysch and coarse sandstones of chalk and Paleogene. The morphostructure of the Bratkivsky Ridge (Mt Velyka Bratkivska, 1788 m) was formed on the Paleocene and Eocene sediments dominated by massive sandstones, whose outcropping created large masses of rock fields. The typical morpho-sculptural elements are relict landform tiers, as well as forms of Pleistocene icing and extraglacial forms. The dominating forms of Pleistocene ice accumulation are cirques with steep rocky lateral and back walls, troughs (ice plains), rocky cirque ridges (karlіngs), rock bars (transverse rocky cliffs at the bottom of ice plains), glacier deposits (moraines), and lakes in cirque bottoms. Within the area between the spurs of the Turbatska valley in the west and the Menchul valley in the east, there is a large group of Apshynets and Vorozhesky cirques. Most researchers note that the system of these cirques is the most striking area of the relict alpine relief of the Svydivets Mountain Group – with steep rocky walls, cirque lakes (tarns), numerous exarative & accumulative forms, snowfields, and nival niches. The area shows a full spectrum of modern morphodynamic processes: sheet erosion (deluvial erosion), linear erosion, defluxion, slow solifluction, nival processes, mudflows, windthrows & wind falls, as well as gravitational processes, that is, rock slides, talus deposits, avalanches, and landslides. When any slope process starts, it is always connected with geological, geomorphological and climatic factors, as well as economic activity. In fact, exogenous morphological processes are mutually conditioned ("chain reaction"). When designing recreational complexes, the geo-ecological approach is most often used. This approach ensures the most rational and secure use of natural resources, as well as preservation, enhancement and improvement of the environment. Key words: landform, morphostructure, morphosculpture, morphodynamic processes, Ukrainian Carpathians, Chorna Tysa, recreation, geographical forecasting.