Impact of volcanic and post volcanic activity on fluvial relief

Abstract

The characteristic features of the river network, the structure and functioning of the valleys affected by effusive and explosive volcanism, volcano-tectonic phenomena, gas hydrothermal activity and mud volcanism are revealed. It has been established that within flows and covers of effusives, the formation of new streams channels can occur not only due to backward erosion, but also as a result of the collapse of the roof of the near-surface lava tubes, which are actively used by underground runoff. A high erosion rate, a large volume of solid runoff, and a significant role of deflation in the transformation of the fluvial relief are characteristic for regions of domination of explosive activity. There valleys become zones of accumulation of volcanic material, which is gradually processed by mudflow, alluvial, aeolian and other processes. Volcanic-tectonic activity changes the rivers position, direction of streams and morphology of the valleys, leading to numerous reorganizations of the river network, as a result of which the valleys of modern watercourses often consist of uneven-age fragments. Valleys of hydrothermal zones are characterized by the active development of slope processes, which leads to the formation in them not only of sinter terraces, but also numerous landslide ones. Mud volcanic processes periodically lead to the filling and blocking of the valleys with mud breccia flows, which affects both the composition of the alluvium of watercourses and the morphology of the valleys.