DENUDATION MORPHOLITHOGENESIS OF THE PRIOL'KHONIE (PAPER I. KARST-DENUDATION RELIEF)

The Priolkhonie area is neotectonically neutral block of the Baikal basin. Under the conditions of semiarid climate karst-denudation processes play the important role in its development. Relief structure of Ozersky and Tazheransky areas is thoroughly described. It is conformed completely to the Early Paleozoic substrate structure, but is complicated by three levels of karst-denudation surfaces: low - with absolute heights 600-620 m, middle - 650-680 m, and high - 680-710 m. In Tazheransky area two upper levels merge in the result of recent denudation processes. Stepped relief of the Priolkhonie correlates well with regional patterns of the whole range and basin system of the Pribaikalie.