Chapter
18    

E.I. Ignatov and G.D. Solovieva

Department of Geography
Moscow State University
Moscow, Russia

Abstract

We examined characteristic features in the development of the southwestern coast of the Caspian Sea. Space photographs were interpolated to construct a geomorphological map of this region, reflecting its tectonic and geomorphological differentiation. Through comparative analysis of a time series of space photographs we distinguished coastal changes that have resulted from the rise in Caspian Sea level over the last two decades.

Citation for the published article

Ignatov, E. I., and G. D. Solovieva, 2000. Geomorphology of southern Azerbaijan and coastal responses to the Caspian transgression, in Dynamic Earth Environments: Remote Sensing Observations from Shuttle-Mir Missions (K. P. Lulla and L. V. Dessinov, eds.), John Wiley & Sons, New York, pp. 221-229, 267-268, 283.

Links to Color Images

	Figure 18.1 Location map of the coastal study area and surrounding region, emphasizing areas mentioned in the text.
	Figure 18.2 Geomorphological map of the southwestern Caspian Sea coast, compiled from field observations and 1980-1996 space images. Mountains: 1, denudation-erosion mountains; 2, denudation-erosion hills; 3, arid-denudation hills; 4, mud-volcano hills; 5, deluvial-proluvial washout slopes; 6, intermontane valleys. Plains: 7, abrasion-proluvial terrace (Q2-Q3); 8, abrasion-accumulation marine (Q3); 9, alluvial-proluvial submontane (Q3); 10, proluvial-deluvial submontane (Q3); 11, alluvial-lacustrine-deluvial (Q4); 12, lacustrine-solonchak (Q4); 13, alluvial (Q3-Q4); 14, delta (Q3-Q4); 15, accumulational marine (Q4); 16, accumulational marine, modern-day; 17, accretion. Subaqueous marine plains: 18, shallow-water active wave zone, and river-sediment flare distribution zone; 19, extreme coastal swell zone; 20, very deep area, below wave base. Coastal types: 21, erosional; 22, depositional. Relief forms: 23, fractures (lineaments); 24, ledges and sharp inclines; 25, mud volcanoes; 26, detrital cones; 27, erosion ridges, ravines; 28, old river beds; 29, uneven sands; 30, segments of modern-day coastal washout; 31, coastal barriers; 32, lagoons; 33, plumes of suspended material removed by rivers. [Editor's note on terminology: Deluvium refers to slope material, creep deposits, talus, etc., usually transported under periglacial conditions. Proluvium refers to mudflow and flash flood deposits of a bajada-type alluvial fan (Fairbridge Encyclopedia of Geomorphology, p. 678).]
	Figure 18.3 Synoptic photograph of Azerbaijan taken from the Mir space station, June 1996 (NASA photograph NM21-757-053). The Apsheron Peninsula is the feature in the center of the photo. Southward down the coast, a lighter region of hills can be seen and then the darker lowlands of the Kura depression.
	Figure 18.4 Photograph of the southwestern Caspian coast from Pirsagat Cape to the Kura River delta, Kura and Saar Spits from the Meteor 30 satellite, October 1980. This photograph represents a baseline before the effects of Caspian Sea transgression began to be observed.
	Figure 18.5 Photograph of the same segment of coastline shown in Figure 18.3, taken from the Space Shuttle March 1990 (NASA photograph STS036-89-051).
	Figure 18.6 Photograph of the same segment of coastline shown in Figures 18.3 and 18.4 taken from the Kosmos, 1993. These three photos encompass the most dramatic transgression effects on the Kura River Mouth and Saar Spit.
	Figure 18.7 Photograph of the Gobustan coast, Kura depression, Kura River delta and Kura and Saar Spits taken from the Mir space station, July 1996 (NASA photograph NM21-772-085). Erosional processed continue relative to Figure 18.5. Vegetative responses to transgression are also apparent in the area of the Kirov and Kyzygilach bays.

This service is provided by the International Space Station program and the JSC Astromaterials Research & Exploration Science Directorate. Recommended Citation: Image Science and Analysis Laboratory, NASA-Johnson Space Center. "The Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth." .
	NASA Responsible Official: Susan Runco Curator: jsc-earthweb@mail.nasa.gov Contributors: Earth Sciences Web Team	National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center	International Space Station National Laboratory Last Update:
Server: 1