Anthropogenic transformation of relief in Vorkuta industrial region

Anthropogenic transformation of relief within the Vorkuta industrial region during 90 years of economic development was for the first time quantitatively evaluated. Areas of predominantly direct (creation of anthropogenic relief) and indirect (change in the conditions of relief formation, spectrum and intensity of geomorphologic processes) transformation of relief are identified. About 25% (144 km²) of the entire area of the region are under anthropogenic landforms (79 km²), or with a significant change in the natural course of geomorphologic processes (65 km²). Among the direct anthropogenic transformations of relief accumulative ones, i.e. the creation of positive forms of anthropogenic relief (dumps, embankments, etc.), prevail in terms of area and volumes of displaced matter; their total area is 75,2 km² and the volume is 417,8 million m³. About 30% of the area of all positive anthropogenic forms and 66% of their volume are mine dumps. Direct denudation transformations (creation of quarries, canals, etc.) are significantly smaller in area (3,8 km²) and the volume of displaced material (72 million m³). Indirect transformations of relief take place in the immediate vicinity of the zones of direct transformations (up to 1 km, mainly within 200 m). They include the changes in the spectrum and intensity of geomorphologic processes (primarily permafrost, slope and fluvial) due to disruption of the continuity of vegetation cover, changes in the hydrogeological regime, heat balance of permafrost, etc. The anthropogenic deposits are mainly the products of rock crushing including the coal-bearing rocks withdrawn during the excavation of underground workings. The largest volumes of anthropogenic sediments are concentrated in the dump fields of mines, the Pechorskaya Central Processing Plant and the Yun-Yaginsky open coal mine (up to 66% of the total volume), as well as in the embankments under settlements (up to 26%). Slope, erosion and aeolian processes which are rather marginal under natural conditions, have developed within the areas of anthropogenic relief; the spectrum of cryogenic processes has been changed there: the cryogenic weathering has become a leading process, while on the contrary, heaving and thermokarst are practically absent. The spontaneous combustion is the most dangerous geomorphologic process within the dump fields of operating and abandoned mines. The recorded signs of pyrolysis, e. g. surface hovering, release of hot gases and solutions, fumaroles, subsidence of the dump surface etc., indicate possible existence of large cavities and cracks in the dump body.

waste dumps, quarries, coal mining, man-made grounds

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