Geomorphological mapping of quarries
Authors: Horishnyy Pavlo 
Published: November 2019

Main issues related to the geomorphological mapping of quarries are discussed. The stages of creating these maps are characterized. The first stage is the analysis of raw materials and prefield mapping. The relief in contours with a relatively small value of horizontal crossing (2 m) is depicted in surveying and topographic maps and plans of mines (scale 1:500–1:5000). According to topographic maps and plans of mining the boundaries of main elements of relief can be quite easy to distinguish, and sometimes their genesis can be set. Space photos help to identify not only the major but also the minor (small) elements and forms of relief and micro-relief surfaces (flat, hilly etc.). As a result of preparatory (prefield) the geomorphological map-hypothesis (preliminary geomorphological map) is worked out, the main morphological elements of relief are highlighted there to the most possible extent.
The second most important, phase is field mapping. The main task is to identify the complete and final elements and landforms.
Four major components of the quarry relief, which are represented on geomorphic maps (its morphology, genesis, age and dynamics) are analysed. The relief morphology is the most essential part of the content of geomorphologic maps of quarries. The morphological criteria define the boundaries of cells and landforms, and confirm or deny the previously allocated limits, specify them (including changes in the relief that have occurred in recent years) and circumstance them. The genesis of quarries relief, in general, is purely anthropogenic. Depending on the relief forming factor (anthropogenic denudation or accumulation) the main genetic categories of relief are distinguished respectively: excavated (or denudational) and accumulative. The age of the relief is determined by the fund and literary sources, topographic and surveying maps, remote materials. Additional criteria that can be found in field studies can also be used, such as: 1) herbage (amount of turf); 2) forestry (approximate age of trees); 3) the severity of morphological forms. Contemporary geomorphological processes in quarries are the natural and anthropogenic processes that occur in man-made terrain, but act as natural. From the experience of personal research, the most common processes include landfall-landslides processes, linear erosion, sheet erosion, upheaval, suffusion.
Some other characteristics that are represented on geomorphological maps include geological structure, vegetation, hydrological features. The main geological characteristic is the lithology of deposits, first and foremost the lithology of career ledges (loam, sand, marl, limestone, sandstone etc.). Vegetation on geomorphic maps of quarries is of secondary importance. Its presence indicates the relative maturity of the human terrain, insignificant activity of modern exogenous processes. Hydrological features of quarries usually consist in the amount of water on separate areas (bottoms of quarries) and waterlogging.
The last stage is drawing the legend and mapping of the geomorphological map. Legend to the geomorphological map consists of the following components: 1) the types of human terrain, which are divided into key elements (rarely forms) of relief; 2) small (minor) elements and landforms; 3) the contemporary geomorphological processes (contemporary morphodynamics); 4) other markings. The most essential in the legend is the first part that actually describes the main elements and landforms of quarry relief grouped according to genetics and further divided by age and morphology, topography, geological and hydrological characteristics, vegetation. There are no specific standards as to geomorphological maps mapping. There are black and white and colour versions of the maps.
Key words: quarry, anthropogenic relief, geomorphological mapping, geomorphological maps stages of construction, contemporary morhpodynamics