Levan Tielidze

Glaciers of Georgia

The location of glaciological regions of the Caucasus according to Global Land Ice Measurements from Space (GLIMS) and Randolph Glacier Inventory (RGI) is represented in this chapter. Division of the Caucasus Mountains by separate units is also considered. The climate and relief of the Caucasus is described. The significance of glaciers as for Georgia as well as for other mountainous regions of the Caucasus is reviewed generally.

Central Greater Caucasus

This chapter provides the geomorphological characteristics of the central Greater Caucasus sub-zone. Orographic units are reviewed in detail, such as: the central Greater Caucasus main watershed range, the Enguri River and its tributaries, Egrisi (Samegrelo) and Svaneti ranges, the Tskhenistskali River and its tributaries, Lechkhumi Range, the Rioni River and its tributaries, Shoda-Kedela and Racha ranges, the Didi Liakhvi and Patara Liakhvi river gorges, Germukhi and Kharuli ranges. The description of the limestone massifs (Tsulishi, Kvira, Gauchi, Migaria, Askhi, and Khvamli) of the central Greater Caucasus is presented as well. The text also provides a geological structure, tectonic conditions and current exogenic processes of the research region. The extents of modern and Late Pleistocene glaciation of the central Greater Caucasus is also considered. Each subchapter is accompanied by appropriate images and maps.

Morphological Division of the Landscape of Georgia

This chapter presents the morphological division of the landscape of Georgia, where the main morphostructural units are considered, such as the Greater Caucasus watershed range, the intermountain lowland of Georgia, and the highland of southern Georgia. The geological structure and tectonic conditions are discussed together with their distribution. The main orographic units are divided into separate sections by their morphological and morphometric features. In the Greater Caucasus zone the western, central and eastern sections are distinguished. The intermountain lowland is divided into the two subzones—the Kolkheti Lowland (western Georgia) and the Iveria Plain (eastern Georgia). There are two subzones distinguished in the highland of southern Georgia: Achara-Trialeti -Loki mountainous relief and volcanic highland of Georgia. The geodynamic processes, distributed across the study region, are also presented.

Achara-Trialeti-Loki Mountainous Terrain

This chapter presents the geomorphological characterization of the subzone of the highland of Southern Georgia. There are detailed descriptions of orographical units such as Achara-Trialeti-Loki mountainous terrain, Achara-Imereti (Meskheti) and Trialeti ranges, Borjomi gorge, Achara depression (Acharistskali River gorge), Shavsheti and Arsiani ranges, Akhaltsikhe depression, Khrami-Loki medium mountainous region and its subregions—the Bedena mountain massif, Khrami River gorge, Kviriketi-Lukuni subregion, and the Loki Range. The text also provides geological structure of the study area, its tectonic conditions and current exogenic processes. Each subchapter is accompanied by appropriate images and maps.

Eastern Greater Caucasus

This chapter presents the geomorphological characterization of the sub-region of the eastern Greater Caucasus. The orographical units are considered in detail, including: the main watershed range of the eastern Greater Caucasus, Khokhi Range, the gorges of the Tergi River and its tributaries, Kuro, Shavana and Kidegani ranges, the Asa River gorge, Khevsureti Range, the Arghuni River gorge, Atsunta and Pirikita ranges, the Tusheti depression, Keli volcanic upland, Lomisi (Alevi) Range, the Ksani, and Aragvi river gorges, Gudamakari and Kartli ranges, the Iori River gorge, Kakheti Range and Kakheti Caucasus. The text also provides the geological structure, tectonic conditions and current exogenic processes of the study region. Also the rates of modern and Late Pleistocene glaciations of the eastern Greater Caucaus are considered. Each subchapter is accompanied by appropriate images and maps.

Urban Landscape of Georgia (On the Example of Large Cities)

This chapter presents the general geographical location and issues of built-up areas of the major cities of Georgia (Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Rustavi and Batumi). The change in land use and dynamics of population over the last 30 years is discussed. In the case of Tbilisi, there are allocated areas such as bare soil area, green area, built-up area, and the agricultural area; also the main areas of land use transformation are highlighted. The reasons for the change in urban areas and population over the last 30 years are considered in the example of all four cities.

Karst Landscape of Georgia

This chapter presents the basic conditions for the creation of Georgia’s karst terrain and the extent of the distribution. Hydrological and hydrogeological features of karst are given, such as water regime, karst surface, and underground runoff of karstification-water content horizons and complexes. Morphological-genetic types of karst are considered, such as the mountain outcropping and meadow, mountain forest, hidden, buried, and remnant karsts. The surface and underground karst forms, such as poljes, uvalas, depressions, sinkholes, expanded cracks, wells, shafts, abysses, various types of karst caves, and others are characterized. The subchapter includes appropriate maps and images.

Long-Term Geomorphic History of Georgia

This chapter discusses the location of Georgia, its orographic units, geological and geomorphological structure, zones and zoning. The Proterozoic, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic sediments; Jurassic and Cretaceous formations; Palaeogenic, Oligocene and Miocene sediments; Pliocene and Quaternary formations (Pleistocene and Holocene) are described. The three main geomorphological zones such as the Greater Caucasus, Georgia’s intermountain plain, and Southern highland of Georgia are described. Within Georgia, the Neogene and Quaternary volcanisms (Late Miocene–Early Pliocene, Late Pliocene–Early Pleistocene, Middle and Late Pleistocene, and Holocene) are characterized. We do not provide the description of the Late Pleistocene glaciation of the Georgian Caucasus in this chapter, because a separate monograph directly about the glaciers of Georgia has been published.

General Characteristics of Exogenic Processes

This chapter discusses the distribution of various exogenic processes in the territory of Georgia. In the beginning, the following processes are discussed, such as accumulation, gravitational, karst, and erosive-denudative processes. The map of exogenic processes of Georgia is presented. Individual paragraphs are dedicated to the processes such as landslides, mudflows, and snow avalanches. The latest subchapter reviews flooding on the Vere River occurred in Tbilisi on June 13, 2015.

Climate, Hydrography, and Soils of Georgia

This chapter details the climate of Georgia; it describes the climate regions and areas such as the western and eastern Greater Caucasus, Kolkheti Lowland, Imereti Highland, Shida Kartli and Kvemo Kartli plains, Saguramo-Gombori middle highland, Iori Upland and Alazani Valley, mountainous Achara-Guria , Trialeti, Meskheti, and Javakheti Upland. Subchapters describe the air temperature and atmospheric precipitation. The fresh water resources of Georgia are also characterized: rivers, lakes, glaciers, marshes, water reservoirs, and underground waters. The last section is dedicated to the soils of Georgia.