COMPACT SOILS OF TERRITORIES WITH GILGAI MICROTOPOGRAPHY

This paper studies the properties of mineralogical composition of comp act soils (Vertisols), whose microtopography consists of the regular a lternation of microhills and microdepressions (gilgai). A hypothesis i s proposed for the formation of this microtopography under conditions of the Stavropol Kray, in soils with a high swelling capacity througho ut the profile the surface is deformed as a result of viscoplastic ext rusion of the lower horizons from beneath microdepressions to beneath microhills at stages of intensive irregular wetting.