The dynamics of horizontal deformations (displacements) in the natural
long-term wetting-drying cycle of chernozem-like Vertisols of the Sta
vropol district was studied using the rod method. The random character
of the rod movement in the horizontal plane, which reflected nonunidi
rectional displacements of different soil blocks relative to each othe
r, was shown. A trend toward the increase in displacement range was ob
served when the development of vertic properties increased. Repeated l
ateral displacements of soil blocks were observed in microslopes of ch
ernozem-like Vertisols along the Line joining the microlow center and
the microridge summit. The displacement range was 1.5-2.5 cm. The resu
lts obtained suggest modem processes (possibly irreversible) of spatia
l redistribution of soil matter in the horizontal plane between consti
tuents of the gilgai chernozem-like Vertisol complex.