The scientific and reference atlas of the Udmurt Republic was created by the grant of Russian Geographical society and includes more than 200 maps. The environmental section of the atlas includes the general environmental map and a number of the particular maps. The general ecological map represents: the types of nature management, the characteristics of quality of the atmospheric air, the largest sources and the centers of pollution of atmosphere and water bodies, the territories liable to accelerated («agricultural») erosion, the protected areas. Additional maps show how Udmurtiya is represented on world satellite pictures of atmospheric air pollution. On particular maps the spatial distribution of characteristics of environmental conditions, both using the official statistical data and results of long-term researches (including field studies), is presented.

The statistical analysis of the ensemble of space-time sea level fields by the data of the satellite altimeter measures performed in the north part of Atlantic Ocean (5°S-70°N and 20°E-80°W) with discreteness 1 day (1993-2013 years) was completed. The estimation of sea level fluctuation value in the ranges of synoptic, seasonal and interannual variability was given. The space inhomogeneity of sea level fields was shown, which is driven by the system of currents and ocean divergence (convergence) zones, the energy-active zones of ocean-atmosphere interaction and the centres of atmospheric action. The method of probability analysis of a space-time fields ensemble in view of its nonstationarity and inhomogeneity is offered.

The article describes a method of fractal analysis of structural landforms on the example of relief the White Sea region. This method is based on the provisions of fractal geometry suggested in 1977 by B. Mandelbrot. Using a digital elevation model in GIS software environment ArcGIS 9.3 significant results were yielded on the depth of the tectonic disturbances in the Earth's crust of the White Sea region comparable with the geophysical profiles. The fractal features of the surface confirmed by erosive network are to a greater degree a consequence of the physical nature of tectonic violations of crust; it allows to define qualitatively and quantitatively the borders of multi-ordinal geomorphologic structures on Earth surface, and to reveal their tectonic continuation in crust depths. This method may be useful in a number of disciplines: geomorphology, dynamic geology, landscape studies, and search geology.

Despite of more than 100-years-long period of study, spatial and temporal frames of the Ladoga transgression, and even the possibility of such a significant Lake Ladoga level-rise in the mid-Holocene remain debatable. The paper considers all diatom-inferred evidences for the Ladoga transgression available by this time. A set of diatom species indicative of the transgression has been defined based on the studies of terrestrial (outcrops, archaeological sites) and lacustrine sections located in the Lake Ladoga surroundings. Further applications of the diatom analysis in reconstruction of the transgression maximum level and temporal limits are outlined.

Watershed sands of the Yenisei North have no stratigraphic value and are presented by deposits of different ages and genesis, outcropped on the modern surface. Studied Middle and Late Pleistocene alluvial and marine sand strata are exposed on watershed areas and river valleys. Many hilly and ridge landforms are outliers and are due to the weathering processes.

The article is devoted to the study of complex, large-scale and ambitious in its development form of settlement - the megalopolis. The criteria for identification and delimitation of data entities are clarified. Genesis, territorial structure, and dynamics of megalopolises development, are still not sufficiently studied by scientists. Particular interest is drawn by urbanization processes in the dynamic Asia-Pacific region. Present-day state and level of development of megalopolis formations are investigated by the example of PRC. The regional features of development of the Chinese megalopolises are revealed, the prospects of its development are analyzed. The two types of megalopolic formations are outlined by order of its relative maturity withi in the country: 1) the mature formations of the littoral zone: Bohai, the Lower Yangtze (Shanghai), Guangdong (Pearl river Delta) and Liaoning megalopolises; 2) major regional settlement system (Sichuan), promising to the formation of megalopolis structure, now being - a formation of submegalopolis type. Taking into account the good results of socio-economic development of the Chinese urban agglomerations, the advantages of concentration of industrial activity and population in the conditions of progressive industrial society is obvious. However, world experience gives a reason to believe that at a certain stage in the evolution of the economy requires not just the development of individual cities and urban agglomerations, but the creation of more complex and large-scale megalopolis level systems, performing the most important international functions.

This article explains the formation of geosynclines, granite and basalt stratums, the World Ocean in a fundamentally new way. The nucleation and development of geosynclines is being connected with the formation of zones of deep breaks and with primitive water in them. Steam and hot water had been transforming ultrabasic rocks of the mantle, carrying out fast components - silica, carbonates, iron, etc. These mineral substances with the help of microorganisms fell out in shallow geosynclinal basins and after metamorphization entered into the composition of the granite stratum. The so-called basalt stratum of the continental Earth's crust isn't a real one. It represents the stratum of ultrabasic rocks of the upper mantle without mineral components, which have entered into the composition of the granite stratum. The formation of the World Ocean is caused by increasing of water quantity on the Earth during the Phanerozoic. It was not only the endogenous (juvenile) water, but the exogenous water, which was exudated by living organisms, as well. The areas of the initial Earth which hadn't gone through the geosynclinal path of development became the bottom of the Ocean. And its sides are the borders of mainlands elevated by isostasy forces.