Geomorphological Zoning of Racha Region for Geopark Planning

Abstract

Geomorphological zoning and complex relief research were conducted in the Racha region, which is located In the Caucasus, in the northwestern part of Georgia, south of the Greater Caucasus, in the central part of which there are Precambrian and Paleozoic crystalline substrates (gneisses, migmatites, crystalline shales) and granitoid intrusions of different ages. The Caucasus axis and higher massifs are built of granitoid, gneiss, and metamorphic shales. The oldest rocks (600 million years old) are found at the highest points and the age of the rocks decreases in the vicinity of the hypsometry steps (70 - 30 million rocks). The geological structure of the region has made a significant contribution to the formation of relief landscapes. Karst, erosion-denudation, volcanic, periglacial relief, and various interesting forms are formed here: caves, valleys, canyons, glacial and rocky lakes, waterfalls, deep valleys, mineral waters, and more. The peculiarity of the relief also influenced the mining geological history (5000 AD) and the creation of ancient settlements. Here, still in ancient Racha, at the head of the main river, Rioni, ancient settlements were formed due to iron, gold, and copper metal, which is confirmed by archeological monuments.