Estimating the dangerous geological processes in recreational-tourist activity in Cisbaikalia (Irkutsk region)

The article considers dangerous geological processes of the Baikal region in the context of intensive development of recreational and tourist activities. The authors determine spectrum of dangerous geological processes influencing or potentially dangerous for recreational and tourist activities in the Baikal region, give their brief characteristics and identify the areas of their distribution. Based on the analysis of the geological and geomorphologic structure of the Baikal area, cartographic and literary sources, and authors’ long-term observations, zoning of the study area according to the degree of geomorphological danger is accomplished. These studies include the assessing dangerous geological processes in conjunction with the geological and geomorphological structure of the territory, taking into account the recreational load within the boundaries of Irkutsk Region. The authors distinguish 11 regions with different geological and geomorphological conditions, which are characterized by a definite set of exogenous geological processes with different degrees of intensity and character of manifestation. For zoning of the territory by geomorphological hazard, taking into account the recreational load, correction factors from 1 to 4 are introduced, depending on the recreational load in concrete administrative area. Olkhon district has the maximum correction factor of the recreational load (4), Slyudyanka district - 3, Irkutsk - 2, Kachug - 1. Elokhinsky-Heyremsky, Khamar-Dabansky districts (listed in descending order) have maximum degree of geomorphological hazard, Primorsky, Circum-Baikal, Olkhonsky, Elantsovsky, Kocherikovsko-Zaminsky have high degree of geomorphological hazard, Bolsherechensky district has the middle degree, and low degree of geomorphological hazard have Listvyansko-Buguldeisky, Pre-Baikal, Verkholensky districts.