A generalization of the materials of a comprehensive paleogeographic study in the ancient glacial region of the Russian Plain is aimed at establishing regional features of the geomorphological structure and patterns of spatial variability of indicators. For these purposes, geological and geomorphological zoning of the territory was carried out on the basis of a systematic approach and under the control of paleogeographic expertise. On the compiled map, the territorial divisions are highlighted: against the background of different age paleogeographic zones, 4 geological provinces and 14 geologic-geomorphological regions are distinguished. Their complex characteristics are obtained by the totality of the leading geomorphological processes. Particular attention is paid to the study of the glacial relief, which plays an important role in paleogeographic reconstructions of this area. Marginal zones infrastructure of the ice sheets of different ages has been studied in detail, which makes it possible to make more exact the maximum and stadial boundaries of the Moscow and Kalinin ice sheets. Thus, regional features of the structure and composition of the morpholithogenic basis of landscapes are established. The laws of its formation are confirmed: geological and geomorphological heredity and paleogeographic conditionality. The study of regional features of the geomorphological structure of the ancient glacial region makes a significant contribution to the reconstruction of the glacial rhythm of the Pleistocene. The results of integrated geologic-geomorphological zoning facilitate the regional targeted estimation of the state of geoecological stability of geosystems and make it more justified.

Basing on the detailed integrated studies, the history of the Protva River valley development is considered. Specific features of the geological and geomorphologic structure of the differently aged terraces are established. The obtained lithologic-mineralogical and palynological characteristics of their alluvium are a reliable diagnostic and correlation criterion. The erosion-accumulative cycles of valley development were identified for the late Neopleistocene. Palynological data provided for the reconstruction of the landscape and climatic conditions of terracing, including the paleoclimatic rhythms of the late Neopleistocene, MIS5, MIS-4, MIS-3, MIS-2. The materials obtained make it possible to unequivocally speak of pronounced cooling in the central region of Russia during the Kalinin period, weaker in intensity than that of the Late Valday era of the Ostashkov Ice Age. The epochs of cooling are separated by the Middle Valday warming.

На основе комплексного палеогеографического анализа проведена реконструкция радиально-маргинальной структуры московского и калининского ледниковых покровов с использованием надежной стратиграфической основы и детальных геоморфологических построений. На составленной геоморфологической карте отражена инфраструктура краевых ледниковых образований разновозрастных зон. Подтверждается радиальная потоковая структура ледниковых покровов. Обоснована маргинальная структура и динамика стадиальных зон московского и калининского оледенений. Уточнены границы их максимального распространения в регионе. Установленные пространственные и временные закономерности развития ледниковой ритмики в центральном регионе Русской равнины имеют важное палеогеографическое значение. Based on a comprehensive paleogeographic analysis, the radial-marginal structure of the Moscow and Kalinin ice sheets was reconstructed using a reliable stratigraphic base and detailed geomorphological structures. The geomorphological map shows the infrastructure of the regional glacial formations of uneven age zones. Confirms the radial flow structure of the ice caps. The marginal structure and dynamics of the stadial zones of the Moscow and Kalinin glaciations are substantiated. The boundaries of their maximum distribution in the region are specified. The established spatial and temporal patterns of the development of glacial rhythms in the central region of the Russian Plain have an important paleogeographic significance.

On the basis of the complex lithological and geomorphological zonation, the features of morphosystem characteristics were revealed. Map was produced of morphostructural provinces, paleogeographical zones of different age glaciations, which were divided into 19 areas. The map legend contains specific geomorphological and lithological indicators of the regional morpholithosystems. As a result of the comparative analysis of the most important patterns of formation and trends of spatial variability characteristics the following issues were established: a) the provincial morphostructural and geological inheritance; b) paleogeographically preconditioned zonality of morphosculptures, types of sediment sequences and facial-genetic diversity; c) landscape and climate relations and regional particularities of exogenous processes in the relief transformation and sedimentation. The complex lithological-geomorphological zoning has high scientific and methodological value. The identified regional patterns and characteristics of morpholithosystems are relevant for reliable paleogeographic reconstruction and interregional correlations, as well as to assessment of the forecast and the state and prognosis of geo-environmental sustainability of the natural environment.

Specific features of the formation and distribution of periglacial loess association in the Volga region are discussed. Based on generalization of the results of the systematic paleogeographic analysis, the paper presents a comprehensive characteristic of the polygenetic and polychronous loess rocks. The results show regional specifics in the structure and composition of loess rock horizons confined to different-aged paleogeographic zones of the Russian Plain. Provincial discrepancies in the distribution and thickness of loess rocks are demonstrated in the summary map. Comparison of the complex characteristics of the loess rocks provides insight into the general trend of spatiotemporal variability of their structure and composition. Latitudinal zonation is manifested in the thickening of loess rock sequences along the distal direction of the paleoglacial zone (on the average, from 1.3 m to 5–10 m or more) and is usually accompanied by increase in contents of the silty material and carbonates and degree of sagging. Moreover, the stratigraphic structure of sections becomes more complicated with increase of the age interval of loess–soil series. The spatiotemporal trends, which are revealed in the development and periodicity of loess formation, have a great significance for the reconstruction of paleogeographic events in the Neopleistocene.

Проведено комплексное литолого-геоморфологическое районирование центра Русской равнины, на основании которого выявлены региональные характеристики морфолитосистем. Составлена карта территориальных подразделений морфолитоструктур на провинции и палеогеографические зоны. В легенде представлена сводка характерных геоморфологических и литологических показателей региональных морфолитосистем. В результате сравнительного анализа установлены важнейшие закономерности формирования и тенденции пространственной изменчивости характеристик: а) провинциальная морфоструктурная и геологическая унаследованность; б) палеогеографически обусловленная зональность морфоскульптур, типов строения разрезов и фациально-генетического разнообразия; в) ландшафтно-климатическая зависимость и региональная специфика экзогенных процессов рельефообразования и осадконакопления. Выявленные региональные закономерности и характерные черты развития морфолитосистем могут быть использованы при палеогеографических реконструкциях и межрегиональных корреляционных построениях, а также в целях оценки состояния и прогноза геоэкологической устойчивости природной среды.

Complex investigation of the peculiarities of landscape formation and sedimentation is an important component of regional paleogeographical reconstructions. The geomorphological and lithological maps compiled by the authors demonstrate the regularities of spatial differentiation and trends of age changeability of morpholitosystems. These trends served as the basis for mapping the paleogeographical zones of the East-European Plain with the history of regions’ development taking into account. The separation of the territory into paleogeographical zones, provinces, regions was fulfilled with the following estimation of landforms stability. Paleogeographical approach based on the purposive zoning gives the possibility of complex assessment of natural environment stability and regions of ecological risk. Paleogeographical expertise improves reliability of forecast for the morpholithosystems development in extreme situations.