Rugged terrain is a piece of land with difficult driving conditions. This name, at first glance, does not meet the definition or does not exactly describe such a territory. Under the concept of intersection, here we use the meaning of the "ruggedness" of the earth's surface by various neoplasms. They create irregularities, and this is not necessarily deepening. These formations can also rise above ground level.
Terrain: definition and properties
Rivers, lakes, mountains and hills, forests and swamps - all this changes the appearance of the earth's surface. Rough terrain is a concept that characterizes a similar territory. The dictionaries about the verb “cross” indicate that in this expression it is used in the meaning of a determinant of quality or property of a particular site. In another way, it can be said that on this territory the earth's surface is cut up by various relief elements.
The rough terrain suggests that 20% or more various kinds of obstacles are located on the site, which in one way or another impede simple movement. They can be of natural origin or artificially created objects. If there are less than 20% of such obstacles, then it is customary to speak of low roughness.
Roads, overpasses, canals and settlements are built by man and are related to the subjects of the area. And everything that is created by nature is usually called relief. The science of topography studies these individual elements, their totality, as well as how to display them on maps.
Thus, a locality is understood to mean a certain plot of land with natural irregularities on its surface and artificially created objects (objects). If there are less than 10%, then such a terrain is considered uncrossed. More than 30% is evidence of strong ruggedness.
Passability is a similar property of the territory, giving an understanding of the ease or complexity of movement along it. Here the main factor is the presence or absence of a road network. It is clear that the presence of ravines, rivers, forests or swamps reduces patency. To increase it, it is necessary to carry out engineering work.
Therefore, the entire terrain off-road is conditionally crossed. Its degree depends on the presence or absence of obstacles on it in percentage terms. Allocate easily and impassable sites, as well as territories where there is no possibility of movement.
Characteristics
Rough terrain (photos are posted in the article) is divided depending on the possibility of a review. It can be open if the area is clearly visible up to 75% in all directions. When the degree of review is less, they talk about closeness. An intermediate value may be characterized by conditional roughness. The determining factor in this case is the presence of forests, gardens, hills, settlements with infrastructure that restricts visibility.
Soil and vegetation on it also make adjustments. Depending on their types, there are desert, steppe, forest, tundra, marshy, and also transitional types. The terrain may have hilly, flat or mountainous terrain. For a flat surface, heights of up to 300 m above conventional sea level are characteristic. Strongly rugged terrain is most often a territory with hilly and more complex terrain. Mountain areas are usually divided into three types depending on the prevailing heights: low - up to 1000 m, medium - up to 2000 m, high - over 2000 m. Hillyness is determined by elevations up to 500 m.
Specificity
The rugged terrain affects the layout and location of settlements, on the road network. The climatic features of the region depend to some extent on it. The soil of such places is also often specific. The vegetation cover, the level of groundwater and the possibility of their use for human needs and agricultural technology of cultural plantings depend on it.
The most fertile are chernozems and chestnut soils close to them. But they are less suitable for dirt roads during heavy rainfall. In semi-deserts, sandy loams and salt marshes are most often found. Soils, in contrast to the soil (fertile top layer), are applicable for construction. They, in turn, are divided into rocky, loose and intermediate.
Territory objects depending on purpose, location, form and origin can be divided into several types:
- settlements;
- facilities for industry, agriculture and culture;
- road network and transport communications;
- communication and power lines;
- vegetation cover;
- hydrographic objects (rivers, lakes) and water structures attached to them (ports, marinas, moorings).
Relief elements
Rough terrain - these are bumps that determine the type and nature of the earth's surface. They are usually divided into relief forms. A mountain is a domed or conical elevation. The upper part can be acute (peak) or have a plane (plateau). The base of the mountain is called the sole, and the side faces are called slopes. If the height of the formation is up to 200 m, then it is customary to call it a hill. If it is of artificial origin, then this is a mound. Several hills located in the same direction form a ridge.
Lowering the terrain with a cup-shaped hollow of a closed type is called a basin. If it is small, then this is a pit. Hollow is called a pronounced decrease in the area in one direction with a clearly noticeable deepening. If such a formation has steep edges and steep slopes, then it is called a ravine. Between two adjacent peaks of the ridge, as a rule, there is a decrease. Such a formation is called a saddle.
Rough terrain
Complex terrain and obstacles to travel in normal mode are not very suitable. If you have to go in such a terrain, it is better to choose noticeable animal trails, potholes and objects that lie securely on the surface of the earth. For climbing uphill it is advisable to use auxiliary climbing equipment and devices. Of particular danger are scree, as they can form a rockfall.
Movement in relatively even areas can be carried out in a measured and rhythmic step or by jogging (jogging). The presence of obstacles makes you slow down, look carefully under your feet so as not to curl your foot or stretch your ligaments. Forest, swamp, bushes, sand or snow - all this requires the development of a special step.
The presence of luggage behind, a slope or climb uphill imposes additional requirements. Descent is sometimes more advisable to produce "serpentine." With a steep climb, put the foot on the entire foot or place them with a "herringbone", spreading the socks to the sides, and tilt the body slightly forward.
