Geological studies along the Circum-Baikal railroad made in the late XIX-early XX centuries

Abstract

The survey work, construction and operation of the railroad from Irkutsk along the southern shore of Lake Baikal were accompanied by detailed geological studies. During several field seasons during the surveys all projected directions of the railroad were studied. As a result, it was recommended to build a railroad from the source of Angara to Mysovoye village along the shore of Lake Baikal. But the results turned out to be too optimistic. During the development of rocky slopes from the source of Angara to Kultuk, intensive rockfalls began, which continued during the operation of the line, which caused new surveys of the entire section. In the vicinity of Mysovoye village, the identified ancient landslides caused additional study of the geological structure of the area and drainage works.