The engineering geology of loess ground: 15 tasks for investigators—the Mavlyanov programme of loess research

In 1970 G.A. Mavlyanov, in Tashkent, published his proposed set of research topics for workers on loess in engineering geology. They concerned (1) formation theory, (2) property variations, (3) property/genesis correlations, (4) standard terminology, (5) classification, (6) formation vs. environment, (7) water/property relationships, (8) irrigation, (9) collapse management, (10) collapse theory, (11) collapse forecast in irrigation, (12) equipment development, (13) very high sensitivity studies, (14) collapse in seismic areas, (15) micro-seismic zoning. The proposals were not widely appreciated; now there is a chance to present a translation into English, an updating and a commentary on the key concepts. Proposal 1 was the longest on the original list and receives most discussion—it is here that the maximum reconciliation is required—between approaches to loess formation.