This paper examines the investigation of exogenic geological processes in the Yanardagh area located in the northern part of the Absheron peninsula at a distance of 27 km from Baku. The peninsula is orographically the southeastern continuation of the Greater Caucasus and occupies an area of approximately 2,000 sq. km. This area was formed as a result of volcanic-tectonic processes and the ignition of natural gas flows that emerged to the surface through cracks. Field geophysical measurements using Vertical Electrical Sounding method were carried out along nine profiles using a symmetrical four-electrode AMNB installation. As a result of the conducted geophysical studies, the following tasks: detailed subdivision of the geological section to a depth of 30 m; identification and tracking of probable faults; determination of some probable physical parameters of the rocks forming the geological section were solved. Three main layers composed of clays with different thickness and electrical resistivity were identified. Based on the plotted maps of the averaged values of the expected physical parameters, it was established that the western part of the area is most susceptible to the impact of exogenic geological processes. Presumably, the main cause of the exo­genic geological processes development is an aqueous solution flowing from the mud volcano manifestation located in the southwestern part of the study area. It is proposed the necessity to eliminate the ingress of water flowing from the mud volcano into the geological environment in order to reduce the rate of the exogenic geological processes development in the study area.

Keywords: geophysics, mud volcano, electrical prospecting, resistivity, rock, density, faults

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