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Central Siberian Plateau

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

The Central Siberian Plateau is a massive mountainous region in Siberia. It is a major part of the Great Russian Regions. This area sits within the Siberian Platform. It covers about one-third of all Siberia. The plateau is a complex system of landforms. It includes many different high areas and ridges. This makes it a very important geographical feature of the continent.

The geography of the plateau is defined by its vast size and boundaries. It stretches across a huge area in central Siberia. To the west, it is bounded by the Yenisei River. To the east, it reaches the Central Yakutian Lowland. The northern edge meets the North Siberian Lowland. To the east, it also connects to the Lena Plateau.

Весенние снежники
Весенние снежники

Many mountain ranges border the plateau to the south. These borders create a rugged frame for the region. The Altai Mountains and the Salair Ridge are among these southern bounds. Other nearby mountains include the Kuznetsk Alatau. The Eastern and Western Sayan Mountains also form a southern border. You can also find the North Baikal Highlands and the Baikal Mountains here. These mountains help define the southern limits of the plateau system.

The surface of the plateau is not flat. It features an alternation of wide plateaus and ridges. Some of these ridges are sharply jagged. The plateau system is actually made of many smaller parts. The Putorana Plateau is the northwesternmost part of the system. It is also the highest part of the whole plateau. The highest point in the entire system is Mount Kamen.

Весенние снежники
Весенние снежники

Other subplateaus and subranges make up this large area. The Anabar Plateau sits at the northern end. There is also the Vilyuy Plateau and the Syverma Plateau. Other parts include the Nakson, Tunguska, and Lena plateaus. The Lena-Angara Plateau is another significant section. You will also find the Yenisei Range and the Angara Range. Each of these areas has its own unique characteristics and high points.

The climate of the region is described as continental. This means the weather changes significantly between seasons. The summers are short and warm. However, the winters are long and severely cold. Most of the land is covered by conifer forests. Larch trees are especially abundant in these forests. The Lower Tunguska is the major river that flows through this landscape.

Geologically, the area is known as the Siberian Traps. This name refers to the specific rock formations found there. The region is extremely rich in mineral resources. These resources are hidden deep within the earth. You can find coal and iron ore in the ground. There are also valuable metals like gold and platinum.

Gold on arsenopyrite SEM image
Gold on arsenopyrite SEM image

In addition to metals, the plateau holds other important materials. People can find diamonds and natural gas in this region. These minerals make the plateau a site of great economic importance. The presence of gold is a notable feature. For example, gold can be found on arsenopyrite.

Gold on arsenopyrite SEM image
Gold on arsenopyrite SEM image

The Central Siberian Plateau connects many different parts of the Earth. It links major river systems like the Yenisei and the Lena. It sits between lowlands and high mountain ranges. This connection makes it a central part of the Siberian landscape. Its vast size and rich resources make it a unique place. It remains a key part of the Siberian Platform's structure.

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File:Весенние снежники.jpg
Весенние снежники.jpg
File:Gold on arsenopyrite SEM image.png
Gold on arsenopyrite SEM image.png
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