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Dzhugdzhur

geography Maturity 7-9 Next article →

The Dzhugdzhur mountains are a significant mountain range in the Russian Far East. They are located in the Khabarovsk Krai region of Siberia. This range sits along the western shores of the Sea of Okhotsk. The name Dzhugdzhur comes from the Evenki language. In Evenki, the name means "big bulge." This name likely describes the physical shape of the mountains. The range is a key part of the East Siberian Mountains.

Geologists explain that the range formed through an asymmetrical fold. An asymmetrical fold occurs when the Earth's crust bends unevenly. This process created different geological sections within the range. The southwestern half consists of very old rock types. These include gneiss and granite from the Precambrian era. The northeast section has a different composition entirely. It contains Mesozoic shale and limestone. This area also features igneous rock from the Cretaceous and Paleocene periods.

Geography defines the boundaries of the Dzhugdzhur range. To the northwest, it meets the Yudoma-Maya Highlands. The Stanovoy Range lies to the southwest of the mountains. To the south, the range is bordered by the Dzhagdy Range. The Kolyma Mountains sit to the northeast. The eastern edge of the range is bounded by the Sea of Okhotsk.

The mountains also act as a starting point for several waterways. Many rivers have their source within this range. The Maya is one of these rivers. The Maymakan and the Mati are also important rivers that begin here. These rivers flow out from the mountains into the surrounding regions. The presence of these rivers is a vital part of the local landscape.

The climate in this region is characterized by wet and cold conditions. Summers are often wet and bring significant rain. The winters are described as severe. This harsh weather affects the local ecology. Much of the range falls within the Okhotsk-Manchurian taiga ecoregion. The taiga is a specific type of forest ecosystem.

Different types of vegetation grow depending on the location. Along the coastal stretch, you can find Japanese stone pine. Dahurian larch also grows in these coastal areas. In parts of the taiga, Jezo spruce trees are common. These spruce trees can grow at elevations up to 1,300 meters. The mix of trees creates a dense forest environment.

While the mountains are mostly deserted, they are not entirely empty. Most of the range is a wild and quiet place. However, there is one major human activity in the area. Gold mines have operated within the range since the 1920s. These mines are the main exception to the otherwise deserted nature of the mountains. This history of mining connects the remote range to industrial activity.

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