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Verkhoyansk Range

geography Maturity 7-9 Next article →

The Verkhoyansk Range is a massive mountain system located in the Sakha Republic of Russia. It is a major part of the East Siberian Mountains. This range sits just west of the boundary between two tectonic plates. These are the Eurasian and North American plates. The mountains form a vast arc of land in the region of Yakutia. They are positioned east of the Central Yakutian Lowland and west of the Chersky Range.

Yakutia - DSC 6164
Yakutia - DSC 6164

Geological processes formed these mountains through a process called folding. This folding created a structure known as an anticline. During the Last Glacial Period, large glaciers covered the entire range. In the northern section, the mountains show a specific type of shape called Alpine relief. This means the peaks are very sharp and rugged.

Yakutia - DSC 6184
Yakutia - DSC 6184

Other parts of the range feature smoother mountains and wide intermontane basins.

Yakutia - DSC 6112
Yakutia - DSC 6112

These mountains also contain valuable mineral deposits. Scientists have found coal, silver, lead, tin, and zinc within the range.

The range is organized into many different subranges and plateaus. These are divided by their location relative to the Arctic Circle. The northern section includes the Orulgan, Kharaulakh, and Kunga ranges. Other northern subranges include the Dzhardzhan, Sietinden, Kular, Byrandia, and Kuyellyakh ranges. The southern section, which lies south of the Arctic Circle, contains the Echysky Massif and the Arkachan Plateau. Other southern parts include the Tagindzhin, Muosuchan, Bygyn, Kuturgin, and Munni ranges. The far southern section includes the Kyllakh Range and the Ulakhan-Bom.

Historically, much of the range was mapped through scientific expeditions. In 1934, a Soviet government expedition surveyed the area. This team included geologist Yuri Bilibin and mining engineer Evgeny Bobin. They performed the first topographic survey of this remote territory. Bilibin proved that the Skalisty and Sette-Daban mountain chains belonged to the Verkhoyansk system. The expedition also explored the Yudoma-Maya Highlands for the first time. This work helped define the boundaries of the mountain system.

The geography of the range is defined by its relationship to major rivers. The mountains separate the Lena River basin to the west from the Omoloy and Yana basins to the east. The range is deeply cut by riverine intermontane basins. Many right tributaries of the Lena flow west from the mountains. These include the Kyundyudey, Undyulyung, Begidyan, and Sobolokh-Mayan rivers. Other tributaries include the Menkere, Dzhardzhan, Uel-Siktyakh, and Kuranakh-Siktyakh. To the northeast, rivers like the Kuranakh-Yuryakh flow into the Omoloy. The eastern slopes feed the Dulgalakh and Sartang rivers, which help form the Yana River.

The climate in this region is extremely harsh and frigid. The Verkhoyansk Range is famous for having some of the lowest temperatures on Earth. The settlement of Verkhoyansk and the area near Oymyakon have recorded world-low temperatures. Deep snow cover remains on the ground for most of the year. Because of the extreme cold, most rivers in the mountains freeze from September until May. This freezing cycle is a regular part of the local environment.

Despite the cold, specific types of life can survive here. The mountains are home to an alpine tundra. This environment supports various species of mosses and lichens. On the smoother slopes, you can find sparsely-wooded forests. These forests consist mainly of larch trees and dwarf Siberian pine. These plants have adapted to the long winters and the deep snow. The combination of rugged peaks and specialized plants makes the Verkhoyansk Range a unique part of the Siberian landscape.

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File:Yakutia - DSC 6164.jpg
Yakutia - DSC 6164.jpg
File:Yakutia - DSC 6184.jpg
Yakutia - DSC 6184.jpg
File:Yakutia - DSC 6112.jpg
Yakutia - DSC 6112.jpg
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