Almost everyone has heard this name - Ararat. Someone thinks that this mountain is located on the territory of Armenia, someone knows the legend of Noah's ark. Unfortunately, our knowledge about this unique natural phenomenon often ends with this.
In fact, not much is known about Ararat itself, and the history of its origin and life is shrouded in secrets and legends.
And although Mount Ararat is not considered the highest in the world, it is part of the biblical story.
Two mountains, two volcanoes
The most amazing thing is that Mount Ararat is not an ordinary mountain, but a volcano.
Besides, there are two mountains - Ararat Big and Small. More precisely, these are two fused cones of the volcano, one of which is lower than the other. They are separated by the Sardar-Bulak saddle. The distance from the top of Big Ararat to the top of Small Ararat is more than ten kilometers.
Greater Ararat has a height above sea level of 5165 meters. The height of Small Ararat is 3896 meters.
Mountains consist mainly of bas altrocks, their surface is covered with solidified lava, and on the peaks - eternal ice and snow, there are more than three dozen glaciers. At the same time, Ararat did not give rise to any river or lake, which is rare.
Vegetation on the slopes of volcanoes is practically absent.
Territorial claims
Mountains are located on the territory of several states at once, therefore, naturally, disputes arose over who owns these volcanoes. All states wanted to be the sole owners of these magnificent mountain peaks. Arguments often ended in battles.
In the XVI-XVIII centuries, the border between Persia and the Ottoman Empire was laid through Ararat.
In 1828 the Treaty of Turkmenchay was signed. Under the terms of this agreement, Greater Ararat from the northern side passed to the Russian Empire, and the rest of the volcano was divided between the three countries.
For Tsar Nicholas I, the possession of at least part of the famous mountain was of great political importance.
At one time part of the mountain belonged to Armenia, and Ararat is still a symbol of the state.
But since 1921, Big and Small Ararat passed into the possession of Turkey. Of course, Armenia still cannot come to terms with this.
Volcanic activity of Ararat
Great Ararat appeared about three and a half million years ago and is the highest mountain peak in Turkey.
Small Ararat is located to the east of the Big. It appeared much laterabout 150 thousand years ago as a result of the eruption of the Great Ararat volcano. Small Ararat is much lower than Big Ararat.
According to the observations of scientists, the activity of the Ararat volcano began to manifest itself in the third millennium BC. The last documented strongest eruption of the Big Ararat volcano happened in July 1840, it took place deep underground without ejection of lava. The eruption triggered an earthquake that destroyed a nearby village with a monastery.
There is practically no information about the eruption of Small Ararat.
When the volcanoes wake up again, no one knows. It could happen at any time.
Noah's Ark
Mountains of Ararat are widely known due to the mention in the main book of Christians - the Bible. It says that Noah's ark moored to Ararat lands.
Evidence that we are talking about these volcanoes, Big and Small Ararat, unfortunately, has not yet been found.
Legends about St. James, who tried to get to the top of the mountain to bow to the holy relic, have survived to this day. He made several attempts to climb the mountain, but each time he fell asleep halfway, and when he woke up, he somehow miraculously ended up at the foot of the mountain.
In a dream, an angel appeared to Jacob and said that the peak is inviolable, mere mortals are not recommended to climb there. But for perseverance and determination, the saint was presented with a gift - a small piece of the ark.
Until now, the local population is convinced that it is impossible to climb to the top of Ararat. And if someonethen he tells that he was there, no one believes him. Even though there is documented evidence of these facts.
Volcano Legends
Small Ararat, like Big Ararat, has become a part of myths, fairy tales and legends.
For example, it is believed that with the help of melted ice, mined from the top of a mountain, you can summon a miracle bird called tetagush, which helps to overcome locusts.
Mount Ararat is considered a favorite habitat for snakes by some local peoples.
Many believe that spiritual stone sculptures can be found on the mountain.
There are all sorts of legends and stories that terrible creatures are imprisoned inside the cones that are eager to destroy the world, but Mount Ararat hides them securely and does not let them out.
Conquest of the peaks
In the photo, Small Ararat always coexists with its big brother. The unearthly beauty of these mountains has always attracted desperate travelers who certainly needed to get to the very top of the volcano.
Starting from 1829, expeditions were regularly equipped to officially conquer the volcano and study it. Later, there were lone daredevils who conquered the top of Ararat without any accompaniment.
Now Mount Ararat is an object of constant attraction for tourists.
Any novice climber with special equipment who hires an experienced instructor will be able to overcome the recalcitrant peak of Mount Ararat. Homein this case, the difficulty is passing through glaciers, the slopes of the mountain themselves do not present any particular difficulties when climbing, since they are quite gentle.
