Byrranga is the northernmost ridge system in the Russian Federation. They are part of the Great Arctic and Taimyr Reserve. The geological age of this system is the same as that of the Urals. The Byrranga Mountains, whose highest point is 1125 meters above sea level, have a length of 1100 km. Their width is 200 kilometers.
Highest point and elevation fluctuations in the mountain system
Until recently it was believed: 1146 meters - the Byrranga mountains have the highest height. The highest point, whose name is Glacier Mountain, is located in the Northeast Range. But the results of subsequent studies showed that it reaches only 1119 meters. Therefore, we chose another peak with a height of 1125 m, located to the east.
The entire mountain system can be divided into three regions. The western part has the smallest height- up to 320 meters. Its borders coincide with the valley of the Pyasina River and the Yenisei Bay. If you move east through the Byranga mountains, their height increases and in the central part is 400-600 meters. This region of the mountain system is located between the rivers Pyasina and Taimyr. And the eastern part has heights from 600 to 1125 m. Further north, the mountains decrease and there is a gradual transition to coastal plains.
Geographic location
The Byrranga Mountains is a system located on the Taimyr Peninsula, which is washed by the waters of the Arctic Ocean. They belong to the mainland of Eurasia. The locals called this massif "big rocky mountain". Byrranga - the coordinates of the mountains 73 ° 50'15 "northern latitude and 91 ° 21'40" eastern longitude - are located beyond the Arctic Circle. This situation in the Far North creates severe weather conditions. Since these highlands are difficult to reach and have been unexplored for a long time, there may be confusion about their position on the map.
Someone thinks that Byrranga mountains are located in the Far East region. In fact, they stretch in the north of Eastern Siberia and enter the territory of the Krasnoyarsk Territory. In addition, some confuse this system of ridges with the Khibiny. Based on this, they think that the Byrranga mountains are located north or south of the city of Murmansk. This system is located along the parallel from the Yenisei Gulf of the Kara Sea to the Laptev Sea. It occupies a significant part of the Taimyr Peninsula. The highest point is in the eastsystems - a nameless mountain. Byrranga - the geographical position of the system makes the area difficult to access - in the south it borders on the North Siberian Lowland.
Relief
The mountains themselves are dissected by river valleys of great depth and represent a system that includes about 30 ridges. The depressions are filled with alluvial deposits, and elements of ancient marine terraces are present. The Byrranga Mountains, whose height allows them to be classified as medium heights, also belong to the fold-block type.
The tops can have the most varied shape, there are both pointed and plateau-shaped. Punishments and circuses are widespread. There is permafrost and landforms associated with it - kurums, heaving mounds. The relief was formed under the influence of glaciers of the Quaternary period. This is evidenced by glacial landforms - troughs and moraines. In the eastern part there are also modern glaciers, there are 96 of them in total.
Indigenous
Before the arrival of research expeditions, the Byrranga Mountains were the first to discover Nganasans during their migrations to the coast of the Arctic Ocean. However, these tribes did not go further than low areas, fearing evil spirits, in their opinion, living here.
The Dolgans called this place the Land of the Dead: it was believed that the souls of the dead go here after death. Therefore, they say that Byrranga is the abode of shamans and spirits. Of course, stone scree and ice-covered mountain slopes really could give the impression of "dead land" onlocal residents. Therefore, they tried not to enter here, even wanting to reach the coast of the sea. This can be understood by the fact that on the map in the northern part most of the names are in Russian: Leningradskaya, Rybnaya. And the southern ones - in the language of the local population: Bootankaga, Malakhay-Tari, Arylakh.
Nganasans lived mainly in the area of Lake Taimyr and river valleys, not climbing the mountains. Their main occupation was reindeer herding. From the description of these mountains by local residents, it can be understood that Byrranga are mountains dissected by riverbeds. Indeed, they are a system of ridges cut by numerous water streams.
According to one version, the word "Byrranga" consists of two parts. From the Yakut word "Byran" - in Russian means "hill", and the Evenki suffix "nga" meaning plural. According to another version, the name is translated from the indigenous population as “big rocky mountain.”
Research of the Great Northern Expedition and others
1736 The mountains were discovered by the Great Northern Expedition led by Pronchishchev while passing through the sea along the eastern coast. After that, more than once, researchers passed through the system along the Lower Taimyr River. But the Byrranga mountains themselves were almost unexplored until 1950, with the exception of the valleys. The locals were afraid to go there because they considered this place to be the "lower world". Middendorf, who mapped this territory, wrote that the Nenets penetrated the farthest to the north, but none of them reached the coast.
In 1950, the very first glacier that was suddenly discovered here was named Unexpected. It is located in the Lednikova Mountain area. So in those days when it was opened, this event became a sensation in the world of geography. After all, it was believed that all the glaciers on the planet had long been discovered. After some time, more were found. During the expeditions in 1960, observations of the glaciers began. They were later noted to be shrinking in size, indicating global climate change.
Climatic conditions
The climatic conditions of these mountains are harsh, sharply continental. In winter, average temperatures here fluctuate around -30.
Spring period begins in June and lasts two and a half months, there is practically no summer. In August, there are negative temperatures.
Precipitation - 120-400 mm per year, 270 days a year there is snow. But it is not the cold that makes this region harsh and unfavorable for life, but a very strong wind. Another feature of the climate in these places is a sharp change in weather conditions.
Vegetation and animals
The appearance of these mountains seems gloomy and lifeless, but even here you can see the greenery in the valleys in the warm season. In spring there are zones of lush vegetation. Among the flowering plants there are novosiversia, grains and poppies. The flora of these places is typical for the tundra, dominated by mosses and lichens.
The Byrranga Mountains, whose height also affects weather conditions, have zonality. So, with the rise up, the temperature changes, the weatherconditions, and with it the flora and fauna.
Since the mountains are strongly dissected, a special microclimate is created in canyons and gorges, so the flora is very diverse for such cold places: from mountain deserts to tall grass and willow tall forest.
Among small animals, there are two types of lemmings - Siberian and ungulate. Larger animals are also found here, such as hare and arctic fox, rarely you can see ermine. The biggest predator is the wolf. Deer migrate here once a year, and the musk ox was introduced in 1974 and successfully mastered this territory. Great variety of birds.
Geology, tectonics and minerals
The Byrranga Mountains belong to the Hercynian folding, their formation went on simultaneously with the Urals and Novaya Zemlya. The northeastern part experienced the greatest tectonic activity.
The rocks that form the territory in the south are siltstones, there are outcrops of gabbro and diabases, dolerites formed during the Triassic and Permian periods. There are also limestones - ancient marine deposits. The northern part has Proterozoic rocks that contain granites.
Traps are widespread - rocks of igneous origin, which form the mountains of Byrranga. Minerals are present here to a large extent. Numerous promising deposits of gold, both ore and alluvial, have been found. There are also large deposits of black and brown coal. The deposits are not well studied and are not developed due to the inaccessibility of the area.
Burning coals
The phenomenon of burning coals makes Byrranga Mountains amazing. The photo of this process resembles a volcanic eruption. The temperature of the earth is elevated, some areas literally breathe fire and smoke. Gases go outside, and deposits of sulfur, vitriol, quartz crystals form around. As a result of such burning, the soil sags, and sandstones and clays become bright red and purple under the influence of temperatures. The reason for the spontaneous combustion of coals is the presence of pyrite and copper pyrite in the layers. When oxidized, they are heated to a certain temperature. In addition, the flow of natural gas coming to the surface supports combustion.
The Byrranga mountain system has an amazing history, a unique unique nature. In addition, there is a large supply of minerals and other resources, which makes this area very promising. The development of tourism is also possible in this region, but the inaccessibility of these places is still a significant obstacle.
