Aktau ( Uzbek. Oqtov tizmasi, Otov tizmashi ) is a mountain range in the Navoi and Samarkand regions of Uzbekistan , a mountain range that forms the bulk of the South Nurata ridge as part of Nuratau .
| Aktau | |
|---|---|
| Uzbek Oqtov tizmasi | |
 View of the northern slope of Aktau from the Nurata depression | |
| Characteristics | |
| Area | 1340 km² |
| Length | 116 km |
| Highest point | |
| Highest peak | Tahku |
| Absolute height | 2004 m |
| Location | |
| A country |
|
| Areas | Navoi region , Samarkand region |
| Mountain system | Nuratau |
Content
- 1 Location
- 2 Orography
- 3 Geology
- 4 Climate
- 5 Hydrography
- 6 Soils
- 7 Flora
- 8 Economic value
- 9 notes
- 10 Sources
Location
Aktau Mountains are located in the southern part of the Nurata Mountains , in the Navoi and Samarkand regions of Uzbekistan [1] . The ridge extends 116 km [2] in the direction from the southeast to northwest [1] . Covering an area of 1340 km², it forms the main part of the South Nurata Range . The chain is separated from the Northern Nurata Range (actually Nuratau) by the Nurata Depression . In the east, Aktau adjoins the Karakchitau ( Karachatau ) mountains, delimited by the Aktepasay river valley , and from the south-west - the Karatau mountains. In the west, Aktau is in contact with the sands of Kyzylkum [1] [2] .
Orography
The mountains have an average height of 1000–1200 m [1] (according to other sources - 1300 m [2] ), in the northwestern part - 600 m, lowering and joining the plain. The relative height of the ridge along which the main watershed passes varies between 400-800 m for the northern slope and 600-1000 m for the southern. The main ridge is formed by rocky peaks: Shirkatar (1693 m), Akchoki ( Akchki ) (1404 m) and the highest point - Tahku peak (2004 m). These mountain peaks are interspersed with steep depressions with a height from 900-1150 to 1400-1750 m above sea level [2] .
Aktau includes several small ranges: Bahiltau , Pistali , Dzhultali , Aktash and others [1] .
Geology
The Aktau ridge is a Hercynian anticlinal structure that rose under the influence of the New Paleozoic movements. The mountains entering it are composed of limestone , slates and granites [1] .
Climate
The climate is sharply continental . Over 250 mm of precipitation falls annually in the extreme western part of the ridge, and more than 450 mm in the extreme eastern (at an altitude of 720 m). Precipitation is more abundant in the upper zones of the mountains [1] .
Hydrography
There are a large number of karst springs on the ridge, which are the main source of river nutrition (especially in the summer). From the southern slope of Aktau the rivers of the Zeravshan basin, its right-bank part: Zarandsay , Kuruksai , Andak , Tasmachi , Maidan , Altynsay flow down. On the northern slope pass sai [com 1] , which are filled with water, mainly in the spring months [1] .
Soil
The mountain slopes are covered with typical gray soils , dark gray soils and mountain chestnut soils [1] .
Flora
The flora contains ephemera and ephemeroids , including herbaceous plants: wormwood , tatarnik , popnik , wheat grass , fescue , tall steppe grasses. Among the trees and shrubs there are pistachio , almonds , rose hips , hawthorn , honeysuckle [1] .
Economic value
On the ridge there are deposits of granite , marble and feldspar . Aktau meadows are used as mountain pastures ( jailau ) [1] .
Notes
- Comments
- ↑ Sayas in Central Asia refer to ravines with permanent or temporary watercourses, as well as the watercourses themselves (in particular, relatively small rivers experiencing sharp seasonal fluctuations in full flow or are completely dry).
- Sources
- ↑ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Otov tizmashi - National Encyclopedia of Uzbekistan . - Tashkent, 2000-2005. ( Uzbek )
- ↑ 1 2 3 4 Mashrapov R. Orographic characteristics and some features of the relief of the Nurata Mountains / Izvestia Uzbekskogo Geograficheskogo obschestva , 1968, vol.
Sources
- Mashrapov R. Orographic characteristics and some features of the relief of the Nurata mountains / Bulletin of the Uzbekistan Geographical Society , 1968, volume XI.
- Otov tizmashi - National Encyclopedia of Uzbekistan . - Tashkent, 2000-2005. ( Uzbek )