View source for Altai Mountains

{{Other uses|Altay (disambiguation){{!}}Altay}}
{{Coord|49|N|89|E|type:mountain_dim:800km|display=title}}

{{Chinese
|pic=Altai Mountains.jpg
|piccap=Map of the Altai mountain range
|picsize=250px
|s=阿尔泰山脉
|t=阿爾泰山脈
|p=Ā'ěrtài Shānmài
|rus=Алтай
|rusr=Altay
|mon=Алтайн нуруу/Altain nurú
|lang1=Kazakh
|lang1_content=Алтай таулары/Altay tawları/التاي تاۋلارى
|order=st
}}
The '''Altai Mountains''' (also spelled '''Altay Mountains'''; [[Altai language|Altai]]: Алтай туулар, ''Altaj tuular'';  [[Mongolian language|Mongolian]]: {{MongolUnicode|ᠠᠯᠲᠠᠢ<br>{{zwj}}ᠶᠢᠨ<br> ᠨᠢᠷᠤᠭᠤ}} , ''Altai-yin niruɣu'' (Chakhar), Алтайн нуруу, ''Altain nurú'' (Khalkha); [[Kazakh language|Kazakh]]: Алтай таулары, ''Altay tawları'', التاي تاۋلارى {{lang-ru|Алтайские горы, ''Altayskiye gory''}}; [[Chinese language|Chinese]]; 阿尔泰山脉, ''Ā'ěrtài Shānmài'', [[Xiao'erjing]]: اَعَرتَىْ شًامَىْ) are a [[mountain range]] in [[Central Asia|Central]] and [[East Asia]], where [[Russia]], [[China]], [[Mongolia]], and [[Kazakhstan]] come together, and are where the rivers [[Irtysh]] and [[Ob River|Ob]] have their headwaters. The northwest end of the range is at 52° N and between 84° and 90° E (where it merges with the [[Sayan Mountains]] to the east), and extends southeast from there to about 45° N and 99° E, where it gradually becomes lower and merges into the high plateau of the [[Gobi Desert]].

The name "Altai" means "Gold Mountain" in [[Mongolic languages|Mongolian]]; "alt" (gold) and "tai" (suffix - "with"; ''the mountain with gold'') and also in its Chinese name, derived from the Mongol name ({{zh|c=金山|l=Gold Mountain}}). In [[Turkic languages|Turkic]] languages ''altin'' means gold and ''dag'' means mountain. The proposed [[Altaic languages|Altaic language family]] takes its name from this mountain range.

==Geography==
{{for|the area north of the Altai|Geography of South-Central Siberia}}
[[Image:Sunset at Kucherla lake.jpg|thumb|right|[[Lake Kucherla]] in the Altai Mountains]]
[[File:2006-07 altaj belucha.jpg|thumb|[[Belukha]] mountain]]
[[Image:GoraBeluha.jpg|thumb|right|[[Belukha]]—the highest mountain in Altay and [[Siberia]]]][[Image:Kazakhstan Altay.jpg|thumb|Altay Mountains, [[Kazakhstan]]]]

In the north of the region is the [[Sailughem Mountains]], also known as ''Kolyvan Altai'', which stretch northeast from 49° N and 86° E towards the western extremity of the [[Sayan Mountains]] in 51° 60' N and 89° E. Their mean elevation is 1,500 to 1,750 m. The [[snow-line]] runs at 2,000 m on the northern side and at 2,400 m on the southern, and above it the rugged peaks tower some 1,000 m higher. [[Mountain pass]]es across the range are few and difficult, the chief being the [[Ulan-daban]] at 2,827 m (2,879 m according to Kozlov), and the [[Chapchan-daban]], at 3,217 m, in the south and north respectively. On the east and southeast this range is flanked by the great [[plateau]] of Mongolia, the transition being effected gradually by means of several minor plateaus, such as [[Ukok plateau|Ukok]] (2,380 m) with Pazyryk Valley, [[Chuya]] (1,830 m), [[Kendykty]] (2,500 m), [[Kak plateau|Kak]] (2,520 m), (2,590 m), and (2,410 m).{{sfn|Kropotkin|1911|p=758}}

This region is studded with large lakes, e.g. [[Uvs Lake|Uvs]] 720 m above sea level, [[Khyargas Lake|Khyargas]], [[Dorgon Lake|Dorgon]] and [[Khar Lake (Khovd)|Khar]] 1,170 m, and traversed by various [[mountain range]]s, of which the principal are the [[Tannu-Ola Mountains]], running roughly parallel with the Sayan Mountains as far east as the [[Kosso-gol]], and the [[Khan Khökhii]] mountains, also stretching west and east.{{sfn|Kropotkin|1911|p=758}}

The north western and northern slopes of the Sailughem Mountains are extremely steep and difficult to access. On this side lies the highest summit of the range, the double-headed [[Belukha]], whose summits reach 4,506 and 4,440 m respectively, and give origin to several [[glacier]]s (30 square kilometers in aggregate area, as of 1911).{{sfn|Kropotkin|1911|p=758}} Altaians call it Kadyn Bazhy, but is also called Uch-Sumer.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://eng.altai-republic.ru/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=57&page=1 |title=Altai Republic :: official portal |publisher=Eng.altai-republic.ru |date=1999-06-30 |accessdate=2012-08-13}}</ref>
The second highest peak of the range is in Mongolian part named [[Khüiten Peak]]. This massive peak reaches 4374 m. Numerous spurs, striking in all directions from the Sailughem mountains, fill up the space between that range and the lowlands of [[Tomsk]]. Such are the [[Chuya Alps]], having an average elevation of 2,700 m, with summits from 3,500 to 3,700 m, and at least ten glaciers on their northern slope; the [[Katun Alps]], which have a mean elevation of about 3,000 m and are mostly snow-clad; the [[Kholzun]] range; the [[Korgon Alps|Korgon]] 1,900 to 2,300 m, [[Talitskand Selitsk]] ranges; the [[Tigeretsk Alps]].{{sfn|Kropotkin|1911|p=758}}

Several secondary plateaus of lower elevations are also distinguished by geographers, The [[Katun valley]] begins as a wild gorge on the south-west slope of Belukha; then, after a big bend, the river (600&nbsp;km long) pierces the [[Katun Alps]], and enters a wider valley, lying at an elevation of 600 to 1,100 m, which it follows until it emerges from the Altai highlands to join the [[Biya River|Biya]] in a most picturesque region. The [[Katun River|Katun]] and the Biya together form the [[Ob River|Ob]].{{sfn|Kropotkin|1911|p=758}}

The next valley is that of the [[Charysh]], which has the [[Korgon Alps|Korgon]] and [[Tigeretsk Alps]] on one side and the [[Talitsk Alps|Talitsk]] and [[Bashalatsk Alps]] on the other. This, too, is very fertile. The Altai, seen from this valley, presents the most romantic scenes, including the small but deep [[Kolyvan lake]] (altitude 360 m), which is surrounded by fantastic [[granite dome]]s and towers.{{sfn|Kropotkin|1911|p=758}}

Farther west the valleys of the [[Uba River|Uba]], the [[Ulba]] and the [[Bukhtarma]] open south-westwards towards the Irtysh. The lower part of the first, like the lower valley of the Charysh, is thickly populated; in the valley of the Ulba is the [[Riddersk]] mine, at the foot of the [[Ivanovsk Peak]] (2,060 m), clothed with alpine meadows. The valley of the Bukhtarma, which has a length of 320&nbsp;km, also has its origin at the foot of the Belukha and the [[Katun Mountains|Kuitun]] peaks, and as it falls some 1,500 m in about 300&nbsp;km, from an alpine plateau at an elevation of 1,900 m to the Bukhtarma fortress (345 m), it offers the most striking contrasts of landscape and vegetation. Its upper parts abound in glaciers, the best known of which is the [[Belukha Mountain|Berel]], which comes down from the [[Byelukha]]. On the northern side of the range which separates the upper Bukhtarma from the upper [[Katun River|Katun]] is the Katun glacier, which after two ice-falls widens out to 700 to 900 metres. From a grotto in this glacier bursts tumultuously the Katun river.{{sfn|Kropotkin|1911|p=758}}

The middle and lower parts of the Bukhtarma valley have been colonized since the 18th century by runaway Russian peasants, serfs, and religious [[schism (religion)|schism]]atics ([[Raskolnik]]s), who created a free republic there on [[China|Chinese territory]]; and after this part of the valley was annexed to [[Russia]] in 1869, it was rapidly colonized. The high valleys farther north, on the same western face of the Sailughem range, are but little known, their only visitors being Kyrgyz shepherds.{{sfn|Kropotkin|1911|p=758}}

Those of [[Bashkaus River|Bashkaus]], [[Chulyshman]], and [[Chulcha]], all three leading to the alpine lake of [[Lake Teletskoye|Teletskoye]] (length, 80&nbsp;km; maximum width, 5&nbsp;km; elevation, 520 m; area, 230.8 square kilometers; maximum depth, 310 m; mean depth, 200 m), are inhabited by [[Telengit]] people. The shores of the lake rise almost sheer to over 1,800 m. From this lake issues the Biya, which joins the Katun at [[Biysk]], and then meanders through the prairies of the north-west of the Altai.{{sfn|Kropotkin|1911|p=758}}

Farther north the Altai highlands are continued in the Kuznetsk district, which has a slightly different geological aspect, but still belongs to the Altai system. But the [[Abakan River]], which rises on the western shoulder of the Sayan mountains, belongs to the system of the [[Yenisei]]. The [[Kuznetsk Ala-tau]] range, on the left bank of the Abakan, runs north-east into the government of [[Yeniseisk]], while a complexus of mountains (Chukchut, Salair, Abakan) fills up the country northwards towards the [[Trans-Siberian Railway]] and westwards towards the [[Ob River|Ob]].{{sfn|Kropotkin|1911|p=758}}

The Ek-tagh or Mongolian Altai, which separates the [[Khovd Gol|Khovd]] basin on the north from the Irtysh basin on the south, is a true border-range, in that it rises in a steep and lofty [[escarpment]] from the [[Dzungaria]]n depression (470–900 m), but descends on the north by a relatively short slope to the plateau (1,150 to 1,680 m) of north-western [[Mongolia]]. East of 94° E the range is continued by a double series of mountain chains, all of which exhibit less sharply marked [[orography|orographical]] features and are at considerably lower elevations. The slopes of the constituent chains of the system are inhabited principally by nomadic [[Kyrgyz people|Kyrgyz]].{{sfn|Kropotkin|1911|p=758}}

The five [[List of Altai mountains|highest mountains of the Altai]] are:
* [[Belukha]] (4,506 m), [[Kazakhstan]]–[[Russia]]
* [[Khüiten Peak]] (4,374 m), [[China]]–[[Mongolia]]
* [[Mönkh Khairkhan]] (4,204 m), Mongolia
* [[Sutai Mountain]] (4,220 m), Mongolia
* [[Tsambagarav]] (4,195 m), Mongolia

<gallery widths="200px" heights="160px">
Image:Kazakhstan Altay 3.jpg|[[Markakol]] reserve, Altay Mountains, [[Kazakhstan]]
Image:Katun.jpg|Katun River in the Altai Mountains
Image:Altai Kutscherla-Tal.jpg|The Kucerla Valley in the Altai Mountains
</gallery>

== Fauna ==
[[File:Steinbock Schaedel.jpg|thumb|Skull of a Siberian ibex, found near the Belukha]]
[[File:C110.jpg|thumb|Wisent herd at a nursery of the [[Russian Academy of Sciences]] in the Russian Altai ([[Shebalinsky District]], [[Altai Republic]])]]
The Altai mountains are home to a diverse fauna, because of its different habitats, like steppes, northern taigas and alpine vegetation. Steep slopes are home to the [[Siberian ibex]] (''Capra sibirica''), whereas the rare [[argali]] (''Ovis ammon'') is found on more gentle slopes. Deer are represented by five species, [[Altai wapiti]] (''Cervus elaphus sibiricus''), [[moose]] (''Alces alces''), forest [[reindeer]] (''Rangifer tarandus valentinae''), [[Siberian musk deer]] (''Moschus moschiferus'') and [[Siberian roe deer]] (''Capreolus pygargus''). Moose and reindeer however, are restricted to the northern parts of the mountain range. The [[wild boar]] (''Sus scrofa'') is found in the lower foothills and surrounding lowlands.  Until recently, the [[Mongolian gazelle]] (''Procapra gutturosa'') was found in the Russian Altai mountains, more specifically in the [[Chuya River]] steppe close to the Mongolian border. Large predators are represented by [[snow leopard]]s (''Panthera uncia'', syn. ''Uncia uncia''), [[wolf|wolves]] (''Canis lupus''), [[lynx]] (''Lynx lynx''), and [[brown bear]]s (''Ursus arctos''), in the northern parts also by the wolverine (''Gulo gulo'').<ref>{{cite book |author=Klotz, Gerhard |title=Hochgebirge der Erde und ihre Pflanzen und Tierwelt |publisher=Urania Verlag |location=Leipzig |language=German |year=1989 |isbn=3-332-00209-0|display-authors=etal}}</ref> The [[Tien Shan dhole]] (''Cuon alpinus hesperius'') (a northwestern subspecies of the [[Asiatic wild dog]]) also lives there.

Until the 20th century, the [[Caspian tiger]] (''Panthera tigris virgata'') was found in the southern parts of the Altai mountains, where it reached [[Lake Zaisan]] and the [[Irtysh River|Black Irtysh]]. Single individuals were also shot further north, for example close to [[Barnaul]].<ref>Vratislav Mazak: ''Der Tiger.'' Nachdruck der 3. Auflage von 1983. Westarp Wissenschaften, Hohenwarsleben 2004, ISBN 3-89432-759-6.</ref> Closely related to the Caspian tiger is the extant [[Amur tiger]], which has the [[Taxonomy (biology)|taxonomic]] name ''Panthera tigris altaica''.<ref name="Nowell1996">{{cite book |author= Nowell, K. |author2= Jackson, P. |year= 1996 |title= 'Wild Cats: status survey and conservation action plan |publisher=IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group, Gland, Switzerland |url=http://www.catsg.org/index.php?id=569 |accessdate=2016-03-17}}</ref>

The [[wisent]] was present in the Altai mountains until the [[Middle Ages]], perhaps even until the 18th century. Today, there is a small herd in a nursery in the Altai Republic.<ref>Taras P. Sipko: ''European bison in Russia – past, present and future.'' In: ''European Bison Conservation Newsletter.'' Band 2, 2009, S. 148–159. [http://www.smz.waw.pl/images/wydawnictwa/biuletyn2/20_Sipko.pdf Online-PDF]</ref>

==History and prehistory==
The Altain mountains have retained a remarkably stable climate changing little since the last ice age.<ref name=barras>{{cite web |url=http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg22129533.800-iceage-animals-live-on-in-eurasian-mountain-range.html |title=Ice-age animals live on in Eurasian mountain range |work=[[New Scientist]] |author=Colin Barras |date=23 January 2014  |accessdate=4 March 2014}}</ref> In addition the mix of mammals has remained largely the same - with a few exceptions such as extinct Mammoths - making it one of the few places on earth to retain an ice age fauna.<ref name=barras/>

The Altai mountains were home to the [[Denisova hominin|Denisovan]] branch of [[hominid]]s who were contemporaries of [[Neanderthals]] and of ''[[Homo Sapiens]]'' (modern humans), descended from Hominids who reached Asia earlier than modern humans.<ref name=barras/> The [[Denisova hominin]], dated to 40,000 years ago, was discovered in the [[Denisova Cave]] of the Altai mountains in southern Siberia in 2008. Knowledge of the Denisovan humans derives primarily from DNA evidence and artifacts, as no complete skeletons have yet been recovered. DNA evidence has been unusually well preserved because of the low average temperature in the Denisova caves. The same cave has uncovered Neanderthal bones, and tools made by ''Homo sapiens'', making it the only known locale in the world where all three hominids are known to have lived.<ref name=barras/>

A dog-like [[canidae|canid]] from 33,000 years ago was found in the Razboinichya Cave.<ref name=bbc110803/><ref name=plos110728/> DNA analysis published in 2013 affirmed that it was more closely related to modern dogs than to wolves.<ref name=plosone130306/>

The Altai Mountains have been identified as being the point of origin of a cultural enigma termed the [[Seima-Turbino Phenomenon]]<ref name=bbc0901/> which arose during the [[Bronze Age]] around the start of the [[2nd millennium BC]] and led to a rapid and massive migration of peoples from the region into distant parts of Europe and Asia.

==World Heritage site==
{{Main article|Golden Mountains of Altai}}
A vast area of 16,178&nbsp;km²—Altai and Katun Natural Reserves, [[Lake Teletskoye]], Mount [[Belukha]], and the [[Ukok Plateau]]—comprise a natural UNESCO [[World Heritage Site]] entitled [[Golden Mountains of Altai]]. As stated in the UNESCO description of the site, "the region represents the most complete sequence of altitudinal vegetation zones in central Siberia, from steppe, forest-steppe, mixed forest, subalpine vegetation to alpine vegetation". While making its decision, UNESCO also cited Russian Altai's importance for preservation of the globally endangered mammals, such as [[snow leopard]] and the [[Altai argali]]. [[Siberian ibex]] also live in these mountains.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.pacificenvironment.org/article.php?id=934 
 |title=Greater Altai – Altai Krai, Republic of Altai, Tyva (Tuva), and Novosibirsk – Crossroads 
 |accessdate=30 November 2006 
 |deadurl=yes 
 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070314172727/http://www.pacificenvironment.org/article.php?id=934 
 |archivedate=March 14, 2007 
 |df=mdy 
}}</ref> The [[Uvs Nuur basin]] is also a protected site.

Violations of the protection status of Argali sheep and other species have been alleged, together with accusations of corruption, in the [[Altaigate Scandal]]. The incident arose from the death of several Russian VIPs in a helicopter crash early in 2009, purportedly on a poaching excursion.

==Geology==
The Siberian Altai represents the northern most region affected by the tectonic collision of India into Asia. Massive fault systems run through the area, including the [[Kurai fault zone]] and the recently identified [[Tashanta fault zone]]. These fault systems are typically thrusts or right lateral [[strike-slip fault]]s, some of which are tectonically active. Rock types in the mountains are typically granites and metamorphic schists, and some are highly sheared near to fault zones.

===Seismic activity===
Although [[earthquake]]s are generally rare occurrences, on 27 September 2003 a [[2003 Altai earthquake|very large earthquake]] measuring [[Moment magnitude scale|M<sub>W</sub>]] 7.3 occurred in the [[Chuya Basin]] area to the south of the Altai region. This earthquake and its [[aftershock]]s devastated much of the region, causing $10.6 million in damage (USGS) and wiping out the village of Beltir.

==See also==
* [[Altai Krai]]
* [[Altaic languages]]
* [[Altay language]]
* [[Altai-Sayan region]]
{{Portal bar|Geography|Mongolia|China|Kazakhstan|Russia}}

==Notes==
{{Reflist|2|refs=

<ref name=bbc110803>{{cite news | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14390679 | title = Ancient dog skull unearthed in Siberia | last = Pritchard | first = Hamish |date = 3 August 2011 |work=[[BBC News]] | accessdate =4 August 2011 }}</ref>

<ref name=plos110728>{{cite news | url = http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0022821 | title = A 33,000-Year-Old Incipient Dog from the Altai Mountains of Siberia: Evidence of the Earliest Domestication Disrupted by the Last Glacial Maximum | first1 = Nikolai D. | last1 = Ovodov | first2 = Susan J. | last2 =Crockford | first3=Yaroslav V. | last3= Kuzmin | first4 = Thomas F. G. | last4 = Higham | first5= Gregory W. L. | last5 = Hodgins | first6= Johannes van der | last6= Plicht |date = 28 July 2011 | publisher = PLoS ONE | accessdate =4 August 2011 }}</ref>

<ref name=plosone130306>{{cite web | url = http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0057754 | title = Ancient DNA Analysis Affirms the Canid from Altai as a Primitive Dog | first = Anna S. | last = Druzhkova | first2 = Olaf | last2 = Thalmann | first3 = Vladimir A. | last3 = Trifonov | publisher = PLOS ONE | date = 6 March 2013 }}</ref>

<ref name=bbc0901>{{Cite journal | last = Keys | first = David | author-link = David Keys (author) | author2-link = | title = Scholars crack the code of an ancient enigma | journal = [[BBC History (magazine)|BBC History Magazine]] | volume = 10 | issue = 1 | page = 9 | date = January 2009 }}</ref>
}}

==References==
*{{EB1911|wstitle=Altai|volume=1|pages=758-759|first=Peter|last=Kropotkin|authorlink=Peter Kropotkin|first2=John Thomas|last2=Bealby}} Authorities cited:
** P. Semenov and G. N. Potanin, in supplementary vol. of Russian ed. of Ritter's ''Asien'' (1877)
** Ledebour, ''Reise durch das Altaigebirge'' (1829–1830)
** P. Chikhatchev, ''Voyage scientifique dans l'Altai oriental'' (1845)
** Gebler, ''Übersicht des katunischen Gebirges'' (1837)
** G. von Helmersen, ''Reise nach dem Altai'' (St Petersburg, 1848)
** T. W. Atkinson, ''Oriental and Western Siberia'' (1858)
** Cotta, ''Der Altai'' (1871)
** Adrianov, "Journey to the Altai," in ''Zapiski Russ. Geogr. Soc.'' xi.
** Yadrintsev, "Journey in West Siberia," in ''Zapiski West Sib. Geogr. Soc.'' ii.
** Golubev, ''Altai'' (1890, Russian)
** Schmurlo, "Passes in S. Altai" (Sailughem), in ''Izvestia Russ. Geogr. Soc.'' (1898); xxxiv. 5
** V. Saposhnikov, various articles in same periodical (1897), xxxiii. and (1899) xxxv., and, by the same, ''Katun i yeya Istoki'' (Tomsk, 1901)
** S. Turner, ''Siberia'' (1905)
** Deniker, on Kozlov's explorations, in ''La Géographie'' (1901, pp.&nbsp;41, &c.)
** P. Ignatov, in ''Izvestia Russ. Geog. Soc.'' (1902, No. 2).

==External links==
{{Commons|Altay Mountains}}
* {{YouTube|zcmLKkE9CFc|"Ancient spirit and might preserved by indigenous people of Altay."}} ''[[RT (network)|RT]]''. 6 November 2011.
* [http://welcometoaltai.ru/ Guide to the Mountain Altai] – Welcome to Altai
* [http://altai-photo.ru/ Photos of Mountain Altai] – Altai-Photo
<!-- DEAD LINK * [http://141.30.139.182/researchProjects/Altai Altai-Project of the Technical University of Dresden] – Institute of Cartography -->
* [http://www.nhpfund.org/nominations/altai.html Golden Mountains of Altai] at [http://www.nhpfund.org/ Natural Heritage Protection Fund]
* [http://whc.unesco.org/archive/advisory_body_evaluation/768.pdf UNESCO's evaluation of Altai] (PDF file)

{{Mountain ranges of China}}
{{Xinjiang topics}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2012}}
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[[Category:Altai Mountains| ]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges of China]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges of Xinjiang]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges of Kazakhstan]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges of Mongolia]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges of Russia]]
[[Category:Physiographic provinces]]
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in Russia]]
[[Category:Landforms of Buryatia]]