The name of the mountains in the khibiny. Khibiny, the beautiful mountains of the Kola Peninsula
A very busy trip to the Kola Peninsula took place in August 2009. For 20 days we visited only a part of the planned points, well, that means there will be something to do next year. In the Khibiny, first of all, we examined Mount Eveslogchorr, with a unique astrophyllite deposit located on it. The world's best collection samples of this mineral were mined here. In addition, there are several bodies of corundum-bearing xenoliths on Eveslogchorr, which were explored for cutting sapphires in the 70s of the last century. There are also several points of mineralization with beautiful crystals of lilac vadeite, brown plates of fersmanite - one of the first minerals described in the Khibiny, white fibrous perlialite and denisovit, as well as many other rare minerals. Then we moved to Mount Kaskasnyunchorr, which became famous thanks to the finds of magnificent large crystals of manganneptunite. There is also a large gneiss xenolith, in the pegmatite veins of which are described minerals that are completely atypical for alkaline rocks, such as corundum, topaz, akaganeite, rutile, various sulfides, including extremely rare ones - tungstenite, alabandine, and the only niobium sulfide known in nature. - edgarite. last point , on which we worked in the Khibiny, was Marchenko Peak - the northeastern spur of Kukisvumchorr, on which in the mid-90s magnificent, transparent natrolite crystals larger than 10 cm in size were found, and on the neighboring pegmatite ilmenite in the form of comprehensively faceted brilliant tabular crystals up to 7 cm across. Now at these points, unfortunately, only small, slightly transparent fragments of natrolite and small plates of black ilmenite can be collected. This alignment did not suit us, and we decided to look for something new. After many hours of climbing the rather steep slopes of the peak, we managed to find several untouched pegmatite veins, one of which contained a large grain of zoned polychrome violet fluorite with numerous hollow hexagonal channels left from the dissolution of some mineral, and pegmatite with beautiful, bright red tabular eudialyte crystals. The final conclusions on the trip to the Khibiny are as follows - do not be lazy and you will not return home with empty backpacks. Next was Kovdor. The Kovdorsky massif is one of the largest and well-studied massifs of alkaline rocks with carbonatites. Despite the small area, just over 40 sq. km, more than 250 minerals have been described in the massif, and 19 have been discovered here. The world's best examples of bobberite, quintinite, feklichevite come from Kovdor, and crystals of transparent blue and pink kovdorskite, the most beautiful endemic of Russia, reach 7 centimeters. Numerous samples of magnetite, pyrite, forsterite, baddeleyite, diopside, phlogopite adorn private collections and showcases of mineralogical museums all over the world. Now 6 deposits of various minerals have been studied on the territory of the massif - deposits of phlogopite, vermiculite and complex apatite-baddeleyite-magnetite are being actively mined, a francolite (carbonate-apatite) deposit is prepared for mining, and deposits of titanomagnetite and calcite carbonatites remain in reserve. The most interesting object in Kovdor is a complex deposit, where on the site of a 200-meter Pilkoma-Selga mountain there is now a huge quarry 350 meters deep and more than 2.5 km across. Here, in the very center of the ore body, there are dozens of veins of dolomitic carbonatites containing numerous cavities with crystals of rare phosphates and carbonates. Samples of coarse-grained magnetite are confined to the contacts of early calcite carbonatites and magnetite ores. Its crystals here reach 20 centimeters, but due to the strong fracturing, it is almost impossible to get it. Another object, fifteen kilometers east of Kovdor, which we managed to get to, was a manifestation of kyanite and garnet on Mount Keles-Waive. There, on the surface of weathered blocks of gneiss, peculiar druses of red garnet and blue kyanite were formed.
There are many in Russia beautiful mountains. One of them is the Khibiny. Once here, you will see stunning snowy peaks, clear lakes, noisy waterfalls, mountain tundra and even northern lights. Let's find out where the Khibiny mountains are located and why they are interesting.
Geographical position
To get into it unique place, you need to go to the Murmansk region. The Khibiny Mountains are located on the Kola Peninsula, in its very center. On both sides they are limited by lakes - Imandra and Umbozero. There is always snow on the steep slopes, because the massif is located beyond the Arctic Circle (67th parallel). Adjacent forest-tundra.
Initially, the mountains were called Umptek. Translated from the language of the locals, the Sami, it means "a place where deer come to die." However, later another name took root - Khibiny ("plateau"). The array is shaped like two horseshoes, one nested inside the other. From space, it is very similar to a huge stone flower.
Formation
Khibiny - ancient mountains located on the territory of Russia. It is believed that they are about 390 million years old. The array was formed in several stages. Initially, where the Khibiny Mountains are located now, powerful flows of hot magma flowed. Giant volcanoes gradually cooled, laying the main forms of the plateau.
The second stage was glaciation. It began 1 million years ago. Glaciers were advancing from Scandinavia, and this happened repeatedly. They smoothed crystalline ledges, cut wide valleys and narrow winding cracks that later became rivers.
The last glaciation (Valdai) occurred about 100 thousand years ago. The mountains turned out to be completely filled with ice, as evidenced by huge boulders on rocky peaks. The apogee was observed 20 thousand years ago, and then gradual melting began.
The third stage of the formation of the Khibiny has not yet been completed. It is characterized by tectonic uplift. It is known that 20 million years ago the mountains towered 500 m above the earth's surface. After 15 million years, this height doubled. Over the past 10 thousand years, the massif has grown by 20 m. Every year, the mountains rise by 0.3-1.2 mm. Sometimes this process is accompanied by earthquakes, mostly weak ones.
Relief
The Khibiny mountains rise above the surrounding hilly plain by an average of 800-1100 m. The massif has an annular structure. The plateau is dissected by deep faults in the earth's crust, which diverge radially from the Poachvumchorr ridge. Valleys divide the mountains into separate, fairly large blocks. They, in turn, are divided into smaller sections by less significant gorges. Steep ledges decrease towards Lake Imandra.
There are no pointed peaks in the Khibiny. All of them are paid. The slopes are steep, without ledges, many of them are covered with glaciers and snowfields. Through valleys have a U-shape, smoothed out during glaciations (the so-called troughs). Huge boulders remained on the surface of the plateau. Also worth noting a large number of ancient glacial kars and circuses (steep bowl-shaped depressions on the slopes). The youngest gorges are almost sheer, going several tens of meters deep. The sun's rays never reach their bottom.
Peaks
The height of the Khibiny mountains does not exceed 1206 m. The highest point is the top of Yudychvumchorr ("humming mountain"). According to other sources, it is slightly lower - 1200.6 m. Yudychvumchorr got its name because strong winds, constantly blowing over its flat top, as if cut with a knife. Climbing here, you can see almost all the plateaus and mountain ranges.
For a long time, the highest point of the Khibiny was considered another peak - Chasnachorr ("woodpecker mountain"). She soars up to 1189 m. Today she holds an honorable second place. The third highest mountain is Putelichorr ("an array of newcomers"). It rises into the sky at 1111 m.
But for local residents - Samaams, the sacred is relatively low mountain Aikuaivenchorr (1075 m.). Its name translates as "head Mother of God". If you look at her from a long distance, you can see a woman's face turned to heaven.
Geology
The Khibiny Mountains are composed mainly of nepheline syenites, a crystalline alkaline rock of igneous origin. Associated minerals are apatites containing phosphorus. The Khibiny apatite deposit is considered the largest in the world.
The array has a ring structure. The rock complexes form arcs nested into each other and open on the eastern side. This is explained by the introduction of magma between alternating faults.
The mountains are called natural museum minerals. There are about 500 of them in total. It is interesting that 110 minerals are not found anywhere else. Some of them are not characteristic of massifs composed of alkaline rocks. Examples include topaz and spinel. Besides apatite and nepheline, micas, ores of copper, iron, nickel, and some other metals are of practical value. On Mount Eveslogchorr, outcrops of rare minerals, in particular, blue sapphire, used in the jewelry industry, were discovered.
Climatic conditions
The Khibiny mountains are located beyond the Arctic Circle, so mean annual temperature here is minus 0.1 °C. The polar night begins on December 10th and ends on January 3rd. The polar day lasts from May 31 to July 13. Summer and spring are cool and rather late. The snow begins to melt at the end of April when the temperature rises above 0°C. The frost-free period in the mountains lasts no longer than 60-80 days.
The average summer temperature is +12 °С. On the hottest days, it can rise to +30 ° C and above. Usually this weather is accompanied by thunderstorms. However, after the sun, a sharp cooling down to minus 1-4 degrees and sleet can come.
September to April locals admire northern lights. The snow cover finally falls in early November. Winters in the Khibiny are warm, which is explained by the proximity to the Barents Sea. Its waters are warmed by the Gulf Stream. average temperature is -11 °C, but it is usually 10-15 degrees colder at the tops. Mountain avalanches come down quite often, presenting a serious danger to tourists.
The average annual rainfall in the valleys is 600-700 mm. On mountain peaks this number increases to 1600 mm. The winds are very strong and gusty. Their average speed exceeds 5 m/sec. Instantaneous gusts can reach 60-80 m/s. They are able to blow away a person standing on the edge of a plateau.
Flora and fauna
The Khibiny Mountains in the photo look very picturesque. Their slopes are covered with evergreen forests, moss and reindeer moss. Vegetation changes with increasing altitude. The foothills of 300-400 meters are dressed in coniferous forests with a predominance of spruce and pine. Then the birch crooked forest rises up about 100 m. After it begins the tundra zone. It is represented by lichens and small shrubs: crowberry, lingonberry, bearberry, blueberry. After the first frost, the leaves of the plants acquire a bright color, creating an amazing multi-colored carpet.
With increasing height, the plants thin out, they are replaced by stony mounds. In some places you can see patterns of green, gray or yellow lichens. The flora of the mountains is valuable, many plants are listed in the Red Book. Animal world represented by 27 mammals. There are only 3 species of reptiles, 1 species of amphibians. Most of all, birds are found in the mountains - 123 species.
Mountain exploration
For a long time, the Khibiny remained unexplored. For the first time, Academician Lepekhin writes about them, who in 1772 visited the Kola Peninsula and studied it. central part. He notes that the steep gorges can hide minerals. In the summer of 1834, the mining engineer Shirokin began to explore the Western slope of the Khibiny.
In 1891-1892, an expedition led by geologist V. Ramsay arrived on the peninsula. She studied the area in detail in two seasons, collected a lot of geological information and compiled a map of the mountains. Further exploration of the region was prevented at first World War and then the revolution.
Only in 1920 did the next scientific and fishing expedition headed by A. Fersman arrive on the Kola Peninsula. They discovered previously unknown minerals. Already in 1921, the development of apatite ores near Mount Kukisvumchorr began. A year later, it became clear that the Khibiny deposits are much richer than originally thought.
Industrial development
1926 is considered the official date of the discovery of large deposits on the Rasvumchorra plateau. Since that time, miners began to come to the Kola Peninsula. In 1929 the "Apatity" trust was created. A year later, the construction of an enrichment plant began. In 1931, the city of Khibinogorsk was founded, later renamed Kirovsk.
In the Khibiny mountains, ore mining was put on stream. In 1966, near Kirovsk appeared New town, which is now called Apatity. Settlements were actively created. In 2012, the North-West Phosphorous Company built on the banks of the lake. Umbozero GOK" Deer Creek". The construction of another mine was planned, which caused outrage among the local population. An environmental movement was launched. People demanded that further mining be banned and that the Khibiny be recognized as a national park. This was done in 2018.
Rest in Khibiny
Many climbers flock to the Kola Peninsula in summer. There are routes of varying difficulty, up to category 5B. But most of the passes have 1-2 categories. In the rocks there are almost always shelves for spending the night, the rock danger is small. The slopes are simple and picturesque. Many easy routes have been developed for hikers, allowing you to fully enjoy the beauties of northern nature.
open in winter ski slopes on the Aikuaivenchorr and Kukissvumchorr mountains. Sports enthusiasts can go skiing, snowboarding or brightly colored buns. Thrill-seekers choose off-piste descents along virgin fields, the steepness of which can reach up to 55 °, or along avalanche flows. Of course, such entertainment is associated with great risk. As well as winter hiking in the Khibiny mountains. Instead, tourists are offered exciting excursions on snowmobiles.
We hope that now you will not be at a loss looking at the atlas. The Khibiny mountains seem small on the map, but in reality they are harsh land, fraught with a lot of dangers. Despite this, it attracts people with its beauty and an unusual combination of rocks, marshy massifs and clear northern lakes.
In the central part of the Kola Peninsula in Murmansk region is unique in its natural features edge. This is a large mountain range called Khibiny. He attracts everything more people both for scientific purposes and for recreation in beautiful and clean nature.
The name "Khibiny" appeared recently, before that mountain system called the Sami word "Umptek". It is believed that the geological age of this mountain country reaches about 350 million years. The exact origin of the name Khibiny is still unknown, although according to the Russian dialect Arkhangelsk region and the Kola Peninsula, the term "Khiben" prevails, which means "plateau". The Khibiny mountain massif in its shape is more like a horseshoe, somewhat open towards the east.
Here are the world's largest deposits of apatite containing phosphorus, as well as titanium, molybdenum ores and many other rare elements that have become a reliable base for the mining industry of the North. Therefore, the Khibiny massif is also called the mineralogical natural museum.
The highest point is Mount Yudychvumchorr (from 1200 to 1206 meters).
In the Khibiny beyond the Arctic Circle, the polar night lasts 42 days. Climate with frequent cyclones, sharp drops in atmospheric pressure. From August to mid-April, you can watch the picturesque northern lights.
Summer is short, in the mountains 60-80 days without frost. The maximum precipitation also falls in summer. The polar day lasts 50 days.
In the Khibiny mountain plateaus, there is a lot of precipitation. During the year, precipitation is distributed almost evenly, a little more in summer, a little less in winter.
The slopes and foothills of the mountains are occupied exclusively coniferous forests: spruce forests, pine forests, with an admixture of birch species. A little higher - birch crooked forest. Next comes the tundra, almost completely covered with small shrubs - blueberries, lingonberries, crowberries, bearberries, as well as various types lichens. After the first frosts, the leaves quickly acquire a rich, bright color, creating a multi-colored carpet of incredible beauty. As the height increases along the slopes, bare areas of rocky embankments can be found. The flora of the Khibiny mountains is especially valuable, because a considerable number of representatives of local vegetation are listed in the Red Book.
In the summer, there are many tourists in the Khibiny who hike along the rivers and along the mountain passes, enjoy beautiful scenery mountains and river valleys. In the winter-spring period, Khibiny is an ideal ski resort. When there is almost no snow in the middle part of Russia, there is plenty of it here and it does not melt for a long time.
Visiting the Khibiny, you can see the sights of nearby cities or get acquainted with the culture of the native inhabitants of the north - the Saami.
#Khibiny #Apatity #Kola Peninsula #rest in Russia #RFARUS
The Khibiny mountain range is the largest on the Kola Peninsula. The highest point of the massif is Mount Yudychvumchorr, 1200 meters high. In the center of formation there are two plateaus Chasnachorr and Kukisvumchorr.
Tourists from all over Russia fell in love with this pearl of the Kola North. The peaks of the Khibiny are located almost in the center of the peninsula and from here you can see very beautiful views. Visit local ski resorts throughout the year, and Lately The popularity of this place is only growing. A variety of trails have already been built here, suitable for any level of training of skiers and snowboarders.
The shape of this mountain range resemble two horseshoes, which are located one inside the other. The local valleys here are rich in lakes, and they have become a favorite place for picnics. For lovers hiking and active recreation, several dozens of tourist routes have been developed. The beauty of the Khibiny attracts travelers throughout the year and the flow of tourists is stable here. Every year tourism in the Khibiny develops more and more, and we advise everyone to visit these amazing places.
Weather
Winter in the Khibiny region is relatively warm, the average temperature is about -11 °C. But in the mountains themselves, and especially on the peaks, it can be 10-15 degrees colder. Frosts below -35 °C are rare.
In summer, this area is not particularly hot, the average temperature is around +12 °C. On the shores of the White and Barents Seas, it is several degrees cooler. There are thunderstorms and heat here, when the thermometer can exceed + 30-35 ° C.
How to get to Khibiny
It is always more convenient to get to the Kola Peninsula by train, along the Oktyabrskaya railway. By train you will get to Apatit or Khibiny station. During the trip, you will already be able to enjoy the beauty of Karelia and its diversity. It should be noted that the northern southern nature region is quite different.
For those who like to travel by car, you can get to Khibiny quite quickly, by modern roads. Do not forget that this is a northern region, so you need to be prepared for any vagaries of the weather, not only in winter, but also in summer. In winter, you should “shod” the car in studded tires, because ice is a frequent occurrence here. There are severe frosts at night, so it is not recommended to travel by car at this time of the day. In summer, too, the climate can be very changeable. A warm summer day can quickly turn into a cold late autumn. Don't forget to bring warm clothes with you, even in summer.
Journey through Khibiny mountains is an exciting adventure for all lovers wildlife and a new sensation, for those who rarely leave their apartments and offices.
