The Kakshaal Too (Kyrgyz: Какшаал Тоо, Qaqşaal Too, قاقشاال توو) is a large mountain range in the Central Tien-Shan. It stretches for a length of 582 kilometres (362 mi) (in Kyrgyzstan) between Kyrgyzstan and China. The width of the range is 54 kilometres (34 mi) and the highest point – Jengish Chokusu (7,439 metres (24,406 ft)).
Topography
The range consists of three parts:
- Eastern section: Known as Bozkyr, extending to the Saryjaz Gorge with branches like Kayyndy, Koykap, and Maybash.
- Central section: Includes branches like Karaichketoo, Akzoo, Jangart, Üchchoku, and Kaichy.
- Western section: Includes Karakyr and Torugart, descending towards the Aksai Valley and settling into Cenozoic deposits.
The southern slopes are steep (50–60°), while the northern ones are gentler (30–40°). The ridges are sharp and often rugged, with many gorges and rocky cliffs. Major passes include Bedel, Kogirim, Bikirtik, Kaichy, Karabel, Akögüz, and Suuktör (4,200 m). [1]
Landscapes
The landscapes include high-altitude steppes (2800 – 3100 m), Alpine meadows (3100 – 3500 m), high-altitude tundra steppes (3400 – 3800 m), and glacial-nival belt (above 3800 m).[2]
Geology
The Kakshaal Too lies within the southern Tien Shan and formed during the Hercynian orogeny. Structurally, it consists of a mega-anticlinal formation trending northeast. It is mainly composed of limestones, siltstones, sandstones, conglomerates, and argillites of Paleozoic intruded by granites, granosyenite, and syenite. [2] [1]
References
- ^ a b "Какшаал тоо тизмеги" [Kakshaal Too] (PDF). Кыргызстандын Географиясы [Geography of Kyrgyzstan] (in Kyrgyz). Bishkek. 2004. pp. 43–44.
{{cite encyclopedia}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ a b Иссык-Куль. Нарын:Энциклопедия [Encyclopedia of Issyk-Kul and Naryn Oblasts] (in Russian). Bishkek: Chief Editorial Board of Kyrgyz Soviet Encyclopedia. 1994. p. 512. ISBN 5-89750-009-6.
You must be logged in to post a comment.