Aldan Highlands
The Aldan Highlands, or Aldan Plateau are a mountainous area in the Sakha Republic, Far Eastern Federal District, Russia. Aldan town and Tommot are located in the northern area of the highlands and Chulman in the south.
The Olyokma Nature Reserve is a protected area located on the northwestern side, partly within the neighboring Lena Plateau.
History
The area of the Aldan and the Yudoma-Maya highlands, between the basins of the Aldan River and the Yudoma, was uncharted territory well until the 1930s. It was first surveyed in 1934 by geologist Yuri Bilibin together with mining engineer Evgeny Bobin in the course of an expedition sent by the government of the USSR. Bilibin and Bobin made a thorough topographic survey of the mountainous region leading separate research parties.Geography
The Aldan Highlands are located at the southern end of the Sakha Republic, between the Aldan River and the Uchur River, a right tributary of the Aldan. The Aldan partly crosses the uplands in the north, in the same manner as the Amga River in the west. The highlands are limited by the Stanovoy Range to the southwest, and by its Toko-Stanovik subrange to the south and southeast. In the west the Olyokma River marks the limit, beyond which lies the Olyokma-Chara Plateau. The Dzhugdzhur Range rises to the east of the highlands.The highest point of the Aldan Highlands is Mount Ningam, a high peak located in the southern part, rising above the basin of the Gonam River, a left tributary of the Uchur. The same mountain is high according to other sources.
Subranges
The system of the Aldan Highlands comprises a number of subranges where mountains are generally of middle height and their relief usually smooth. The highest point is an unnamed summit. The ranges within the uplands include the following:- Western Yangi Range, highest point Mount Evota
- Sunnagyn Range, highest point
- Ket-Kap Range, highest point
- Tommot Range, highest point
Hydrography