| Upper Kolyma Highlands | |
|---|---|
| Верхнеколымское нагорье | |
 View of sparselarch forest in the highlands | |
| Highest point | |
| Peak | Gora Snezhnaya |
| Elevation | 2,293 m (7,523 ft) |
| Coordinates | 61°59′01″N149°19′54″E / 61.98361°N 149.33167°E /61.98361; 149.33167 |
| Geography | |
  Upper Kolyma Highlands Location inMagadan Oblast, Russia | |
| Country | Russia |
| Federal subject | Magadan Oblast |
| Range coordinates | 62°55′N146°50′E / 62.917°N 146.833°E /62.917; 146.833 |
| Parent range | East Siberian System |
| Geology | |
| Rock age(s) | Permian andTriassic |
| Rock type(s) | Sandstone,shale andgraniteintrusions |
TheUpper Kolyma Highlands (Russian:Верхнеколымское нагорье,romanized: Verkhnekolymskoye Nagorye) is a highland area inMagadan Oblast,Far Eastern Federal District,Russia. The biggest town in the highlands isSusuman.[1][2]
There are large deposits of gold, tin and rare metals in the Upper Kolyma Highlands. The area is relatively less desolate than other mountainous zones of Northeastern Siberia, such as theYukaghir Highlands or theNera Plateau. However, some of the mining operations were deemed unprofitable following thecollapse of the USSR and certain settlements of theSusumansky District lost population. Only a residual population remains inShiroky,Kholodny andBolshevik. Other places such asBelichan andKadykchan have becomeghost towns.[3][4]
TheR504 Kolyma Highway crosses the southern part of the highlands.[2]
The Upper Kolyma Highlands are located in the upper course of theKolyma. They are bound in the west by theTas-Kystabyt andSuntar-Khayata ranges and to the east by theSeymchan-Buyunda Depression to the north and theOla river basin to the south, with theMaymandzhin Range stretching in between. To the northwest lies theNera Plateau and in the north the highlands merge with the southernmost chains of theChersky Range. TheSeimkan Mountains and theIgandzha Massif rise to the south, among other minor ranges.[1]
The ranges are generally smooth, although some ridges display alpine characteristics. The higher elevations of the ridges are between 1,300 metres (4,300 ft) and 2,000 metres (6,600 ft).[4] The highest point is 2,293 metres (7,523 ft) highGora Snezhnaya. Another important summit is 2,286 metres (7,500 ft) highPik Aborigen, both in theAngachak Range.[5][2]
The main rivers in the highlands are part of the upper basin of the Kolyma River, including riversAyan-Yuryakh andKulu, as well as theBuyunda,Bakhapcha —with theMaltan,Byoryolyokh andTenka, among others. There aremineral water springs.[5]
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The valleys of the rivers and their slopes are overgrown with sparse forests ofSiberian larch anddwarf cedar. At higher elevations there ismountain tundra up to heights of 1,200 metres (3,900 ft) to 1,800 metres (5,900 ft).[4]
Media related toUpper Kolyma Highlands at Wikimedia Commons