Badab Surt (Persian:باداب سورت) is a natural site in theMazandaran Province in northernIran, 95 kilometres (59 mi) south-east of the city ofSari, and 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) east of the villageOrost. It comprises a range of steppedtravertineterrace formations that have been created over thousands of years as flowing water from twomineral hot springs cooled and depositedcarbonate minerals on the mountainside.[1]
Badab is aPersian compound of the words bād (gas) + āb (water), translating to "gassed water", referring to the springs' waters beingcarbonated mineral waters.Soort is an old name for the Orost village and a Persian word meaning intensity.[2]
Badab Surt's springs are two distinctmineral springs with different natural characteristics, located at 1,840 metres (6,040 ft) above sea level. The first spring contains very salty water that collects in a small natural pool. Its water is believed to have medicinal properties, particularly as a remedy forrheumatism and certain skin diseases and conditions. The second spring has a sour taste and is predominantly orange mainly due to the largeiron oxidesediments at its outlet.[2]
Badab Surt's terraces are made of travertine, asedimentary rock deposited by flowing water from the two distinct mineral springs; they were formed duringPleistocene andPliocene geological periods. When the water, supersaturated withcalcium carbonate andiron carbonate, reaches the surface,carbon dioxide degases from it, and mineral carbonates are deposited. The depositing continues until the carbon dioxide in the water balances the carbon dioxide in the air. Iron carbonate and calcium carbonate are deposited by the water as soft jellies, but they eventually harden into travertine.[1][2]
As a result, over thousands of years, water from two springs emerging from the mountain range has combined to form a series of orange-, red-, and yellow-colored pools shaped like a naturally formed staircase. The surrounding vegetation varies by direction: to the north are pine forests; to the east, mainly short trees and shrubs; and to the west, rock quarries are visible.[2]
36°21′17″N53°51′23″E / 36.35472°N 53.85639°E /36.35472; 53.85639
