Vostochnaia Tuva Highlands

Vostochnaia Tuva Highlands

 

highlands in the east of the Tuva ASSR. Located for the most part between the Bol’shoi Enisei (Bii-Khema) and Malyi Enisei (Ka-Khema). The highlands consist of several mountain ranges (average elevation, 1,500-1,600 m; maximum elevation, 2,895 m) and the depressions and hollows separating them. There are traces of ancient glaciation. The highlands are composed mainly of Paleozoic, particularly Cambrian, sedimentary-volcanogenic strata and granitoids. On the slopes of the ranges, larch and cedar taiga predominate. Near the upper limit of the forest, at an altitude of approximately 2,200 m, almost pure cedar forests are common; higher still is mountain tundra.