Admin: Yeni sayfa: "{{for|the lunar mountain range|Montes Caucasus}} {{refimprove|date=September 2012}} {{Infobox mountain range |name=Caucasus Mountains | photo=Kavkasioni.JPG | photo_caption=Aerial v..."

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Yeni sayfa: "{{for|the lunar mountain range|Montes Caucasus}} {{refimprove|date=September 2012}} {{Infobox mountain range |name=Caucasus Mountains | photo=Kavkasioni.JPG | photo_caption=Aerial v..."

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{{for|the lunar mountain range|Montes Caucasus}}
{{refimprove|date=September 2012}}
{{Infobox mountain range
|name=Caucasus Mountains
| photo=Kavkasioni.JPG
| photo_caption=Aerial view of the Caucasus Mountains
| country=[[Russia]]|country1=[[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]|country2=[[Armenia]]|country3=[[Azerbaijan]]|country4=[[Turkey]]|country5=[[Iran]]|
| region_type=
| region=
| border=
| length_km=1100 | length_orientation=
| width_km=160 | width_orientation=
| highest=Mount Elbrus
| elevation_m=5642
| lat_d =43 |lat_m =21 |lat_s =18 |lat_NS =N
| long_d=42 |long_m=26 |long_s=31 |long_EW=E
| range_lat_d=42.5|range_long_d=45.0
| range_coordinates_note =
| region_code=GE
| geology= | period= | orogeny=
| map=Caucasus topographic map-en.svg
| map_caption=Topographic map
}}
[[File:Kaukasus.jpg|thumb|280px|Satellite image of the Caucasus Mountains]]
The '''Caucasus Mountains'''{{efn|1=Naive names:
* {{lang-ka|კავკასიონი|tr}},
: pronounced {{IPA-ka|kʼɑvkʼɑsiɔni|}}
* {{lang-hy|Կովկասյան լեռներ}}, {{transl|hy|ISO|''Kovkasyan leṙner''}}
: pronounced {{IPA-hy|kɔvkɑsjɑn lɛrˈnɛɾ|}}
* {{lang-az|Qafqaz dağları}}, pronounced {{IPA-az|qɑfqɑz dɑʁlɑrɯ|}}
* {{lang-rus|Кавка́зские го́ры|Kavkázskiye góry|kɐfˈkasːkʲɪje ˈɡorɨ}}
* {{lang-tr|Kafkas Dağları}}, {{IPA-tr|kɑfkɑs dɑːɫɑrɯ}}
* {{lang-fa|كوه هاى قفقاز}}}} are a [[Mountain range|mountain system]] in [[Eurasia]] between the [[Black Sea]] and the [[Caspian Sea]] in the [[Caucasus]] region.

The Caucasus Mountains include the [[Greater Caucasus range|Greater Caucasus]] in the north and [[Lesser Caucasus]] in the south. The Greater Caucasus runs west-northwest to east-southeast, from the [[Western Caucasus|Caucasian Natural Reserve]] in the vicinity of [[Sochi]] on the northeastern shore of the Black Sea nearly to [[Baku]] on the Caspian Sea. The Lesser Caucasus runs parallel to the Greater about {{convert|100|km|abbr=on}} south.<ref name=Encyc-Snow-Ice-CaucusMtn>{{cite book|last1=Stokes|first1=Chris R|editor1-last=Singh|editor1-first=Vijay P.|editor2-last=Haritashya|editor2-first=Umesh K.|title=Encyclopedia of Snow, Ice and Glaciers|date=2011|publisher=Spring Science & Business Media|isbn=9789048126415|page=127|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mKKtQR4T-1MC&pg=PA127|accessdate=9 November 2014}}</ref> The Greater and Lesser Caucasus ranges are connected by the [[Likhi Range]], and to the west and east of the Likhi Range lie the [[Colchis]] Plain and the [[Kur-Araz Lowland]]. The [[Meskheti Range]] is a part of the Lesser Caucasus system. In the southeast the [[Aras River]] separates the Lesser Caucasus from the [[Talysh Mountains]] which straddle the border of southeastern Azerbaijan and [[Iran]]. The Lesser Caucasus and the [[Armenian Highland]] constitute the [[Transcaucasian Highland]], which at their western end converge with the highland plateau of [[Eastern Anatolia]] in the far north east of [[Turkey]]. The highest peak in the Caucasus range is [[Mount Elbrus]] in the Greater Caucasus, which rises to a height of {{convert|5642|m}} above sea level. Mountains near Sochi hosted part of the [[2014 Winter Olympics]].

==Geology==
Geologically, the Caucasus Mountains belong to a system that extends from southeastern [[Europe]] into [[Asia]]. The [[Greater Caucasus]] Mountains are mainly composed of [[Cretaceous]] and [[Jurassic]] rocks with the [[Paleozoic]] and [[Precambrian]] rocks in the higher regions. Some volcanic formations are found throughout the range. On the other hand, the [[Lesser Caucasus]] Mountains are formed predominantly of the [[Paleogene]] rocks with a much smaller portion of the Jurassic and Cretaceous rocks. The evolution of the Caucasus began from the [[Late Triassic]] to the [[Late Jurassic]] during the [[Cimmerian orogeny]] at the active margin of the [[Tethys Ocean]] while the uplift of the Greater Caucasus is dated to the [[Miocene]] during the [[Alpine orogeny]].

The Caucasus Mountains formed largely as the result of a [[plate tectonics|tectonic]] plate collision between the [[Arabian plate]] moving northwards with respect to the [[Eurasian plate]]. As the [[Tethys Sea]] was closed and the Arabian Plate collided with the [[Iranian Plate]] and was pushed against it and with the clockwise movement of the Eurasian Plate towards the Iranian Plate and their final collision, the Iranian Plate was pressed against the Eurasian Plate. As this happened, the entire rocks that had been deposited in this basin from the Jurassic to the Miocene were folded to form the Greater Caucasus Mountains. This collision also caused the uplift and the [[Cenozoic]] volcanic activity in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains.

The entire region is regularly subjected to strong [[earthquake]]s from this activity.<ref name = "Reilinger2012">{{cite journal|title = Global Positioning System measurements of present-day crustal movements in the Arabia-Africa-Eurasia plate collision zone|last = Reilinger|last2 = McClusky|last3 = Oral|last4 = King|last5 = Toksoz|last6 = Barka|last7 = Kinik|last8 = Lenk|last9 = Sanli|journal = Journal of Geophysical Research|issue = B5|pages = 9983–9999|date = Jan 1997|volume = 102|doi = 10.1029/96JB03736|bibcode=1997JGR...102.9983R}}</ref> While the Greater Caucasus Mountains have a mainly folded sedimentary structure, the Lesser Caucasus Mountains are largely of [[volcanic]] origin.<ref name = "Philip1989">{{cite journal|title = The Caucasus|last1 = Philip|first1 = H.|last2 = Cisternas|first2 = A.|last3 = Gvishiani|first3 = A.|last4 = Gorshkov|first4 = A.|journal = Tectnophysics|issue = 1–2|date = 1 April 1989|pages = 1–21|volume = 161|doi = 10.1016/0040-1951(89)90297-7|bibcode = 1989Tectp.161....1P}}</ref>

The [[Javakheti Volcanic Plateau]] in [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] and the surrounding volcanic ranges which extend well into central [[Armenia]] are some of the youngest features of the region. Only recently was the Caucasus a scene for intense volcanic activity: the Armenian highland was flooded by calc-alkaline [[basalt]]s and [[andesite]]s in the [[Pliocene]] and the highest summits of the Caucasus, the [[Elbrus]], and the [[Kazbek]], formed as [[Pleistocene]]-[[Pliocene]] volcanoes. The Kazbek is no longer active, but the Elbrus erupted in postglacial times and [[fumarole]] activity is registered near its summit. Contemporary seismic activity is a prominent feature of the region, reflecting active faulting and crustal shortening. Clusters of seismicity occur in [[Dagestan]] and in northern [[Armenia]]. Many devastating earthquakes have been documented in historical times, including the [[Spitak]] earthquake in December 1988 which destroyed the [[Gyumri]]-[[Vanadzor]] region of Armenia.

==Notable peaks==
Europe's highest mountain is [[Mount Elbrus]] {{convert|5642|m|ft|abbr=on}} in the Caucasus Mountains.<ref name="earthobservatory.nasa.gov">[http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=3603 Mt. Elbrus : Image of the Day]. Earthobservatory.nasa.gov. Retrieved on 16 February 2015</ref> Elbrus is {{convert|832|m|abbr=on}} higher than [[Mont Blanc]], the highest peak in the [[Alps]] at {{convert|4810|m|ft|abbr=on}}. The Caucasus Mountains are [[Boundaries between continents#Modern definition|defined]] as the [[continental divide]] between Asia and Europe for the region between the Black and Caspian Seas.

The table below lists some of the highest peaks of the Caucasus. With the exception of [[Shkhara]], the heights are taken from Soviet 1:50,000 mapping. There are higher and more prominent, but nameless, peaks than some of the peaks included below.

{| class = "wikitable"
!Peak name !! Elevation (m) !! [[Prominence]] (m) !! Country
|-
| [[Elbrus]] || 5,642|| 4,741 || [[Russia]]
|-
|[[Dykh-Tau]] || 5,205 || 2,002 || [[Russia]]
|-
| [[Shkhara]] || 5,201 || 1,365 || [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]/[[Russia]]
|-
|[[Koshtan-Tau]] || 5,152 || 822 || [[Russia]]
|-
|[[Dzhangi-Tau|Janga]] (Jangi-Tau) || 5,059 || 300 || [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]/[[Russia]]
|-
|[[Kazbek]] ||5,047 || 2,353 || [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]/[[Russia]]
|-
|[[Pushkin]]|| 5,033 || 110 || [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]/[[Russia]]
|-
|[[Katyn-Tau]] || 4,979 || 240 || [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]/[[Russia]]
|-
|[[Gistola]] || 4,860 || || [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]
|-
|[[Shota Rustaveli Peak|Shota Rustaveli]] || 4,860 || c.50 || [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]/[[Russia]]
|-
|[[Tetnuldi]] || 4,858 || 672 || [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]
|-
|[[Mount Dzhimara|Dzhimara]] || 4,780 || || [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]/[[Russia]]
|-
|[[Ushba]] || 4,710 || 1,143 || [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]
|-
|[[Ailama]] || 4,547 || 1,067 || [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]
|-
|[[Tebulosmta|Tebulos]] || 4,499 || 2,145 || [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]/[[Russia]]
|-
|[[Mount Bazardüzü]] || 4,466 || 2,454 || [[Azerbaijan]]
|-
|Tepli || 4,431 || || [[Russia]]
|-
|[[Diklosmta|Diklo]] || 4,285 || 843 || [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]
|-
|[[Mount Shahdagh]] || 4,243 || || [[Azerbaijan]]
|-
|[[Gora Addala Shukgelmezr]] || 4,152 || 1,792 || [[Russia]]
|-
|[[Gora Dyultydag]] || 4,127 || 1,834 || [[Russia]]
|-
| [[Aragats]] || 4,090|| 2,143 || [[Armenia]]
|-
|}

==Climate==
The climate of the Caucasus varies both vertically (according to elevation) and horizontally (by latitude and location). Temperature generally decreases as elevation rises. Average annual temperature in [[Sukhumi]], [[Abkhazia]] at sea level is {{convert|15|C|F}} while on the slopes of Mt.[[Kazbek]] at an elevation of {{convert|3700|m|ft}}, average annual temperature falls to{{convert|-6.1|C|F}}. The northern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range are 3 °C (5.4 °F) colder than the southern slopes. The highlands of the Lesser Caucasus Mountains in [[Armenia]], [[Azerbaijan]], and [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] are marked by sharp temperature contrasts between the summer and winter months due to a more continental climate.

Precipitation increases from east to west in most areas. Elevation plays an important role in the Caucasus and mountains generally receive higher amounts of precipitation than low-lying areas. The northeastern regions ([[Dagestan]]) and the southern portions of the Lesser Caucasus Mountains are the driest. The absolute minimum annual precipitation is {{convert|250|mm|2|abbr=on}} in the northeastern [[Caspian Depression]]. Western parts of the Caucasus Mountains are marked by high amounts of precipitation. The southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range receive higher amounts of precipitation than the northern slopes. Annual precipitation in the Western Caucasus ranges from {{convert|1000|to(-)|4000|mm|2|abbr=on|lk=out}} while in the Eastern and Northern Caucasus ([[Chechnya]], [[Ingushetia]], [[Kabardino-Balkaria]], [[Ossetia]], [[Kakheti]], [[Kartli]], etc.) precipitation ranges from {{convert|600|to(-)|1800|mm|2|abbr=on|lk=out}}. The absolute maximum annual precipitation is {{convert|4100|mm|2|abbr=on}} around the Mt. Mtirala area which lies on the [[Meskheti Range]] in [[Ajaria]]. The precipitation of the Lesser Caucasus Mountain Range (Southern [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], [[Armenia]], western [[Azerbaijan]]), not including the [[Meskheti Range]], varies from 300-{{convert|800|mm|2|abbr=on}} annually.

The Caucasus Mountains are known for the high amount of snowfall, although many regions which are not located along the windward slopes do not receive nearly as much snow. This is especially true for the Lesser Caucasus Mountains which are somewhat isolated from the moist influences coming in from the [[Black Sea]] and receive considerably less precipitation (in the form of snow) than the Greater Caucasus Mountains. The average winter snow cover of the Lesser Caucasus Mountains ranges from {{convert|10|to(-)|30|cm|2|abbr=on|lk=out}}. The Greater Caucasus Mountains (especially the southwestern slopes) are marked by heavy snowfall. [[Avalanches]] are common from November to April.

Snow cover in several regions ([[Svaneti]] and northern [[Abkhazia]]) may reach {{convert|5|m|0}}. The Mt. [[Achishkho]] region, which is the snowiest place in the Caucasus, often records snow depths of {{convert|7|m|0|abbr=on}}.

==Landscape==
The Caucasus Mountains have a varied landscape which mainly changes according to elevation and distance from large bodies of water. The region contains [[biomes]] ranging from subtropical lowland marshes and forests to [[glacier]]s (Western and Central Caucasus), and highland [[semidesert]]s, [[steppe]]s, and [[alpine meadow]]s in the south (mainly in [[Armenia]] and [[Azerbaijan]]).

The northern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountains are covered by [[oak]], [[hornbeam]], [[maple]], and [[ash tree|ash]] forests at lower elevations while [[birch]] and [[pine]] forests take over at higher elevations. Some of the lowest areas of the region are covered by [[steppes]] and [[grasslands]]. The slopes of the Northwestern Greater Caucasus ([[Kabardino-Balkaria]], [[Cherkessia]], etc.) also contain [[spruce]] and [[fir]] forests. The [[alpine climate|alpine]] zone replaces the forest at around {{convert|2000|m|ft}} above sea level. The permafrost/[[glacier]] line generally starts around {{convert|2800|-|3000|m|ft}}. The southeastern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountains are covered by [[beech]], [[oak]], [[maple]], [[hornbeam]], and ash forests. [[Beech]] forests tend to dominate in higher locations. The southwestern slopes of the Greater Caucasus are covered by [[Colchis|Colchian]] forests ([[oak]], [[buxus]], [[beech]], [[chestnut]], [[hornbeam]], [[elm]]) at lower elevations with [[coniferous]] and mixed forests ([[spruce]], [[fir]] and [[beech]]) taking over at higher elevations. The alpine zone on the southern slopes may extend up to {{convert|2800|m|ft}} above sea level while the [[glacier]]/snow line starts at {{convert|3000|-|3500|m|ft}}.

The northern and western slopes of the Lesser Caucasus Mountains are characterized both by [[Colchis|Colchian]] and other [[deciduous]] forests at lower elevations while mixed and [[coniferous]] forests (mainly [[spruce]] and [[fir]]) dominate at higher elevations. [[Beech]] forests are also common at higher elevations. The southern slopes of the Lesser Caucasus Mountains are largely covered by [[grasslands]] and [[steppes]] up to an elevation of {{convert|2500|m|ft}}. The highest areas of the region contain alpine grasslands as well. [[Volcanic]] and other rock formations are common throughout the region. The volcanic zone extends over a large area from southern [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] into [[Armenia]] and southwestern [[Azerbaijan]]. Some of the prominent peaks of the region include Mt. [[Aragats]], [[Didi Abuli]], [[Samsari]], and others. The area is characterized by [[volcanic plateau]]s, [[lava flows]], [[volcanic lake]]s, [[volcanic cone]]s and other features. The Lesser Caucasus Mountains lack the type of glaciers and glacial features that are common on the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range.

==History==
{{further|History of the Caucasus}}
Crossing the Caucasus Mountain range was an important section of the northern arm of the [[Silk Route]]. There was one pass on the southeast end in [[Derbent]] (crossing the [[Great Wall of Gorgan]] (also known as Alexander the Great's Wall)), and multiple passes throughout the range: [[Jvari Pass]] at 2379 m and above the Darial Gorge on the Georgian Military Road, [[Mamison Pass]] on the [[Ossetian Military Road]] at 2911 m, and [[Roki Tunnel]] at 2310 m. See [[Russian conquest of the Caucasus]].

==Image gallery==
<gallery mode="packed">
Mt Elbrus Caucasus.jpg|Mt Elbrus viewed from the south
Comito.jpg|Komito Mountain in [[Chechnya]]
VittfarneGeorgien 155.jpg|Caucasus Mountains in [[Svaneti]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]
Murov mountain in Azerbaijan-Caucasus3.jpg|Murov mountain in [[Azerbaijan]]
Chaukhi mountain (ჭაუხი).jpg|Chaukhi mountain in [[Khevi]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]
Chechenya gorge2.jpg|A gorge in [[Dagestan]], [[Russia]]
Ushba 1879.jpg|Twin-peaked [[Ushba]] in [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]
</gallery>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Wikisource1911Enc|Caucasus}}
* ''Parts of this article are from the [[NASA Earth Observatory]]; [https://web.archive.org/web/20051028180323/http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=15340]''
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Small Nations and Great Powers: A Study of Ethnopolitical Conflict in the Caucasus By Svante E. Cornell

==External links==
{{Commons category|Caucasus mountains}}
* [[NASA Earth Observatory]] images of the Caucasus: [http://visibleearth.nasa.gov/search_results.html?cx=016116316545443671480%3Albqtvfnrdrk&cof=FORID%3A9&q=caucasus&sa=search]
* {{cite peakbagger |rid=38 |name=Highest Peaks of the Caucasus from peakbagger.com}}
* [http://www.peaklist.org/WWlists/ultras/CaucasusP1500m.html List of the most prominent mountains in the Caucasus]

{{Russia topics}}
{{Soviet Union topics}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Caucasus|*01]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges of the Caucasus|*01]]
[[Category:Geography of the Caucasus|*01]]
[[Category:Eastern Europe|Caucasus04]]
[[Category:Western Asia|Caucasus04]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges of Asia]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges of Europe]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges of Armenia]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges of Azerbaijan]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges of Georgia (country)]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges of Iran]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges of Russia]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges of Turkey]]
[[Category:Geology of the Caucasus| 01]]
[[Category:Landforms of the Caucasus| 01]]
[[Category:Physiographic provinces]]
[[Category:Landforms of Kabardino-Balkaria]]
[[Category:Landforms of Karachay-Cherkessia]]

Caucasus Mountains - Değişiklik geçmişi

Admin: Yeni sayfa: "{{for|the lunar mountain range|Montes Caucasus}} {{refimprove|date=September 2012}} {{Infobox mountain range |name=Caucasus Mountains | photo=Kavkasioni.JPG | photo_caption=Aerial v..."