Mountains are relief formations on the earth's surface that are of tectonic or volcanic origin. When magma from the core of the earth under pressure, pushing apart sedimentary rocks, breaks through the crust and comes to the surface, volcanoes are formed, usually having a conical shape with pronounced vents, slopes and foot.
However, sometimes it happens that in certain areas of pressure there is not enough pressure to break through the surface fossilized formations of the earth's crust, magma only raises future rocks and freezes beneath them, forming “unworked” volcanoes - laccoliths.
Mountain system of the Caucasus
On the territory of Russia, the youngest and most active mountain system of the Caucasus is located in the North Caucasus region between the Sea of Azov and the Caspian Sea. It is a chain of mountain ranges stretching from east to west and having several peaks of considerable height, lowlands, elevations and a group of laccoliths.
These mountains of the Greater Caucasus are the highest in Russia. The extinct two-headed volcano Elbrus is the highest peak in Europe (5642 m). East of Elbrus is another asleep volcano Kazbek (5033 m).
The last eruptions of Elbrus and Kazbek ended more than 40 thousand years ago, and only numerous hot mineral springs from the very depths of the earth in the saddle of Elbrus and throughout Elbrus remind of them. This region is also called the Caucasian Mineral Waters.
Laccoliths of the Caucasus
In addition to its high volcanoes, the Caucasus is famous for the largest group in the world of 17 laccoliths. They are located in the region of Pyatigorsk and Kislovodsk between the Bermamyt plateau and the Borgustan plateau. These laccoliths are much older than the volcanoes of the Caucasus - they are several million years old. The sedimentary rocks on the crown of the mountains were destroyed, exposing rocky igneous formations.
The small height of these laccoliths is not more than a thousand meters, and their picturesque slopes covered with vegetation attract a huge number of tourists to the region of Caucasian Mineral Waters who want to climb the accessible peaks and try the water from healing springs.
Features of Caucasian Laccoliths
The highest Caucasian laccolith is Beshtau (1400 m), and at the foot of the mountain-laccolith Mashuk (993 m), the city of Pyatigorsk is located. Mashuk is famous for the historical duel of Mikhail Lermontov, which in 1841 broke short, but bright creative life of the poet. There is also a large failure karst cave with an underground tectonic lake that arose during the formation of laccolith.
In fact, along with the laccoliths Bull (821 m), Razvalka (930 m) and Zheleznaya (860 m), Beshtau is neither a full-fledged volcano, nor laccolith, since the lava in it broke through the surface layers and came out. However, it was too thick and sufficiently cooled and did not spill along the slopes, as happens with real volcanoes. The diverse rocks on the surface of the mountains quickly destroyed, forming at the foot of many Caucasian laccoliths the so-called "stone seas" and internal cracks.
Huge blocks polished the surface of the slopes at the descent, and Beshtau and Ostroy have characteristic "mirror" slopes. On the slopes of Medova, the exposed golden lava veins are clearly visible.
Legends
The extraordinary beauty and mineral springs of the Caucasian mountain ranges not only today attract the attention of tourists and guests of health-improving institutions, but from the prehistoric times they have been striking the imagination of the peoples living here. The ancient Alans have a beautiful legend about the imperious Elbrus and his son Beshtau, who could not share the beautiful Mashuha and fell around her in a bloody battle, along with faithful dzhigits and warlike animal spirits. Not wanting to betray her love, Mashuha threw off the hated ring that froze in a wonderful mountain in the vicinity of Kislovodsk. These stone statues for thousands of years will remind of the brave and proud warriors, majestic, like the mountains of the Caucasus.