Weathering of the Ural Mountains



There is a very diverse landscape between the northern polar region, and southern temperate region.  The difference in climate creates different types of physical and chemical weathering between north and south. regions.



The Ural Mountain range stretches North to South for wiki images



7 Strong men of the Urals (from http://www.enviromentalgraffiti.com/)

A main attraction in the Urals is the “7 strong men”.  Towering metamorphic rock pillars grouped together like 7 strong men.  These forms are highly physically, chemically, and salt weathered.  The extreme climate that these magnificent natural forms are located creates a perfect environment for frost weathering and salt weathering.  

Basal weathering (from Google images)

In this photo there are clear signs of basal weathering and perhaps even some biological weathering from lichens and moss.  The large joints allow for moisture to enter and freeze during the frigid winter months expanding and breaking off pieces of the rock. 



Sablja in the Central Urals (from http://www.justrussia.com/)

Sablja shows extreme weathering and oxidation giving the peak a red color.  This angular peak has undergone detachment of colluvium creating piles of talis below. 



Ignateva cave entry (from wiki images)



Look closely at Ignateva there is chemical weathering on the rocks. Distinct color variations caused by rain water, soil and plant interaction on the rock creating new chemicals within the rock.  The cave is created by cavernous weathering creating a large tefoni.





Narodnaya Peak (northern Urals) physical weathering (form google images)



Areas of mass wasting on Narodnaya peak, you can see areas where rock avalanches and slow earth flows have occurred.

Cool Picture from Ural mountains, by the looks of the slabs of rock they have experience pressure release




Sources:

http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/featured/seven-gigantic-rock-figures-rising-beneath-urals/17781

http://www.justrussia.ru/page.php?188

http://www.rusnet.nl/encyclo/u/urals_physic.shtml

http://old.risk.ru/eng/regions/ural/index.html