4K | Altyn Emel 2
The Aktau mountains are located in the southeast of the Altyn-Emel National Park, south of the Dzhungarian Alatau ridge, 85 km from the Basshi village.
The length of the Aktau mountains from east to west is 30 km, from north to south - up to 2 km. The total area is about 50 sq.km.
Formation
The cretaceous massif of Aktau was formed by volcanic activity about 400 million years ago.
The Aktau mountains are massive sedimentary deposits of a huge ancient lake (according to one version, of the ancient Tethys Ocean), which once filled the Ili basin. The height of the deposits reaches 1000 m.
As a result of tectonic and erosional activity, beautiful gorges and canyons have emerged over time, composed of belt sedimentary rocks of various colors: green, red, blue and white.
Open-Air Geological Museum
With its rich geological formations, the Altyn-Emel National Park beats many of the world's reserves that have the status of a geopark.
The Aktau mountains make it possible to visually reconstruct the geological and paleontological chronicle of this unique territory, to trace the entire long history from the moment the first dryland appeared to the formation of desert mountains, with their inherent flora and fauna.
Paleontological Landmark
There are several large findspots of the Cenozoic fauna remains in the Aktau mountains. As a result of the excavations, numerous fragments of the skeletons of ancient animals that lived in different eras of the Cenozoic (about 50 million years ago) were discovered: rhinoceroses, crocodiles, mollusks, turtles, deer, mastodons.
The fully preserved skeleton of Brontoterium, the ancestor of the modern hippopotamus, was discovered during joint Kazakh-American expeditions in 1995-1997. The remains found did not belong to any known species. So a new species was discovered in Kazakhstan, aktautitan, named after the Aktau mountains. (The exhibits are kept in the "Gylym Ordasy" Museum of Nature of the Kazakh Academy of Sciences in Almaty, as well as in the visit center of the national park).
In addition to the remains of fauna in the Aktau mountains, there are findspots of Miocene flora - poplar, willow, elm, barberry, ailanto and other plants (56 species in total), as well as the progenitors of modern tugai trees growing in this region. This flora reflects the gradual aridization (drainage) of the local climate.
Tourist Attraction
Unearthly, alien landscapes, similar to the scenery for a fantastic film are seen from afar. On a hiking trail in the Aktau mountains visitors are treated to sweeping views of the picturesque colorful canyons.
There is a campsite at the entrance to the canyon, but the complete absence of water, greenery and shade makes a long stay here impossible.