Elbrus Glaciers
Glaciers are a key landscape-forming factor in the Central Caucasus. They directly influence the formation of characteristic features of the relief, climate, soil, and vegetation. Modern glaciers are in a state of slow retreat. Since 1887, glacier areas have decreased, and their tongues have retreated by an average of 80–90 meters.
Large areas, starting at elevations of 3,500–4,000 meters, are occupied by glaciers, which form a major center of modern glaciation in the Caucasus.
Seventy-seven glaciers radiate from the Elbrus ice cap. In some places, the ice thickness reaches 400 meters. The glaciated area of Elbrus is 144.5 square kilometers. For comparison, the total glaciated area of the Greater Caucasus is 2,000 square kilometers, or approximately 1.5% of the entire Greater Caucasus. The total number of glaciers registered in the Greater Caucasus is 1,400.
Peaks of the Elbrus Region
This region is home to the crown jewel of the Greater Caucasus—Mount Elbrus, the double-peaked cone of an extinct volcano. The western peak is 5,642 meters high, while the eastern peak is 5,621 meters. Elbrus is connected to the Main Caucasus Range by the Khotyutau Ridge.
Other five-thousanders and four-thousanders:
Dykhtau (5,203 m),
Trik-chat (4,050 m),
Kilar (4,013 m),
Donuz-Orun (4,454 m),
Djayly-ksubashi (4,424 m),
Dzhan-Tugan (4,012 m),
Adyrsubashi (4,370 m),
Sullukolbashi (4,251 m),
Ullukara (4,302 m).
Geo coordinates:43°14'45.9"N 42°31'52.8"E
