Putorana Plateau, Basalt massif in Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia
The Putorana Plateau is a basalt massif north of the Arctic Circle in Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia, extending across a very large area. Thousands of lakes lie scattered between flat-topped mountains, and the surface is cut by deep canyons with steep rock walls.
The basalt formations were created millions of years ago through volcanic activity that brought large amounts of molten rock to the surface. Later ice ages carved valleys and canyons into the cooled rock and shaped the present landscape.
The name comes from the Evenki language and is sometimes interpreted as "cloudy" or as a reference to the lakes visible from higher ground. Reindeer herders from indigenous communities still move through the valleys during certain seasons.
Travelers fly to Norilsk and arrange helicopter flights from there to the protected area, as there are no road connections. The best time to visit is during the short summer months when daylight and warmer temperatures make conditions easier.
The region holds the Talnikovy waterfall, which at around 480 meters (1575 feet) is among the tallest in Russia. The waterfalls are truly active only during snowmelt in early summer.
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