Talovskie Chashi, Protected natural monument near Tomsk, Russia.
Talovskie Chashi is a natural monument near Tomsk featuring four large spring-fed basins with limestone walls. The water in these formations contains dissolved minerals including calcium, potassium, and manganese salts.
A Tomsk State University professor first documented these formations scientifically in 1895. The site received official protection status in 1962 following recognition of its geological importance.
Local people visit regularly to gather water, viewing these springs as a natural resource worth preserving and using. The place holds significance in daily life for those living nearby, who treat it as part of their heritage.
This protected area is located roughly 40 kilometers southeast of Tomsk and can be reached by walking from the nearest railway station. Plan accordingly for outdoor conditions and terrain variations along the way.
The basin walls contain bernesite, a rare mineral found in very few locations across Russia. This mineral gives the formations their distinctive brown and rust-colored appearance.
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