Pay-Khoy Ridge, Mountain range in Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Russia
Pay-Khoy Ridge is a mountain range in Nenets Autonomous Okrug that stretches from northwest to southeast across the northern Arctic landscape. The ridge physically divides the drainage basins flowing toward the Barents Sea from those feeding into the Kara Sea.
The ridge formed during the Late Triassic to Early Jurassic period through the Cimmerian Orogeny, making it geologically younger than the main Ural Mountains. This tectonic activity shaped the landscape that exists today.
The indigenous communities near Pay-Khoy Ridge maintain traditional practices of reindeer herding and fishing, adapting their lifestyles to the northern environment.
Access to the region is typically through the settlement of Amderma, though extreme cold and Arctic weather require careful preparation. Visitors should expect challenging conditions and should plan their expedition during the warmer months if possible.
The ridge contains a variety of rock types including sandstone, marl, limestone, and crystalline shale that reveal its complex geological past. This mixed composition makes it a notable example of the region's shifting geological history.
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