Gemstones of eastern Kazakhstan

An overview is presented of gemstones from eastern Kazakhstan in terms of their geographical distribution, geological provenance and genesis, gemmological characteristics, historical use and current applications. Locally occurring precious, semi-precious and decorative stones were extracted and traded along the northern part of the Silk Road that traversed the area in earlier historical times. Currently, non-metallic minerals, which largely originate from mafic igneous and metamorphic bodies of the Altay and Kalba Mountains of Kazakhstan, still are insufficiently known and exploited industrially only marginally. For the present study, selected depositories of coloured stones at the Mineralogy Museum of the East Kazakhstan State Technical University were used, supplemented by the newly collected material during personal fieldwork in the southern Altay between 2005 and 2015. Standard documentation of the gemstones selected is provided, alongside with their known occurrence sites and an evaluation of the perspective gemstone-bearing deposits with respect to regional morphostructural bedrock characteristics. The most precious gemstones include topaz, corundum (sapphire and ruby), beryl (emerald and aquamarine), coloured tourmalines, agates as well as diamonds. Despite the great variety, the majority of these traditionally most valued stones are currently commercially not viable, unlike high-quality decorative stones

Between Sand Dunes and Hamadas: Environmental Sustainability of the Thar Desert, West India

Extensive geographic areas of the world show a long-term atmospheric moisture deficit. Desertification of Rajasthan is concurrent with the strengthened weather extremality and mean annual air temperature (MAAT) rise over the western part of the Indian subcontinent. The present landscape aridification due to the precipitation decrease and reinforced windiness generates surface-cover dryness, aeolian erosion with a mass sediment transfer, salinity of excessively irrigated lands and groundwater depletion; altogether these pose major geo-environmental threats and settlement risks of the expanding Thar Desert. Livestock-overgrazing of sparse-vegetation contributes to ecological pressure to the fragile wasteland ecosystems with approximately three-quarters of the countryside affected to a certain extent by degradation and >50% exposed to wind erosion. Sand dune stabilisation by the drought-adapted tree plantation, the regional hydrology network regulation and the arid-land farming based on new xerophytic cultigens are the key land-use and mitigation strategies. Specific geomorphic palaeosettings predetermined patterned adaptive forms of the ancient desert inhabitation. Geo- and eco-tourism contributes to the arid-zone socioeconomic sustainability with regard to the rich natural and cultural heritage of the area. This study outlines the main effects of the current climate variations on the pristine and occupied lands of western Rajasthan, and the past and present relief transformations, and reviews the modern anthropogenic responses to desertification

Palaeo-American occupation in the Upper Bow River Valley, southwestern Alberta, Canada

Bibliography: p. 188-224

Geo-Tourism Perspectives In East Kazakhstan

Eastern Kazakhstan   and  the  adjacent Gorno Altai of  southern Siberia encompass  very mosaic landscapes  across all the geographic  and geomorphic  zones enclosing numerous (pre-)historic monuments, some of them being a part of the UNESCO World natural  and cultural  heritage.  Excepting  the high-mountain  ranges (Rudno and Southern  Altai, Narym,  Tarbagatay  and Dzhungarskiy  Alatau) surrounding  the territory, the interior open arid steppes characterized by a broken relief of the granite-built Central Kazakhstan Hills as well as the barren rocky semi-deserts in the SE parts of the land remain largely unexplored  and tourism-uncovered. The extraordinary topographic  diversity was generated  by complex  geological processes  associated with the Cainozoic  orogenesis and the changing Quaternary  climates.  Geo-tourism  focusing  on the most exquisite landscape forms (geo-sites) and geological formations is a new trend in the country with still minor  activities that take advantage  of the region’s supreme geo-heritage potential. The unquestionable  touristic-recreational  attractiveness of this geographically marginal area of Central  Asia (historically a part of the Russian Empire’s Tomsk Gubernia)  reflects unique natural features – both geomorphic and biotic – including orographic, hydrologic, climatic,  mineral and pedogenic,  as well as rare endemic  plants and wildlife in addition to the colour ful national Kazakh and Russian traditions. In spite of these predispositions, an introduction of a vital, sustainable geo-tourism in East Kazakhstan is impeded by the limited accessibility to the region due to an insufficient year-round transport infrastructure and poor local accommodation  facilities in addition to the restricting boarder-zone entry regulations

Toponymy of the Ancient Sary-Arka (North-Eastern Kazakhstan)

This study examines the etymology of the principal physiographic entities of the ancient Sary-Arka area– meaning in the old Turkic language Yellowing Ridge – encompassing the present territory of parkland-steppes, rocky highlands and the adjacent mountains of North and East Kazakhstan. The current linguistic evidence points to a complex and chronologically long culture-historical development reflected by the local place names best-recorded for the major rivers and mountains (hydronyms and oronyms, respectively). Not all geo-site names are securely determined by using modern onomastics. Records of material culture provide additional multi-proxy information. Local uniformity of some toponyms across the extensive area assuming a common cultural background attests to a broader ethnic homogeneity and/or mobility of the ancient populations inhabiting this vast and geomorphically mosaic land. This suggests a close relationship and interactions (including demographic exchanges and mixing) between the past pastoral ethics in the parkland-steppe and semi-desert areas north of Lake Balkhash between the Aral Sea and the southern Urals in the West and the Alatau–Altai Mountain systems in the East. Whereas the hydronyms of the Sary-Arka may have a rather complex and not fully clear origin with a connection to the Turkic-Tatar medieval tribes and nations’ occupancy in northern Central Asia eventually modified into the present Kazakh language forms, the oronyms of the East Kazakhstan mountain ranges indicate the Mongolian roots

Climate-Change Induced Permafrost Degradation in Yakutia, East Siberia

  Current climate change in the northern regions is a well-recognized phenomenon. In central Yakutia (the Sakha Republic), the long-term trend displays a consistent mean annual air temperature (MAAT) increase from −9.6˚C (1980) to −6.7˚C (2019), corresponding to an average 0.07˚C annual rise, with pronounced temperature anomalies in the last decade. The analyzed meteorological records of the past 40 years indicate a progressing climate change pattern of increased MAAT and mean annual precipitation (MAP) that occurs in 5 – 7 yr cycles. The complex interactions of regional climatic variations with local geological and environmental conditions influence the frozen ground’s thermal balance, which, in turn, impacts thermokarst development. Co-acting factors of temperature rise and higher precipitation rates activate thermokarst lake dynamics and lake expansion following snow- and rainfall-rich preceding years. April experiences the greatest warming trend with a present (2020) 5˚C rise from 1980 with shortening of the winter season. Climate warming together with natural forest fires and anthropogenic activities (pastoral practices and logging) contribute to the taiga landscape opening due to reduced albedo and the greater exposure to solar radiation. The regional hydrologic network undergoes restructuring caused by drained meltwater released from the degraded cryolithozone with peaks of the fluvial discharge in late spring and early summer generating bank erosion. The negative effects of the progressing ground thaw, which are particularly observed in lowland locations, pose risks to local settlements and generate major environmental and engineering problems in the formerly permafrost-stable central and northern areas of Siberia.  Le changement climatique actuel dans les régions du nord est un phénomène bien connu. Dans le centre de la Yakoutie (République de Sakha), la tendance à long terme affiche une augmentation annuelle moyenne constante de la température de l’air (MAAT) de – 9,6 ˚C (1980) à – 6,7 ˚C (2019), correspondant à une augmentation annuelle moyenne de 0,07 ˚C, avec des anomalies de température prononcées au cours de la dernière décennie. Les relevés météorologiques analysés au cours des 40 dernières années indiquent un schéma de changement climatique progressif d’augmentation du MAAT et de la précipitation moyenne annuelle (MAP) qui se produisent sur des cycles de cinq à sept ans. Les interactions complexes des variations climatiques régionales avec les conditions géologiques et environnementales locales influencent l’équilibre thermique du sol gelé qui, à son tour, influe sur le développement des thermokarsts. Des facteurs co-agissants d’augmentation de la température et de taux de précipitation plus élevés activent la dynamique des lacs thermokarstiques et l’expansion des lacs après les années précédentes riches en neige et en précipitations. Le mois d’avril connaît la plus grande tendance au réchauffement, avec la hausse actuelle (2020) de 5 ˚C par rapport à 1980 et le raccourcissement de la saison d’hiver. Le réchauffement climatique, les incendies de forêt naturels et les activités anthropiques (pratiques pastorales et exploitation forestière) contribuent à l’ouverture du paysage de la taïga en raison d’un albédo réduit et d’une plus grande exposition au rayonnement solaire. Le réseau hydrologique régional subit une restructuration causée par les eaux de fonte drainées libérées de la cryolithozone dégradée avec des pics de débit fluvial à la fin du printemps et au début de l’été, produisant ainsi une érosion des berges. Les effets négatifs du dégel progressif observé en particulier dans les plaines présentent des risques pour les établissements locaux et génèrent des problèmes environnementaux et d’ingénierie majeurs dans les régions du centre et du nord de la Sibérie, autrefois stables au pergélisol

Toponymy of the Ancient Sary-Arka (North-Eastern Kazakhstan)

This study examines the etymology of the principal physiographic entities of the ancient Sary-Arka area– meaning in the old Turkic language Yellowing Ridge – encompassing the present territory of parkland-steppes, rocky highlands and the adjacent mountains of North and East Kazakhstan. The current linguistic evidence points to a complex and chronologically long culture-historical development reflected by the local place names best-recorded for the major rivers and mountains (hydronyms and oronyms, respectively). Not all geo-site names are securely determined by using modern onomastics. Records of material culture provide additional multi-proxy information. Local uniformity of some toponyms across the extensive area assuming a common cultural background attests to a broader ethnic homogeneity and/or mobility of the ancient populations inhabiting this vast and geomorphically mosaic land. This suggests a close relationship and interactions (including demographic exchanges and mixing) between the past pastoral ethics in the parkland-steppe and semi-desert areas north of Lake Balkhash between the Aral Sea and the southern Urals in the West and the Alatau–Altai Mountain systems in the East. Whereas the hydronyms of the Sary-Arka may have a rather complex and not fully clear origin with a connection to the Turkic-Tatar medieval tribes and nations’ occupancy in northern Central Asia eventually modified into the present Kazakh language forms, the oronyms of the East Kazakhstan mountain ranges indicate the Mongolian roots

Toponymy of the Ancient Sary-Arka (North-Eastern Kazakhstan)

This study examines the etymology of the principal physiographic entities of the ancient Sary-Arka area–meaning in the old Turkic language Yellowing Ridge – encompassing the present territory of parkland-steppes, rocky highlands and the adjacent mountains of North and East Kazakhstan. The current linguistic evidence points to a complex and chronologically long culture-historical development reflected by the local place names best-recorded for the major rivers and mountains (hydronyms and oronyms, respectively). Not all geo-site names are securely determined by using modern onomastics. Records of material culture provide additional multi-proxy information. Local uniformity of some toponyms across the extensive area assuming a common cultural background attests to a broader ethnic homogeneity and/or mobility of the ancient populations inhabiting this vast and geomorphically mosaic land. This suggests a close relationship and interactions (including demographic exchanges and mixing) between the past pastoral ethics in the parkland-steppe and semi-desert areas north of Lake Balkhash between the Aral Sea and the southern Urals in the West and the Alatau–Altai Mountain systems in the East. Whereas the hydronyms of the Sary-Arka may have a rather complex and not fully clear origin with a connection to the Turkic-Tatar medieval tribes and nations’ occupancy in northern Central Asia eventually modified into the present Kazakh language forms, the oronyms of the East Kazakhstan mountain ranges indicate the Mongolian roots

Two pedogenic models for paleoclimatic records of magnetic susceptibility from Chinese and Siberian loess

The magnetic susceptibility (MS) of Chinese loess showing a general proportional relationship to pedogenic grade has been widely recognized and used for reconstruction of paleoclimate by Quaternary scientists. The in-situ pedogenic enhancement of ferrimagnetic content is normally believed to be the main reason for the increase of susceptibility in soil units. However, this pattern of high magnetic susceptibility in palaeosols, and low values in loess, are not replicated in some loess deposits. Siberian loess deposits display a completely opposite susceptibility behavior: high values in loess and low values in palaeosols. This inverse relationship has been explained by the idea that magnetic susceptibility is reflecting the magnitude of an aeolian ferrimagnetic component of consistent mineralogy, the grain size of which is related to average wind velocity. Our magnetic study of Siberian samples in this paper suggests that there are notable differences in magnetic properties between Siberian loess and developed palaeosols, not only in magnetic grain-size and concentration but also in magnetic mineralogy. This evidence is difficult to explain fully through variation in wind strength alone, but implies that the low magnetic susceptibility values in the Siberian paleosol units are a reflection, at least in part, of the alteration of the ferrimagnetic content by post-depositional processes. The Loess Plateau is a very arid area where potential evaporation is always higher than precipitation; pedogenesis occurs under dry oxidising conditions. The Siberian Kurtak region is located on the edge of the tundra where it is always wet and saturation during interglacials will lead to a reducing pedogenic environment. Ferrimagnetic minerals under this condition will be destroyed, resulting in lower magnetic susceptibility. Therefore, great care should be taken when using susceptibility values for paleoclimatic reconstruction.10 page(s