Alas (geography)

Alas (

Examples

An alas is different from thermokarst depressions found elsewhere in the Arctic in that the lake is only temporary. Due to the aridity of Yakutia, the lake will dry up once the underlying ice has been depleted.

Alases are often used for pasturage for horses as well as hay-fields. They are common in the

The alas also hold great cultural importance. During the festival of Ysyakh, the traditional Yakut New Year’s day celebrated in the summer, as many as 20,000 gather to an alas in the general vicinity of Yakutsk. Other minor celebrations occur at other alas across the Republic of Sakha. Once set up there, temporary Uraha (Yakut: Ураһа), which are homes made of birch bark are constructed among other wooden idols and structures.

See also

• Baydzharakh
• Yedoma

References

• Troeva, E. I. (2010). The Far North: Plant Biodiversity and Ecology of Yakutia. Springer Verlag. p. 390.
  ISBN 978-90-481-3773-2
  .

• Media related to Alases (geography) at Wikimedia Commons

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