Alas (geography) facts for kids
Alas is a special type of landform. It is like a big, flat area that is a bit lower than the land around it. You can find alases mostly in a very cold place called Yakutia, also known as the Sakha Republic, in Russia.
An alas starts to form when the ground, which is usually frozen all year round (called permafrost), begins to melt. This melting creates a shallow dip in the land. Water then fills this dip, forming a small, shallow lake. Over time, this lake might dry up or drain away. When the water is gone, the area becomes a grassy meadow. This process is called thermokarst.
Contents
How Alases Are Formed
Alases are unique because of the way they are created in areas with permafrost.
The Role of Permafrost
Permafrost is ground that stays completely frozen for at least two years. In Yakutia, the permafrost can be very deep. When the climate changes, or if the ground cover is disturbed, this frozen ground can start to melt.
From Ice to Lake to Meadow
- Melting Ice: As the ice in the permafrost melts, the ground above it sinks. This creates a bowl-shaped hollow.
- Lake Formation: Water from rain, snowmelt, or underground sources fills this hollow. This forms a shallow lake.
- Drying Out: Over many years, the lake might get smaller. The water can evaporate, or it can drain away through cracks in the ground.
- New Land: Once the lake is gone, the rich soil at the bottom is exposed. Grasses and other plants quickly grow there, turning the area into a green meadow.
Where Alases Are Found
Alases are very common in the Central Yakutian Lowland. This region is known for its very cold winters and its widespread permafrost. The conditions here are perfect for alases to form.
Uses of Alases
Alases are very important to the people and animals in Yakutia.
- Pastures: Because they are flat and covered in grass, alases are often used as pasture land. Farmers let their horses and other animals graze here.
- Farming: Some alases are also used for growing crops, as the soil can be quite fertile.
- Settlements: People sometimes build small villages or settlements near alases because of the water and fertile land they offer.
Famous Alases
The largest alas in the world is called Myuryu. It is found in the Ust-Aldan District of Yakutia. Myuryu is a huge area that shows just how big these landforms can get.
Images for kids
-
Alas Mamykan near Mayya.
See also
In Spanish: Alás (geografía) para niños
