Chuya Steppe

Steppe landscape

The Chuya Steppe in the Siberian Altai Mountains is a depression formed by tectonic movement of major faults in the Earths crust. The name 'Chuya Steppe' comes from the large river which runs through the steppe, the Chuya River.

Major Towns

Kosh-Agac is a major town in the north of the steppe. Other large towns include Chaganuzun and Beltir.

Geology

The Chuya Steppe is filled with Cenozoic sediments, derived from the surrounding mountains of the Chuya Range-Chuya Alps.

Seismicity

In September 2003, a major earthquake occurred in the Chuya Steppe which caused regional devastation. Major movement considered to have occurred on the Chuya thrust fault caused this earthquake, of magnitude 7.3. The USGS estimates that this caused $10.6 million damage.

Coordinates: 49°55′N 88°30′E / 49.917°N 88.5°E / 49.917; 88.5