Geography and meaning of the toponym
Limestone staircase
The waterfall does not have a record height (it is approximately 25 m) or full flow, but attracts attention with its picturesqueness - it consists of several “steps” where cascades are formed. They, including the main platform, were created by water itself. Knowing which river the Su-Uchkhan waterfall is located on is useful due to its absence on most maps (for this reason, vacationers complain about “hiding”) and for the sake of understanding its origin. It is called Kizilkobinka, its sources are underground.
The upper reaches of the Kizilkobinka pass through a system of underground tunnels known as the Red Caves, a famous Crimean natural and archaeological monument.
The sources of the river are located under the Dolgorukovskaya Yayla massif, where there are significant deposits of limestone. Over the millennia, the water carried a considerable amount of rock out. Part of the suspension was deposited on the platform, from where the downward flow escapes. As a result, a rather large ledge was formed. The same deposits formed the remaining “steps of the staircase”, giving the natural attraction a modern, beautiful appearance.
Linguistic trinity
The waterfall is also mysterious due to the difficulties of translating its name. In Crimea, it rarely happens that a geographical object corresponds to one toponym. Su-Uchkhan is no exception. They call him Subotkhan, Sutyshkhan. It is obvious that these names are related. But for some reason their meaning is explained differently.
The most common option is “flying water” (precisely in the past tense). But even people inexperienced in Turkic languages are struck by the syllable “khan”. The translation associated with it is: “water of the lords”, “lord of the waters” and even “water of the three lords”.
Fans of these options point out that in the language of the Crimean Tatars “su” means water, “uch” means hand, palm (and the ruler “takes under his hand”), and “khan” means he is the khan. True, it is difficult to understand where the number three is hidden, but this interpretation looks quite convincing.
Falling mass of water
A waterfall is a falling stream of river water from a high steep cliff or slope that crosses the riverbed, forming a sharp drop in height, and the height of the fall must exceed one meter (anything less is ledges and thresholds). Waterfalls form in mountainous areas where the river carries its waters over different rock formations. Some rocks are hard enough not to succumb to erosion, others are too soft and, under the influence of fast mountain rivers, succumb to destruction quite quickly.
As a result, a height difference gradually begins to form: the waters of the river begin to fall from hard to softer soil, resulting in the formation of a steep and sheer cliff. This happens until the water reaches a solid layer of rock, which stops the fall of the water, after which the river continues its movement in the channel, and at the foot, as a result of the impacts of strong water jets, huge “erosion” boilers (reservoirs) are formed.
Waterfalls can have a tectonic origin, being located on the boundary of a fault that separates two blocks of the earth's crust, one of which is lowered to a certain height in relation to each other. For example, the largest waterfall in the world, Angel, whose height is 1054 meters, was formed in the highlands, at the point of transition of one plateau to another (near the Churun River, which carried its waters to the cliff, there was no choice but to start falling down and , once on the lower plateau, continue your way).
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These unique formations can unexpectedly appear in one place or another of the river - as a result of an earthquake, ground shift, volcanic activity, etc. Human activity can also cause waterfalls to form, such as when overflowing bodies of water overflow a dam.
Su-Uchkhan - a source of strength and youth in Crimea
There are hiking trails along the Kizilkobinka River, but there are no signs on them directing to the Su-Uchkhan cascade. This is the difficulty of visiting it for beginners; it is better to get a knowledgeable guide. Residents of nearby villages, as well as Simferopol residents (the nearest large city is Simferopol), are well acquainted with the beautiful place and often have picnics near it on weekends.
The best time to visit here is April-May, when the river is at its fullest. Yes, it does not dry out, but in the heat the level drops significantly, as a result, the waterfall is less impressive. Su-Uchkhan not only does not disappear in the summer, but also does not freeze in the winter, but this does not make it any more comfortable for swimming. The temperature stays at +5…+7 degrees all year round.
In the lower pool, the jets formed several “baths of youth,” but only fans of the medicine from the Little Humpbacked Horse can risk swimming in them.
They are - esotericists consider the waterfall a “place of power” and seriously believe its water is capable of restoring youth and prolonging life. “Walruses” also come here during Epiphany frosts (as far as they exist in Crimea). On the rock above the waterfall, someone wrote letters that believers interpret as the initials of Christ. Consequently, on the days of Epiphany, this “font” is considered to be consecrated better than others.
It is difficult to identify a central flow in a waterfall, but it is also attractive because it forms several jets. There are also springs in the rocks nearby - in addition to the river. Some of them flow from a system of grottoes called Griffin. These streams fill up during high water or after rain. Hence the name - it is akin to the “dolphins” of Hawaii, where fountains from underground erupt during high tides. You can see the cavities from the top platform of the waterfall. There is also an interesting stone there. Two springs flow from under it, and their water differs in chemical composition. Because of this, the springs were nicknamed “living and dead” water.
A visit to the waterfall can be combined with a visit to the Red Caves. Near the main entrance there is a comfortable recreation area with entertainment for children, a cafe and parking lots. Leaving everything unnecessary there and stocking up on provisions, it is not difficult to walk to Su-Uchkhan in half an hour.
Unfortunately, in April the entrance to the caves is often closed due to winter difficulties, so it is better to plan a combined excursion in May. But near the waterfall there are permanent campsites for picky tourists who love tent camping and the romance of the night forest. Crimeans and simply conservationists ask them to burn their garbage or take it with them - they already have to rake out “uncultivated layers” in the mountains at the end of each season.
The largest waterfalls in the world
Since waterfalls vary in width, height and amount of water carried, there is no one that holds the title of largest. Let's list some of the most powerful and wide waterfalls that adorn our planet.
(Kon Falls)
So, the widest waterfall in the world - Kon - is located on the border of Cambodia and Laos on the Mekong River. The width of the Kona drainage is more than 12.5 km. Actually, this is a cascading system of waterfalls located in an amazingly beautiful place. By the way, Kon is also considered one of the calmest among the famous waterfalls. Opened in 1920.
(Iguazu Falls)
The title of the most powerful waterfall in the world belongs to Iguazu , also known as the “Devil's Throat,” on the border of Argentina and Brazil. Every minute, over the ledge of the waterfall, such an amount of water pours down that it is difficult to even imagine - 700 thousand m3! Iguazu, with 275 cascades, is not only dangerous and powerful, it is also breathtakingly beautiful. The waterfall was discovered in 1541.
(Niagara Falls)
And, of course, we cannot fail to mention the most famous waterfalls in the world - Niagara and Victoria . Niagara Falls, located on the Niagara River on the border of the United States and Canada, is relatively low - its height is only 52 m. However, due to the huge amount of water discharged and its great length, Niagara Falls is considered the most powerful in North America.
(Victoria Falls)
Victoria Falls , named after the Queen of Great Britain, was known to the local tribes as "Thundering Smoke", which is certainly more in keeping with the impression it gives. The width of the waterfall is 1800 m and the height is 128 m.
How to get there (drive)?
If you are traveling by public transport, then in Simferopol or Alushta (Yalta) take any bus going to Perevalnoye, and then you will have to cover a five-kilometer walking route.
You can also get to the Su-Uchkhan waterfall by car, but we still recommend leaving your car in the area of the Kizil-Koba tourist parking lot or near the Viking cinema park:
Note to tourists
- Address: Perevalnoe village, Simferopol district, Crimea, Russia.
- GPS coordinates: 44.869334, 34.343854.
It turns out that it is not difficult for an inquisitive traveler to visit the Su-Uchkhan waterfall. Crimea does not hide the treasures located on its territory. There are simply too many of them, which means it takes a lot of time to get to know even a small part of them. In conclusion, watch the video about Su-Uchhan. Well, if you have already visited it, express your opinion, our readers will be interested in your feedback.
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Notes[ | ]
- ↑ 1 2 Waterfall
- article from the Great Soviet Encyclopedia. - ↑ 123
Mikhailov, 2006. - ↑ 1 2 3 4
Adventure
(unspecified)
(inaccessible link) (16 June 2008). Retrieved November 10, 2016. Archived September 21, 2010. - ↑ 1 2 3 4
Worldwaterfalls.com
(unspecified)
(September 11, 2015). Retrieved November 10, 2020. - 979 meters is the height of the continuous fall of water, the total height of the waterfall is 1054 meters.
- Chavez renamed the world's largest waterfall - News of St. Petersburg - Fontanka. RU
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- V. A. Markin. I explore the world: Det. encycl.: Geography. M.: LLC “Firm “Publishing House AST””, 1999. - P. 323
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- Official name in Venezuela since 2009
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fandag.ru
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