Siberian Hills

The Putorana Plateau rises north of the Lower Tunguska in a vast expanse of layered basalt. Rivers have cut deep canyons through its flat-topped uplands, creating steep slopes, rapids and waterfalls. Larch woodland occupies lower ground, giving way higher up to mountain tundra and bare rock. Long, narrow lakes fill some of the deepest valleys. The plateau stands between the Yenisei basin and rivers flowing north towards the Arctic.