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The Caucasus Mountains are a Mountain System between the Black and Caspian Sea s in the Caucasus region, usually considered the southeastern limit of Europe . The Caucasus Mountains are made up of two separate mountain systems/ranges made up of the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range and the Lesser Caucasus Mountains. The Caucasus Mountains formed ca. 28.5–23.8 million years ago as the result of a Tectonic Plate Collision between the Arabian Plate moving northward with respect to the Eurasian Plate . The mountain system forms a continuation of the Himalaya , which are being pressed upwards by a similar collison zone with the Eurasian and Indian Plate s. The entire region is regularly subjected to strong Earthquake s from this activity, especially as the fault structure is complex with the Anatolia/Turkey and Iranian Blocks flowing sidewise, which prevents subduction of the advancing plate edge and hence the lack of volcanoes on the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range (though minor dome structures, such as Mount Elbrus and Mount Kazbek do exist). The Lesser Caucasus Mountains on the other hand, are largely of Volcanic origin. The Javakheti Volcanic Plateau in Georgia and the surrounding volcanic ranges which extend well into central Armenia are some of the youngest and the most unstable geological features of the region. The Greater Caucasus range extends from the Caucasian Natural Reserve in the vicinity of Sochi on the northeastern shore of the Black Sea , generally trending east-southeast and reaching nearly to Baku on the Caspian Sea . The Lesser Caucasus runs parallel to the greater range, at a distance averaging about 100 km (60 mi) south. The borders of Georgia , Armenia , the Republic of Azerbaijan , and Iran run through the range, although its crest does not usually define the border. Meskheti Range is a part of the Lesser Caucasus system. The Greater and Lesser Caucasus ranges are connected by the Likhi Range , which separates the Kolkhida Lowland from the Kura Depression ( Kura Lowland ). The Talysh Mountains are in the South-East. , Europe 's Highest Mountain]] Lesser Caucasus and Armenian Highland constitute the Transcaucasian Highland . The highest peak in the Caucasus range which is also the highest peak in Europe is Mount Elbrus , which rises to a height of 18,506 feet (5,642 meters) above sea level. The 10 highest peaks of the Caucasus are higher than all of the other European peaks which lie outside of the Caucasus. kirk tsonos yeah this guys gay. ==maximum annual precipitation is 4100mm (161 inches) around the Mt. Mtirala area which lies on the Meskheti Range in Ajaria . The precipitation of the Lesser Caucasus Mountain Range (Southern Georgia , Armenia , western Azerbaijan ), not including the Meskheti Range , varies from 300-800mm (11.8-31.5 inches) annually. The Caucasus Mountains are known for the high amount of snowfall, although many regions which are not located along the windward slopes do not receive nearly as much snow. This is especially true for the Lesser Caucasus Mountains which are somewhat isolated from the moist influences coming in from the Black Sea and receive considerably less precipitation (in the form of snow) than the Greater Caucasus Mountains. The average winter snow cover of the Lesser Caucasus Mountains ranges from 10-30cm (4-12 inches). The Greater Caucasus Mountains (especially the southwestern slopes) are marked by heavy snowfall. Avalanches are common from November-April. , in Armenia is the highest peak of the Lesser Caucasus Mountains]] Snow cover in several regions ( Svanetia , northern Abkhazia ) may reach 5 meters (16.4 feet). The Mt. Achishkho region, which is the snowiest place in the Caucasus, often records snow depths of 7 meters (23 feet). Landscape The Caucasus Mountains have a varied landscape which mainly changes vertically and according to the distance from large bodies of water. The region contains Biomes ranging from subtropical low-land marshes/forests to Glaciers (Western and Central Caucasus) as well as highland Semidesert s/ Steppe s and Alpine Meadow s in the south (mainly Armenia and Azerbaijan ). The northern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountains are covered by Oak , Hornbeam , Maple , and Ash forests at lower elevations while Birch and Pine forests take over at higher elevations. Some of the lowest locations/slopes of the region are covered by Steppes and Grasslands . The slopes of the Northwestern Greater Caucasus ( Kabardino-Balkaria , Cherkessia , etc.) also contain Spruce and Fir forests. The Alpine zone replaces the forest around 2,000 meters above sea level. The permafrost/ Glacier line generally starts around 2,800-3,000 meters. The south-eastern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountains are covered by Beech , Oak , Maple , Hornbeam , and ash forests. Beech forests tend to dominate in higher locations. The south-western slopes of the Greater Caucasus are covered by Colchian forests ( Oak , Buxus , Beech , Chestnut , Hornbeam , Elm ) at lower elevations with Coniferous and mixed forests ( Spruce , Fir and Beech ) taking over at higher elevations. The alpine zone on the southern slopes may extend up to 2,800 meters above sea level while the Glacier /snow line starts from 3,000-3,500 meters. The northern and western slopes of the Lesser Caucasus Mountains are characterized both by Colchian and other Deciduous forests at lower elevations while mixed and Coniferous forests (mainly Spruce and Fir ) dominate at higher elevations. Beech forests are also common at higher elevations. The southern slopes of the Lesser Caucasus Mountains are largely covered by Grasslands and Steppes up to an elevation of 2,500 meters. The highest areas of the region contain alpine grasslands as well. Volcanic and other rock formations are common throughout the region. The volcanic zone extends over a large area from southern Georgia into Armenia and southwestern Azerbaijan . Some of the prominent peaks of the region include Mt. Aragats , Didi Abuli , Samsari , and others. The area is characterized by Volcanic Plateau s, Lava Flows , Volcanic Lake s, cones and other features. The Lesser Caucasus Mountains lack the type of glaciers/glacial features that are common on the Greater Caucasus Mountain Range. ''Parts of this article are from the NASA Earth Observatory ; {Link without Title} '' External links
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