Mount Damavand

Mount Damavand
Damvand

Damvand in winter Elevation Prominence 5,610 m (18,406 ft) 4,667 m (15,312 ft) Ranked 12th
[1][2] [3]

Listing

Volcanic Seven Summits Country high point Ultra Location

Location in Iran Location Range Coordinates Amol, Mzandarn, Iran Alborz 355720N 520636E
[4]

Coordinates: 355720N 520636E [4]

Geology Type Stratovolcano

Last eruption 7300 years ago Climbing First ascent 905 by Abu Dolaf Kazraji

Easiest route Hike

Mount Damavand Mount Damvand (Pronounced /dmvnd/) (Persian: ), is a potentially active volcano or Stratovolcano and the highest peak in Iran, has a special place in Persian mythology and folklore. It is located in the middle Alborz Range, adjacent to Varr, Sesang, Gol-e Zard [5] and Mnrd and is the highest volcano in all of Asia. It is a potentially active volcano, since there are fumaroles near the summit crater emitting sulfur, which were known to be active on July 6, 2007. The mountain is located near the southern coast of the Caspian Sea, in mol county, Mzandarn, 66 kilometres (41 miles) northeast of Tehran.

Symbolism and mythology

Damavand is a significant mountain in Persian mythology. It is the symbol of Iranian resistance against despotism and foreign rule in Persian poetry and literature. In Zoroastrian texts and mythology, the three-headed dragon Ai Dahka was chained within Mount Damvand, there to remain until the end of the world. In a later version of the same legend, the tyrant Zahhk was also chained in a cave somewhere in Mount Damvand after being defeated by Kveh and Fereydn. Persian poet Ferdowsi depicts this event in his masterpiece, the Shahnameh: He brings Zahhak, himself a mountain to the peak of Damavand and binds his neck. The mountain is said to hold magical powers in the Shahnameh. Damvand has also been named in the Iranian legend of Arash as the location he fired his arrow to mark the Iran border. The famous poem Damvand by Mohammad Taq Bahr is also one fine example of the mountain's significance in Persian literature. The first verse of this poem reads: Ay dve sepde p dar band, Oh white giant with feet in chains Ay gonbade gt, ay Damvand Oh dome of the world, Oh Mount Damvand Mount Damavand is depicted on the reverse of the Iranian 10,000 rials banknote.[6]

Thermal springs
Mt Damavand has some thermal springs (Abe Garm Larijan)[7] with therapeutic qualities. These mineral hot springs are mainly located on the volcano's flanks and at the base, giving evidence of volcanic heat comparatively near the surface of the earth. While no historic eruptions have been recorded, hot springs at the base and on the flanks, and fumaroles and solfatara near the summit, indicate a hot or cooling magma body still present beneath the volcano, so that Damavand is a potentially active volcano.

View of Mount Damavand from Haraz road.

Mount Damavand

The most important of these hot springs are located in Abe Garm Larijan in a village by the name Larijan in the district of Larijan in Lar Valley . The water from this spring is useful in the treatment of chronic wounds and skin diseases. Near these springs there are public baths with small pools for public use.

A fumarole near the summit of Damavand, emitting sulfur

Routes to the summit

The best major settlement for mountain climbers is the new Iranian Mountain Federation Camp in Polour village, located on the south of the mountain. There are at least 16 known routes to the summit which have different difficulties. Some of them are very dangerous and require rock climbing. The most popular route is the Southern Route which has step stamps and also a camp midway called Bargah Sevom Camp/Shelter at 4220m (about 13,845ft). The longest route is the Northeastern and it takes two whole days to reach the summit starting from downhill village of Nndal and a night stay at Takht-e Fereydoun Damavand volcanic crater in August (elevation 4300m - about 13,000ft), a two-story shelter. The western route is famous for its sunset view. Smorgh shelter in this route at 4100m (about 13,500ft) is a newly constructed shelter with two stories. There is a frozen waterfall/Icefall (Persian name bshr Yakh)about 12 m tall and the elevation of 5100 m is the highest fall in Iran and Middle East.

Geographical location

Map of Mzandarn province showing the location of mount Damvand in the south

Mount Damavand

Map of central Alborz

Peaks: 2 zd Kh 4 Do Berar 6 Ghal`eh Gardan 8 Kholeno 10 Mneh Marg 12 Shah Alborz 14 Tochal

1 `Alam Kh 3 Damvand 5 Do Khaharan 7 Gorg 9 Mehr Chal 11 Naz 13 Sln 15 Varavat 0 2 Chls 4 Harz 6 Karaj 8 Lr 10 Sardb 12 Shh Rd 1 mol 3 Karaj D Dzn

-25 to 500 m500 to 1500 m1500 to 2500 m2500 to 3500 m3500 to 4500 m4500 to 5610 m

Rivers: 1 Alamt 3 Do Hezr 5 Jjrd 7 Kojr 9 Nr 11 Seh Hazr Cities: 2 Chls Other:

E Emmzdeh Hem K Kandovn Tunnel * Latn Dam ** Lr Dam

Wildlife
Damavand rivers and slopes are famous for the beautiful Brown Trout (Salmo trutta),[8][9] Red Sheep (Ovis orientalis), Wild Goats (Capra aegagrus), and many singing native and migratory birds. Leopard (Panthera pardus) and Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) live in this region. Some smaller mammals are Snow Vole (Chionomys nivalis), Mouse-like Hamster (Calomyscus bailwardi) and Rufesent Pika (Ochoton rufescens).[10][11][12] The very attractive and unreachable Caspian Snowcock (Tetragallus caspius) lives in high altitudes. Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) breeds in this are. Griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) are common. Chukar Partridge (Alectoris chukar) has a high population and nests between stone and shrubs. Gold-fronted Serin (Serinus pusillus), Linnet (Carduelis cannabina), Snow finch (Montifringilla nivalis), Rock sparrow (Petronia petronia), Rock Bunting (Emberiza cia) and Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) are native; in winter they come to the lower hill sides. In each spring Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe), Rock Thrush (Monticola saxatilis), and Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos) come from Africa for breeding. Grey-necked Bunting (Emberiza buchanani), Black-headed Bunting (Emberiza melanocephala) and Common Rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus) come from India.[13] Lots of Marsh Frogs (Rana ridibunda) lives in Lar riversides. Meadow Viper (vipera ursinii), Blunt-nosed viper (Macrovipera lebetina), Iranian Valley Viper (Vipera latifii) and Caucasian Agama (Laudakia caucasia) are among the reptiles of this mountainous region.[14][15] In the southern slope of Damavand , there are remnants of Wild Pistachia Tree (Pistacia atlantica) ; In its riversides different kind of Salix trees like Willow (Salix acomphylla) and Oleaster (Ellaegnus angustifoilia) are found . Greek Juniper (Juniperus excelsa) is common all over the higher altitudes. In Northern slopes, because of higher humidity there are wild oak, beech and hazel trees like: Persian Oak (Quercus macranthera), Eastern

Mount Damavand Hornbean (Carpinus orientalis), and Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis).[16] There are also many beautiful wild flowers like: Mountain Tulip (Tulipa Montana) and Stone cress (Aethionema grandiflorum). In higher altitudes , shrubs tend to be sphere and cushion like , examples are : Astragalus species (like Astragalus microcephalus), Mountain Sainfoin (Onobrychis cornuta) and Prickly (Acantholimon erinaceum) ; Different kind of grasses between them , complete this alpine scene .[17]

Nomination as National Heritage Site

An anthropologist of Mazandaran Cultural Heritage and Tourism Department, Touba Osanlou, has said that a proposal has been made by a group of Iranian mountaineers to register the highest peak in the Middle East, Mount Damavand as a national heritage site. Mazandaran Cultural Heritage and Tourism Department has accepted the proposal, the Persian daily Jam-e Jam reported. Osanlou noted that the Iranian Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization is presently in the process of renaming an upcoming ancient festivity after Mount Damavand. "We have proposed Tirgan Festivity, Tabari Nowruz, to be named as Damavand National Day," he added. Tirgan Festivity is held in Amol Countys Rineh region in Mazandaran province.

Cultural references
Mount Damavand is featured twice as an online multiplayer map in the game Battlefield 3. In the game it is featured in Damavand Peak and Alborz Mountains. Mount Damavand featured in a photo release by Iranian state news. The photo, purporting to show a new stealth jet in flight, has been accused of being a fake as the image of the mountain appears to have come from a stock wallpaper site.

Notes
[1] The 5,610 metre height given here is from the Statistical Centre of Iran (http:/ / www. sci. org. ir/ portal/ faces/ public/ sci_en/ sci_en. Glance/ sci_en. land), which states that "the highest point in Iran is Mount Damvand being 5,610 metres high". (http:/ / iranembassy. com. my/ en/ ?page_id=15) This elevation is consistent with SRTM data. A 2007 GPS measurement (http:/ / www. ii. uib. no/ ~petter/ mountains/ 5000mtn/ Ararat/ damavand-trip. html) reports a slightly higher elevation, 5623 m, but also reports -17 m for the nearby Caspian Sea despite its accepted -28 m. This suggests that there is slight local geoid inaccuracy built into hand held GPS measurements in this area, and that the official Iranian elevation is accurate. An older elevation, 5,671 m, is not consistent with the above sources and there is no evidence that it is based on any modern measurement, although it is still the most frequently given elevation on the web. [2] "Damavand" on Peakbagger (http:/ / www. peakbagger. com/ peak. aspx?pid=10467) Retrieved 27 September 2011 [3] "Kuh-e Damavand" - Iran Ultra Prominence (http:/ / www. peaklist. org/ WWlists/ ultras/ iran. html) peaklist.org. Retrieved 16 October 2011 [4] http:/ / tools. wmflabs. org/ geohack/ geohack. php?pagename=Mount_Damavand& params=35_57_20_N_52_06_36_E_type:mountain_ [5] http:/ / toolserver. org/ %7Edispenser/ cgi-bin/ dab_solver. py?page=Mount_Damavand& editintro=Template:Disambiguation_needed/ editintro& client=Template:Dn [6] Central Bank of Iran (http:/ / www. cbi. ir/ default_en. aspx). Banknotes & Coins: 10000 Rials (http:/ / www. cbi. ir/ page/ 1982. aspx). Retrieved on 24 March 2009. [7] http:/ / damavandmt. blogspot. com/ search/ label/ Thermal%20Spring [8] Mohammadian, H. Freshwater Fishes of Iran. Sepehr Publishing Center. Iran. 2000. [9] Yazdani, A. Lar the Paradise I Knew. Payam Resan Publishing Institute. 2010. [10] Lay, D.M. A Study of the Mammals of Iran ( Resulting From the Street Expedition ). Field Museum of Natural History. Chicago .1967. [11] Mohammadian, H. The Life of Alborz Red Sheep. Shabpareh Publishing Institute. 2008. ISBN 978-600-5038-00-2. [12] Mohammadian, H. Mammals of Iran. Shabpareh Publishing Institute. 2005. ISBN 964-94487-9-9. [13] Mohammadian, H. Mountain birds of Tehran. Shabpareh Publishing Institute. 2008. ISBN 964-96358-9-0. [14] Shahbazi, Y. Lar National Park Management Program. Natural Environment Department Library. 2004. [15] Mohammadian, H. Reptiles and Amphibians of Iran. Shabpareh Publishing Institute. 2004. ISBN 964-94487-2-1. [16] Mozaffarian, V. Trees and Shrubs of Iran. Farhang Moaser Publishers. 2005. ISBN 964-8637-03-2. [17] Mozaffarian, V. Lar National Park Management Program. Natural Environment Department Library. 2004.

Mount Damavand

External links
Map GPS Damavand Mountain (http://kziran.com/download/mountaingps/) Damavand Mountain Photo Gallery (http://www.jahandar.ir/photograph-categories/ damavand-mountain-photo-gallery/) Damavand History (http://www.damavandiran.com/history.htm) "Damavand" (http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=0302-01-). Global Volcanism Program, Smithsonian Institution. Damavand Mountaineering Guide (http://damavandmt.blogspot.com/) Summit Post: Damavand (http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150400/damavand.html) Mount Damavand Climbing Tour (http://www.araz.org/tours/Programs details/Damavand.htm) Informative 2007 trip report (http://www.ii.uib.no/~petter/mountains/5000mtn/Ararat/damavand-trip.html) Night-time panorama at The World at Night (TWAN) (http://www.twanight.org/newTWAN/photos. asp?ID=3001364) WiseItinerary (http://wiseitinerary.blogspot.com/2013/04/damavand.html)

Article Sources and Contributors

Article Sources and Contributors

Mount Damavand Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=574774116 Contributors: 2T, Abjad, Acalamari, Alex Bakharev, Ali Khakpour, Ali Mohajerani, Alijamali, Alphachimp, Amardian, Amir85, Angr, Anthony Appleyard, Arad, Armandeh, Art-top, Astronaut, Attilios, BRUTE, Babbage, Barticus88, Basawala, Beetstra, Berland, Bgwhite, Bobynboy, Bshow, CBM, CharlesC, Chris Bramhall, Conscious, CrniBombarder!!!, Cyrus Jones, Darwinek, Debangshu Mukherjee, Denverjeffrey, Dimotika, Droll, EdBever, Emesik, Ev, Excirial, Farzaneh, Favonian, GVP Webmaster, Ginsuloft, Greatestrowerever, GregorB, Grille Chompa, Gubernatoria, Hakan Kay, Hamed b58, Hamid.darabi, Hamiltondaniel, Helohe, Hike395, Hkhosravi, Hu12, Hydrogen Iodide, In fact, Irnshahr, J-Scythian, Jahangard, JamesAM, Jaraalbe, JonHarder, Kaaveh Ahangar, Khoikhoi, Khorrami78, Knowing guy, Koavf, Kongr43gpen, Kordas, Linguiste, Lovecz, M samadi, Majid Hajibaba, Mardavich, Marmoulak, Mehrashk, Mejor Los Indios, Mhaji, Michael!, Milad Mosapoor, Mimihitam, Mohammad8050, Mohsenkazempur, Mtheory1, NTox, Nepaheshgar, Neshatian, Orange Suede Sofa, Pharazs, Picus viridis, Plasticup, Poka5532, Racerx11, RadioKirk, RandomCritic, RedWolf, Sammalin, Sburke, Seattle Skier, Sepidaar, Shankimout, Sherppa, Shiften1981, Siamax, Siba, Sirgregmac, Skookum1, Snigbrook, Snowolf, Spike Wilbury, Stemonitis, Stifle, Svick, Tahmasp, Thryduulf, Thuresson, Timfpark, Tototom, VJDocherty, VanillaFresh, Viewfinder, Volcanoguy, Vongoiva, Waltloc, Weekendpedia, Wertuose, Wossi, Wwoods, Yellow Flash76, Zereshk, , , , 186 anonymous edits

Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors

File:Damavand in winter.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Damavand_in_winter.jpg License: Public domain Contributors: Hamed Khorramyar file:Iran relief location map.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Iran_relief_location_map.jpg License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: Uwe Dedering File:Damavand mountain.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Damavand_mountain.jpg License: Attribution Contributors: User:Milad Mosapoor File:Damavand Fumarole.JPG Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Damavand_Fumarole.JPG License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: M samadi File:Damavand Volcanic Crater.JPG Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Damavand_Volcanic_Crater.JPG License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Contributors: M samadi File:MazandaranDamavand.PNG Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:MazandaranDamavand.PNG License: Public Domain Contributors: en:User:Siamax Image:AlborzCentralColoredNumbered.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:AlborzCentralColoredNumbered.png License: Public domain Contributors: Uploaded to English Wikipedia by Siamax as AlborzCentralColoredNumbered.PNG

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