The Kelskoe Volcanic Highland

The Kelskoe volcanic highland is a high mountain plateau in the Greater Caucasus, in Georgia and South Ossetia, mainly on the southern side of the Main Caucasian Range at altitudes from 1600 to 3700 m above sea level (absolute height - 2600-3000 m).

Most of the plateau area is covered and leveled by young lava flows. Several tens of volcanic cones rise above the surface of the plateau, and numerous glacial and lava-dammed lakes are located in relief depressions.

The Kelskoye highland, along with Elbrus and Kazbek, is one of the largest centers of the latest volcanism in the Greater Caucasus.

The foundation of the region is composed of terrigenous-sedimentary strata of the Late Jurassic - Early Cretaceous, represented by shales, sandstones, less often marls and limestones.