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{{ | <!-- Once discussion is closed, please place on talk page: {{Old AfD multi|page=Bajestan Playa|date=3 October 2026|result='''keep'''}} --> | ||
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{{ | {{Infobox body of water | ||
{{ | | name = Bajestan Playa | ||
| native_name = {{native name|fa|پلایای بجستان}} | |||
| image = {{multiple image | |||
| border = infobox | |||
| total_width = 280 | |||
| perrow = 1 | |||
| image1 = Salt extraction from Bajestan Playa.jpg | |||
| caption1 = Salt extraction from Bajestan Playa | |||
}} | |||
| caption = | |||
| location = [[Razavi Khorasan province]], Iran | |||
| coordinates = {{coord|34|53|07|N|58|07|45|E|region:IR_type:landmark_dim:200000|display=inline,title}} | |||
| type = [[Dry lake|Playa]], [[salt flat]] | |||
| area = {{convert|3725|km2|abbr=on}} | |||
| elevation = {{convert|802|m|ft|abbr=on}} | |||
| pushpin_map = Iran | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''Bajestan Playa''' (also known as '''Bajestan Salt Desert''' or '''Kavīr-e Namak Bajestan''') is a large [[Dry lake|playa]] and [[salt pan (geology)|salt flat]] located in [[Bajestan County]], | |||
'''Bajestan Playa''' (also known as '''Bajestan Salt Desert''' or '''Kavīr-e Namak Bajestan''') is a large [[Dry lake|playa]] and [[salt pan (geology)|salt flat]] located in [[Bajestan County]], Razavi Khorasan province, Iran. It is the second largest playa in Iran and one of the major playas in the Middle East, covering an area of approximately 3,725 square kilometers.<ref name="ui-ac-2024">{{cite journal |last1=Haghighi Gorji |first1=S. |last2=Torshizian |first2=H. A. |last3=Javanbakht |first3=M. |last4=Khademi |first4=V. |title=Study of source geochemical effects on brine hydrogeochemical changes of the Bajestan Playa, northeast Iran |journal=Journal of Stratigraphy and Sedimentology Researches |date=2024 |volume=39 |issue=4 |pages=13–26 |doi=10.22108/jssr.2023.137202.1257}}</ref><ref name="isna-2025">{{cite web |title=دومین پلایای بزرگ ایران؛ شاهکاری از رسوب و تبخیر در خراسان رضوی |url=https://www.isna.ir/news/1405021005609/ |website=ISNA |date=30 April 2025 |language=fa}}</ref> | |||
== Geography == | == Geography == | ||
The playa is situated in the southern part of Razavi Khorasan province, approximately 260 | The playa is situated in the southern part of [[Razavi Khorasan province]], approximately {{convert|260|km}} south of [[Mashhad]]. Its geographical coordinates are 34°53′07″N 58°07′45″E.<ref name="geonames">{{cite web |title=Kavīr-e Namak Bardaskan |url=https://www.geonames.org/29719/kavir-e-namak-bardaskan.html |website=GeoNames |access-date=9 August 2026}}</ref> The playa is surrounded by volcanic and volcanoclastic rocks and has a gentle slope from its margins toward the center.<ref name="ui-ac-2024"/> | ||
== Geology and | == Geology and climate == | ||
The Bajestan Playa is classified as a closed basin with an arid climate. The region experiences hot summers and cold winters, with significant temperature fluctuations between day and night. The playa's surface consists of clay, salt | The Bajestan Playa is classified as a [[closed basin]] with an [[arid climate]]. The region experiences hot summers and cold winters, with significant temperature fluctuations between day and night. The playa's surface consists of [[clay]], [[salt crust]]s, and [[ephemeral lake]]s that form during rare rainfall events. Geological studies have identified three main clusters of ionic composition in the playa's [[brine]]s, dominated by [[magnesium sulfate]] [[facies]].<ref name="ui-ac-2024">{{cite journal |last1=Haghighi Gorji |first1=S. |last2=Torshizian |first2=H. A. |last3=Javanbakht |first3=M. |last4=Khademi |first4=V. |title=Study of source geochemical effects on brine hydrogeochemical changes of the Bajestan Playa, northeast Iran |journal=Journal of Stratigraphy and Sedimentology Researches |date=2024 |volume=39 |issue=4 |pages=13–26 |doi=10.22108/jssr.2023.137202.1257}}</ref> | ||
== Name and | == Name and etymology == | ||
The name "Bajestan" has historical roots and appears in various historical texts, including the Qajar-era travelogue "Tohfat al-Foghara" (''The Gift to the Poor'') by Mirza Ali Khan Naini (Moshataqi), written in 1300 AH (1882 AD).<ref name="geography-gonabad">Pour Ebrahim, Hossein. ''Joghrafia-ye Gonabad'' (Geography of Gonabad), pp. | The name "Bajestan" has historical roots and appears in various historical texts, including the [[Qajar]]-era travelogue "Tohfat al-Foghara" (''The Gift to the Poor'') by Mirza Ali Khan Naini (Moshataqi), written in 1300 AH ([[1882]] AD).<ref name="geography-gonabad">Pour Ebrahim, Hossein. ''Joghrafia-ye [[Gonabad]]'' (Geography of [Gonabad]), pp. 39</ref> The name has been consistently used in academic literature, including a 2024 study from the University of Isfahan, and in international media outlets such as Iran Press and iFilmTV.<ref name="iranpress">{{cite web |title=Bajestan Playa; land of unknown in Iran's Khorasan Razavi |url=https://iranpress.com/content/45856/bajestan-playa-land-unknown-iran-khorasan-razavi |website=Iran Press |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260809184820/https://iranpress.com/content/45856/bajestan-playa-land-unknown-iran-khorasan-razavi |access-date=9 August 2026 |archive-date=9 August 2026 }}</ref><ref name="ifilmtv">{{cite web |title=Bajestan desert: An unknown gem |url=http://en.ifilmtv.ir/News/Content/35854 |website=iFilmTV |access-date=9 August 2026}}</ref> | ||
The playa has been officially recognized as a national natural heritage site in Iran and is a member of the "Gheshka" (Desert Cities of Iran) tourism group, which aims to promote desert tourism in the region.<ref name="gheshka">{{cite web |title=شهرهای عضو گشکا دوباره دور هم جمع میشوند |url=https://www.isna.ir/news/1404012010307/ |website=ISNA |date=9 April 2025 |language=fa}}</ref> | The playa has been officially recognized as a national natural heritage site in Iran and is a member of the "Gheshka" (Desert Cities of Iran) tourism group, which aims to promote desert tourism in the region.<ref name="gheshka">{{cite web |title=شهرهای عضو گشکا دوباره دور هم جمع میشوند |url=https://www.isna.ir/news/1404012010307/ |website=ISNA |date=9 April 2025 |language=fa}}</ref> | ||
== Research and | == Research and significance == | ||
Scientific research on the Bajestan Playa has focused on its hydrogeochemistry, brine evolution, and potential for mineral resources, including lithium. The playa is also recognized as a significant source of dust in the region.<ref name="elsevier-2023">{{cite journal |last1=Khosravichenar |first1=A. |last2=Aalijahan |first2=M. |title=Assessing a multi-method approach for dryland soil salinization – The example of the Bajestan region |journal=Ecological Indicators |date=2023 |volume=154 |doi=10.1016/j.ecolind.2023. | Scientific research on the Bajestan Playa has focused on its hydrogeochemistry, brine evolution, and potential for mineral resources, including [[lithium]]. The playa is also recognized as a significant source of dust in the region.<ref name="elsevier-2023">{{cite journal |last1=Khosravichenar |first1=A. |last2=Aalijahan |first2=M. |title=Assessing a multi-method approach for dryland soil salinization – The example of the Bajestan region |journal=Ecological Indicators |date=2023 |volume=154 |doi=10.1016/j.ecolind.2023.110639}}</ref><ref name="harvard-2022">{{cite journal |last1=Khosravichenar |first1=Azra |last2=Aalijahan |first2=Mehdi |last3=Moaazeni-Noghondar |first3=Saeidreza |last4=Ulrich |first4=Mathias |last5=Parvian |first5=Naser |last6=Sadeghi |first6=Abouzar |last7=Von. Suchodoletz |first7=Hans |title=Assessing the impact of climate change on three decades of soil salinity dynamics in the Bajestan Playa |url=https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2022EGUGA..2412243K/abstract |journal=Egu General Assembly Conference Abstracts |date=2022 |doi=10.5194/egusphere-egu22-12243 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2022EGUGA..2412243K }}</ref> | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
* [[Bajestan]] | * [[Bajestan]] | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
| Line 35: | Line 47: | ||
{{Razavi Khorasan Province}} | {{Razavi Khorasan Province}} | ||
[[Category:Landforms of Razavi Khorasan province]] | [[Category:Landforms of Razavi Khorasan province]] | ||
[[Category:Bajestan County]] | [[Category:Bajestan County]] | ||
[[Category:Salt flats of Iran]] | [[Category:Salt flats of Iran]] | ||
[[Category:Geography of Razavi Khorasan province]] | |||
Latest revision as of 17:05, 3 October 2026
Template:Infobox body of water
Bajestan Playa (also known as Bajestan Salt Desert or Kavīr-e Namak Bajestan) is a large playa and salt flat located in Bajestan County, Razavi Khorasan province, Iran. It is the second largest playa in Iran and one of the major playas in the Middle East, covering an area of approximately 3,725 square kilometers.[1][2]
Geography
The playa is situated in the southern part of Razavi Khorasan province, approximately 260 kilometres ({{rnd/cTemplate:Rnd/b|160|(−1+(3.206648885−3−0−0.1989700043)round0)|0}} mi) south of Mashhad. Its geographical coordinates are 34°53′07″N 58°07′45″E.[3] The playa is surrounded by volcanic and volcanoclastic rocks and has a gentle slope from its margins toward the center.[1]
Geology and climate
The Bajestan Playa is classified as a closed basin with an arid climate. The region experiences hot summers and cold winters, with significant temperature fluctuations between day and night. The playa's surface consists of clay, salt crusts, and ephemeral lakes that form during rare rainfall events. Geological studies have identified three main clusters of ionic composition in the playa's brines, dominated by magnesium sulfate facies.[1]
Name and etymology
The name "Bajestan" has historical roots and appears in various historical texts, including the Qajar-era travelogue "Tohfat al-Foghara" (The Gift to the Poor) by Mirza Ali Khan Naini (Moshataqi), written in 1300 AH (1882 AD).[4] The name has been consistently used in academic literature, including a 2024 study from the University of Isfahan, and in international media outlets such as Iran Press and iFilmTV.[5][6]
The playa has been officially recognized as a national natural heritage site in Iran and is a member of the "Gheshka" (Desert Cities of Iran) tourism group, which aims to promote desert tourism in the region.[7]
Research and significance
Scientific research on the Bajestan Playa has focused on its hydrogeochemistry, brine evolution, and potential for mineral resources, including lithium. The playa is also recognized as a significant source of dust in the region.[8][9]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Haghighi Gorji, S.; Torshizian, H. A.; Javanbakht, M.; Khademi, V. (2024). "Study of source geochemical effects on brine hydrogeochemical changes of the Bajestan Playa, northeast Iran". Journal of Stratigraphy and Sedimentology Researches 39 (4): 13–26. doi:.
- ↑ "دومین پلایای بزرگ ایران؛ شاهکاری از رسوب و تبخیر در خراسان رضوی" (in fa). 30 April 2025. https://www.isna.ir/news/1405021005609/.
- ↑ "Kavīr-e Namak Bardaskan". https://www.geonames.org/29719/kavir-e-namak-bardaskan.html.
- ↑ Pour Ebrahim, Hossein. Joghrafia-ye Gonabad (Geography of [Gonabad]), pp. 39
- ↑ "Bajestan Playa; land of unknown in Iran's Khorasan Razavi". https://iranpress.com/content/45856/bajestan-playa-land-unknown-iran-khorasan-razavi.
- ↑ "Bajestan desert: An unknown gem". http://en.ifilmtv.ir/News/Content/35854.
- ↑ "شهرهای عضو گشکا دوباره دور هم جمع میشوند" (in fa). 9 April 2025. https://www.isna.ir/news/1404012010307/.
- ↑ Khosravichenar, A.; Aalijahan, M. (2023). "Assessing a multi-method approach for dryland soil salinization – The example of the Bajestan region". Ecological Indicators 154. doi:.
- ↑ Khosravichenar, Azra; Aalijahan, Mehdi; Moaazeni-Noghondar, Saeidreza; Ulrich, Mathias; Parvian, Naser; Sadeghi, Abouzar; Von. Suchodoletz, Hans (2022). "Assessing the impact of climate change on three decades of soil salinity dynamics in the Bajestan Playa". Egu General Assembly Conference Abstracts. doi:. Bibcode: 2022EGUGA..2412243K. https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2022EGUGA..2412243K/abstract.
External links
- ISNA report on Bajestan Playa (in Persian)
- Official video by Iran's Ministry of Cultural Heritage (in Persian)