Alas (geography)

Alas (Yakut: Алаас) is a shallow depression which occurs primarily in Yakutia, which is formed by subsidence of the Arctic permafrost owing to repeated melting and refreezing.

An alas first develops as a shallow lake as melt water fills the depression.

Due to the aridity of Yakutia, the lake will dry up once the underlying ice has been depleted.

During the festival of Ysyakh, the traditional Yakut New Year’s day celebrated in the summer, as many as 20,000 gather to an alas in the general vicinity of Yakutsk.

Once set up there, temporary Uraha (Yakut: Ураһа), which are homes made of birch bark are constructed among other wooden idols and structures.