Hot Springs of Nalychevo Nature Park

Nalychevo Nature Park's greatest treasure is its unique thermal and mineral springs. In the central part of the park, over 200 thermal and mineral springs are concentrated in a relatively small depression between two mountain ranges. The sources of springs found for 20 km starting from the foot of Koryaksky Volcano to Dzenzyr Volcano. The estimated resources of thermal-mineral waters are 290 liters per second.

There are three hydrothermal systems in the Park. These are Nalychevskaya, Shumninskaya, and Dzenzyrskaya. The waters of these systems are heated by different sources. The Nalychevskiye waters are heated by an intrusion - lava pushed up from underground which, not having reached the surface, formed a shallow underground layer. Now this lava heats the waters of the Nalychevskaya system. The Shumninskaya hydrothermal system is heated by the relatively young magmatic furnaces of Aaga-Arik Volcano. The Dzenzyrskaya system is fueled by the cooling interior of Dzenzyr Volcano.

The Nalychevskaya system of thermal waters has a very long history of development. It has experienced no significant changes for over 25,000 years, and the current state of the system in many ways resembles the way it was several thousand years ago. Encompassing over 100 thermal springs of different sizes, temperatures, and chemical compositions, the Nalychevskaya hydrothermal system is a unique phenomenon not only for Kamchatka, but for the entire Pacific Ring of Fire.

The largest of the hot springs are: Kotel, Zhyoltorechenskiye, Goryacherechenskiye, Talovskiye, Krayevedcheskiye, and Shaibnye. The therapeutic value of the hot springs has been well known since Karl von Ditmar first explored Kamchatka in 1851-1855. The waters contain high concentrations of boron, arsenic, iron, calcium, silicon, magnesium, sodium, potassium, manganese, lithium, cesium, rubidium, barium, strontium, bromine, chlorine, sulphate, and hydrocarbonate. In addition, iodine, antimony, zinc, lead, copper, molybdenum, tin, and wolfram are present in lower concentrations. The cooling of these natural hot chemical solutions (with temperatures as high as 77 оС) causes intensive sedimentation of chemical compositions and minerals on land, including calcite, opal, silica, goethite, sassoline, and complex compounds of arsenic, iron, and calcium, called travertine.

The waters of the larger springs belong to a very rare and valuable therapeutic type - carbonate, arsenic, and silicoborate waters. In addition, these waters are rich in a variety of microelements. The Nalychevskie waters have no analogue, and are therefore regarded as an independent type - the Nalychevsky type. There are only a few such water deposits in the world.

Besides hot springs, tourists often visit the Aagskiye and Koryakskiye cold mineral springs, called "Narzany." These are fed by shallow waters, impregnated with gases. After a long hike on a tourist trail, nothing beats quenching your thirst with a cool sparkling drink made by Mother Nature herself. Various springs, amazing scenery, and a diversity of landscapes bring numerous visitors here.

The therapeutic value of the waters depends on the concentration of salts and biologically-active components. Mineral waters are prescribed for preventing and curing cardiovascular and nervous system disorders, problems with digestion, limitations in mobility, as well as for professional diseases of astronauts, employees of chemical industries, and athletes. The waters promote creation of red blood cells, help aerate tissues, boost immunity, increase the body's ability to resist radiation, and improve overall health. Carbonate arsenic waters have been proven effective for curing hypertension, ischemia, atherosclerosis, functional disorders of the nervous system, metabolic disturbances, chronic liver disease, gall bladder and urinary infections, and disorders of the stomach and duodenum. They are also good for curing skin ailments, bruises, and cuts, and for speeding up the body's metabolism.

Goryacherechenskiye, Zhyoltorechenskiye, and Talovskiye hot springs are the most attractive for tourists as they offer the most comfortable bathing temperatures. The healing waters of these springs invigorate people, make them healthy, and lift their moods.