The valley consists of numerous spherical rock formations scattered across a vast steppe landscape.
Layers of clay and sand, polymictic quartz sands with glauconite, and interlayers of clay and spherical sand nodules. It's no wonder it's called the Valley of Stone Spheres:
The area is home to a scattering of spherical mineral formations, nodules.
The origin story of the strange spherical stones of the Mangghistau region includes a legend of enemy warriors who, thanks to the prayers of the local population, transformed into large, round stones.
Scientists have proven that these are concretions from the seabed. This means that at their core are small marine organisms that have been mineralized and, over millions of years, concentrically deposited many mineral layers—back in the Cretaceous period, when the sea level was about 170 meters higher.
Scientists have proven that these are concretions from the seabed. This means that at their core are tiny marine organisms that have mineralized and, over millions of years, have formed many concentric mineral layers – back in the Cretaceous period, when sea levels were about 170 meters higher.
Scientists have proven that these are concretions from the seabed. This means that at their core are tiny marine organisms that have mineralized and, over millions of years, have formed many concentric mineral layers – back in the Cretaceous period, when sea levels were about 170 meters higher.
However, this does not diminish the uniqueness of Torysh, as the rounded stones found here have always been a source of surprise and fascination, sparking the imagination.
Despite their rounded outlines (some are split in two), each stone is unique and has its own distinctive shape, stretching over a length of 20 kilometers – a wonder of nature.
According to scientists, these spheres were formed about 120-180 million years ago.
The largest of them reach a diameter of up to 4 meters.