In 2010 in Tuva, in connection with the year of Tourism, an action to determine the “Nine Treasures” of Tuva is in process.  Tuvan “Charash-Tash” was nominated as one of the candidates for this title - a flat, roundish stone, which, according to local people grows out of the earth somewhere in the vicinity of Upper Shui in South-West Tuva. Many local legends are associated with “Charash-Tash; it is believed that a visit to this place brings luck.

In August of 2010, the Ubsunur International Center, Senior scientific worker Tatiana Prudnikova, and  workers of V.V. Dokuchayev Soil institute, G. Chernousenko and D. Rukhovich, performed a scientific research expedition to the south-west part of Khemchik valley at Upper Shui, to study the “Charash-Tash and to determine its nature.

The area of Upper Khemchik is the center of multiple Quaternary glaciation; glacial deposits have been observed in the river valley practically all the way to the steppe zone. Each tributary of Upper Khemchik, as well as River Shui, is filled with glacial deposits - bottom, lateral, and terminal moraines, glacial lakes, and fluvial-glacial deposits.

Tuvan “Charash-Tash” is a product of degradation (thawing) of glaciers, and at this time it is found in great numbers in lateral glacier moraine. It needs to be noted that the moraine is actively breaking down, and many “Charash-Tash”  specimens are being carried away by the water current.

Analogous “Charash-Tash” formations have been described already in 1960’s by geologist Ufimtsev at the border with Altai Krai. They are also often found in Quaternary glacial deposits  on the territory of Russia.