Bering Sea: geographical location, description. Bering Sea: geographical location, description The Bering Sea is located
Our planet is a beautiful blue ball, on which there are many natural and artificial reservoirs. They support the life of all living things on earth, giving shelter to many fish, molluscs and other organisms.
One of the natural reservoirs of our planet is the Bering Sea, the depth, bottom topography and fauna of which are of great interest to many naturalists, tourists and naturalists around the world. It is these indicators that will be discussed in this article.
Between two continents
What is the average depth of the Bering Sea? Before answering this question, let's find out where the body of water is.
The Bering Sea, which belongs to the Pacific Basin, is a conditional border between two continents - Asia and North America. On the north-western side, the reservoir washes the coast of Kamchatka and Chukotka, and on the north-eastern side - the coast of Western Alaska.
From the south, the sea is closed by a series of islands (Aleutian and Commander), and from the north it is connected by the strait of the same name with the Arctic Ocean.
Here are the islands located along the border of the Bering Sea (the depth of which we will talk about below):
- From the side of the United States of America (more precisely, the Alaska Peninsula) there are territories such as Kruzenshtern Island, Nunivak, Pribilov Islands, Aleutian Islands, King Island, St. Matthew Island and others.
- On the part of the Russian Federation, the Bering Sea is washed by only three island territories. This (from the Chukotka Autonomous District), as well as the Commander Islands and the Karaginsky Island (the latter are part of the Kamchatka Territory).
A little about geographical discoveries
What is the story of the discovery of the Bering Sea, the depth and remoteness of which at all times led many sailors to indescribable awe?
It is known that the reservoir got its name in honor of the first explorer who went on an expedition to Kamchatka in the distant 1730s. This man was a Dane by nationality, a Russian officer by vocation - Vitus Ianassen Bering. By order of Emperor Peter I, the captain of the fleet was instructed to study in detail the northern places and determine the border between the two continents.
The first expedition was devoted to the inspection and development of the eastern coast of Kamchatka and the southern coast, as well as the exploration of the strait, which serves as the border between America and Eurasia. Bering is considered to be the first European representative to sail these places.
After his return to St. Petersburg, the brave navigator applied for the equipment of the second expedition, which took place quite soon and became the largest in history. Six thousand people, led by the fearless Bering, scrupulously studied the water area up to Japan. Alaska, the Aleutian archipelago and many other unexplored lands were discovered.
The captain himself reached the American coast and carefully examined the island of Kayak, having studied its flora and fauna.
The conditions of the Far North adversely affected the travel of the numerous expedition. Sailors and explorers faced incredible cold and snow drifts, suffered storms and storms several times.
Unfortunately, returning to Russia, Bering died during a forced wintering on one of the islands.
Statistical facts
What is the depth of the Bering Sea? This reservoir is considered the largest and deepest in the Russian Federation and one of the largest in the world. Why can I say so?
The fact is that the total area of the sea is 2.315 million square meters. km. This is due to the fact that the length of the reservoir from north to south covers one thousand six hundred kilometers, and from east to west - two thousand four hundred kilometers. Scientists have even calculated the volume sea waters... It reaches 3,795,000 cubic kilometers. It is not surprising that the average depth of the Bering Sea impresses with the impressiveness of its numbers and values.
Briefly about the main thing
The average and maximum depth of the Bering Sea reaches one thousand six hundred meters and four thousand fifty-one meters, respectively. As you can see, the difference between the indicators is very large. This is due to the fact that more than half of the water area of the reservoir is occupied by an area with depth indicators of less than five hundred meters. According to the calculations of some scientists, this indicator is the minimum depth of the Bering Sea. That is why it is considered a marginal water body of the continental oceanic type.
Location of the most important points
Where is the average and maximum depth of the Bering Sea? As mentioned above, the average indicators of the reservoir cover about half of its entire area. As for the maximum indicators (or the maximum depth of the Bering Sea), they are recorded in the southern part of the reservoir. Here is the specific coordinate: fifty-four degrees north latitude and one hundred and seventy-one degrees west longitude. This part of the sea is called deep sea. It was divided by the Bowers and Shirshov underwater ridges into three basins, the names of which are Aleutskaya, Komandorskaya and Bowers.
However, this also applies to the maximum depth of the Bering Sea. The minimum depth is recorded in its northeastern region. Its length, according to the calculations of many researchers, reaches about seven hundred kilometers.
The bottom and its characteristics
Scientists have long determined that the structure of the seabed is highly correlated with its depth. The bottom relief of the Bering Sea has clear divisions:
- Shelf. This zone, located in the northern and eastern sides of the sea, differs in depths up to two hundred meters and occupies more than forty percent of the entire territory of the reservoir. It is a flat plain with several islets, hollows and low elevations.
- Island shoal. This area is located off the coast of Kamchatka and the Commander-Aleutian island ridge. The surface topography is very complex and may undergo some changes due to the proximity of volcanic and seismic manifestations.
- Continental slope. It is located between Cape Navarin and Unimak Island and is characterized by depth indicators from two hundred to three thousand meters. This area also has a difficult sloping relief, the angle of inclination of which ranges from one to three degrees to twenty degrees and more. There are beautiful underwater valleys and canyons with steep steep slopes.
- Deep sea basin. This zone is located in the center and in the southwest of the reservoir. It is characterized by small underwater ridges. Due to the complexity of its relief, the deep-water basin ensures constant water exchange between different parts of the sea.
Temperature regime
What about air and water temperatures? In summer, it is quite cool over the water area (about seven to ten degrees Celsius). In winter, the temperature can range from minus one to minus thirty.
The average temperature of water masses in many cases depends on the depth of the Bering Sea. Maximum depth has a temperature of one to three degrees Celsius (with a plus mark), while warmer readings are noted at the minimum depth (from seven to ten degrees). At medium depths, the temperature range varies between two to four degrees Celsius.
Salinity information
The same principle applies to water salinity: the deeper the water, the higher the performance.
At minimum depths, the salinity of water fluctuates between twenty two to thirty two ppm. The middle zone is characterized by marks of thirty-three to thirty-four ppm, while the salinity of deep-sea waters almost reaches thirty-five ppm.
Freezing water
Interestingly, the surface of the Bering Sea is covered with ice annually in the following ratio: half of the reservoir freezes over within five months, while its northern part can be under the influence of glaciers for seven months or longer.
It is noteworthy that Lawrence Bay, located off the eastern coast of the Bering Sea, may not be cleared of ice masses all year round, while the waters of the Bering Strait are almost never severely frozen.
Rich animal world
Despite the low temperatures and deep waters, the body of water between America and Eurasia is actively inhabited. Here you can find four hundred and two types of fish, four types of crabs, four types of shrimp, two types of molluscs, as well as a large number of mammals, especially pinnipeds.
Let's talk in more detail about the living things that inhabit the cold and deep waters of the Bering Sea.
Fishes
In the reservoir, different types of gobies are most often found. The goby family belongs to the bottom fish that live in the coastal area.
The body of an adult individual, slightly flattened at the back, can reach forty centimeters in length. It has dorsal fins (usually in the amount of two) and a suction cup on the belly, with which the fish is attached to the stones. Goby spawns in March-August.
Among the salmonids in the Bering Sea, whitefish and nelma are especially distinguished, as well as Pacific salmon, which are valuable commercial fish.
This family is diverse with numerous species and representatives. The body length of salmonids can vary from three centimeters to two meters, and the weight of adults and large individuals can reach seven to ten kilograms.
The body of fish is elongated, compressed at the sides. It has multi-rayed pelvic and pectoral fins. There are two pectoral fins (one is normal, and the other is a leathery outgrowth of adipose tissue - a characteristic feature of all salmonids).
Spawning of this species of fish is carried out only in fresh waters.
Pinnipeds
The most common mammals in the Bering Sea are seals and walruses, which make real rookeries on the shores of the reservoir.
Seals are very massive sea creatures. For example, an adult can reach about two meters in length, while its weight exceeds one hundred and thirty kilograms. Bearing offspring in this family can last for about a year.
The Pacific walrus is another inhabitant of the northern reservoir. Its weight can vary from eight hundred to seventeen hundred kilograms. This family is highly prized for its long tusks, which can weigh about five kilograms each.
Walrus skin is wrinkled and very thick (in some places it can reach ten centimeters in thickness). The subcutaneous fat layer is also large - about fifteen centimeters.
Quite often, in the Bering Sea, there are various large cetaceans - narwhals, humpbacks, seiwals and other mammals, the length of which is measured in several tens of meters, and the weight can reach one hundred tons or more.
Yes, it is impossible to describe in detail all the inhabitants of the underwater depths of the Bering Sea. However, this reservoir is famous not only for its rich underwater world, but also a fascinating history of development, and a beautiful bottom topography, and an important strategic location. After all, the Bering Sea is the border of two continents, two continents, two states.
The Bering Sea is located in the North Pacific Ocean. It is separated from it by the Commander and Aleutian Islands, and borders the Chukchi Sea through the Bering Strait. Along the Chukchi Sea, you can go from Bering to the Arctic Ocean. In addition, this sea washes the coast of two countries: the Russian Federation and the United States of America.
Physical and geographical position of the Bering Sea
The coastline of the sea is heavily indented by capes and bays. The largest bays, which are located on the coast of Russia, are the bays of Anadyrsky, Karaginsky, Olyutorsky, Korf, Kresta. And on the coast of North America - the bays of Norton, Bristolsky, Kuskokwim.
Only two large rivers flow into the sea area: Anadyr and Yukon.
The Bering Sea also has many islands. They are mainly located on the border of the sea. The Diomede Islands (western - Ratmanov Island) belong to the Russian Federation. Commander Islands, Karaginsky Island. To the territory of the United States of America - Pribilova Islands, Aleutian Islands, Diomede Islands (east - Kruzenstern Island), St. Lawrence Island, Nunivak, King Island, St. Matthew Island.
In summer, the air temperature above sea waters ranges from plus 7 to plus 10 degrees Celsius. In winter, it drops to minus 23 degrees. Salinity of water on average varies from 33 to 34.7 percent.
Seabed relief
The seabed relief in the northeastern part is marked by the continental shelf. Its length is over 700 kilometers. the sea is rather shallow.
The southwestern section is deep-water and has depths of up to 4 kilometers. These two zones can be divided conventionally along the isobath of 200 meters.
The place of transition of the continental shelf into the ocean floor is marked by a significantly steep continental slope. The Bering Sea has the maximum depth in the southern part - 4151 meters. The bottom of the shelf is covered with a mixture of sand, shell rock and gravel. In deep-water areas, the bottom is covered with diatomaceous silt.
Temperature regime and salinity
The layer near the sea surface, about 50 meters deep, over the entire area of the water area in the summer months warms up to 10 degrees Celsius. In winter, the average minimum temperature is about minus 3 degrees. Salinity up to 50 meters in depth reaches 32 ppm.
Below 50 and up to 200 meters there is an intermediate water layer. The water here is colder, practically does not change the temperature. all year round(-1.7 degrees Celsius). Salinity reaches 34 percent.
Deeper than 200 meters, the water becomes warmer. Its temperature ranges from 2.5 to 4 degrees, and the salinity level is about 34 percent.
Ichthyofauna of the Bering Sea
The Bering Sea is home to approximately 402 different fish species. Among these 402 species, you can find 9 species of sea goby, 7 species of salmon fish and many others. About 50 species of fish are caught in commercial fishing. Crabs, shrimps and cephalopods are also caught in the waters of the sea.
Mammals in the Bering Sea include ringed seals, seals, bearded seal, lionfish and walruses. The list of cetaceans is also extensive. Among them you can find a gray whale, narwhal, bowhead whale, Japanese (or southern) whale, fin whale, humpback whale, sei whale, blue northern whale. There are many walrus and seal rookeries on the Chukchi Peninsula.
Geographical encyclopedia
Bering Sea- named so cap. Golovin in honor of the Russian captain Commander V. Bering. B. sea, limited to south. about you Aleutian and Commander, ks. gradually narrows and ends in the Bering Strait. The extreme line of the B. sea: lat. 52 ° and 66 ° 30 ′ ... ... Military encyclopedia
The Bering Sea, a semi-enclosed sea in the north of the Pacific Ocean, is separated from it by the Aleutian and Commander Islands about you. 2315 thousand km2. The greatest depth. 5500 m, less than 200 m in the north. Large bays: Anadyr and Olyutorsky (off the coast of Russia), Norton, ... ... Russian history
Semi-enclosed sea in the north of the Pacific approx., Separated from it by the Aleutian and Commander's about you. 2315 thousand km & sup2. The greatest depth is 5500 m, less than 200 m in the north. Large bays: Anadyrsky and Olyutorsky (off the coast of the Russian Federation), Norton, ... ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary
Modern encyclopedia
Bering Sea- The Pacific Ocean, between Eurasia and North America, bounded in the south by the Aleutian and Commander Islands. It connects with the Chukchi Sea by the Bering Strait. The area is 2315 thousand km2. Depth up to 5500 m. Large islands: St. Lawrence, Nunivak. ... ... Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary
- (named after the navigator V. Bering, the semiclosed sea of the Pacific Ocean between the continents of Asia in the west (USSR), North America in the east (USA) and the Commander (USSR) and Aleutian (USA) islands in the south. and… … Great Soviet Encyclopedia
A semi-enclosed sea in the north of the Pacific Ocean, separated from it by the Aleutian and Commander Islands. 2315 thousand km2. The greatest depth is 5500 m, less than 200 m in the north. Large bays: Anadyrsky and Olyutorsky (off the coast of Russia), Norton, Bristolsky ... encyclopedic Dictionary
Bering Sea- Pacific Ocean, between Asia (Russia: Chukotka and Koryak Autonomous Okrug, Kamchatka Region) and North. America (USA, Alaska). Named in honor of Captain Commander V.I. Bering (1681 1741), under whose command the participants of the First and Second Kamchatka Expeditions in ... ... Toponymic dictionary
Or the Kamchatka Sea, the northeastern part of the Pacific Ocean, bounded from the west by North America, and from the east by Asia and communicating with the Arctic Ocean through the Bering Strait. The narrowest part of this strait is the gap ... ... Encyclopedic Dictionary of F.A. Brockhaus and I.A. Efron
Books
- Bering Sea. Encyclopedia. Zonn I.S., Kostyanoy A.G., Kumantsov M.I., Zonn Igor Sergeevich, Kostyanoy Andrey Gennadievich, Kumantsov Mikhail Ivanovich. The publication is dedicated to one of the Russian Far Eastern seas - the Bering Sea, which is part of the Pacific Ocean. The encyclopedia contains over 700 articles on hydrographic and geographic ...
- Bering Sea. Encyclopedia, Zonn Igor Sergeevich, Kostyanoy Andrey Gennadievich, Kumantsov Mikhail Ivanovich. The publication is dedicated to one of the Russian Far Eastern seas - the Bering Sea, which is part of the Pacific Ocean. The encyclopedia contains over 700 articles on hydrographic and geographic ...
Posted Sun, 09/11/2014 - 07:55 by Cap
The Bering Sea is the northernmost of our Far Eastern seas. It is, as it were, wedged between the two huge continents of Asia and America and is separated from the Pacific Ocean by the islands of the Commander-Aleutian arc.
It has predominantly natural boundaries, but in some places its limits are outlined by conventional lines. The northern border of the sea coincides with the southern one and runs along the line of Cape Novosilsky () - Cape York (Seward Peninsula), the eastern one - along the coast of the American continent, the southern one - from Cape Khabuch (Alaska) through the Aleutian Islands to Cape Kamchatsky, while the western one - along the coast of the Asian continent. Within these boundaries, the Bering Sea occupies the space between the parallels 66 ° 30 and 51 ° 22 ′ N. NS. and meridians 162 ° 20 ′ east. d. and 157 ° W e. Its general pattern is characterized by a narrowing of the contour from south to north.
The Bering Sea is the largest and deepest among the seas of the USSR and one of the largest and deepest on Earth.
Its area is 2315 thousand km2, volume 3796 thousand km3, average depth 1640 m, maximum 4151 m.With such large average and maximum depths, the area with depths less than 500 m occupies about half of all spaces of the Bering Sea, therefore it belongs to the marginal seas mixed continental-oceanic type.
There are few islands in the vast expanses of the Bering Sea. Apart from its boundary Aleutian island arc and the Commander Islands, in the sea itself there are large Karaginsky islands in the west and several large islands (St. Lawrence, St. Matthew, Nelson, Nunivak, St. Paul, St. George) in the east.
The sea is named after the navigator Vitus Bering, under whose leadership it was explored in 1725-1743.
On Russian maps of the 18th century, the sea is called the Kamchatka, or Beaver Sea. For the first time, the name Bering Sea was proposed by the French geographer Sh. P. Fliorier at the beginning of the 19th century, but it was introduced into wide use only in 1818 by the Russian navigator V.M. Golovnin.
On June 1, 1990, in Washington, Eduard Shevardnadze, then USSR Foreign Minister, together with US Secretary of State James Baker signed an agreement on the transfer of the Bering Sea to the United States along the Shevardnadze-Baker dividing line.
Physico- geographical position
Area 2.315 million sq. km. Average depth - 1600 meters, maximum - 4,151 meters. The length of the sea from north to south is 1,600 km, from east to west - 2,400 km. The volume of water is 3 795 thousand cubic meters. km.
The Bering Sea is a marginal one. It is located in the North Pacific Ocean and separates the Asian and North American continents. In the northwest, it is bordered by the coasts of North Kamchatka, the Koryak Upland and Chukotka; in the northeast - the coast of Western Alaska.
The southern border of the sea is drawn along the chain of the Commander and Aleutian Islands, forming a giant arc curved to the south and separating it from the open waters of the Pacific Ocean. in the north, it connects with the Arctic Ocean and numerous straits in the Commander-Aleutian chain in the south - with the Pacific Ocean.
The seashore is cut by bays and capes. Large bays on the Russian coast: Anadyr, Karaginsky, Olyutorsky, Korf, Cross; on the American coast: Norton, Bristol, Kuskokwim.
The islands are mainly located on the border of the sea:
US Territory (Alaska):
Pribilov Islands, Aleutian Islands, Diomede Islands (eastern - Kruzenstern Island), St. Lawrence Island, Nunivak, King Island, St. Matthew Island.
territory of Russia.
Kamchatka Territory: Commander Islands, Karaginsky Island.
The large rivers Yukon and Anadyr flow into the sea.
The air temperature over the water area is up to +7, +10 ° C in summer and −1, −23 ° C in winter. Salinity 33-34.7 ‰.
Ice forms every year from the end of September, which melts in July. The sea surface (except for the Bering Strait) is covered with ice annually for about ten months (about five months, half of the sea, about seven months, from November to May, - the northern third of the sea). In some years, the Gulf of Lawrence is not cleared of ice at all. In the western part of the Bering Strait, ice brought by the current can occur even in August.
whale hunting Bering Sea 
Bottom relief
The seabed relief is very different in the northeastern part, shallow (see Beringia), located on the shelf more than 700 km long, and southwestern, deep-water, with depths of up to 4 km. These zones are conventionally divided along the 200-meter isobath. The transition from the shelf to the ocean floor runs along the steep continental slope. The maximum sea depth (4151 meters) is fixed at a point with coordinates - 54 ° N. NS. 171 ° W d. (G) (O) in the south of the sea.
The bottom of the sea is covered with terrigenous sediments - sand, gravel, shell rock in the shelf zone and gray or green diatomaceous silt in deep-water places.
Temperature regime and salinity
Surface water mass (up to a depth of 25-50 meters) throughout the sea area in summer has a temperature of 7-10 ° C; in winter, temperatures drop to -1.7-3 ° C. The salinity of this layer is 22-32 ppm.
The intermediate water mass (layer from 50 to 150-200 m) is colder: the temperature, which varies little with the seasons, is approximately −1.7 ° C, salinity is 33.7-34.0 ‰.
Below, at depths of up to 1000 m, there is a warmer water mass with temperatures of 2.5-4.0 ° C, salinity 33.7-34.3 ‰.
Deep water mass occupies all bottom areas of the sea with depths of more than 1000 m and has temperatures of 1.5-3.0 ° C, salinity - 34.3-34.8 ‰.
Ichthyofauna
The Bering Sea is home to 402 species of fish from 65 families, including 9 species of gobies, 7 species of salmon, 5 species of eelpout, 4 species of flounder and others. Of these, 50 species and 14 families are commercial fish. 4 types of crabs, 4 types of shrimps, 2 types of cephalopods are also objects of fishing.
The main marine mammals of the Bering Sea are animals from the order of pinnipeds: ringed seal (Akiba), common seal (seal), bearded seal (bearded seal), lionfish and Pacific walrus. Cetaceans - narwhal, gray whale, bowhead whale, humpback whale, fin whale, Japanese (southern) whale, sei whale, northern blue whale. Walruses and seals form rookeries along the coast of Chukotka.
Ports:
Providence, Anadyr (Russia), Nome (USA).
There is no permanent population on the island, but the base of the Russian border guards is located here.
The highest point is Mount Roof, 505 meters.
It is located slightly south of the geographical center of the island.
KRUZENSTERN ISLAND
Kruzenshtern Island (English Little Diomede, translated as "Little Diomede", Eskimo name Ingalik, or Ignaluk (Inuit Ignaluk) - "opposite") - east island(7.3 km²) of the Diomede Islands. It belongs to the United States. State - Alaska.
village on the island of Kruzenshtern, USA, Alaska 
Located 3.76 km from the island, it belongs to Russia. In the center of the strait between the islands is the state maritime border of Russia and the United States. From Ratmanov Island to 35.68 km. Bering Sea 
The lowest point (316 m below sea level) is the bottom of the Kuril Lake.
Climate
The climate is generally humid and cool. Abnormally colder and windy on the low-lying coasts (especially on the west) than in the center, in the valley of the Kamchatka River, fenced off mountain ranges from the prevailing winds.
Winter - the first snow usually falls in early November, and the last melts only in August. Mountain peaks are covered with new snow in August-September. Throughout the coastal area, winters are warm, mild, with a lot of snow, in the continental part and in the mountains - cold, frosty with long, dark nights, and a very short day.
Calendar spring (March-April) is the best time for skiing: the snow is dense, the weather is sunny, the day is long.
The actual spring (May, June) is short and fast. The vegetation rapidly occupies the territories freed from snow and covers all the free space.
Summer, in the generally accepted concept, in Kamchatka occurs only in the continental part of the peninsula. June to August is mostly cold wet cloudy with rain, fog and low dense cloud cover.
Autumn (September, October) is usually cloudy, dry and warm. Sometimes warmer than summer.
Major islands:
Bering
Copper
Small islands and rocks:
around Bering Island:
Toporkov
Arius Stone
Aleut stone
Stone Surface (Emelyanovsky)
Half Stone (Half)
Stone Steller
around Medny Island:
beaver stones
Stone of Waxmouth
Kekur Ship Pillar
Steller Stone
Steller Stone Oriental
as well as a row of unnamed rocks.
(Chuk. Chukotkaken Autonomous Okrug) is a constituent entity of the Russian Federation in the Far East.
It borders on the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Magadan Region and Kamchatka Territory. In the east, it has a sea border with the United States.
The entire territory of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug belongs to the regions of the Far North.
The administrative center is the city of Anadyr.
It was formed by the decree of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee of December 10, 1930 "On the organization of national associations in the areas of settlement of small peoples of the North" as part of the Far Eastern Territory. It included the following areas: Anadyr (center Novo-Mariinsk, aka Anadyr), Eastern tundra (center Ostrovnoe), Western tundra (center Nizhne-Kolymsk), Markovsky (center Markovo), Chaunsky (center near Chaunskaya Bay) and Chukotsky (center in the Chukotka cult base - the lip of St. Lawrence), transferred a) from the Far-Eastern Territory of the Anadyr and Chukotka regions in full; b) from the Yakut ASSR, the territory of the Eastern tundra with the border on the right bank of the Alazeya River and the Western tundra, areas of the middle and lower reaches of the Omolon River.
When the region was zoned in October-November 1932, it was left "within its former borders as an independent national district, directly subordinate to the region."
On July 22, 1934, the All-Russian Central Executive Committee decided to include the Chukotka and Koryak national districts in the Kamchatka region. However, this subordination was of a rather formal nature, since from 1939-1940 the territory of the district was under the jurisdiction of "Dalstroy", which fully exercised administrative and economic management in the territories subordinated to it.
On May 28, 1951, by the decision of the Presidium of the USSR Armed Forces, the district was allocated to the direct subordination of the Khabarovsk Territory.
Since December 3, 1953, it was part of the Magadan Region.
In 1980, after the adoption of the law of the RSFSR "On Autonomous Districts of the RSFSR" in accordance with the Constitution of the USSR in 1977, the Chukotka National District became autonomous.
On July 16, 1992, the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug seceded from the Magadan Region and received the status of a subject of the Russian Federation.
Currently, it is the only autonomous region out of four that is not part of another constituent entity of the Russian Federation.
pos. Egvekinot Bering Sea 
Border control
Chukotka Autonomous Okrug is a territory with a border regime.
Entry of citizens of the Russian Federation and for foreign citizens to the part of the territory of the district adjacent to the sea coast and to the islands is regulated, that is, permission from the authorities is required border guard Russian Federation or documents allowing stay in the border zone.
Specific sections of the border zone on the territory of the district are determined by Order of the FSB of the Russian Federation of April 14, 2006 N 155 "On the limits of the border zone in the territory of the Chukotka Autonomous District." In addition, the entire territory of the district is regulated by the entry of foreign citizens in accordance with the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of July 4, 1992 N 470 "On approval of the List of territories of the Russian Federation with regulated visits for foreign citizens", that is, to visit the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug it is necessary permission of the FSB.
WHERE IS
Chukotka Autonomous Okrug is located in the extreme north-east of Russia. It occupies the entire Chukotka Peninsula, part of the mainland and a number of islands (Wrangel, Aion, Ratmanova, etc.).
It is washed by the East Siberian and Chukchi Seas of the Arctic Ocean and the Bering Sea of the Pacific Ocean.
On the territory of the district there are extreme points Russia: eastern point -, eastern continental point - Cape Dezhnev. Here are located: the northernmost city of Russia - Pevek and the most eastern - Anadyr, as well as the easternmost permanent settlement - Uelen.
BERINGIA - LEGENDARY PALEOSTRANA
Beringia is a biogeographic region and paleogeographic country linking together northeast Asia and northwest North America(Beringian sector of the Holarctic). Currently, it is spreading to the territories surrounding the Bering Strait, the Chukchi and Bering Seas. Includes parts of Chukotka and Kamchatka in Russia, as well as Alaska in the United States. In a historical context, it also included the land Bering or Bering Isthmus, which has repeatedly connected Eurasia and North America into a single supercontinent.
A study of ancient sediments at the bottom of the sea and on both sides of the Bering Strait showed that over the past 3 million years, the territory of Beringia has risen and again sank under water at least six times. Every time when two continents were connected, from the Old World to the New and vice versa, there was a migration of animals.
Bering Strait 
Strictly speaking, this land area was not an isthmus in the traditional sense of this term, since it was a vast area of the continental shelf with a width of up to 2000 km from north to south, protruding above the sea surface or hiding under it due to cyclical changes in the level of the World Ocean. The term Beringia for the isthmus was coined in 1937 by the Swedish botanist and geographer Eric Hulten.
The last time the continents separated 10-11 thousand years ago, but the isthmus before that existed 15-18 thousand years.
Modern research shows that during this period, the route from Asia to America did not always remain open. Two millennia after the emergence of the last Beringia in Alaska, two giant glaciers closed, erecting an insurmountable barrier.
It is assumed that those primitive people who managed to move from Asia to America became the ancestors of some of the current peoples living on the American continent, in particular the Tlingits and Fuegians.
Shortly before the collapse of Beringia, global climate change made it possible to penetrate the isthmus for the ancestors of today's Indians.
Then, on the site of the isthmus, the modern Bering Strait was formed, and the inhabitants of America were isolated for a long time. Nevertheless, the settlement of America took place later, but already by sea or on ice (Eskimos, Aleuts).
Cape Navarin, Bering Sea 
DETAILED GEOGRAPHY OF THE BERING SEA
Basic physical and geographical features.
The coastline of the Bering Sea is complex and highly indented. It forms many bays, bays, coves, peninsulas, capes and straits. For the nature of this sea, the straits connecting it with the Pacific Ocean are especially important. The total area of their cross-section is about 730 km2, and the depths in some of them reach 1000-2000 m, and in Kamchatka - 4000-4500 m, which causes water exchange through them not only in the surface, but also in deep horizons and determines a significant influence Pacific Ocean to this sea. The cross-sectional area of the Bering Strait is 3.4 km2, and the depth is only 42 m, so the waters of the Chukchi Sea practically do not affect the Bering Sea.
The coast of the Bering Sea, which is not the same in external shape and structure, in different areas belongs to different geomorphological types of coast. From fig. 34 it can be seen that they mainly belong to the type of abrasive shores, but accumulative ones are also found. The sea is surrounded mainly by high and steep shores; only in the middle part of the western and eastern coasts, wide strips of flat low-lying tundra approach the sea. Narrower strips of low-lying coastline are located near the estuaries of small rivers in the form of a deltaic alluvial plain or border the tops of bays and gulfs.
In the relief of the bottom of the Bering Sea, the main morphological zones are clearly distinguished: the shelf and island shoals, the continental slope and the deep-water basin. The relief of each of them has its own characteristic features. The shelf zone with depths of up to 200 m is mainly located in the northern and eastern parts of the sea, occupying more than 40% of its area. Here it adjoins the geologically ancient regions of Chukotka and Alaska. The bottom in this area of the sea is a vast, very flat underwater plain about 600-1000 km wide, within which there are several islands, hollows and small elevations of the bottom. The continental shelf off the coast of Kamchatka and the islands of the Commander-Aleutian ridge looks different. Here it is narrow and its relief is very difficult. It borders the shores of geologically young and very mobile land areas, within which intense and frequent manifestations of volcanism and seismicity are common. The continental slope stretches from the north-west to the south-east approximately along the line from Cape Navarin to about. Unimack. Together with the zone of the island slope, it occupies about 13% of the sea area, has a depth of 200 to 3000 m and is characterized by a large distance from the coast and a complex bottom topography. The angles of inclination are large and often vary from 1-3 to several tens of degrees. The continental slope zone is dissected by underwater valleys, many of which are typical underwater canyons, deeply cut into the seabed and having steep and even steep slopes. Some canyons, especially near the Pribilov Islands, are distinguished by a complex structure.
The deep-water zone (3000-4000 m) is located in the southwestern and central parts of the sea and is bordered by a relatively narrow strip of coastal shoals. Its area exceeds 40% of the sea area: The bottom relief is very calm. It is characterized by an almost complete absence of isolated depressions. Several existing depressions differ very little from the depth of the bed, their slopes are very gentle, that is, the isolation of these bottom depressions is poorly expressed. At the bottom of the bed there are no ridges blocking the sea from coast to coast. Although the Shirshov ridge approaches this type, it has a relatively shallow depth on the ridge (mainly 500-600 m with a saddle of 2500 m) and does not come close to the base of the island arc: it is limited in front of a narrow but deep (about 3500 m) Ratmanov trench. The deepest depths of the Bering Sea (more than 4000 m) are located in the Kamchatka Strait and near the Aleutian Islands, but they occupy an insignificant area. Thus, the bottom topography determines the possibility of water exchange between individual parts of the sea: without any restrictions within the depths of 2000-2500 m, with some restriction determined by the section of the Ratmanov trough, up to 3500 m and with even greater restriction at deeper depths. However, the weak isolation of the depressions does not allow the formation of waters in them, which significantly differ in their properties from the main mass.
Geographical location and large areas determine the main features of the Bering Sea climate. It is almost entirely located in the subarctic climatic zone, and only its extreme northern part (north of 64 ° N) belongs to the Arctic zone, and the southernmost part (south of 55 ° N) belongs to the zone of temperate latitudes. In accordance with this, there are certain climatic differences between different regions of the sea. North of 55-56 ° N NS. in the climate of the sea, especially its coastal areas, the features of continentality are noticeably expressed, but in areas remote from the coast, they appear much weaker. To the south of these (55-56 ° N) parallels, the climate is mild, typically maritime. It is characterized by small daily and annual air temperature amplitudes, large cloud cover and significant amount of precipitation. As you get closer to the coast, the influence of the ocean on the climate decreases. Due to the stronger cooling and less significant warming of the part of the Asian continent adjacent to the sea than the American one, the western regions of the sea are colder than the eastern ones. Throughout the year, the Bering Sea is under the influence of permanent centers of atmospheric action - the Polar and Honoluli highs, the position and intensity of which are variable from season to season and, accordingly, the degree of their influence on the sea changes. In addition, it is also affected by seasonal large-scale baric formations: the Aleutian minimum, the Siberian maximum, the Asian and Lower American depressions. Their complex interaction determines certain seasonal characteristics of atmospheric processes.
In the cold season, especially in winter, the sea is influenced mainly by the Aleutian minimum, as well as the Polar maximum and the Yakutsk spur of the Siberian anticyclone. Sometimes the impact of the Honoluli maximum is felt, which at this time of the year occupies the extreme southeastern position. This synoptic environment leads to great variety winds over the sea. At this time, winds of almost all directions are observed here with a greater or lesser frequency. However, north-westerly, northerly and north-easterly winds prevail. Their total frequency of occurrence is 50–70%. Only in the eastern part of the sea south of 50 ° N. NS. quite often (30-50% of cases) there are southerly and south-westerly winds, and in some places southeast winds. The wind speed in the coastal zone averages 6-8 m / s, and in open areas it varies from 6 to 12 m / s, and increases from north to south.
The winds of the northern, western and eastern points carry with them cold sea arctic air from the Arctic Ocean, and cold and dry continental polar and continental arctic air from the Asian and American continents. With the winds of the southern directions, calm polar, and sometimes marine tropical air comes here. Above the sea, masses of continental arctic and sea polar air interact predominantly, at the junction of which an arctic front is formed. It is located somewhat north of the Aleutian arc and stretches generally from southwest to northeast. At the frontal section of these air masses, cyclones are formed, moving approximately from the southwest to the northeast. The movement of these cyclones helps to increase northern winds in the west and their weakening or even change in the south and east of the sea.
Large pressure gradients caused by the Yakutsk spur of the Siberian anticyclone and the Aleutian minimum cause very strong winds in the western part of the sea. During storms, the wind speed often reaches 30-40 m / s. Usually storms last about a day, but sometimes they, with some weakening, last 7-9 days. The number of days with storms in the cold season is 5-10, in some places up to 15-20 per month.
The air temperature in winter decreases from south to north. Its average monthly values for the coldest months (January and February) are +1 -4 ° in the south-western and southern parts of the sea and -15-20 ° in its northern and northeastern regions, and in the open sea the air temperature is higher than in the coastal zone, where it (off the coast of Alaska) can reach -40-48 °. In open spaces, temperatures below −24 ° are not observed.
In the warm season, a restructuring of the baric systems takes place. Beginning in spring, the intensity of the Aleutian minimum decreases; in summer it is very weakly expressed. The Yakutsk spur of the Siberian anticyclone disappears, the Polar Maximum shifts to the north, and the Honolulskiy maximum occupies its extreme northwestern position. As a result of the prevailing synoptic situation in warm seasons, the prevailing southwestern, southern and southeasterly winds, the frequency of which is 30-60%. Their speed in the western part open sea- 4-5 m / s, and in its eastern regions - 4-7 m / s. In the coastal zone, the wind speed is lower. The decrease in wind speed compared to winter values is explained by a decrease in atmospheric pressure gradients over the sea. In summer, the Arctic front is located somewhat south of the Aleutian Islands. Here cyclones originate, with the passage of which a significant increase in winds is associated. In summer, the frequency of storms and wind speed is less than in winter. Only in the southern part of the sea, where tropical cyclones (the local name for typhoons) penetrate, do they cause violent storms with hurricane force winds. Typhoons in the Bering Sea are most likely from June to October; they are usually observed no more than once a month and last for several days.
The air temperature in summer generally decreases from south to north and is slightly higher in the eastern part of the sea than in the western one. The mean monthly air temperatures of the warmest months (July and August) within the sea vary from about 4 to 13 °, and at the coast they are higher than in the open sea. Relatively mild winters in the south and cold in the north, and everywhere cool, cloudy summers are the main seasonal features of the weather in the Bering Sea.
With an enormous volume of water in the Bering Sea, the continental runoff into it is small and is equal to about 400 km3 per year. The overwhelming majority of river water flows into its northernmost part, where the largest rivers flow: Yukon (176 km3), Kuskokwim (50 km3) and Anadyr (41 km3). About 85% of the total annual runoff occurs in the summer months. The influence of river waters on the sea is felt mainly in the coastal zone on the northern edge of the sea in summer.
The geographical position, vast expanses, relatively good communication with the Pacific Ocean through the Aleutian ridge straits in the south and extremely limited communication with the Arctic Ocean through the Bering Strait in the north are the determining factors in the formation of the hydrological conditions of the Bering Sea. The components of its heat budget depend mainly on climatic indicators and, to a much lesser extent, on the flow of heat from currents. In this regard, unequal climatic conditions in the northern and southern parts of the sea entail differences in the heat balance of each of them, which accordingly affects the temperature of the water in the sea.
For its water balance, water exchange through the Aleutian straits is of decisive importance, through which very large quantities of surface and deep Pacific waters enter and waters out of the Bering Sea. Precipitation (about 0.1% of the volume of the sea) and river runoff (about 0.02%) are small in relation to the vast area of the sea, therefore they are significantly less significant in the input and output of moisture than water exchange through the Aleutian straits.
However, the water exchange through these straits has not yet been sufficiently studied. It is known that large masses of surface water leave the sea into the ocean through the Kamchatka Strait. The overwhelming amount of deep ocean water enters the sea in three areas: through the eastern half of the Middle Strait, through almost all straits of the Fox Islands, through the Amchitka, Tanaga and other straits between the Rat and Andreyanovsk Islands. It is possible that deeper waters penetrate into the sea through the Kamchatka Strait, if not constantly, then periodically or sporadically. Water exchange between the sea and the ocean affects the distribution of temperature, salinity, structure formation and general circulation of the Bering Sea waters.
Cape Lesovsky 
Hydrological characteristics.
The surface water temperature generally decreases from south to north, and in the western part of the sea the water is somewhat colder than in the eastern one. In winter, in the south of the western part of the sea, the surface water temperature is usually 1-3 °, and in the eastern part it is 2-3 °. In the north, throughout the sea, the water temperature is kept in the range from 0 ° to −1.5 °. In the spring, the water warms up and the ice melts, while the increase in water temperature is relatively small. In summer, the surface water temperature is 9-11 ° in the south of the western part and 8-10 ° in the south of the eastern part. In the northern regions of the sea, it is 4-8 ° in the west and 4-6 ° in the east. In shallow coastal areas, the surface water temperature is slightly higher than the values given for the open areas of the Bering Sea (Fig. 35).
The vertical distribution of water temperature in the open part of the sea is characterized by its seasonal changes up to horizons of 250-300 m, deeper than which they are practically absent. In winter, the surface temperature, equal to about 2 °, extends to the 140-150 m horizons, from which it rises to about 3.5 ° at the 200-250 m horizons, then its value hardly changes with depth. Spring warming raises the surface water temperature to about 3.8 °. This value persists up to horizons of 40-50 m, from which it initially (up to horizons 75-80 m) sharply, and then (up to 150 m) very gradually decreases with depth, then (up to 200 m) the temperature is noticeable (up to 3 ° ), and deeper insignificantly rises to the bottom.
In summer, the water temperature on the surface reaches 7-8 °, but it very sharply (up to + 2.5 °) drops with a depth to the horizon of 50 m, from where its vertical course is almost the same as in spring. Autumn cooling lowers the surface water temperature. However, the general nature of its distribution at the beginning of the season resembles spring and summer, and by the end it changes to a winter form. In general, the water temperature in the open part of the Bering Sea is characterized by a relative homogeneity of spatial distribution in the surface and deep layers and relatively small amplitudes of seasonal fluctuations, which appear only up to horizons of 200-300 m.
The salinity of the surface waters of the sea varies from 33.0–33.5 in the south to 31.0 ‰ in the east and northeast and 28.6 ‰ in the Bering Strait (Fig. 36). The most significant desalination occurs in spring and summer in the areas where the Anadyr, Yukon and Kuskokvim rivers flow into. However, the direction of the main currents along the coasts limits the influence of the continental runoff on the deep regions of the sea. The vertical distribution of salinity is almost the same in all seasons. From the surface to the horizons of 100-125 m, it is approximately equal to 33.2-33.3 ‰. Its slight increase occurs from horizons 125-150 to 200-250 m, deeper it remains almost unchanged to the bottom.
walrus rookery on the Chukchi coast 
In accordance with small spatio-temporal changes in temperature and salinity, the variation in density is just as small. The distribution of oceanological characteristics over depth indicates a relatively weak vertical stratification of the Bering Sea waters. In combination with strong winds, this creates favorable conditions for the development of wind mixing in it. In the cold season, it covers the upper layers up to horizons of 100-125 m, in the warm season, when the waters are stratified more sharply, and the winds are weaker than in autumn and winter, wind mixing penetrates to the horizons of 75-100 m in the deep and up to 50-60 m in coastal areas.
Significant cooling of waters, and in the northern regions and intense ice formation, contribute to the good development of autumn-winter convection in the sea. During October - November, it captures the 35-50 m surface layer and continues to penetrate deeper; in this case, heat is transferred to the atmosphere by the sea. The temperature of the entire layer captured by convection at this time of the year decreases, as calculations show, by 0.08-0.10 ° per day. Further, due to a decrease in the temperature differences between water and air and an increase in the thickness of the convection layer, the water temperature drops somewhat more slowly. So, in December - January, when a completely homogeneous surface layer of considerable thickness (to a depth of 120-180 m) cooled (in the open sea) is formed in the Bering Sea, the temperature of the entire layer captured by convection decreases by 0 , 04-0.06 °.
The boundary of the penetration of winter convection deepens when approaching the shores, due to increased cooling near the continental slope and shoals. In the southwestern part of the sea, this depression is especially large. This is related to the observed sinking of cold waters along the coastal slope. Due to the low air temperature, due to the high latitude of the northwestern region, winter convection develops very intensively here and, probably, already in mid-January, due to the shallowness of the region, reaches the bottom.
The bulk of the Bering Sea waters is characterized by a subarctic structure, the main feature of which is the existence of a cold intermediate layer in summer, as well as a warm intermediate layer located below it. Only in the southernmost part of the sea, in the areas immediately adjacent to the Aleutian ridge, waters of a different structure were found, where both intermediate layers are absent.
The bulk of the sea water, which occupies its deep-water part, is clearly divided in summer into four layers: surface, cold intermediate, warm intermediate and deep. This stratification is mainly determined by differences in temperature, and the change in salinity with depth is small.
The surface water mass in summer is the most heated upper layer from the surface to a depth of 25-50 m, characterized by a temperature of 7-10 ° at the surface and 4-6 ° at the lower boundary and a salinity of about 33.0 ‰. The greatest thickness of this water mass is observed in the open part of the sea. The lower boundary of the surface water mass is the temperature jump layer. The cold intermediate layer is formed as a result of winter convective mixing and subsequent summer heating of the upper layer of water. This layer has an insignificant thickness in the southeastern part of the sea, but as it approaches the western shores it reaches 200 m and more. A temperature minimum is noticeable in it, located on average at horizons of about 150-170 m. In the eastern part, the value of the temperature minimum is 2.5-3.5 °, and in the western part of the sea it drops to 2 ° in the region of the Koryak coast and to 1 ° and below in the area of the Karaginsky Bay. The salinity of the cold intermediate layer is 33.2–33.5 ‰. At the lower boundary of the layer, salinity rapidly rises to 34 ‰. V warm years in the south of the deep-sea part of the sea, the cold intermediate layer may be absent in summer, then the vertical distribution of temperature is characterized by a relatively smooth decrease in temperature with depth, with a general warming of the entire water column. The warm intermediate layer is associated with the transformation of the Pacific water. From the Pacific Ocean comes comparatively warm water, which is cooled from above as a result of winter convection. Convection here reaches horizons of the order of 150-250 m, and under its lower boundary there is an increased temperature - a warm intermediate layer. The value of the temperature maximum varies from 3.4-3.5 to 3.7-3.9 °. The depth of the core of the warm intermediate layer in the central regions of the sea is about 300 m; to the south it decreases to about 200 m, and to the north and west it increases to 400 m and more. The lower boundary of the warm intermediate "layer is eroded, approximately it is outlined in the 650-900 m layer.
The deep water mass, which occupies most of the volume of the sea, both in depth and from region to region, does not show significant differences in its characteristics. Over 3000 m in depth, the temperature varies from about 2.7-3.0 to 1.5-1.8 ° at the bottom. Salinity is 34.3-34.8 ‰.
As we move to the south and approach the straits of the Aleutian ridge, the stratification of the waters is gradually erased, the temperature of the core of the cold intermediate layer, increasing in value, approaches the temperature of the warm intermediate layer. The waters are gradually transforming into a qualitatively different structure of the Pacific water.
In some areas, especially in shallow water, some modifications of the main water masses are observed and new masses of local importance appear. For example, in the Anadyr Bay, in the western part, a freshened water mass is formed under the influence of a large continental runoff, and in the northern and eastern parts - a cold water mass of the Arctic type. There is no warm intermediate layer here. In some shallow areas of the sea, in summer there are typical sea “cold spots” of water, which owe their existence to vortex water cycles. In these areas, cold waters are observed in the bottom layer, which persist throughout the summer. The temperature in this layer of water is -0.5-3.0 °.
As a result of autumn-winter cooling, summer heating and mixing in the Bering Sea, the surface water mass is most strongly transformed, as well as the cold intermediate layer, which is manifested in the annual course of hydrological characteristics. The intermediate Pacific water changes its characteristics very slightly during the year and only in a thin upper layer. Deep waters do not noticeably change their characteristics during the year. The complex interaction of winds, water inflow through the straits of the Aleutian ridge, tides and other factors create the main picture of constant currents in the sea (Fig. 37).
The predominant mass of water from the ocean enters the Bering Sea through eastern part the Middle Strait, as well as through other significant straits of the Aleutian ridge. The waters entering through the Middle Strait and spreading first in an easterly direction, then turn to the north. At a latitude of about 55 °, they merge with the waters coming from the Amchitka Strait, forming the main flow of the central part of the sea. This stream supports the existence of two stable gyres here - a large, cyclonic, covering the deep-water part of the sea, and a less significant, anticyclonic. The waters of the main stream are directed to the northwest and almost reach the Asian shores. Here, most of the waters turn along the coast to the south, giving rise to the cold Kamchatka Current, and out into the ocean through the Kamchatka Strait. Some of this water is discharged into the ocean through the western part of the Middle Strait, and a very small amount is included in the main circulation.
Waters entering through the eastern straits of the Aleutian ridge also cross the central basin and move to the north-northwest. At about 60 ° latitude, these waters split into two branches: a northwestern branch heading towards Anadyr Bay and further northeastward to the Bering Strait, and a northeastern branch heading towards Norton Bay and then northward to the Bering Strait. It should be noted that in the currents of the Bering Sea, there can be both significant changes in water transport during the year, and noticeable deviations from the average annual scheme in individual years. The velocities of constant currents in the sea are generally low. The highest values (up to 25-51 cm / s) refer to the areas of the straits. More often, a speed of 10 cm / s is noted, and in the open sea 6 cm / s, and the speeds are especially low in the zone of the central cyclonic circulation.
The tides of the Bering Sea are mainly caused by the propagation of a tidal wave from the Pacific Ocean. Arctic tide makes almost no difference. The area of confluence of the Pacific and Arctic tidal waves is located north of about. St. Lawrence. There are several types of tides in the Bering Sea. In the Aleutian Straits, the tides have an irregular daily and irregular semidiurnal character. Off the coast of Kamchatka, during the intermediate phases of the Moon, the tide changes from semidiurnal to diurnal, at high inclinations of the Moon it becomes almost purely daily, at small - semidiurnal. At the Koryak coast, from the Olyutorsky bay to the mouth of the river. Anadyr has an irregular semi-diurnal tide pattern, while off the coast of Chukotka it takes on a regular semi-diurnal character. In the area of Provideniya Bay, the tide again turns into an irregular semidiurnal. In the eastern part of the sea, from Cape Prince of Wales to Cape Nom, the tides have both regular and irregular semidiurnal character. South of the mouth of the Yukon, the tide becomes irregular semidiurnal. Tidal currents in the open sea are rotating in nature, their speed is 15-60 cm / s. Near the coast and in the straits, tidal currents are reversible and their speed reaches 1–2 m / s.
Cyclonic activity developing over the Bering Sea leads to very strong and sometimes prolonged storms. The excitement is especially strong in winter - from November to May. At this time of the year, the northern part of the sea is covered with ice, and therefore the strongest waves are observed in the southern part. Here, in May, the frequency of waves of more than 5 points reaches 20-30%, while in the northern part of the sea it is absent. In August, due to the prevalence of southwestern winds, swell waves of more than 5 points reach the greatest development in the eastern half of the sea, where the frequency of such waves reaches 20%. In autumn, in the southeastern part of the sea, the frequency of strong waves increases to 40%.
With prolonged winds of average strength and significant acceleration of waves, their height reaches 6.8 m, with winds of 20-30 m / s and more - 10 m, and in some cases 12 and even 14 m. The periods of storm wills are 9-11 s , and with moderate excitement - 5-7 s. In addition to wind waves, swell is observed in the Bering Sea, the highest frequency of which (40%) occurs in autumn. In the coastal zone, the nature and parameters of the waves are very different depending on the physical and geographical conditions of the area.
For most of the year, much of the Bering Sea is ice-covered. Almost the entire mass of ice in the Bering Sea is of local origin, that is, it is formed, and also collapses and melts in the sea itself. In the northern part of the sea through the Bering Strait, winds and currents bring in a small amount of ice from the Arctic basin, which usually does not penetrate south of the island. St. Lawrence.
In terms of ice conditions, the northern and southern parts of the sea differ markedly from each other. The approximate boundary between them is the extreme southern position of the ice edge in April. This month it goes from the Bay of Bristol through the Pribylov Islands and further westward at 57-58 ° N. sh., and then descends south to the Commander Islands and runs along the coast to the southern tip of Kamchatka. The southern part of the sea does not freeze all year round. Warm Pacific waters entering the Bering Sea through the Aleutian straits squeeze the floating ice to the north, and the ice edge in the central part of the sea is always curved to the north. The process of ice formation in the Bering Sea begins first of all in its northwestern part, where ice appears in October, after which it gradually moves to the south. In the Bering Strait, ice appears in September; in winter, the strait is filled with solid broken ice drifting northward.
In Anadyr and Norton bays, ice can be found already in September. In early November, ice appears in the area of Cape Navarin, and in mid-November it spreads to Cape Olyutorsky. On the Kamchatka Peninsula and the Commander Islands, floating ice usually appears in December and only as an exception in November. During the winter, the entire northern part of the sea, up to about 60 ° N. sh., is filled with heavy, impassable ice, the thickness of which reaches 6 m. South of the parallel of the Pribylov Islands there are broken ice and separate ice fields.
However, even during the greatest development of ice formation, the open part of the Bering Sea is never covered with ice. In the open sea, under the influence of winds and currents, ice is in constant motion, and strong compression often occurs. This leads to the formation of hummocks, the maximum height of which can be of the order of 20 m. Periodic compression and rarefaction of ice causes tides, with the formation of ice accumulations, numerous openings and openings.
Fixed ice, which forms in closed bays and bays in winter, during stormy winds can be broken up and carried out to sea. In the eastern part of the sea, under the influence of the North Pacific Current, ice is carried to the north, into the Chukchi Sea. April border floating ice reaches its greatest distribution to the south. The process of gradual destruction of ice and the retreat of its edge to the north begins in May. During July and August, the sea is completely ice-free and during these months ice can be found only in the Bering Strait. Strong winds contribute to the destruction of the ice cover and the clearing of the sea from ice in summer.
In bays and bays, where the freshening effect of river runoff occurs, the conditions for ice formation are more favorable than in the open sea. Winds have a great influence on the location of ice. Surge winds often clog individual bays, bays and straits heavy ice brought from the high seas. On the other hand, sweeping winds carry ice into the sea, at times clearing the entire coastal area.
Hydrochemical conditions.
The peculiarities of the hydrochemical conditions of the sea are largely determined by its close connection with the Pacific Ocean and the peculiarities of the hydrological and biological processes taking place in the sea itself. Due to the large inflow of Pacific waters, the salt composition of the Bering Sea waters practically does not differ from that of the ocean.
The amount and distribution of dissolved oxygen and nutrients varies by season and sea space. In general, the water of the Bering Sea is rich in oxygen. In winter, its distribution is uniform. In this season, in the shallow part of the sea, its content is on average 8.0 ml / l from surface to bottom. Approximately the same content of it is noted in the deep regions of the sea up to horizons of 200 m. In the warm season, the distribution of oxygen is varied from place to place. Due to the rise in water temperature and the development of phytoplankton, its amount decreases in the upper (20-30 m) horizons and is equal to about 6.7-7.6 ml / l. A slight increase in the oxygen content in the surface layer is noted near the continental slope. The vertical distribution of the content of this gas in the deep regions of the sea is characterized by its greatest amount in the surface water and the smallest in the intermediate one. In subsurface water, the amount of oxygen is transitional, that is, it decreases with depth, while in deep water it increases towards the bottom. Seasonal changes in oxygen content are traced up to 800-1000 m near the continental slope, up to 600-800 m at the periphery of cyclonic gyres, and up to 500 m in the central parts of these gyres.
The Bering Sea is usually characterized by a high concentration of nutrients in the upper layer. The development of phytoplankton does not reduce their number to a minimum.
The distribution of phosphates in winter is fairly uniform. Their amount in the surface layers at this time, depending on the region, varies from 58 to 72 μg / L. In summer, the least amount of phosphates is observed in the most productive areas of the sea: Anadyr and Olyutorsky bays, in the eastern part of the Kamchatka Strait, in the Bering Strait region. The vertical distribution of phosphates is characterized by their lowest content in the photosynthetic layer, a sharp increase in their concentration in the subsurface water, the maximum amount in the intermediate water, and a slight decrease towards the bottom.
The distribution of nitrite in the upper layers in winter is fairly uniform throughout the sea. Their content is 0.2-0.4 N µg / l in shallow water and 0.8-1.7 N µg / l in deep regions. In summer, the distribution of nitrites is quite varied in space. The vertical course of the nitrite content is characterized by a rather uniform content in the upper layers in winter. In summer, two maxima are observed: one in the layer of the density jump, and the other at the bottom. In some areas, only the bottom maximum is noted.
Household use. Located in the extreme north-east of our country, the Bering Sea is exploited very intensively. Its economy is represented by two major sectors: marine fisheries and maritime transport. Currently, a significant amount of fish is caught in the sea, including the most valuable species - salmonids. In addition, cod, pollock, herring, and flounder are caught here. There is a fishery for whales and sea animals. However, the latter is of local importance. The Bering Sea is the area where the Northern Sea Route and the Far Eastern Sea basin meet. The Eastern sector of the Soviet Arctic is supplied through this sea. In addition, inland transport is developed within the sea, in which supply cargo prevails. Mainly fish and fish products are displayed.
Over the past 30 years, the Bering Sea has been systematically studied and continues to be studied. The main features of its nature have become known. However, at the present time there are important problems of its research. The most important of them are the following: the study of the quantitative characteristics [of water exchange] through the straits of the Aleutian arc; clarification of the details of currents, in particular, the origin and duration of existence of small gyres in different areas of the sea; elucidation of the peculiarities of currents in the area of the Anadyr Bay and in the bay itself; study of applied issues related to the provision of fishing and navigation. The solution of these and other problems will increase the efficiency of the economic use of the sea.
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SOURCE OF INFORMATION AND PHOTOS:
Team nomad
http://tapemark.narod.ru/more/18.html
A. V. Melnikov Geographic names Of the Far East Russia: Toponymic Dictionary. - Blagoveshchensk: Interra-Plus (Interra +), 2009 .-- 55 p.
Shlyamin B.A. The Bering Sea. - M .: Gosgeografgiz, 1958 .-- 96 p .: ill.
Shamraev Yu.I., Shishkina L.A. Oceanology. - L .: Gidrometeoizdat, 1980.
The Bering Sea in the book: A. D. Dobrovolsky, B. S. Zalogin. Seas of the USSR. Publishing house Mosk. un-that, 1982.
Leontiev V.V., Novikova K.A.Toponymic dictionary of the north-east of the USSR. - Magadan: Magadan Book Publishing House, 1989, p. 86
Leonov A.K. Regional oceanography. - Leningrad, Gidrometeoizdat, 1960 .-- T. 1. - P. 164.
Wikipedia website.
Magidovich I. P., Magidovich V. I. Essays on the history of geographical discoveries. - Education, 1985 .-- T. 4.
http://www.photosight.ru/
photo: A. Kutsky, V. Lisovsky, A. Gill, E. Gusev.
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Ice forms every year from the end of September, which melts in July. The sea surface (except for the Bering Strait) is covered with ice annually for about ten months (about five months, half of the sea, about seven months, from November to May, - the northern third of the sea). In some years, the Gulf of Lawrence is not cleared of ice at all. In the western part of the Bering Strait, ice brought by the current can occur even in August.
