The Arctic is one of the coldest and most lifeless regions of the Earth. Includes part of Eurasia. The geographical position of the Arctic belt is limited to the North Pole and the Arctic Ocean. There are common borders with the American continent. Often, the northern regions of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans are referred to the water area of the belt. In total, the Arctic covers more than 27 million square kilometers.
Climatic zone
Meteorological indicators of this area are determined by cold northern air masses. The Arctic climatic zone dominates the entire water area of the Arctic Ocean, as well as on the outskirts of Siberia. Frosty weather in these parts of the Earth lasts all year round. Permafrost is not heated by the sun's rays, as they fall to the ground at a tangent.
It can be said that the cold in the Arctic is permanent. Even in the summer, solar radiation is unable to penetrate thick ice sheets. The surface still receives a small amount of heat, but it goes to the melting of the snow cover. The Arctic climate zone is always characterized by sub-zero temperatures.
Precipitation in this area is extremely rare. The reason is the minimal accumulation of water vapor due to constantly low temperatures. The average rainfall does not exceed 200 mm per year.
Closer to the European part of the continent, the subarctic zone prevails. The main zone of its distribution is Eastern Siberia. Here the climate is less severe, suitable for life. Temperatures often rise to +12 degrees. The annual rainfall is twice as much - up to 450 mm.
Arctic belt: characteristics
First of all, this climatic zone is determined by minimum temperatures. Often the indicators reach -70 degrees. The most uninhabitable are the Yamal and Taimyr Peninsulas. Here, the average temperature in winter is about -55 degrees. A little warmer in the area of Svalbard and Wrangel Island.
At the North Pole, indicators vary by -43 degrees. In summer, the temperature can rise to -100 C. Much more loyal weather is observed on the islands of Golomyanny, Vize, Hayes and Hooker. There, the thermometer rises to 0 in the summer. At Cape Chelyuskin, the average annual figures fluctuate within -140 C.
The Arctic belt warms up to positive temperatures only in the southern regions at the end of the summer period. In August, the figures can reach +10 degrees. However, this temperature lasts no more than two weeks.
The Arctic belt is covered with powerful ice masses. Their area is more than 2 million sq. km. During the ultra-short summer, about 8% of ocean ice melts. However, sincewith the onset of climatic winter, the surface of the water freezes again.
Features of the ice cover
The northern regions of the Arctic waters freeze several meters deep. First-year ice is characterized by a thickness of 1.5 m. With the onset of summer, they almost completely melt. Closer to October, an ice crust begins to form again on the surface of the water.
Perennial masses are much thicker - up to 4 meters. During the movement of ice, hummocks form. Their thickness often reaches 15 meters. As a result of the action of the warm Gulf Stream, ice masses break off, forming icebergs. Their depth (under water) can vary up to hundreds of meters.
Arctic ice plays a critical role in the global climate system. They reflect the sun, preventing the Earth from warming up to critical highs. They also play a decisive role in the circulation of ocean currents.
Arctic Desert
Mostly located at the North Pole. It is characterized by sparse vegetation and minimal temperatures. Almost the entire surface is covered with ice and snow. This area includes the northern regions of the Canadian archipelago and Greenland.
The Arctic belt has always been characterized by uninhabitable climatic conditions. However, the icy desert is the most severe part of the North Pole. Even lichens and mosses can rarely be found here. In the southern regions of the desert there are small oases of buttercups and polar poppies.
The climate here is not conducive to developmentfauna and flora. The temperature stays below zero for most of the year. The highest rates are observed at the end of summer - 2 - - 40C. Precipitation is rare.
Nature of the Arctic belt
The flora is mainly represented by dwarf shrubs and mosses. In the southern regions, you can find tall grass and even cereals. There is no talk of a diversity of flora. Of the flowering plants, only the polar poppy, sedge and saxifrage stand out.
The Arctic belt is not rich in wildlife either. The dominant inhabitants, the top of the food chain, are polar bears. In the southern part of the Arctic, you can find deer, musk oxen, bighorn sheep, lemmings and polar whites. The most dangerous predators are wolves and arctic foxes. Rodents are considered the most common species of mammals in the Arctic.
Birds arrive only in summer. They nest most often in the tundra.
Walruses, seals, narwhals and baleen whales live in the Arctic.
