A small marginal body of water, named after the Admiral of the English Navy Francis Beaufort, is a sea with harsh climatic conditions, and it is unique in its beautiful ice landscapes. What is known about this sea? Is it studied enough?
Location
One of the first questions to ask is which ocean the Beaufort Sea is in. Difficulties with the answer should not arise. This sea is located in the Arctic Ocean. Based on this, you can imagine the approximate location of the reservoir on the map. But it's better not to guess, but to directly ask where the Beaufort Sea is.
The exact location can be determined as follows: the Beaufort Sea lies somewhat north of the Alaska Peninsula (US Territory), Yukon and Northwest Canada. The eastern border runs along the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. The western and eastern boundaries are defined by the Chukchi Sea and the Baffin Sea, respectively.
What is known about sea exploration?
Another interesting question: "Who explored the Beaufort Sea?". It is officially considered that it was opened in 1826. The polar explorer John Franklin was the first to describe the new sea. However, contrary to tradition, he gave the newthe reservoir did not have its own name, but immortalized the name of a famous British officer and scientist, who later became an admiral - F. Beaufort. The sea immortalized the name of a man who devoted his life to hydrography and developed a scale for determining the strength of the wind.
John Franklin made several Arctic expeditions and explored the coast of the Beaufort Sea. He also made a swim in the reservoir he discovered. During his expeditions, he finally established the contour of North America, determining that its northernmost ledge is Butia.
In 1851, R. Collison's expedition managed to cross the Beaufort Sea, which opened the southern passage to the Prince of Wales Strait. In the same year, the expedition of John McClure froze in the ice of the Beaufort Sea. The explorers were forced to abandon their ships, but were saved.
In 1905, the "expedition to the Eskimos" was undertaken by the Canadian Stefanson. He also explored the Beaufort Sea.
A well-known Russian scientist, doctor of geographical sciences, Kochurov Boris Ivanovich, worked in the field of cartography, ecodiagnostics, de alt with problems of ecological energy. He studied various regions such as the Altai Territory, the Urals, Yakutia, the Far East and the Arctic zone. During his scientific activity, Kochurov B. I. and the Beaufort Sea explored.
Water temperature indicators
Scientists believe that the temperature of the Beaufort Sea should be determined in four layers:
- The top layer is considered to be up to 100 m deep. Here the temperature fluctuates in the sub-zero range from -0.4°С in summer to -1.8°С.winter.
- This layer is formed by a tributary of the Pacific Current, which flows through the Bering Strait. The waters of the second layer are somewhat warmer, but not significantly.
- The next layer is considered the warmest. It is formed by the Atlantic currents and has a temperature of 0 to +1°C.
- The bottom layer is slightly colder, but still not as cold as near the surface, from -0.4 to -0.9°C.
Currents in the Beaufort Sea circulate counterclockwise. This is called a cyclonic cycle. According to the same laws, the circulation of currents of the Arctic Ocean occurs.
Main parameters
Let's look at the main parameters of the inland reservoir, which bears the name of Francis Beaufort. The sea has a total area of almost 480 thousand km². The average depth of the reservoir is more than 1000 m. At the deepest point it is almost 4700 meters.
The salinity of the sea is not very high. It ranges from 28 to 33 ppm.
Rivers, bays of the island
There are some differences from other seas of the Arctic Ocean. Since the reservoir named after Francis Beaufort is an inland sea, many rivers flow into it. Basically, these are medium and small water arteries, among which the most significant is the river. Mackenzie. Of the middle rivers, one can list - Anderson, Colville, Sagavanirktok. The abundance of fresh water and sediment deposits create the uniqueness of the reservoir and its bottom relief.
The coastal shelf has many small islands, consistingfrom gravel. Their height and dimensions are constantly changing under the pressure of ice and currents.
The coastline is indented with numerous bays.
Bottom relief
A significant part of the Beaufort Sea is located on a narrow continental shelf, which is approximately 50 km wide. Beyond the shelf, the depths are much more serious.
River sediment creates a thick layer of sedimentary crystalline deposits. From the Mackenzie River Delta, for example, the mineral dolomite enters the bottom sediments.
Oil deposits have been discovered at the bottom of the sea, which are of great interest. The oil and gas basin has an area of almost 120 thousand km. Its development began in 1965 and is still ongoing.
Flora and fauna
There are about 70 species of phytoplankton in the Beaufort Sea. But its total biomass is not large at all.
Zooplankton is more diverse, it has 80 species. In addition, about 700 varieties of crustaceans and molluscs live here.
The climate here is too harsh, there is very little light and heat. The sea is covered with a layer of ice for 11 months of the year. This creates significant obstacles to the study of the inhabitants of the deep.
Little is known about fish stocks. The most common are smelt, capelin and navaga. In addition, there are several species of cod and herring fish. There are flounder, halibut and sea chanterelles.
Mammals feel very at ease in the waters and on the shores. Whales, beluga whales, seals and walruses live here. Sometimes there are polar sharks.
Because the Beaufort Sea is the mostlittle studied in the world, it can present many surprises to scientists. The main thing is not to give up and continue research.
