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 attributed to the water area of the belt . In total, the Arctic occupies more than 27 million sq. Km.
Climate belt
Meteorological indicators of this area are determined by the cold northern air masses. The Arctic climate 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. Permafrost is not warmed up by the sun's rays, since they fall tangentially to the ground.
We can say that the cold in the Arctic is constant. Even in summer, solar radiation is not able to penetrate thick ice layers. The surface still receives a small amount of heat, but it goes on melting the snow cover. The Arctic climate zone is always characterized by minus temperature indicators.
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 belt prevails . The main area of its distribution is Eastern Siberia. Here the climate is less severe, suitable for life. Temperatures often rise to +12 degrees. The annual amount of precipitation is twice as much - up to 450 mm.
Arctic belt: characteristic
First of all, this climate zone is determined by minimum temperatures. Often, indicators reach -70 degrees. The most unsuitable for life 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 between –43 degrees. In summer, the temperature can rise to –10 0 . Much more loyal weather is observed on the islands of Golomyanny, Vise, Hayes and Hooker. There, the thermometer in the summer rises to 0. On Cape Chelyuskin, the average annual indicators range from –14 0 .
The Arctic zone 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 thick ice masses. Their area is more than 2 million square kilometers. Over an extremely short summer, about 8% of oceanic ice melts. However, with the onset of the climatic winter, the surface of the water freezes again.
Features of the ice sheet
The northern regions of the Arctic are frozen several meters in depth. Annual 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 on the surface of the water again.
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 influence 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 crucial role in the global climate system. They reflect the sun, preventing the Earth from warming up to critical highs. They are also crucial 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 unsuitable climatic conditions. However, the icy desert is the most severe section of the North Pole. It is rarely seen even lichens and mosses. In the southern areas of the desert there are small oases of buttercups and polar poppies.
The climate here does not favor the development of fauna and flora. Most of the year temperatures are below zero. The highest rates are observed at the end of summer - 2 - - 4 0 C. Precipitation is a rare phenomenon.
Arctic belt nature
The plant world is predominantly represented by dwarf shrubs and mosses. In the southern regions you can find tall grass and even cereals. About the diversity of flora is not talking. Of the flowering plants, only polar poppy, sedge and saxifrage are distinguished.
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, one can meet deer, musk ox, snow sheep, lemmings and polar whites. The most dangerous predators are wolves and arctic foxes. The most common species of mammals in the Arctic are rodents.
Birds arrive only in the summer. They nest most often in the tundra.
Walruses, seals, narwhals and baleen whales live in the Arctic .