Mankind came and lived for more than one millennium to the unique planet, the likes of which scientists still have not found.Its uniqueness lies in many factors, but chief among them is the presence of large amounts of water in a liquid state.71% of our planet is covered with water, which made it possible for the origin of life.It is, no doubt, of the oceans.There are four.It is the Indian, Atlantic, Arctic and Pacific oceans.The biggest of these is the Pacific, which is a half of all the water resources of the planet.
Pacific
Physical Geography Pacific provides us with data about its size, flora and fauna.Its area is equal to 179 million km2, the average depth - 4 km.This is the only ocean that washes the shores of five continents.An exception is Africa, which is located in the Pacific Ocean to reach the spot.Also part of the world, such as Oceania, their home can call it the Pacific Ocean.Even his neighbors are other oceans: Indian, Atlantic and Arctic.
Seismic activity Pacific
waterfalls, lakes, mountains, glaciers and the Pacific Ocean are closely related to each other.The bottom of the ocean continues life and is constantly changing.Mountain building located in the active stage.There are many mountain ranges and lonely peaks that still continues to grow.This leads to a strong seismic activity and generate tsunamis.Glaciers, which are located in North America, though, and do not reach the ocean, creating the possibility of icebergs.They arise in the coves and bays of the Pacific Ocean.To ship a particular threat glaciers are not, because they melt before exiting into the open ocean.
If we talk about what the mountain along the shore of the Pacific exist, we must mention the Cordillera, the Andes, the Sikhote-Alin and Koryak Highlands.
Cordillera
Cordillera - the mountains, located in North America.They are on the west coast.If you are referred to the mountains, along the coast of the Pacific Ocean are located, the more often we are talking about the Cordilleras.The length of these mountains is about 9000 km and the width varies from 800 to 1600 km, depending on the location.The highest point of the mountain is McKinley, which reaches a height of 6193 m. These mountains are rich in minerals such as copper, oil, lead, gold, molybdenum, platinum, silver, zinc and tin.The climate in these mountainous regions is quite diverse.It is determined by the height of the mountains and width of the plume.In the same way things are and the flora and fauna.They are totally dependent on climate a certain area of the mountains.
Andes
Mountains, along the shore of the Pacific Ocean, and are located in South America, called the Andes.They are an integral part of the Cordilleras, and they are called - Southern Cordillera.They originate from around the Caribbean and ending in Tierra del Fuego.The total length of the Andes is 9 thousand. Km.These mountains have the highest peaks, but the winner among them is Mount Aconcagua with a height of 6960 m, which is also considered the most outstanding in the territory of all the undivided Cordillera.Andes, depending on their location, divided into Western, Central, Eastern, Coast and Main.
These luxurious mountain on the Pacific coast have great wealth - a variety of non-ferrous metal ores.Even the name of the mountain comes from the Inca word "anta" which means "copper".Also here lie gas, oil and emeralds.Since the Andes have a very large slowness, they are located in six climatic zones, leading to a very wide variety of weather phenomena.On the slopes of these mountains grow mixed and coniferous forests, which have become home to many animals, which include llamas, bears, foxes, deer and others.
Sikhote-Alin
Along the eastern edge of the Pacific Ocean located one more extraordinarily beautiful mountains called the Sikhote-Alin.Are they off the coast of Khabarovsk and Primorye territories.At length they are considerably inferior to the Cordilleras and the Andes (1200 km with a maximum width of 250 km loop).The highest mountain is considered Tardoki-Jani with a height of 2090 m. In the quarries of the Sikhote-Alin mined minerals such as tin, base metals, coal and lignite, as well as gold.The name of these mountains have received because the western slope is less steep, causing the current to the west of the river became very long.Sikhote-Alin is translated from the Manchu language means "vozvyshnennosti large western rivers."
These mountains, along the coast of the Pacific Ocean towering, have a very diverse flora and fauna.There are both mixed and coniferous forests.As for the animals, the first to mention the Amur tiger - the largest cat on the planet.Tragically, this species is on the verge of extinction.Therefore, in 1935, it was created Reserve in the central and eastern parts of the ridge.Another interesting species that lives only in the nature here is the Amur leopard.Winters in these mountains are very soft, with the average temperature.During the summer, most of the precipitation falls.
Koryak Highlands
Located it in Kamchatka and Magadan region.Its length is about 880 km, the width is 270 km.The average height of the mountains of this range does not exceed 1800 m. The highest point of the Koryak Highland Ice Mountain is considered a height of 2562 m above sea level.If you look at the ridge on the map, we will see the mountains along the Pacific coast, namely in the north-western part centered.Highlands richly diverse resources.Among them are placer gold and tin, and silver, copper, mercury, and brown coal, and sulfur, and even chalk.Highland ridges that radiate in all directions, forming a plurality of depressions and plateaus titled Parhanoy.
climate, which is inherent in the highlands, on the seashore more.Summer cold with lots of fog.In winter there are severe frosts and winds.Because of this climate the vegetation here buying, there is a lot of desert.
Unusual facts about the Pacific
oceans are huge and mysterious.Therefore, it is impossible not to mention the most interesting facts about the Pacific Ocean when it comes to it.The first thing that may surprise the common man - is the size of the ocean.Its width in maximum size is the same as half the equator of the globe.And this is neither more nor less - 17 thousand. Km.These impressive dimensions do not allow modern scientists still have to find out which species live at the bottom of this giant.In the process of research are always new, previously unknown species.
Mariana Trench - the deepest of all.She goes down to 11 km, and it does not provide ocean scientists to find out what is on the bottom.Also interesting is the fact that the highest mountain on the planet is not Everest, but Mauna Kea in Hawaii.Just the bulk of it is under water.Its height from the foot to the peak - 10 thous. M.
Thus, the Pacific Ocean is great and beautiful.The entire ecosystem of the planet depends on it.It gives us great views and places to relax, and people should not forget about its protection.
