Laptev Sea, photo and description of which are presented in an article belongs to the basin of the Arctic Ocean.The severe nature of the sea, as well as the entire Arctic is of interest to researchers for several centuries.But today, scientists can give reliable answers to issues related to the climate, flora and fauna of this mysterious region.Although some time ago, such problems seem intractable.
Laptev Sea on the map
In the 1735-1742 year, thanks to the efforts and the work of Russian researchers long coastline Sea has been applied to a map.For example, cousins Dimitri and the Chariton, who is named in honor of the Laptev Sea, devoted to the study of the region's many years of his life.Being in the service of the Navy of Russia, they were participants in a grand scientific research, which was organized by Peter I and was called the Great Northern Expedition.
Today sea border established for sure, but the beginning of a difficult and dangerous work put in those early years was such selfless people like Vitus Bering, the Laptev brothers - Dmitry and Chariton, Dezhnev many of our compatriots.
From the West Sea washes the eastern shore of the Severnaya Zemlya from the Arctic Cape to the mainland coast of the Gulf of Khatanga.In the north sea borders extend from the Arctic Cape to the northern coast of the island Boiler.In the eastern part is washed by the waters of the sea west coast Boiler, Small and Large Lyakhov Island.Then frontiers pass through the Straits of Sannikov and Dmitry Laptev.
From the south boundary of the sea runs along the northern shores of Eurasia from Cape Saint Nose to Khatanga Bay.It is these maritime frontiers explored brothers Laptev.The coastline of 5254 kilometers of border.The distance from the south-eastern shores to the north-west - 1,300 kilometers.This is the highest measure of the size of the sea.
history study region
Given the harsh environmental conditions of the Laptev Sea, it is easy to assume that the process of exploring its waters travelers was not easy and safe.In addition, it is necessary to consider that work began in the XVIII century - at a time when the development of many sciences, in Vol. H. And navigation was in its infancy.The level of geographical knowledge was also not very high.
invaluable contribution to the organization of studies on the northern coast of Eurasia along its length and the seas of the Arctic Ocean basin contributed intrepid travelers.Many researchers were officers of the Russian navy.
Brothers Khariton and Dmitry, who is named in honor of the Laptev Sea, began service in the Navy in 1718, where they were deposited at a young age midshipmen.By 1721, young people have already been made in the warrant.Fate decreed that at some time in life brothers parted ways.But Dimitri and the Chariton have always been faithful to the sea, the Russian navy, giving the service of the best years of his life.
In 1734 Dmitry Laptev was introduced into the Great Northern Expedition as one of the best officers of the Russian navy.His reputation was so great that he was appointed one of the assistants of Vitus Bering, who was appointed head of this large-scale event.
Dmitry Laptev instructed to take the place of the deceased captain of the ship "Irkutsk".On it was an attempt to explore the waters of the seas surrounding the mainland from the mouth of the Lena heading east.The expedition was extremely unfortunate, since in its course from the cold, scurvy and other diseases killed almost the entire team.
In August 1736 "Irkutsk" under the command of Dmitry Laptev, coming from the delta of the Lena River, was once again on the high seas.But after a few days of sailing had to stop and turn back to the ship, as the powerful ice barred the way to seafarers.Captain, given the experience of the previous expedition, decided to save people's lives and spend the winter on land.
tragic was the fate of the sailors, and that the ship "Yakutsk" had to move from the mouth of the Lena River to the west (for the study of marine spaces).Circumstances were such that Dmitry Laptev personally had to go to St. Petersburg for instructions regarding further study of the region.He himself had a plan and was ready to offer his leadership, hoping for understanding.The positive outcome of the expedition is most worried about a Russian officer.
Laptev brothers
So, in 1738, the brothers again begin to serve one common cause.On the recommendation of a cousin Khariton Laptev Prokofievich was appointed captain of the ship "Yakutsk" instead died in the expedition Pronchishchev.
the summer of 1739 began the expedition, which was aimed not only to survey marine northern expanses, but an inventory of coastal areas.Therefore, in its composition the number of troops, coming by land.
Having a well-designed plan, a courageous dedicated team on the ground and at sea, Dmitry Laptev in 1741 on the ship "Irkutsk" was able to overcome the distance from the mouth of the Lena to the Kolyma.Carefully processed the information, in the autumn of 1742 he returned to St. Petersburg.
Chariton Prokofievich should explore the coast and the sea to the west of the mouth of the Lena.Enormous difficulties and hardships have experienced squad that led the Laptev.The researcher and his companions did not stop even when they have lost the ship, which was destroyed by ice.The expedition continued on foot.The result of it was the description of the territory from the mouth of the Lena River to the Taimyr Peninsula.
life of such people as brothers Chariton Prokofievich and Dmitry Y., who was named in honor of the Laptev Sea, can rightly be called a feat.It understands everyone who touches the study of the history of Arctic exploration.Remarkable tenacity and determination, boundless love for Russia has helped these people overcome seemingly insurmountable.
The geological structure of the seabed
depth of the Laptev Sea is very contrasting.This fact was discovered over 200 years ago, when the court first expeditions have repeatedly boarded the stranded.It should be noted that the greatest indicator of the depth of 2980 meters, the smallest - 15, and the average - 540 meters.This can be explained by the steep continental slope of the land where the sea.Given the rate of depth, it is divided into southern and northern parts.A reference in this case is parallel, where the Gulf Vilkitsky.
The nature of the ground floor of the Laptev Sea is greatly affected by flowing into a river.They carry a large amount of sand, silt and other sedimentary rocks.Their accumulation is 25 centimeters per year.In addition, the shallow zone at the bottom of the sea there are boulders, large and small pebbles.
Huge glaciers of Severnaya Zemlya contribute to the formation of icebergs.In the interior of the Laptev Sea water contains a large amount of ice.Its melting and volnopriboy actively destroying the coastline.Sometimes, as a result of such processes go under water, small islands.
Climatic conditions
There are several factors that determine the harsh climate of the region.
Considering the Laptev Sea on the map, you can draw the following conclusions:
- it is located in the high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere;
- proximity of the Central Arctic Basin can not but influence the climate of the region;
- remoteness of the sea from the Atlantic and the Pacific deprive him of the possibility of getting water warming impact.
over the sea most of the time calm overcast weather prevails.Only cyclones which pass south of the waters, bringing heavy snowfall accompanied by strong winds.
In the southern part of the Laptev Sea cold for nine months, and in the northern region recorded negative temperature for 11 months.The coldest winter month - January.The average monthly air temperature is 26-28 degrees below zero.There are cases lowering the mercury column to the level of -61 ° C.
cool summer here - are not uncommon uncommon.Rather, quite the contrary - a significant increase in temperature (for example, up to 24-32 degrees) - is rare and unusual.The warmest summer month is August.At this time the thermometer record 7 ... 9 degrees in the south and 1 ° C in the northern part of the sea.The main distinguishing characteristic of the climate of the Laptev Sea - a strong and long-lasting cooling with relatively calm wind conditions.
salinity and water temperature.Currents and glaciers
The distribution of salinity in the Laptev Sea is strongly influenced by the fact that the continent's largest rivers here are a considerable amount of fresh water.In this regard, the salinity of the southern sea areas is much lower than the northern.For the same reason the percentage salt content increases in the winter and in the warmer months, there is desalination.River Lena, Khatanga, Ian Olenek in the summer to bring 90% of the annual freshwater runoff.At the same time there is an intensive melting of glaciers, which also affects the rate of salinity.It should also be noted that this figure is not the same in the surface and deep layers of the water column.On the surface of lower salinity.
Laptev determines the depth of the sea water temperature.This indicator depends on the location relative to the coastal waters of the, effects of currents, the time of year.Most often it is zero.In summer in some coastal areas and in shallow water temperature is 4-6 degrees Celsius.The bay, which, by the way, there are so many, it is close to the mark at 10 ° C, and on the high seas does not exceed two degrees.
system flows into the Laptev Sea is not well studied.But we know that a great role in this play again the same river, carrying huge amounts of water into the sea.
Among the constant currents of the Laptev Sea could be called Novosibirsk and East Taimyr.It should be noted that the velocity of the water is low, the strength of weak currents unstable.
the end of September over the entire area begins the process of ice formation, which greatly complicates navigation.From October to May the water of the Laptev Sea icebound.At the same time about 30% of its area formed by the fast ice, the rest is covered with drifting ice floe.In June and July is their melting.However, only in August, large surface area of sea ice is released from bondage.
flora and fauna
flora and fauna of the Laptev Sea is typical of the Arctic.Phytoplankton represented by algae.Marine ciliates, copepods and amphipods, rotifers are typical representatives of the zooplankton.
common in the deep sea fish species such as the Siberian whitefish, Arctic char, cisco, white salmon, sturgeon.Walruses, whales, seals - members of the order of mammals.In icy deserts usual fearsome inhabitants of the Arctic - a polar bear.
Islands of the Laptev Sea
on the territory of the sea is about two dozen large and small islands.Noteworthy is the fact that the scientists they were found the remains of mammoths.They are well preserved, so the findings are of great scientific value.Modern inhabitants of the islands are arctic foxes and polar bears.
near the coast of the continent's small islands are usually located in groups.We are talking about such areas of land as Islands Komsomolskaya Pravda, Thaddeus, Peter, aerial photography, the Danube.There are also larger disposed singly.These include the Great Begichev, Sandy, Muostakh Makar.
River Laptev Sea
As mentioned earlier, the largest river flowing into the sea, have a significant impact on many factors.Their location in the direction from east to west as follows: Jan, Lena, Olenek, Anabar, Khatanga.These are used extensively by researchers waters edge - Khariton and Dmitry Laptev, who was named in honor of the Laptev Sea.
listed River affect the level of salt content in seawater.Thanks to the work mentioned waterways formed the seabed, the shape of its coastline, the composition of sedimentary rocks and sediment.
Prospects for development of the region
Today, the Laptev Sea is included in the program of studies, which are conducted jointly by scientists from Russia and Germany for the past twenty years.Modern scientists always remember that the start to this event was laid by Peter I. But such intrepid travelers as Vitus Bering, Dmitry Laptev and Khariton and many other explorers, forever inscribed in the history of the study of the Arctic.
Now research program of the Laptev Sea and surrounding areas received international status.About 15 Russian and 12 German scientific organizations in various fields included in the said activity.Carrying out works designed to 2015.And now scientists have made a lot of sensational discoveries.
results obtained during the study under consideration areas are unique.Due to materials obtained in the course of marine and terrestrial expeditions, scientists can learn a lot about past climatic epochs Arctic understand the conditions of formation of the climate that exists in the region today.
vast repository of ice and fresh water is considered to be the Laptev Sea.
expedition undertaken efforts of the two states with the most modern equipment, scientific instruments and techniques, will enhance the way people thought about the Arctic, to use the scientific data into practical applications.
