Not every person can not hesitate to answer the question of where is the Pechora Sea.The fact that it can not be found on all cards.It is a small area located in the southwestern part of the Barents Sea, which belongs to the waters of the Arctic Ocean.
Geographical location
boundaries within which is located the Pechora Sea, starting from Cape Kostin nose, part of the archipelago of Novaya Zemlya, and tested on the eastern shore of the island Kolguev.In the east of the cape said they extend to the Ugra Peninsula and the islands of Vaigach Timan coast.It should be noted that the composition of the reservoir does not include such straits as the Kara Gate and Ugra ball connecting Pechora and Kara seas.
General description
Many centuries ago at this location was the site of his land.The sea itself was formed due to the melting glacier.This can be explained by the fact that the bottom level decreases with distance from the mainland.His name Pechora Sea received from the eponymous title of the largest rivers flowing into it.The biggest indicator of the depth of the reservoir is within 210 meters.Its area is about 81 square kilometers, while the total - about 4.38 thousand cubic meters.
Since ancient times its shores live the Nenets, Komi and Khanty.From the very beginning these people their main occupation was the fishing of beluga and seal.Some time later, there also appeared, and Russian coast-dwellers.Active research scientists in the region started in the late sixteenth century.
climate and natural conditions
The climate of the region is greatly influenced by its location outside the Arctic Circle.In the period from November to January are observed long night.Water freezes in October, after which the ice is up to the end of June.The maximum water temperature characteristic August when it reaches twelve degrees.In May, it is the coldest.With regard to water salinity, it average is 35 ppm.Daily average value of the tides is within 1.1 meters.
compared to neighboring Barents, Pechora Sea has a very different natural and climatic conditions.Local meteorological regime formed under the influence of the seasonal characteristics of atmospheric circulation of air masses.For the fall and winter is a characteristic activation of cyclonic activity.This explains the westerly flow of air at a given time.In summer the sea over the territory of an anticyclone formed, resulting in the dominance of a weak north-easterly wind.At this time, the water area is dominated by cloudy and cool weather.In late fall mainly blowing south-westerly winds, the speed of which often reaches the level of storm.
formation of ice
Around the end of November in the Pechora Sea begins the formation of glaciers, which continues until April.Their edge in winter spreads from east to west.It is typical for the middle of spring largest accumulation of ice.Then begins a gradual thawing.Fully sea thaws only in July.It is impossible not to mention the fact that it is extremely rare are the occasions when the reservoir freezes completely.As a rule, it remains free of ice about one-quarter of its territory.Barriers to the glacier, which comes from the north, the Atlantic waters are warm.
Relief
bottom shelf of the Pechora Sea is a clear proof of its formation during the late Pleistocene and Holocene.One of the main morphological elements of the relief its bottom steel underwater terraces.The most severe of these is the one that is located at a depth of 118 meters.In general, the bottom can be described as an underwater plain, which is slightly tilted in the direction of the Southern Novaya Zemlya trough having a tectonic origin and formed under the influence of hydrodynamic processes.
Minerals
one of the main characteristics of the basin are considered gas fields of the Pechora Sea.The largest of them is called Shtokman was discovered in the eighties of the last century.Several studies have shown that the total local gas reserves in the order of 3.7 trillion cubic meters.However, it should be noted that the complexity of the development of Arctic deposits can be compared to space exploration.You can not at the same time forget about the increased risk to the environment.Which is associated with the active development of mineral resources.Whatever it was, as of today, the Pechora Sea boasts the presence of more than 25 oil and gas fields.Activity of their development and operation began in 2009.According to scientists, it is linked to all the environmental issues that arise in the region.
