The Bering Sea is a geographic location. Bering Sea: geographical location, description

The Bering Sea is located between 51 and 66 ° N. sh. and 157 h. d. and 163 ° east. are usually viewed as an extension of the North Pacific. The area of ​​the Bering Sea is 2300 thousand km2, the average volume of water is 3700 thousand km3, the average depth is 1636 m. It is the second after Mediterranean Sea the largest of the relatively closed (semi-enclosed) seas.

The Bering Sea, in the form of a sector with a radius of 1500 km, lies between the shores of the Asian mainland of Russia in the west, the Alaskan Peninsula in the east and the Aleutian Islands chain (USA) in the south. At the top of the Bering Sea is the Bering Strait. More and the strait are named after the navigator Vitus Bering, who commanded a large Russian expedition in 1725-1742 that explored the coast of Kamchatka and Alaska.

Bering Sea bottom relief

The bottom topography of the Bering Sea is unusual: nerite (0-200 m) and abyssal (over 1000 m) zones are almost the same in area and make up about 90% of the total area. The vast continental shelf, over 400 miles wide, in the northeastern Bering Sea is one of the largest in the world. The continental shelf continues northward through the narrow Bering Strait. Up to the Chukchi Sea and is sometimes referred to as the Bering-Chukotka Platform.

Although the platform is currently covered with water, geological and paleontological data indicate that Siberia and Alaska are two parts of the same continent, the connection between which has been interrupted by periodic subsidence of the bottom several times in the last 50-60 million years. It is believed that the last plunge took place around the end of the Pliocene or the beginning of the Pleistocene about a million years ago. The continental shelf along the Aleutian island arc and the coast of Russia is very narrow. The continental slope almost along its entire length passes into a deep-sea bed with steep ledges. The slope is 4-5 °, with the exception of the southeastern region, where the Bering Canyon, apparently the largest in the world, has a slope of 0.5 °. The Alaska Peninsula and the Aleutian Island Arc bordering the water exchange in the Bering Sea in the North Pacific Ocean are of volcanic origin; their formation dates back to the end of the Cenozoic era.

The island arc, the northernmost in the Pacific Ocean, consists of six groups of islands: Komandorskie, Blizhnye, Krysi, Andreyanovskie, Chetyrekhsopochnye and Lisy, which rise from a depth of approximately 7,600 m in the Aleutian Trench and from a depth of 4,000 m in the Bering Sea depression.

The deepest strait (4420 m) is located in the west of the Bering Sea between Kamchatka and the western tip of Bering Island (Commander Islands). It also has the greatest depths measured in the Bering Sea.

Bering Sea climate

The average air temperature in winter is from - 25 ° С in the Bering Strait to 2 ° С near the Aleutian Islands, in summer - 10 ° С.In the year 35% of days are rainy, snow is a common phenomenon from September to June. The average pressure at sea level fluctuates from 1000 mb in winter, when the low pressure area under the influence of the Aleutian minimum shifts to the south of the central part of the Bering Sea to 1011 mb in summer, when the influence of the East Pacific high pressure region is affected. Over the Bering Sea, the sky is usually covered with clouds (average annual cloud cover in the north is 5-7 points, in the south 7-6 points a year.) And there is often fog. On the rivers of the western and eastern continental coasts, ice begins to form in October. By early November, fast ice occurs in most bays and harbors, and sea ice in the south of the Bering Strait. By January, sea ice reaches its maximum development and extends up to the 200 m isobath. With the exception of the Kamchatka coast, where cold air masses coming from the mainland cause ice formation beyond the 200 m isobath, the coasts of the Aleutian Islands and the western tip of the Alaska Peninsula, where the relatively warm Alaska the current delays the formation of sea ice.
Sea ice usually covers 80-90% of the Bering Sea surface, and it has never been observed that the Bering Sea was completely covered with solid ice cover (the same applies to the Bering Strait). Ice fields are usually up to 2 m thick, but trapping and hummocking, especially off the coast, can increase the ice thickness to 5-10 m.
The area occupied by ice is relatively constant until April, after which there is a rapid destruction and displacement of the ice boundary to the north. First of all, the destruction of ice occurs in coastal regions, where it melts under the influence of continental runoff, and usually by the end of July the Bering Sea is free of ice.

Hydrological regime

The tides near the coast of the southwestern part of the Bering Sea are daily and at about 60 ° N. mixed; north of 62 ° N. sh. only semi-daily hot flashes are observed. Mixed tides are observed off the coast of Alaska from the Bering Strait to the Alaska Peninsula, and diurnal tides are found only off the coast of the central (Rat and Andreyanovskie) and western (Chetyrekhsopochnye and Fox) groups of islands of the Aleutian island arc. The average semi-monthly tide values ​​are small (from 0.5 to 1.5 m), with the exception of the Anadyr and Bristol gulfs, where they are 2.5 and 5.0 m, respectively.

According to modern concepts, currents in the narrow straits of the Aleutian Islands are mainly tidal with equally strong components of ebb and flow and with a speed of 150 to 400 cm / s. The main current in the Bering Sea, which is important for the water balance, is observed at a longitude of 170 ° E, where the flow converges with the waters flowing to the north in the western subarctic circulation, as a result of which a cyclonic circulation forms in the western part of the Aleutian Basin and an anticyclonic circulation near the Rat ridge. The main stream continues to go north, skirting the Rat Ridge, then turns to the east, forming a general cyclonic circulation over the deep-water basin of the Bering Sea.

Cyclonic and anticyclonic gyres are formed in the eastern part of the Bering Sea in the area where the main current reaches the continental shelf and turns to the north. In the northern part of the Bering Sea, the current diverges, with one branch going north to the Bering Strait, the other to the southwest along the coast of Kamchatka, where it apparently becomes the East Kamchatka Current and returns to the northern part of the Pacific Ocean. The currents over the continental shelf along the coast of Alaska are mainly tidal, with the exception of the coastal region, where the river runoff flows northward and out through the Bering Strait. In the eastern part of the Bering Strait, a current with a speed of up to 300 cm / s was observed.

The current speed is approximately 3-4 times higher in August and September than in February and March, when the sea is covered with ice. The peculiarities of this current, which supplies about 20% of the inflow to the Arctic Basin, can generally be explained by the winds prevailing over the Arctic Basin, the Bering Sea and the Greenland Sea. In the extreme western part of the Bering Strait, a countercurrent directed to the south, or "polar" current, periodically appears.

Deep currents are not well understood. Although the water temperature in the northern areas of the continental shelf is very low in winter, the salinity of the surface waters is not high enough for the formation of deep waters in the Bering Sea.

Fish and mammals

The Bering Sea is home to about 315 fish species, of which 25 are of commercial importance. Among the most important commercial fish are herring, salmon, cod, halibut, Pacific perch and flounder. Among crustaceans, Kamchatka crab and shrimp are of commercial importance. There are sea otters, sea lions and walruses, and the islands of Pribylova and Komandorskie are the rookeries of seals. There are also whales and killer whales, sperm whales and beluga whales

Posted Sun, 09/11/2014 - 07:55 by Cap

The Bering Sea is the northernmost of our Far Eastern seas. It is, as it were, wedged between the two huge continents of Asia and America and is separated from the Pacific Ocean by the islands of the Commander-Aleutian arc.
It has predominantly natural boundaries, but in some places its limits are outlined by conventional lines. Northern border of the sea coincides with the southern one and runs along the line of Cape Novosilsky () - Cape York (Seward Peninsula), the eastern - along the coast of the American continent, the southern - from Cape Khabuch (Alaska) through the Aleutian Islands to Cape Kamchatsky, while the western - along the coast of the Asian continent. Within these boundaries, the Bering Sea occupies the space between the parallels 66 ° 30 and 51 ° 22 ′ N. sh. and meridians 162 ° 20 ′ east. d. and 157 ° W e. Its general pattern is characterized by a narrowing of the contour from south to north.

The Bering Sea is the largest and deepest among the seas of the USSR and one of the largest and deepest on Earth.
Its area is 2315 thousand km2, volume 3796 thousand km3, average depth 1640 m, maximum 4151 m.With such large average and maximum depths, the area with depths less than 500 m occupies about half of all spaces of the Bering Sea, therefore it belongs to the marginal seas mixed continental-oceanic type.

There are few islands in the vast expanses of the Bering Sea. Apart from its boundary Aleutian island arc and the Commander Islands, in the sea itself there are large islands Karaginsky in the west and several large islands (St. Lawrence, St. Matthew, Nelson, Nunivak, St. Paul, St. George) in the east.

The sea is named after the navigator Vitus Bering, under whose leadership it was explored in 1725-1743.
On Russian maps of the 18th century, the sea is called the Kamchatka, or Beaver Sea. For the first time, the name Bering Sea was proposed by the French geographer Sh. P. Fliorier at the beginning of the 19th century, but it was introduced into wide use only in 1818 by the Russian navigator V.M. Golovnin.
On June 1, 1990, in Washington, Eduard Shevardnadze, then USSR Foreign Minister, together with US Secretary of State James Baker signed an agreement on the transfer of the Bering Sea to the United States along the Shevardnadze-Baker dividing line.

Physico- geographical position
Area 2.315 million sq. km. Average depth - 1600 meters, maximum - 4,151 meters. The length of the sea from north to south is 1,600 km, from east to west - 2,400 km. The volume of water is 3 795 thousand cubic meters. km.
The Bering Sea is a marginal one. It is located in the North Pacific Ocean and separates the Asian and North American continents. In the northwest, it is bordered by the coasts of North Kamchatka, the Koryak Upland and Chukotka; in the northeast - the coast of Western Alaska.

The southern border of the sea is drawn along the chain of the Commander and Aleutian Islands, forming a giant arc curved to the south and separating it from the open waters of the Pacific Ocean. in the north, it connects with the Arctic Ocean and numerous straits in the Commander-Aleutian chain in the south - with the Pacific Ocean.
The seashore is cut by bays and capes. Large bays on the Russian coast: Anadyr, Karaginsky, Olyutorsky, Korf, Cross; on the American coast: Norton, Bristol, Kuskokwim.

The islands are mainly located on the border of the sea:
US Territory (Alaska):
Pribilov Islands, Aleutian Islands, Diomede Islands (eastern - Kruzenstern Island), St. Lawrence Island, Nunivak, King Island, St. Matthew Island.
territory of Russia.

Kamchatka Territory: Commander Islands, Karaginsky Island.
The large rivers Yukon and Anadyr flow into the sea.

The air temperature over the water area is up to +7, +10 ° C in summer and −1, −23 ° C in winter. Salinity 33-34.7 ‰.
Ice forms every year from the end of September, which melts in July. The sea surface (except for the Bering Strait) is covered with ice annually for about ten months (about five months, half of the sea, about seven months, from November to May, - the northern third of the sea). In some years, the Gulf of Lawrence is not cleared of ice at all. In the western part of the Bering Strait, ice brought by the current can occur even in August.

whale hunting Bering Sea

Bottom relief
The seabed relief is very different in the northeastern part, shallow (see Beringia), located on the shelf more than 700 km long, and southwestern, deep-water, with depths of up to 4 km. These zones are conventionally divided along the 200-meter isobath. The transition from the shelf to the ocean floor runs along the steep continental slope. The maximum sea depth (4151 meters) is fixed at a point with coordinates - 54 ° N. sh. 171 ° W d. (G) (O) in the south of the sea.
The bottom of the sea is covered with terrigenous sediments - sand, gravel, shell rock in the shelf zone and gray or green diatomaceous silt in deep-water places.

Temperature regime and salinity
Surface water mass (up to a depth of 25-50 meters) throughout the sea area in summer has a temperature of 7-10 ° C; in winter, temperatures drop to -1.7-3 ° C. The salinity of this layer is 22-32 ppm.

The intermediate water mass (layer from 50 to 150-200 m) is colder: the temperature, which varies little with the seasons, is approximately −1.7 ° C, salinity is 33.7-34.0 ‰.
Below, at depths of up to 1000 m, there is a warmer water mass with temperatures of 2.5-4.0 ° C, salinity 33.7-34.3 ‰.
Deep water mass occupies all bottom areas of the sea with depths of more than 1000 m and has temperatures of 1.5-3.0 ° C, salinity - 34.3-34.8 ‰.

Ichthyofauna
The Bering Sea is home to 402 species of fish from 65 families, including 9 species of gobies, 7 species of salmon, 5 species of eelpout, 4 species of flounder and others. Of these, 50 species and 14 families are commercial fish. 4 types of crabs, 4 types of shrimps, 2 types of cephalopods are also objects of fishing.
The main marine mammals of the Bering Sea are animals from the order of pinnipeds: ringed seal (Akiba), common seal (seal), bearded seal (bearded seal), lionfish and Pacific walrus. Cetaceans - narwhal, gray whale, bowhead whale, humpback whale, fin whale, Japanese (southern) whale, sei whale, northern blue whale. Walruses and seals form rookeries along the coast of Chukotka.

Ports:
Providence, Anadyr (Russia), Nome (USA).

There is no permanent population on the island, but the base of the Russian border guards is located here.
The highest point is Mount Roof, 505 meters.

It is located slightly south of the geographical center of the island.

KRUZENSTERN ISLAND
Krusenstern Island (English Little Diomede, translated as "Little Diomede", Eskimo name Ingalik, or Ignaluk (Inuit Ignaluk) - "opposite") is the eastern island (7.3 km²) of the Diomede Islands. It belongs to the United States. State - Alaska.

village on the island of Kruzenshtern, USA, Alaska

Located 3.76 km from the island, it belongs to Russia. In the center of the strait between the islands is the state maritime border of Russia and the United States. From Ratmanov Island up to 35.68 km. Bering Sea

The lowest point (316 m below sea level) is the bottom of the Kuril Lake.

Climate
The climate is generally humid and cool. Abnormally colder and windy on the low-lying coasts (especially on the west) than in the center, in the valley of the Kamchatka River, fenced off by mountain ranges from the prevailing winds.

Winter - the first snow usually falls in early November, and the last melts only in August. Mountain peaks are covered with new snow in August-September. Throughout the coastal area, winters are warm, mild, with a lot of snow, in the continental part and in the mountains - cold, frosty with long, dark nights, and a very short day.

Calendar spring (March-April) is the best time for skiing: heavy snow, sunny weather, long day.

The actual spring (May, June) is short and fast. The vegetation rapidly occupies the territories freed from snow and covers all the free space.

Summer, in the generally accepted concept, in Kamchatka occurs only in the continental part of the peninsula. June to August is mostly cold wet cloudy with rain, fog and low dense cloud cover.

Autumn (September, October) is usually cloudy, dry and warm. Sometimes warmer than summer.

Major islands:

Bering
Copper
Small islands and rocks:

around Bering Island:
Toporkov
Arius Stone
Aleut stone
Stone Surface (Emelyanovsky)
Half Stone (Half)
Stone Steller
around Medny Island:
beaver stones
Stone of Waxmouth
Kekur Ship Pillar
Steller Stone
Steller Stone Oriental

as well as a row of unnamed rocks.

(Chuk. Chukotkaken Autonomous Okrug) is a constituent entity of the Russian Federation in the Far East.
It borders on the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Magadan Region and Kamchatka Territory. In the east, it has a sea border with the United States.
The entire territory of Chukotka autonomous region refers to the regions of the Far North.
The administrative center is the city of Anadyr.

It was formed by the decree of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee of December 10, 1930 "On the organization of national associations in the areas of settlement of small peoples of the North" as part of the Far Eastern Territory. It included the following areas: Anadyr (center Novo-Mariinsk, aka Anadyr), Eastern tundra (center Ostrovnoe), Western tundra (center Nizhne-Kolymsk), Markovsky (center Markovo), Chaunsky (center near Chaunskaya Bay) and Chukotsky (center in the Chukotka cult base - the lip of St. Lawrence), transferred a) from the Far-Eastern Territory of the Anadyr and Chukotka regions in full; b) from the Yakut ASSR, the territory of the Eastern tundra with the border on the right bank of the Alazeya River and the Western tundra, areas of the middle and lower reaches of the Omolon River.

When the region was zoned in October-November 1932, it was left "within its former borders as an independent national district, directly subordinate to the region."
On July 22, 1934, the All-Russian Central Executive Committee decided to include the Chukotka and Koryak national districts in the Kamchatka region. However, this subordination was of a rather formal nature, since from 1939-1940 the territory of the district was under the jurisdiction of "Dalstroy", which fully exercised administrative and economic management in the territories subordinated to it.

On May 28, 1951, by the decision of the Presidium of the USSR Armed Forces, the district was allocated to the direct subordination of the Khabarovsk Territory.
Since December 3, 1953, it was part of the Magadan Region.
In 1980, after the adoption of the law of the RSFSR "On Autonomous Districts of the RSFSR" in accordance with the Constitution of the USSR in 1977, the Chukotka National District became autonomous.

On July 16, 1992, the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug seceded from the Magadan Region and received the status of a subject of the Russian Federation.
Currently, it is the only autonomous region out of four that is not part of another constituent entity of the Russian Federation.

pos. Egvekinot Bering Sea

Border control
Chukotka Autonomous Okrug is a territory with a border regime.
Entry of citizens of the Russian Federation and for foreign citizens to a part of the territory of the district adjacent to the sea coast and to the islands is regulated, that is, permission from the border service of the Russian Federation or documents allowing them to stay in the border zone are required.
Specific sections of the border zone on the territory of the district are determined by Order of the FSB of the Russian Federation of April 14, 2006 N 155 "On the limits of the border zone in the territory of the Chukotka Autonomous District." In addition, the entire territory of the district is regulated by the entry of foreign citizens in accordance with the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of July 4, 1992 N 470 "On approval of the List of territories of the Russian Federation with regulated visits for foreign citizens", that is, to visit the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug it is necessary permission of the FSB.

WHERE IS
Chukotka Autonomous Okrug is located in the extreme north-east of Russia. It occupies the entire Chukotka Peninsula, part of the mainland and a number of islands (Wrangel, Aion, Ratmanova, etc.).
It is washed by the East Siberian and Chukchi Seas of the Arctic Ocean and the Bering Sea of ​​the Pacific Ocean.

On the territory of the district, there are the extreme points of Russia: the eastern point -, the eastern continental point - Cape Dezhnev. Here are located: the most northern city Russia - Pevek and the most eastern - Anadyr, as well as the easternmost permanent settlement - Uelen.

BERINGIA - LEGENDARY PALEOSTRANA
Beringia is a biogeographic region and paleogeographic country linking together northeast Asia and northwest North America(Beringian sector of the Holarctic). Currently, it is spreading to the territories surrounding the Bering Strait, the Chukchi and Bering Seas. Includes parts of Chukotka and Kamchatka in Russia, as well as Alaska in the United States. In a historical context, it also included the land Bering or Bering Isthmus, which has repeatedly connected Eurasia and North America into a single supercontinent.
A study of ancient sediments at the bottom of the sea and on both sides of the Bering Strait showed that over the past 3 million years, the territory of Beringia has risen and again sank under water at least six times. Every time when two continents were connected, from the Old World to the New and vice versa, there was a migration of animals.

Bering Strait

Strictly speaking, this land area was not an isthmus in the traditional sense of this term, since it was a vast area of ​​the continental shelf with a width of up to 2000 km from north to south, protruding above the sea surface or hiding under it due to cyclical changes in the level of the World Ocean. The term Beringia for the isthmus was coined in 1937 by the Swedish botanist and geographer Eric Hulten.
The last time the continents separated 10-11 thousand years ago, but the isthmus before that existed 15-18 thousand years.
Modern research shows that during this period, the route from Asia to America did not always remain open. Two millennia after the emergence of the last Beringia in Alaska, two giant glaciers closed, erecting an insurmountable barrier.
It is assumed that those primitive people who managed to move from Asia to America became the ancestors of some of the current peoples living on the American continent, in particular the Tlingits and Fuegians.

Shortly before the collapse of Beringia, global climate change made it possible to penetrate the isthmus for the ancestors of today's Indians.
Then, on the site of the isthmus, the modern Bering Strait was formed, and the inhabitants of America were isolated for a long time. Nevertheless, the settlement of America took place later, but already by sea or on ice (Eskimos, Aleuts).

Cape Navarin, Bering Sea

DETAILED GEOGRAPHY OF THE BERING SEA
Basic physical and geographical features.
The coastline of the Bering Sea is complex and highly indented. It forms many bays, bays, coves, peninsulas, capes and straits. For the nature of this sea, the straits connecting it with the Pacific Ocean are especially important. The total area of ​​their cross-section is about 730 km2, and the depths in some of them reach 1000-2000 m, and in Kamchatka - 4000-4500 m, which causes water exchange through them not only in the surface, but also in deep horizons and determines a significant influence Pacific Ocean to this sea. The cross-sectional area of ​​the Bering Strait is 3.4 km2, and the depth is only 42 m, so the waters of the Chukchi Sea practically do not affect the Bering Sea.

The coast of the Bering Sea, which is not the same in external shape and structure, in different areas belongs to different geomorphological types of coast. From fig. 34 it can be seen that they mainly belong to the type of abrasive shores, but accumulative ones are also found. The sea is surrounded mainly by high and steep shores; only in the middle part of the western and eastern coasts, wide strips of flat low-lying tundra approach the sea. Narrower strips of low-lying coastline are located near the estuaries of small rivers in the form of a deltaic alluvial plain or border the tops of bays and gulfs.

In the relief of the bottom of the Bering Sea, the main morphological zones are clearly distinguished: the shelf and island shoals, the continental slope and the deep-water basin. The relief of each of them has its own characteristic features. The shelf zone with depths of up to 200 m is mainly located in the northern and eastern parts of the sea, occupying more than 40% of its area. Here it adjoins the geologically ancient regions of Chukotka and Alaska. The bottom in this area of ​​the sea is a vast, very flat underwater plain about 600-1000 km wide, within which there are several islands, hollows and small elevations of the bottom. The continental shelf off the coast of Kamchatka and the islands of the Commander-Aleutian ridge looks different. Here it is narrow and its relief is very difficult. It borders the shores of geologically young and very mobile land areas, within which intense and frequent manifestations of volcanism and seismicity are common. The continental slope stretches from the north-west to the south-east approximately along the line from Cape Navarin to about. Unimack. Together with the zone of the island slope, it occupies about 13% of the sea area, has a depth of 200 to 3000 m and is characterized by a large distance from the coast and a complex bottom topography. The angles of inclination are large and often vary from 1-3 to several tens of degrees. The continental slope zone is dissected by underwater valleys, many of which are typical underwater canyons, deeply cut into the seabed and having steep and even steep slopes. Some canyons, especially near the Pribilov Islands, are distinguished by a complex structure.

The deep-water zone (3000-4000 m) is located in the southwestern and central parts of the sea and is bordered by a relatively narrow strip of coastal shoals. Its area exceeds 40% of the sea area: The bottom relief is very calm. It is characterized by an almost complete absence of isolated depressions. Several existing depressions differ very little from the depth of the bed, their slopes are very gentle, that is, the isolation of these bottom depressions is poorly expressed. At the bottom of the bed there are no ridges blocking the sea from coast to coast. Although the Shirshov ridge approaches this type, it has a relatively shallow depth on the ridge (mainly 500-600 m with a saddle of 2500 m) and does not come close to the base of the island arc: it is limited in front of a narrow but deep (about 3500 m) Ratmanov trench. The deepest depths of the Bering Sea (more than 4000 m) are located in the Kamchatka Strait and near the Aleutian Islands, but they occupy an insignificant area. Thus, the bottom topography determines the possibility of water exchange between individual parts of the sea: without any restrictions within the depths of 2000-2500 m, with some restriction determined by the section of the Ratmanov trough, up to 3500 m and with even greater restriction at deeper depths. However, the weak isolation of the depressions does not allow the formation of waters in them, which significantly differ in their properties from the main mass.

Geographical location and large areas determine the main features of the Bering Sea climate. It is almost entirely in the subarctic climatic zone, and only its extreme northern part (north of 64 ° N) belongs to the Arctic zone, and the southernmost part (south of 55 ° N) belongs to the zone of temperate latitudes. In accordance with this, there are certain climatic differences between different regions of the sea. North of 55-56 ° N sh. in the climate of the sea, especially in its coastal regions, the features of continentality are noticeably expressed, but in areas remote from the coast, they are much less pronounced. To the south of these (55-56 ° N) parallels, the climate is mild, typically maritime. It is characterized by small daily and annual air temperature amplitudes, large cloud cover and significant amount of precipitation. As you get closer to the coast, the influence of the ocean on the climate decreases. Due to the stronger cooling and less significant warming of the part of the Asian continent adjacent to the sea than the American one, the western regions of the sea are colder than the eastern ones. Throughout the year, the Bering Sea is under the influence of permanent centers of atmospheric action - the Polar and Honolulu maximums, the position and intensity of which are variable from season to season and, accordingly, the degree of their influence on the sea changes. In addition, it is also affected by seasonal large-scale baric formations: the Aleutian minimum, the Siberian maximum, the Asian and Lower American depressions. Their complex interaction determines certain seasonal characteristics of atmospheric processes.

In the cold season, especially in winter, the sea is influenced mainly by the Aleutian minimum, as well as the Polar maximum and the Yakutsk spur of the Siberian anticyclone. Sometimes the impact of the Honoluli maximum is felt, which at this time of the year occupies the extreme southeastern position. This synoptic setting results in a wide variety of winds over the sea. At this time, winds of almost all directions are observed here with a greater or lesser frequency. However, north-westerly, northerly and north-easterly winds prevail. Their total frequency of occurrence is 50–70%. Only in the eastern part of the sea south of 50 ° N. sh. quite often (30-50% of cases) there are southerly and south-westerly winds, and in some places southeast winds. The wind speed in the coastal zone averages 6-8 m / s, and in open areas it varies from 6 to 12 m / s, and increases from north to south.

The winds of the northern, western and eastern points carry with them cold sea arctic air from the Arctic Ocean, and cold and dry continental polar and continental arctic air from the Asian and American continents. With the winds of the southern directions, calm polar, and sometimes marine tropical air comes here. Above the sea, masses of continental arctic and sea polar air interact predominantly, at the junction of which an arctic front is formed. It is located somewhat north of the Aleutian arc and stretches generally from southwest to northeast. At the frontal section of these air masses, cyclones are formed, moving approximately from the southwest to the northeast. The movement of these cyclones helps to increase northern winds in the west and their weakening or even change in the south and east of the sea.

Large pressure gradients caused by the Yakutsk spur of the Siberian anticyclone and the Aleutian minimum cause very strong winds in the western part of the sea. During storms, the wind speed often reaches 30-40 m / s. Usually storms last about a day, but sometimes they, with some weakening, last 7-9 days. The number of days with storms in the cold season is 5-10, in some places up to 15-20 per month.
The air temperature in winter decreases from south to north. Its average monthly values ​​for the coldest months (January and February) are +1 -4 ° in the south-western and southern parts of the sea and -15-20 ° in its northern and northeastern regions, and in the open sea the air temperature is higher than in the coastal zone, where it (off the coast of Alaska) can reach -40-48 °. In open spaces, temperatures below −24 ° are not observed.

In the warm season, a restructuring of the baric systems takes place. Beginning in spring, the intensity of the Aleutian minimum decreases; in summer it is very weakly expressed. The Yakutsk spur of the Siberian anticyclone disappears, the Polar Maximum shifts to the north, and the Honolulskiy maximum occupies its extreme northwestern position. As a result of the prevailing synoptic situation in warm seasons, the prevailing southwestern, southern and southeasterly winds, the frequency of which is 30-60%. Their speed in the western part of the open sea is 4-5 m / s, and in its eastern regions - 4-7 m / s. In the coastal zone, the wind speed is lower. The decrease in wind speed compared to winter values ​​is explained by a decrease in atmospheric pressure gradients over the sea. In summer, the Arctic front is located somewhat south of the Aleutian Islands. Here cyclones originate, with the passage of which a significant increase in winds is associated. In summer, the frequency of storms and wind speed is less than in winter. Only in the southern part of the sea, where tropical cyclones (the local name for typhoons) penetrate, do they cause violent storms with hurricane force winds. Typhoons in the Bering Sea are most likely from June to October; they are usually observed no more than once a month and last for several days.

The air temperature in summer generally decreases from south to north and is slightly higher in the eastern part of the sea than in the western one. The mean monthly air temperatures of the warmest months (July and August) within the sea vary from about 4 to 13 °, and at the coast they are higher than in the open sea. Relatively mild winters in the south and cold in the north, and everywhere cool, cloudy summers are the main seasonal features of the weather in the Bering Sea.
With an enormous volume of water in the Bering Sea, the continental runoff into it is small and is equal to about 400 km3 per year. The overwhelming majority of river water flows into its northernmost part, where the largest rivers flow: Yukon (176 km3), Kuskokwim (50 km3) and Anadyr (41 km3). About 85% of the total annual runoff occurs in the summer months. The influence of river waters on the sea is felt mainly in the coastal zone on the northern edge of the sea in summer.

Geographical location, vast areas, relatively good connection with the Pacific Ocean through the straits of the Aleutian ridge in the south and extremely limited communication with the Arctic Ocean through the Bering Strait in the north are the determining factors in the formation of the hydrological conditions of the Bering Sea. The components of its heat budget depend mainly on climatic indicators and, to a much lesser extent, on the flow of heat from currents. In this regard, unequal climatic conditions in the northern and southern parts of the sea entail differences in the heat balance of each of them, which accordingly affects the temperature of the water in the sea.
For its water balance, water exchange through the Aleutian straits is of decisive importance, through which very large quantities of surface and deep Pacific waters enter and waters out of the Bering Sea. Precipitation (about 0.1% of the volume of the sea) and river runoff (about 0.02%) are small in relation to the vast area of ​​the sea, therefore they are significantly less significant in the input and output of moisture than water exchange through the Aleutian straits.
However, the water exchange through these straits has not yet been sufficiently studied. It is known that large masses of surface water leave the sea into the ocean through the Kamchatka Strait. The overwhelming amount of deep ocean water enters the sea in three regions: through the eastern half of the Middle Strait, through almost all straits of the Lisikh islands, through the Amchitka, Tanaga and other straits between the Rat and Andreyanovsk islands. It is possible that deeper waters penetrate into the sea through the Kamchatka Strait, if not constantly, then periodically or sporadically. Water exchange between the sea and the ocean affects the distribution of temperature, salinity, structure formation and general circulation of the Bering Sea waters.

Cape Lesovsky

Hydrological characteristics.
The surface water temperature generally decreases from south to north, and in the western part of the sea the water is somewhat colder than in the eastern one. In winter, in the south of the western part of the sea, the surface water temperature is usually 1-3 °, and in the eastern part it is 2-3 °. In the north, throughout the sea, the water temperature is kept in the range from 0 ° to −1.5 °. In the spring, the water warms up and the ice melts, while the increase in water temperature is relatively small. In summer, the surface water temperature is 9-11 ° in the south of the western part and 8-10 ° in the south of the eastern part. In the northern regions of the sea, it is 4-8 ° in the west and 4-6 ° in the east. In shallow coastal areas, the surface water temperature is slightly higher than the values ​​given for the open areas of the Bering Sea (Fig. 35).

The vertical distribution of water temperature in the open part of the sea is characterized by its seasonal changes up to horizons of 250-300 m, deeper than which they are practically absent. In winter, the surface temperature, equal to about 2 °, extends to the 140-150 m horizons, from which it rises to about 3.5 ° at the 200-250 m horizons, then its value hardly changes with depth. Spring warming raises the surface water temperature to about 3.8 °. This value persists up to horizons of 40-50 m, from which it initially (up to horizons 75-80 m) sharply, and then (up to 150 m) very gradually decreases with depth, then (up to 200 m) the temperature is noticeable (up to 3 ° ), and deeper insignificantly rises to the bottom.

In summer, the water temperature on the surface reaches 7-8 °, but it very sharply (up to + 2.5 °) drops with a depth to the horizon of 50 m, from where its vertical course is almost the same as in spring. Autumn cooling lowers the surface water temperature. However, the general nature of its distribution at the beginning of the season resembles spring and summer, and by the end it changes to a winter form. In general, the water temperature in the open part of the Bering Sea is characterized by a relative homogeneity of spatial distribution in the surface and deep layers and relatively small amplitudes of seasonal fluctuations, which appear only up to horizons of 200-300 m.

The salinity of the surface waters of the sea varies from 33.0–33.5 in the south to 31.0 ‰ in the east and northeast and 28.6 ‰ in the Bering Strait (Fig. 36). The most significant desalination occurs in spring and summer in the areas where the Anadyr, Yukon and Kuskokvim rivers flow into. However, the direction of the main currents along the coasts limits the influence of the continental runoff on the deep regions of the sea. The vertical distribution of salinity is almost the same in all seasons. From the surface to the horizons of 100-125 m, it is approximately equal to 33.2-33.3 ‰. Its slight increase occurs from horizons 125-150 to 200-250 m, deeper it remains almost unchanged to the bottom.

walrus rookery on the Chukchi coast

In accordance with small spatio-temporal changes in temperature and salinity, the variation in density is just as small. The distribution of oceanological characteristics over depth indicates a relatively weak vertical stratification of the Bering Sea waters. In combination with strong winds, this creates favorable conditions for the development of wind mixing in it. In the cold season, it covers the upper layers up to horizons of 100-125 m, in the warm season, when the waters are stratified more sharply, and the winds are weaker than in autumn and winter, wind mixing penetrates to the horizons of 75-100 m in the deep and up to 50-60 m in coastal areas.
Significant cooling of waters, and in the northern regions and intense ice formation, contribute to the good development of autumn-winter convection in the sea. During October - November, it captures the 35-50 m surface layer and continues to penetrate deeper; in this case, heat is transferred to the atmosphere by the sea. The temperature of the entire layer captured by convection at this time of the year decreases, as calculations show, by 0.08-0.10 ° per day. Further, due to a decrease in the temperature differences between water and air and an increase in the thickness of the convection layer, the water temperature drops somewhat more slowly. So, in December - January, when a completely homogeneous surface layer of considerable thickness (to a depth of 120-180 m) cooled (in the open sea) is formed in the Bering Sea, the temperature of the entire layer captured by convection decreases by 0 , 04-0.06 °.
The boundary of the penetration of winter convection deepens when approaching the shores, due to increased cooling near the continental slope and shoals. In the southwestern part of the sea, this depression is especially large. This is related to the observed sinking of cold waters along the coastal slope. Due to the low air temperature caused by the high latitude of the northwestern region, winter convection develops very intensively here and, probably, already in mid-January, due to the shallowness of the region, reaches the bottom.

The bulk of the Bering Sea waters is characterized by a subarctic structure, the main feature of which is the existence of a cold intermediate layer in summer, as well as a warm intermediate layer located below it. Only in the southernmost part of the sea, in the areas immediately adjacent to the Aleutian ridge, waters of a different structure were found, where both intermediate layers are absent.
The bulk of the sea water, which occupies its deep-water part, is clearly divided in summer into four layers: surface, cold intermediate, warm intermediate and deep. This stratification is mainly determined by differences in temperature, and the change in salinity with depth is small.

The surface water mass in summer is the most heated upper layer from the surface to a depth of 25-50 m, characterized by a temperature of 7-10 ° at the surface and 4-6 ° at the lower boundary and a salinity of about 33.0 ‰. The greatest thickness of this water mass is observed in the open part of the sea. The lower boundary of the surface water mass is the temperature jump layer. The cold intermediate layer is formed as a result of winter convective mixing and subsequent summer heating of the upper layer of water. This layer has an insignificant thickness in the southeastern part of the sea, but as it approaches the western shores it reaches 200 m and more. A temperature minimum is noticeable in it, located on average at horizons of about 150-170 m. In the eastern part, the value of the temperature minimum is 2.5-3.5 °, and in the western part of the sea it decreases to 2 ° in the region of the Koryak coast and to 1 ° and below in the area of ​​the Karaginsky Bay. The salinity of the cold intermediate layer is 33.2–33.5 ‰. At the lower boundary of the layer, salinity rapidly rises to 34 ‰. In warm years, in the south of the deep-sea part of the sea, the cold intermediate layer may be absent in summer, then the vertical distribution of temperature is characterized by a relatively gradual decrease in temperature with depth, with a general warming of the entire water column. The warm intermediate layer is associated with the transformation of the Pacific water. Relatively warm water comes from the Pacific Ocean, which cools from above as a result of winter convection. Convection here reaches horizons of the order of 150-250 m, and under its lower boundary there is an increased temperature - a warm intermediate layer. The value of the temperature maximum varies from 3.4-3.5 to 3.7-3.9 °. The depth of the core of the warm intermediate layer in central regions the sea is about 300 m; to the south it decreases to about 200 m, and to the north and west it increases to 400 m and more. The lower boundary of the warm intermediate "layer is eroded, approximately it is outlined in the 650-900 m layer.

The deep water mass, which occupies most of the volume of the sea, both in depth and from region to region, does not show significant differences in its characteristics. Over 3000 m in depth, the temperature varies from about 2.7-3.0 to 1.5-1.8 ° at the bottom. Salinity is 34.3-34.8 ‰.

As we move to the south and approach the straits of the Aleutian ridge, the stratification of the waters is gradually erased, the temperature of the core of the cold intermediate layer, increasing in value, approaches the temperature of the warm intermediate layer. The waters are gradually transforming into a qualitatively different structure of the Pacific water.
In some areas, especially in shallow water, some modifications of the main water masses are observed and new masses of local importance appear. For example, in the Anadyr Bay, in the western part, a freshened water mass is formed under the influence of a large continental runoff, and in the northern and eastern parts - a cold water mass of the Arctic type. There is no warm intermediate layer here. In some shallow areas of the sea, in summer there are typical sea “cold spots” of water, which owe their existence to vortex water cycles. In these areas, cold waters are observed in the bottom layer, which persist throughout the summer. The temperature in this layer of water is -0.5-3.0 °.

As a result of autumn-winter cooling, summer heating and mixing in the Bering Sea, the surface water mass is most strongly transformed, as well as the cold intermediate layer, which is manifested in the annual course of hydrological characteristics. The intermediate Pacific water changes its characteristics very slightly during the year and only in a thin upper layer. Deep waters do not noticeably change their characteristics during the year. The complex interaction of winds, water inflow through the straits of the Aleutian ridge, tides and other factors create the main picture of constant currents in the sea (Fig. 37).

The predominant mass of water from the ocean enters the Bering Sea through the eastern part of the Middle Strait, as well as through other significant straits of the Aleutian ridge. Water entering through the Middle Strait and spreading first into eastward then turn north. At a latitude of about 55 °, they merge with the waters coming from the Amchitka Strait, forming the main flow of the central part of the sea. This stream supports the existence of two stable gyres here - a large, cyclonic, covering the deep-water part of the sea, and a less significant, anticyclonic. The waters of the main stream are directed to the northwest and almost reach the Asian shores. Here, most of the waters turn along the coast to the south, giving rise to the cold Kamchatka Current, and out into the ocean through the Kamchatka Strait. Some of this water is discharged into the ocean through the western part of the Middle Strait, and a very small amount is included in the main circulation.

Waters entering through the eastern straits of the Aleutian ridge also cross the central basin and move to the north-northwest. At about 60 ° latitude, these waters split into two branches: a northwestern branch heading towards Anadyr Bay and further northeastward to the Bering Strait, and a northeastern branch heading towards Norton Bay and then northward to the Bering Strait. It should be noted that in the currents of the Bering Sea, there can be both significant changes in water transport during the year, and noticeable deviations from the average annual scheme in individual years. The velocities of constant currents in the sea are generally low. The highest values ​​(up to 25-51 cm / s) refer to the areas of the straits. More often, a speed of 10 cm / s is noted, and in the open sea 6 cm / s, and the speeds are especially low in the zone of the central cyclonic circulation.
The tides of the Bering Sea are mainly caused by the propagation of a tidal wave from the Pacific Ocean. Arctic tide makes almost no difference. The area of ​​confluence of the Pacific and Arctic tidal waves is located north of about. St. Lawrence. There are several types of tides in the Bering Sea. In the Aleutian Straits, the tides have an irregular daily and irregular semidiurnal character. Off the coast of Kamchatka, during the intermediate phases of the Moon, the tide changes from semidiurnal to diurnal, at high inclinations of the Moon it becomes almost purely daily, at small - semidiurnal. At the Koryak coast, from the Olyutorsky bay to the mouth of the river. Anadyr has an irregular semi-diurnal tide pattern, while off the coast of Chukotka it takes on a regular semi-diurnal character. In the area of ​​Provideniya Bay, the tide again turns into an irregular semidiurnal. In the eastern part of the sea, from Cape Prince of Wales to Cape Nom, the tides have both regular and irregular semidiurnal character. South of the mouth of the Yukon, the tide becomes irregular semidiurnal. Tidal currents in the open sea are rotating in nature, their speed is 15-60 cm / s. Near the coast and in the straits, tidal currents are reversible and their speed reaches 1–2 m / s.

Cyclonic activity developing over the Bering Sea leads to very strong and sometimes prolonged storms. An especially strong excitement develops in winter time- from November to May. At this time of the year, the northern part of the sea is covered with ice, and therefore the strongest waves are observed in the southern part. Here, in May, the frequency of waves of more than 5 points reaches 20-30%, while in the northern part of the sea it is absent. In August, due to the prevalence of southwestern winds, swell waves of more than 5 points reach the greatest development in the eastern half of the sea, where the frequency of such waves reaches 20%. In autumn, in the southeastern part of the sea, the frequency of strong waves increases to 40%.
With prolonged winds of medium strength and significant acceleration of waves, their height reaches 6.8 m, with winds of 20-30 m / s and more - 10 m, and in some cases 12 and even 14 m. The periods of storm wills are 9-11 s , and with moderate excitement - 5-7 s. In addition to wind waves, swell is observed in the Bering Sea, the highest frequency of which (40%) occurs in autumn. In the coastal zone, the nature and parameters of the waves are very different depending on the physical and geographical conditions of the area.

For most of the year, much of the Bering Sea is ice-covered. Almost the entire mass of ice in the Bering Sea is of local origin, that is, it is formed, and also collapses and melts in the sea itself. In the northern part of the sea through the Bering Strait, winds and currents bring in a small amount of ice from the Arctic basin, which usually does not penetrate south of the island. St. Lawrence.

In terms of ice conditions, the northern and southern parts of the sea differ markedly from each other. The approximate boundary between them is the extreme southern position of the ice edge in April. This month it goes from the Bay of Bristol through the Pribylov Islands and further westward at 57-58 ° N. sh., and then descends south to the Commander Islands and runs along the coast to the southern tip of Kamchatka. The southern part of the sea does not freeze all year round. Warm Pacific waters entering the Bering Sea through the Aleutian straits squeeze the floating ice to the north, and the ice edge in the central part of the sea is always curved to the north. The process of ice formation in the Bering Sea begins first of all in its northwestern part, where ice appears in October, after which it gradually moves to the south. In the Bering Strait, ice appears in September; in winter, the strait is filled with solid broken ice drifting northward.
In Anadyr and Norton bays, ice can be found already in September. In early November, ice appears in the area of ​​Cape Navarin, and in mid-November it spreads to Cape Olyutorsky. On the Kamchatka Peninsula and the Commander Islands, floating ice usually appears in December and only as an exception in November. During the winter, the entire northern part of the sea, up to about 60 ° N. sh., is filled with heavy, impassable ice, the thickness of which reaches 6 m. broken ice and separate ice fields.

However, even during the greatest development of ice formation open part The Bering Sea is never covered with ice. In the open sea, under the influence of winds and currents, ice is in constant motion, and strong compression often occurs. This leads to the formation of hummocks, the maximum height of which can be of the order of 20 m. Periodic compression and rarefaction of ice causes tides, with the formation of ice accumulations, numerous openings and openings.
Fixed ice, which forms in closed bays and bays in winter, during stormy winds can be broken up and carried out to sea. In the eastern part of the sea, under the influence of the North Pacific Current, ice is carried to the north, into the Chukchi Sea. In April, the boundary of floating ice reaches its greatest distribution to the south. The process of gradual destruction of ice and the retreat of its edge to the north begins in May. During July and August, the sea is completely ice-free and during these months ice can be found only in the Bering Strait. Strong winds contribute to the destruction of the ice cover and the clearing of the sea from ice in summer.
In bays and bays, where the freshening effect of river runoff occurs, the conditions for ice formation are more favorable than in the open sea. Winds have a great influence on the location of ice. Surge winds often clog individual bays, bays and straits heavy ice brought from the high seas. On the other hand, sweeping winds carry ice into the sea, at times clearing the entire coastal area.

Hydrochemical conditions.
The peculiarities of the hydrochemical conditions of the sea are largely determined by its close connection with the Pacific Ocean and the peculiarities of the hydrological and biological processes taking place in the sea itself. Due to the large inflow of Pacific waters, the salt composition of the Bering Sea waters practically does not differ from that of the ocean.
The amount and distribution of dissolved oxygen and nutrients varies by season and sea space. In general, the water of the Bering Sea is rich in oxygen. In winter, its distribution is uniform. In this season, in the shallow part of the sea, its content is on average 8.0 ml / l from surface to bottom. Approximately the same content of it is noted in the deep regions of the sea up to horizons of 200 m. In the warm season, the distribution of oxygen is varied from place to place. Due to the rise in water temperature and the development of phytoplankton, its amount decreases in the upper (20-30 m) horizons and is equal to about 6.7-7.6 ml / l. A slight increase in the oxygen content in the surface layer is noted near the continental slope. The vertical distribution of the content of this gas in the deep regions of the sea is characterized by its greatest amount in the surface water and the smallest in the intermediate one. In subsurface water, the amount of oxygen is transitional, that is, it decreases with depth, while in deep water it increases towards the bottom. Seasonal changes in oxygen content are traced up to 800-1000 m near the continental slope, up to 600-800 m at the periphery of cyclonic gyres, and up to 500 m in the central parts of these gyres.

The Bering Sea is usually characterized by a high concentration of nutrients in the upper layer. The development of phytoplankton does not reduce their number to a minimum.
The distribution of phosphates in winter is fairly uniform. Their amount in the surface layers at this time, depending on the region, varies from 58 to 72 μg / L. In summer, the least amount of phosphates is observed in the most productive areas of the sea: Anadyr and Olyutorsky bays, in the eastern part of the Kamchatka Strait, in the Bering Strait region. The vertical distribution of phosphates is characterized by their lowest content in the photosynthetic layer, a sharp increase in their concentration in the subsurface water, the maximum amount in the intermediate water, and a slight decrease towards the bottom.
The distribution of nitrite in the upper layers in winter is fairly uniform throughout the sea. Their content is 0.2-0.4 N µg / l in shallow water and 0.8-1.7 N µg / l in deep regions. In summer, the distribution of nitrites is quite varied in space. The vertical course of the nitrite content is characterized by a rather uniform content in the upper layers in winter. In summer, two maxima are observed: one in the layer of the density jump, and the other at the bottom. In some areas, only the bottom maximum is noted.

Household use. Located in the extreme north-east of our country, the Bering Sea is exploited very intensively. Its economy is represented by two major sectors: marine fisheries and maritime transport. Currently, a significant amount of fish is caught in the sea, including the most valuable species - salmonids. In addition, cod, pollock, herring, and flounder are caught here. There is a fishery for whales and sea animals. However, the latter is of local importance. The Bering Sea is the area where the Northern Sea Route and the Far Eastern Sea basin meet. The Eastern sector of the Soviet Arctic is supplied through this sea. In addition, inland transport is developed within the sea, in which supply cargo prevails. Mainly fish and fish products are displayed.
Over the past 30 years, the Bering Sea has been systematically studied and continues to be studied. The main features of its nature have become known. However, at the present time there are important problems of its research. The most important of them are the following: the study of the quantitative characteristics [of water exchange] through the straits of the Aleutian arc; clarification of the details of currents, in particular, the origin and duration of existence of small gyres in different areas of the sea; elucidation of the peculiarities of currents in the area of ​​the Anadyr Bay and in the bay itself; study of applied issues related to the provision of fishing and navigation. The solution of these and other problems will increase the efficiency of the economic use of the sea.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

SOURCE OF INFORMATION AND PHOTOS:
Team nomad
http://tapemark.narod.ru/more/18.html
A. V. Melnikov Geographic names Russian Far East: Toponymic dictionary... - Blagoveshchensk: Interra-Plus (Interra +), 2009 .-- 55 p.
Shlyamin B.A. The Bering Sea. - M .: Gosgeografgiz, 1958 .-- 96 p .: ill.
Shamraev Yu.I., Shishkina L.A. Oceanology. - L .: Gidrometeoizdat, 1980.
The Bering Sea in the book: A. D. Dobrovolsky, B. S. Zalogin. Seas of the USSR. Publishing house Mosk. un-that, 1982.
Leontiev V.V., Novikova K.A.Toponymic dictionary of the north-east of the USSR. - Magadan: Magadan Book Publishing House, 1989, p. 86
Leonov A.K. Regional oceanography. - Leningrad, Gidrometeoizdat, 1960 .-- T. 1. - P. 164.
Wikipedia website.
Magidovich I. P., Magidovich V. I. Essays on history geographical discoveries... - Education, 1985 .-- T. 4.
http://www.photosight.ru/
photo: A. Kutsky, V. Lisovsky, A. Gill, E. Gusev.

• 13,414 views

Our planet is a beautiful blue ball, on which there are many natural and artificial reservoirs. They support the life of all living things on earth, giving shelter to many fish, molluscs and other organisms.

One of the natural reservoirs of our planet is the Bering Sea, the depth, bottom topography and fauna of which are of great interest to many naturalists, tourists and naturalists around the world. It is these indicators that will be discussed in this article.

Between two continents

What is the average depth of the Bering Sea? Before answering this question, let's find out where the body of water is.

The Bering Sea, which belongs to the Pacific Basin, is a conditional border between two continents - Asia and North America. On the north-western side, the reservoir washes the coast of Kamchatka and Chukotka, and on the north-eastern side - the coast of Western Alaska.

From the south, the sea is closed by a series of islands (Aleutian and Commander), and from the north it is connected by the strait of the same name with the Arctic Ocean.

Here are the islands located along the border of the Bering Sea (the depth of which we will talk about below):

1. From the side of the United States of America (more precisely, the Alaska Peninsula) there are such territories as Kruzenstern Island, Nunivak, Pribilov Islands, Aleutian Islands, King Island, St. Matthew Island and others.
2. On the part of the Russian Federation, the Bering Sea is washed by only three island territories. This (from the Chukotka Autonomous District), as well as the Commander Islands and the Karaginsky Island (the latter are part of the Kamchatka Territory).

A little about geographical discoveries

What is the story of the discovery of the Bering Sea, the depth and remoteness of which at all times led many sailors to indescribable awe?

It is known that the reservoir got its name in honor of the first explorer who went on an expedition to Kamchatka in the distant 1730s. This man was a Dane by nationality, a Russian officer by vocation - Vitus Ianassen Bering. By order of Emperor Peter I, the captain of the fleet was instructed to study in detail the northern places and determine the border between the two continents.

The first expedition was devoted to the inspection and development of the eastern coast of Kamchatka and the southern coast, as well as the exploration of the strait, which serves as the border between America and Eurasia. Bering is considered to be the first European representative to sail these places.

After his return to St. Petersburg, the brave navigator applied for the equipment of the second expedition, which took place quite soon and became the largest in history. Six thousand people, led by the fearless Bering, scrupulously studied the water area up to Japan. Alaska, the Aleutian archipelago and many other unexplored lands were discovered.

The captain himself reached the American coast and carefully examined the island of Kayak, having studied its flora and fauna.

The conditions of the Far North adversely affected the travel of the numerous expedition. Sailors and explorers faced incredible cold and snow drifts, suffered storms and storms several times.

Unfortunately, returning to Russia, Bering died during a forced wintering on one of the islands.

Statistical facts

What is the depth of the Bering Sea? This reservoir is considered the largest and deepest in the Russian Federation and one of the largest in the world. Why can I say so?

The fact is that the total area of ​​the sea is 2.315 million square meters. km. This is due to the fact that the length of the reservoir from north to south covers one thousand six hundred kilometers, and from east to west - two thousand four hundred kilometers. Scientists have even calculated the volume of sea water. It reaches 3,795,000 cubic kilometers. It is not surprising that the average depth of the Bering Sea impresses with the impressiveness of its numbers and values.

Briefly about the main thing

The average and maximum depth of the Bering Sea reaches one thousand six hundred meters and four thousand fifty-one meters, respectively. As you can see, the difference between the indicators is very large. This is due to the fact that more than half of the water area of ​​the reservoir is occupied by an area with depth indicators of less than five hundred meters. According to the calculations of some scientists, this indicator is the minimum depth of the Bering Sea. That is why it is considered a marginal water body of the continental oceanic type.

Location of the most important points

Where is the average and maximum depth of the Bering Sea? As mentioned above, the average indicators of the reservoir cover about half of its entire area. As for the maximum indicators (or the maximum depth of the Bering Sea), they are recorded in the southern part of the reservoir. Here is the specific coordinate: fifty-four degrees north latitude and one hundred and seventy-one degrees west longitude. This part of the sea is called deep sea. It was divided by the Bowers and Shirshov underwater ridges into three basins, the names of which are Aleutskaya, Komandorskaya and Bowers.

However, this also applies to the maximum depth of the Bering Sea. The minimum depth is recorded in its northeastern region. Its length, according to the calculations of many researchers, reaches about seven hundred kilometers.

The bottom and its characteristics

Scientists have long determined that the structure of the seabed is highly correlated with its depth. The bottom relief of the Bering Sea has clear divisions:

1. Shelf. This zone, located in the northern and eastern sides of the sea, differs in depths up to two hundred meters and occupies more than forty percent of the entire territory of the reservoir. It is a flat plain with several islets, hollows and low elevations.
2. Island shoal. This area is located off the coast of Kamchatka and the Commander-Aleutian island ridge. The surface topography is very complex and may undergo some changes due to the proximity of volcanic and seismic manifestations.
3. Continental slope. It is located between Cape Navarin and Unimak Island and is characterized by depth indicators from two hundred to three thousand meters. This area also has a difficult sloping relief, the angle of inclination of which ranges from one to three degrees to twenty degrees and more. There are beautiful underwater valleys and canyons with steep steep slopes.
4. Deep sea basin. This zone is located in the center and in the southwest of the reservoir. It is characterized by small underwater ridges. Due to the complexity of its relief, the deep-water basin ensures constant water exchange between different parts of the sea.

Temperature regime

What about air and water temperatures? In summer, it is quite cool over the water area (about seven to ten degrees Celsius). In winter, the temperature can range from minus one to minus thirty.

The average temperature of water masses in many cases depends on the depth of the Bering Sea. The maximum depth has a temperature of one to three degrees Celsius (with a plus mark), while at the minimum depth warmer readings are noted (from seven to ten degrees). At medium depths, the temperature range varies between two to four degrees Celsius.

Salinity information

The same principle applies to water salinity: the deeper the water, the higher the performance.

At minimum depths, the salinity of water fluctuates between twenty two to thirty two ppm. The middle zone is characterized by marks of thirty-three to thirty-four ppm, while the salinity of deep-sea waters almost reaches thirty-five ppm.

Freezing water

Interestingly, the surface of the Bering Sea is covered with ice annually in the following ratio: half of the reservoir freezes over within five months, while its northern part can be under the influence of glaciers for seven months or longer.

It is noteworthy that Lawrence Bay, located off the eastern coast of the Bering Sea, may not be cleared of ice masses all year round, while the waters of the Bering Strait are almost never severely frozen.

Rich animal world

Despite the low temperatures and deep waters, the body of water between America and Eurasia is actively inhabited. Here you can find four hundred and two types of fish, four types of crabs, four types of shrimp, two types of molluscs, as well as a large number of mammals, especially pinnipeds.

Let's talk in more detail about the living things that inhabit the cold and deep waters of the Bering Sea.

Fishes

In the reservoir, different types of gobies are most often found. The goby family belongs to the bottom fish that live in the coastal area.

The body of an adult individual, slightly flattened at the back, can reach forty centimeters in length. It has dorsal fins (usually in the amount of two) and a suction cup on the belly, with which the fish is attached to the stones. Goby spawns in March-August.

Among the salmonids in the Bering Sea, whitefish and nelma are especially distinguished, as well as Pacific salmon, which are valuable commercial fish.

This family is diverse with numerous species and representatives. The body length of salmonids can vary from three centimeters to two meters, and the weight of adults and large individuals can reach seven to ten kilograms.

The body of fish is elongated, compressed at the sides. It has multi-rayed pelvic and pectoral fins. There are two pectoral fins (one is normal, and the other is a leathery outgrowth of adipose tissue - a characteristic feature of all salmonids).

Spawning of this species of fish is carried out only in fresh waters.

Pinnipeds

The most common mammals in the Bering Sea are seals and walruses, which make real rookeries on the shores of the reservoir.

Seals are very massive sea creatures. For example, an adult can reach about two meters in length, while its weight exceeds one hundred and thirty kilograms. Bearing offspring in this family can last for about a year.

The Pacific walrus is another inhabitant of the northern reservoir. Its weight can vary from eight hundred to seventeen hundred kilograms. This family is highly prized for its long tusks, which can weigh about five kilograms each.

Walrus skin is wrinkled and very thick (in some places it can reach ten centimeters in thickness). The subcutaneous fat layer is also large - about fifteen centimeters.

Quite often, in the Bering Sea, there are various large cetaceans - narwhals, humpbacks, seiwals and other mammals, the length of which is measured in several tens of meters, and the weight can reach one hundred tons or more.

Yes, it is impossible to describe in detail all the inhabitants of the underwater depths of the Bering Sea. However, this reservoir is famous not only for its rich underwater world, but also for its exciting history of development, and the beautiful bottom topography, and an important strategic location. After all, the Bering Sea is the border of two continents, two continents, two states.

The Bering Strait connects with the Chukchi Sea of ​​the Arctic Ocean Area 2304 thousand km², average depth 1598 m (maximum 4191 m), average water volume 3683 thousand km³, length from north to south 1632 km, from west to east 2408 km.

The shores are predominantly high, rocky, heavily indented, forming numerous bays and bays. The largest bays: Anadyrsky and Olyutorsky in the west, Bristolsky and Norton in the east. A large number of rivers flow into the Bering Sea, the largest of which are Anadyr, Apuka in the west, Yukon, Kuskokwim in the east. Islands of the Bering Sea of ​​continental origin. The largest of them are Karaginsky, St. Lawrence, Nunivak, Pribylova, St. Matthew.

The Bering Sea is the largest of the geosynclinal seas of the Far East. The bottom topography includes a continental shelf (45% of the area), a continental slope, underwater ridges and a deep-sea depression (36.5% of the area). The shelf occupies the northern and northeastern parts of the sea and is characterized by a flat relief complicated by numerous shoals, hollows, flooded valleys and upper reaches of submarine canyons. Sediments on the shelf are predominantly terrigenous (sands, sandy silts, coarse-detrital near the coast).

The continental slope for the most part has a significant steepness (8-15 °), is dissected by underwater canyons, and is often complicated by steps; south of the islands Pribylova - flatter and wider. The continental slope of the Bristol Bay is complexly dissected by ledges, uplands, depressions, which is associated with intense tectonic crushing. Sediments of the continental slope are predominantly terrigenous (sandy silts), numerous outcrops of bedrock Paleogene and Neogene-Quaternary rocks; in the area of ​​the Bristol Bay - a large admixture of volcanic material.

The underwater ridges Shirshov and Bowers are arched uplifts with volcanic forms. Outcrops of diorites were found on the Bowers Ridge, which, along with arcuate outlines, brings it closer to the Aleutian island arc. The Shirshov Ridge has a similar structure to the Olyutorsky Ridge, composed of volcanic and flysch rocks of the Cretaceous period.

The Shirshov and Bowers submarine ridges separate the deep-water basin of the Bering Sea. In the west of the hollow: Aleutian, or Central (maximum depth 3782 m), Bowers (4097 m) and Komandorskaya (3597 m). The bottom of the basins is a flat abyssal plain, composed of diatomaceous silts on the surface, near the Aleutian arc - with a noticeable admixture of volcanic material. According to geophysical data, the thickness of the sedimentary layer in deep-water basins reaches 2.5 km; under it lies a basalt layer about 6 km thick. The deep-water part of the Bering Sea is characterized by a suboceanic type of the earth's crust.

The climate is formed under the influence of the adjacent land, the proximity of the polar basin in the north and the open Pacific Ocean in the south, and, accordingly, the centers of atmospheric action developing above them. The climate of the northern part of the sea is arctic and subarctic, with pronounced continental features; the southern part is temperate, marine. In winter, under the influence of the Aleutian minimum air pressure (998 mbar) over the Bering Sea, cyclonic circulation develops, due to which East End The seas, where air from the Pacific Ocean is brought, turns out to be somewhat warmer than the western part, which is under the influence of cold Arctic air (which comes with the winter monsoon). Storms are frequent in this season, the frequency of occurrence of which in some places reaches 47% per month. The average air temperature in February varies from -23 ° С in the north to 0, -4 ° С in the south. In summer, the Aleutian minimum disappears, and southerly winds prevail over the Bering Sea, which are the summer monsoon in the western part of the sea. Storms are rare in summer. The average air temperature in August varies from 5 ° С in the north to 10 ° С in the south. Average annual cloud cover is 5-7 points in the north, and 7-8 points in the south. The amount of precipitation varies from 200-400 mm per year in the north to 1500 mm per year in the south.

The hydrological regime is determined by climatic conditions, water exchange with the Chukchi Sea and the Pacific Ocean, continental runoff and freshening of the surface waters of the sea during ice melting. Surface currents form a counterclockwise circulation, along the eastern periphery of which warm waters from the Pacific Ocean follow to the north - the Bering-sea branch of the Kuroshio warm currents system. Part of this water flows through the Bering Strait into the Chukchi Sea, the other part deviates to the west and then follows south along the Asian coast, receiving the cold waters of the Chukchi Sea. The South Stream forms the Kamchatka Current, which carries the waters of the Bering Sea into the Pacific Ocean. This pattern of currents is subject to noticeable changes depending on the prevailing winds. The tides of the Bering Sea are mainly caused by the propagation of a tidal wave from the Pacific Ocean. In the western part of the sea (up to 62 ° north latitude) highest height tide 2.4 m, in the Bay of the Cross 3 m, in the eastern part 6.4 m (Bristol Bay). The surface water temperature in February only in the south and southwest reaches 2 ° С, in the rest of the sea it is below -1 ° С. In August, the temperature rises to 5 ° -6 ° C in the north and 9 ° -10 ° C in the south. Salinity under the influence of river waters and melting ice is much lower than in the ocean, and is equal to 32.0-32.5 ‰, and in the south it reaches 33 ‰. In coastal areas, it decreases to 28-30 ‰. In the subsurface layer in the northern part of the Bering Sea, the temperature is -1.7 ° C, salinity is up to 33 ‰. In the southern part of the sea, at a depth of 150 m, the temperature is 1.7 ° C, salinity is 33.3 ‰ and more, and in the layer from 400 to 800 m, respectively, more than 3.4 ° C and more than 34.2 ‰. At the bottom, the temperature is 1.6 ° C, salinity is 34.6 ‰.

Most of the year, the Bering Sea is covered with floating ice, which begin to form in the north in September - October. In February - March, almost the entire surface is covered with ice, which are carried along the Kamchatka Peninsula into the Pacific Ocean. The Bering Sea is characterized by the phenomenon of "sea glow".

In accordance with the difference in the hydrological conditions of the northern and southern parts of the Bering Sea, representatives of the Arctic forms of flora and fauna are characteristic for the northern part, and boreal ones for the southern part. Yue is inhabited by 240 species of fish, of which there are especially many flounder (flounder, halibut) and salmon (pink salmon, chum salmon, chinook salmon). There are numerous mussels, balanuses, polychaete worms, bryozoans, octopuses, crabs, shrimps, etc. In the north there are 60 species of fish, mainly cod fish. Of the mammals, the Bering Sea is characterized by the fur seal, sea otter, seals, bearded seal, seal, sea lion, gray whale, humpback whale, sperm whale, etc. There is an abundant fauna of birds (guillemots, guillemots, hatchets, kitty gulls, etc.) bazaars ". Intensive whaling is carried out in the Bering Sea, mainly the sperm whale, fish and sea animals (fur seal, sea otter, seal, etc.). The Bering Sea is of great transport importance for Russia as a link of the Northern Sea Route. Main ports: Provideniya (Russia), Nome (USA).

The former inland sea of ​​the Russian Empire is now the most eastern possessions of our state. The northeastern territories are still waiting for their conquerors. One of the treasures of the natural resources of this part of the planet is the Bering Sea, the geographical position of which not only plays a significant role in the development of local regions, but also opens up huge prospects for the expanding economic activity of Russia in the Arctic latitudes.

Bering Sea. Description

The northern edge of the Pacific Basin is the largest of all the seas washing the shores of Russia. Its area is 2,315 thousand km 2. For comparison: the surface of the Black Sea is five and a half times smaller. The Bering Sea is the deepest among coastal seas and one of the deepest in the world. The lowest mark is at a depth of 4,151 m, and the average depth is 1,640 m. Deep-water areas are located in the southern side of the water area and are called the Aleutian and Komandorskaya depressions. Surprisingly, with such indicators, about half of the seabed is only half a kilometer away from the sea surface. The relative shallow water allows the sea to be classified as a continental oceanic type. The northern Far Eastern reservoir contains 3.8 million km 3 of water. Most scientists explain the origin of the Bering Sea by cutting off the Commander-Aleutian ridge from the rest of the ocean, which arose as a result of global tectonic processes in the distant past.

History of discovery and development

The modern hydronym comes from the name of the first European explorer Vitus Bering. A Dane in the Russian service organized two expeditions in 1723-1943. The purpose of his travels was to find the border between Eurasia and America. Although the strait between the continents was discovered by topographers Fedorov, Gvozdev and Mashkov, it was later named after a hired navigator. During Bering's second expedition, the territories of the North Pacific Ocean were studied and Alaska was discovered. On old Russian maps, the northern water area is called the Bobrov, or Kamchatka Sea. The coast has been explored by Russian explorers since the beginning of the 18th century. So, Timofey Perevalov in the 30s made a map of some territories of Kamchatka and Chukotka. Thirty years later, D. Cook visited these places. The tsarist government sent here expeditions led by Sarychev, Bellingshausen and Kotzebue. Modern name was suggested by the Frenchman Fliorier. This term came into wide use thanks to the Russian navigator Admiral Golovnin.

Description of the geographical location of the Bering Sea

Geomorphological characteristics are determined by natural boundaries coastline in the east and west, a group of islands in the south and a speculative border in the north. The northern border adjoins the waters of the strait of the same name, which connects with the Chukchi Sea. The delineation runs from Cape Novosilsky in Chukotka to Cape York on the Seward Peninsula. The sea stretches for 2,400 km from east to west, and 1,600 km from north to south. The southern border is marked by the archipelagos of the Commander and Aleutian Islands. Pieces of land in the ocean outline a kind of giant arc. Outside the Pacific Ocean. The northernmost edge of the planet's greatest reservoir is the Bering Sea. The geometrical pattern of the water area is characterized by the narrowing of the water space towards the polar circle. The Bering Strait divides two continents: Eurasia and North America - and two oceans: the Pacific and the Arctic. The northwestern waters of the sea wash the shores of Chukotka and the Koryak Upland, the northeastern - west of Alaska. The runoff of continental waters is negligible. From the side of Eurasia, Anadyr flows into the sea, and the legendary Yukon has its mouth on the shores of Alaska. The Kuskokuim River flows into the sea in the bay of the same name.

Coast and islands

Numerous bays, bays and peninsulas form the rugged coastline that characterizes the Bering Sea. The bays Olyutorsky, Karaginsky and Anadyrsky are the largest on the Siberian shores. The vast bays of Bristol, Norton and Kuskoquim lie on the shores of Alaska. The few islands are different in their origins: mainland islands- these are small areas of land within the boundaries of continental plateaus, islands of volcanic origin make up the inner, and folded type - the outer belt of the Commander-Aleutian arc. The ridge itself stretches for 2,260 km from Kamchatka to Alaska. The total area of ​​the islands is 37 840 km 2. The Commander Islands belong to Russia, all the rest of the United States: Pribyvalova, St. Larentia, St. Matvey, Karaginsky, Nunivak and, of course, the Aleuts.

Climate

The Bering Sea is characterized by significant fluctuations in average daily temperatures, which are more characteristic of continental land areas. Geographical location is a determining factor in the formation of the climate of the region. Most of the sea area is subarctic. The northern side belongs to the Arctic zone, and the southern side to the temperate latitudes. The western side is getting cooler. And due to the fact that the Siberian territories adjacent to the sea are warming up weaker, this part of the water area is much colder than the eastern one. Over the central part of the sea in the warm season, the air warms up to +10 ° C. In winter, despite the penetration of Arctic air masses, it does not drop below -23 ° C.

Hydrosphere

In the upper horizons, the water temperature decreases towards northern latitudes. The waters washing the Eurasian coastline are colder than the North American zone. In the coldest time of the year off the coast of Kamchatka, the sea temperature on the surface is + 1 ... + 3 ° C. Off the coast of Alaska, one or two degrees higher. In summer, the upper layers warm up to +9 ° C. The considerable depth of the straits of the Aleutian ridge (up to 4,500 m) promotes active water exchange with the Pacific Ocean at all horizons. The influence of the Chukchi Sea waters is minimal due to the shallow depth of the Bering Strait (42 m).

In terms of the degree of wave formation, the Bering Sea also occupies the first place among the seas of Russia. Which ocean is the higher water area is reflected in the characteristics of the degree of turbulence in the periphery. Significant depths and storm activity are derivatives of strong waves. For most of the year, waves are noted with a height of water ridges of up to 2 m.In winter, there are a number of storms with a wave height of up to 8 m.Over the last hundred years of observations, cases of waves with a height of up to 21 m have been recorded in ship's logbooks.

Ice conditions

The ice cover is local by type of origin: the massif forms and melts in the water area itself. The Bering Sea in the northern part is covered with ice at the end of September. First of all, the ice shell binds closed bays, bays and the coastal zone, and the range reaches its greatest distribution in April. Melting ends only in the middle of summer. Thus, the surface in the high latitude zone is covered with ice for more than nine months a year. In the bay of St. Lawrence, off the coast of Chukotka, in some seasons the ice does not melt at all. South side on the contrary, it does not freeze throughout the year. Warm masses from the ocean come through the Aleutian straits, which squeeze the edge of the ice closer to the north. The sea strait between the continents is packed with pack ice for most of the year. Some ice fields are up to six meters thick. Off the coast of Kamchatka, drifting massifs are found even in August. The escorting of sea-going vessels going through the Northern Sea Route requires the participation of icebreakers.

Fauna and flora

On the coastal cliffs, gulls, guillemots, puffins and other feathered inhabitants of the polar latitudes arrange their colonies. Along the gently sloping shores, you can find rookeries for walruses and sea lions. These real monsters of the Bering Sea are more than three meters long. Sea otters are found in large numbers. The marine flora is represented by five dozen coastal plants. In the south, the vegetation is more diverse. Phytoplankton contribute to the development of zooplankton, which in turn attracts many marine mammals. Humpback whales, representatives of gray and toothed species of cetaceans - killer whales and sperm whales come here to feed. The Bering Sea is exceptionally rich in fish: the underwater fauna is represented by almost three hundred species. V northern waters sharks also live. The polar one keeps at great depths, and the dangerous predator - the salmon - does not show aggression towards people. Without a doubt, the depths of the sea have not yet revealed all their secrets.

Between Asia and America

Small groups of fur traders began to explore the northeastern waters from the 40s of the 18th century. The islands of the Aleutian archipelago, like a huge natural bridge, allowed traders to reach the shores of Alaska. The position of the Bering Sea, namely its non-freezing part, contributed to the establishment of brisk shipping between Petropavlovsk in Kamchatka and newly built strongpoints on the American mainland. True, the Russian expansion in America did not last long, only about eighty years.

Territorial disputes

During the reign of Mikhail Gorbachev, an agreement was concluded on concessions in favor of the United States of a significant part of the sea and continental shelf with a total area of ​​almost 78 thousand km 2. In June 1990, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the USSR E. Shevardnadze, together with Secretary of State D. Baker, signed a corresponding agreement. The domestic trawl fleet has lost the ability to catch fish in the middle part of the sea. In addition, Russia has lost a significant segment of a promising offshore oil province. The bill was approved by the US Congress the same year. In Russia, the agreement is under constant criticism and has not yet been ratified by parliament. The dividing line was named Shevardnadze - Baker.

Economic activity

The region's economy consists of two components: fishing industry and maritime transport. Inexhaustible fish resources contribute to the vigorous activity of Russian fishing companies. Many processing plants have been built on the coast of Kamchatka. On an industrial scale, fishing is carried out for herring, salmon cod and flounder species. On a small scale, mainly in the interests of the indigenous population, hunting of marine animals and cetaceans is allowed. In recent years, scientific interest in this Far Eastern region has increased. This is mainly due to the search for hydrocarbon deposits on the shelf. Three small oil-bearing basins have been discovered off the coast of Chukotka.

Klondike at the bottom of the ocean

Comprehensive studies have not yet been carried out at sea depths, the purpose of which would be to search for minerals or collect geological data for further prospective prospecting. Mineral deposits are unknown within the boundaries of the water area. Deposits of tin and semi-precious stones have been discovered in the coastal areas. Hydrocarbon deposits have been discovered in the Anadyr Basin. But on the opposite coast, they have been plowing the bottom for several years in search of the yellow metal. A hundred years ago, the development of the region was prompted by the gold found on the shores of the Yukon and the gold rush that followed. The Bering Sea at the beginning of the 21st century gives new hopes. The lust for profit breeds ingenious technical devices. An ordinary excavator, a screener for sifting inert materials and an improvised room resembling a construction trailer, in which an electric generator is located, are installed on an old barge. Such technical "monsters" of the Bering Sea are becoming more widespread.

Discovery Channel's original project

For the fifth season in a row, the popular science American television channel Discovery has been following the fate of those looking for easy money. As soon as the water area is free of ice, prospectors from all over the world gather on the coast of Alaska, and the gold rush resumes in the northern latitudes. The Bering Sea off the coast is shallow. This will allow you to use the tools at hand. An improvised fleet defies the elements. The insidious sea tests everyone for stamina and masculinity, and the seabed is reluctant to share its treasures. Only a few lucky ones were enriched by the gold rush. The ice in the Bering Sea allows some enthusiasts to continue working in the winter. Over the course of several episodes of the documentary, you can watch three teams of gold diggers risking their lives for the cherished handful of yellow metal.