Arctic belt: climate features, temperature regime, natural phenomena, flora and fauna

The Arctic belt is a climatic zone that occupies the poles of the planet. It is characterized by extremely low temperatures and special natural phenomena: the northern lights, polar nights and days, the formation of hummocks and pack ice.

The Arctic belt occupies the largest area in Antarctica, spreading to the entire mainland. In the north of the planet, it includes the northern parts of the Eurasian and North American continents, Baffin Island, Greenland, the Taimyr Peninsula, the Novaya Zemlya archipelago, Svalbard Island and other islands of the Arctic Ocean. Partially, it includes the northernmost waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Climate

These places are characterized by a constant climate. Low temperatures are the main feature that distinguishes the Arctic belt. The temperature in January and July is negative here, the air almost never warms up even to zero. The meteorological indicators of this area are due to cold air masses. The sun's rays falling on the planet at an angle do not warm up the permafrost.

Winters are especially severe in Antarctica. At the Soviet Vostok station, a record low temperature of -89 ° C was recorded here. So far, this figure remains a record.

There is very little precipitation at the poles of the planet - less than 250 mm per year. The Arctic belt is occupied by the Arctic and Antarctic deserts. They represent a multi-kilometer shell of glaciers.

Day and night

Most earthlings are accustomed to the fact that daylight hours last from half to a third of the day. Night and day for half a year is a common occurrence, characteristic of the territories included in the Arctic zone. The temperature in January and July, whose amplitude is about 50 o C, almost never rises above zero. Its indicators range from -10 to -60 ° C, sometimes dropping to -70 and even lower. The tilt of the planet's axis causes this unique phenomenon, characteristic only of the poles. Therefore, semi-annual day and night are called polar.

Ice

The Arctic belt is devoid of flashy luxury. Its beauty is harsh and restrained, but isn't that the real greatness? Explorers of the Arctic and Antarctic write about these places, not stinting on expressions in superlatives. Huge icy deserts, glittering masses of icebergs, drifting hummocks and treacherous pack ice - all this arouses fear and admiration at the same time.

Ice forms the relief of Antarctica, the southernmost continent. They cover most of the North Pole. The Arctic, chanting Rozhdestvensky in the most touching terms, is occupied by powerful glaciers. Most of the Arctic Ocean consists of ice. Their seasonal melting is typical only for the southern latitudes of the belt, bordering on the Eurasian continent. Summer in these latitudes is short, but it is still there. At this time, coastal continental ice begins to melt, losing up to 10% of its volume. With the onset of winter, everything returns to normal.

Flora and fauna

How monumental is the nature of the Arctic belt, so majestic are its inhabitants. The top of the food chain is a dangerous predator - the polar bear. He wanders even into human settlements, he is often seen, for example, by the inhabitants of Svalbard and Novaya Zemlya. The real king of the Arctic, he has no natural enemy, except for man. Today, this animal is under protection, environmentalists monitor the number of populations.

Huge whales, walruses, narwhals are found in these parts. Coastal zones are a favorite habitat for seals.

There are more modest inhabitants in the polar zone. For example, lemmings are agile rodents that are not afraid of low temperatures. In some areas there are huge herds of deer. The most dangerous predators after the polar bear are wolves and polar foxes - arctic foxes.

The Arctic belt cannot boast of a huge variety of flora. But even flowers grow here! Polar poppy and saxifrage are found in the southern latitudes of the belt. And in some places in the mountains you can even find edelweiss.

The greatest importance belongs to lichens and mosses, they cover areas not occupied by glaciers.

Oxygenated air is another feature that characterizes the Arctic belt. The temperature in summer and winter in the southern borderlands is rarely above zero, but fine air and clean water are the best factors for the development of the inhabitants of the water kingdom. In the Arctic waters there is a huge amount of valuable fish.