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 largest area of ​​the Arctic belt is in Antarctica, spreading to the entire continent. In the north of the planet, it includes the northern parts of the Eurasian and North American continents, Baffin's Land, Greenland, the Taimyr Peninsula, the Novaya Zemlya archipelago, Spitsbergen Island and other islands of the Arctic Ocean. In part, 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, even to zero the air almost never warms up. 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 harsh in Antarctica. A record low temperature of -89 ° C was recorded here at the Soviet Vostok station. So far, this figure remains a record.

There is very little precipitation at the planet's poles - 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 daylight hours lasting from half to a third of the day. Night and day for six months is a common phenomenon characteristic of the territories included in the Arctic belt. The temperature in January and July, the amplitude of which is about 50 ° C, almost never rises above zero. Its indicators range from -10 to -60 o C, sometimes dropping to -70 and even lower. The tilt of the planet's axis is responsible for this unique phenomenon that is characteristic only of the poles. Therefore, the six-month day and night are called polar.

Ice

The Arctic belt is devoid of flashy luxury. Its beauty is harsh and restrained, but isn't this the real greatness? Arctic and Antarctic explorers write about these places without skimping on superlative expressions. Huge icy deserts, sparkling 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 also cover most of the North Pole. The Arctic, chanting Rozhdestvensky in the most touching expressions, is occupied by powerful glaciers. Most of the Arctic Ocean is 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 the nature of the Arctic belt is, so majestic are its inhabitants. At the top of the food chain is the dangerous predator, the polar bear. He even wanders into human settlements, he is often seen, for example, by the inhabitants of Spitsbergen and Novaya Zemlya. The real king of the Arctic, he has no natural enemy except man. Today this animal is under protection, ecologists are monitoring the population size.

In these parts there are huge whales, walruses, narwhals. Coastal areas 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 reindeer. The most dangerous predators after the polar bear are wolves and polar foxes - polar 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 here and there in the mountainous area 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 borderland is rarely above zero, but wonderful air and clean water are the best factors for the development of the inhabitants of the water kingdom. The Arctic waters are home to a huge amount of valuable fish.