AdministratorWhy is Laptev Sea important?
The Laptev Sea is known as the birthplace of ice, which forms along the coast there in early winter, then drifts westward carrying nutrients across the Arctic, before breaking up in the spring in the Fram Strait between Greenland and Svalbard.
Is the Laptev Sea frozen?
In 2020, the Laptev Sea has not frozen in early November for the first time on record since 1979. In that month, the sea ice extent was measured at 0.79 million square kilometers. Over 30 years prior to 2020, the Laptev Sea ice extent in November was stable at 0.87 million square kilometers in almost every year.
Where is Laptev?
Siberia
THE LAPTEV SEA, nestled between the north coast of Siberia and Russia’s New Siberian Islands, is known as the birthplace of ice. Every year, ice forms along its coasts in the autumn before being pushed west across the Arctic Ocean to Greenland and Norway’s Svalbard archipelago, where it breaks up come spring.
Which river flows into Laptev Sea?
the Lena
Laptev Sea … rivers, the largest being the Lena, flow into the sea. Several rivers form extensive deltas. Dozens of islands, primarily in the west, vary in landscape and origin.
Does the ocean freeze in Russia?
An early and unexpected freeze has trapped at least 18 cargo ships in the Arctic Sea off the coast of Russia. Ice up to 30cm thick has formed across most of the Laptev Sea and East Siberian seas, according to the Barents Sea Observer, a Norwegian news site.
Where is the Laptev Sea located on a map?
It is located between the northern coast of Siberia, the Taimyr Peninsula, Severnaya Zemlya and the New Siberian Islands. Its northern boundary passes from the Arctic Cape to a point with co-ordinates of 79°N and 139°E, and ends at the Anisiy Cape. The Kara Sea lies to the west, the East Siberian Sea to the east.
How deep is the Lena River?
28 m
The Lena River reaches a depth of 28 m in the area from Kyusyur Peninsula to Tit-Ary Island—a relatively barren region devoid of islands and developed vegetation.
Did the Siberian Arctic refreeze?
After the spring and summer melt season, the cap of frozen seawater floating on top of the Arctic Ocean begins to refreeze. In 2020, however, the annual freeze has been unusually slow.
How deep is the Laptev Sea?
The Laptev Sea is positioned within the continental shelf and has a maximum depth of 3,385 m. A major portion of the sea is relatively shallow, with about 50% of the sea less than 50 m deep, leading to an estimated average depth of 578 m.
What is the history of the Laptev Sea?
The coast of the Laptev Sea was inhabited for ages by the native peoples of northern Siberia such as Yukaghirs and Chuvans (sub-tribe of Yukaghirs). Those tribes were engaged in fishing, hunting and reindeer husbandry, as reindeer sleds were essential for transportation and hunting.
What are the major bodies of water on the Laptev Sea?
The sea’s coastline is quite indented and forms a few bays and gulfs of different sizes, namely the Yana Bay, the Maria Pronchishcheva Bay, the Olenyok Gulf, the Khatanga Gulf, and the Buor-Khaya Gulf. Some of the notable rivers that drain into the Laptev Sea include the Lena River, Anabar, Khatanga, Olenek, Yana, and Omoloy rivers.
What human activity is there on the Laptev Sea?
Despite freezing, navigation is a major human activity on the Laptev Sea with the major port in Tiksi. During Soviet times, the Laptev Sea coastal areas experienced a limited boom owing to the first icebreaker convoys plying the Northern Sea Route and the creation of the Chief Directorate of the Northern Sea Route.