Where is the Beaufort Sea?

A small out-of-the-way water body named after the admiral of the English fleet Francis Beaufort is a sea with severe climatic conditions, and uniquely it is beautiful glacial landscapes. What is known about this sea? Is it sufficiently studied?

Location:

One of the first questions arises about the ocean in which the Beaufort Sea lies. Difficulties with the answer should not arise. This sea is located in the Arctic Ocean. Based on this, you can imagine the approximate location of the reservoir on the map. But it's better not to guess, but to ask directly about where the Beaufort Sea is.

The exact location can be defined as follows: the Beaufort Sea lies somewhat north of the peninsula of Alaska (the US territory), the Yukon and the Northwest of Canada. The eastern border runs along the Canadian Arctic archipelago. The western and eastern borders are determined by the Chukchi Sea and the Baffin Sea, respectively.

What is known about the study of the sea?

Another interesting question: "Who explored the Beaufort Sea?". Officially it is believed that it was discovered in 1826. The first description of the new sea was occupied by the polar explorer John Franklin. However, contrary to tradition, he gave the new reservoir not his name, but perpetuated the name of a famous British officer and scientist, who later became an admiral - F. Beaufort. The sea immortalized the name of the man who dedicated his life to hydrography and developed a scale for determining the strength of the wind.

John Franklin made several Arctic expeditions and explored the coast of the Beaufort Sea. He also sailed on the open reservoir. During his expeditions, he finally established the outline of North America, determining that its northernmost ledge is Butia.

In 1851, the Beaufort Sea managed to cross the expedition of R. Collison, who opened the southern passage to the Prince of Wales strait. In the same year in the ice of the Beaufort Sea the expedition of John McClure froze. Researchers were forced to abandon their ships, but were rescued.

In 1905 the "expedition to the Eskimos" was undertaken by the Canadian Stefanson. He also explored the Beaufort Sea.

The well-known Russian scientist, Doctor of Geographical Sciences, Kochurov Boris Ivanovich, worked in the field of cartography, eco-diagnostics, dealt with the problems of environmental energy. He studied various regions, such as the Altai Territory, the Urals, Yakutia, the Far East and the Arctic zone. During his scientific work he studied Kochurov BI and the Beaufort Sea.

Temperature characteristics of water

Scientists believe that the temperature of the Beaufort Sea should be determined in four layers:

1. Upper layer is considered to be up to 100 m deep. Here the temperature fluctuates in the minus range from -0.4 ° C in summer to -1.8 ° C in winter.
2. This layer is formed by the inflow of the Pacific current, which passes through the Bering Strait. The waters of the second layer are somewhat warmer, but not significantly.
3. The next layer is considered the warmest. It is formed by Atlantic currents and has a temperature of 0 to +1 ° C.
4. The bottom layer is slightly colder, but still not as cold as the surface itself, from -0.4 to -0.9 ° C.

The currents in the Beaufort Sea circulate counter-clockwise. This is called a cyclone cycle. By the same laws, the currents of the Arctic Ocean are circulating .

Main settings

Let's look at the main parameters of the inland reservoir, which bears the name of Francis Beaufort. The sea has a total area of almost 480 thousand km². The average depth of the reservoir is more than 1000 m. At the deepest point - almost 4700 meters.

The salinity of the sea is not very high. It ranges from 28 to 33 ppm.

Rivers, bays of the island

There are some differences from other seas of the Arctic Ocean. Since the reservoir, named after Francis Beaufort, is an internal sea, many rivers flow into it. Basically, these are medium and small water arteries, among which the most significant is the river. Mackenzie. From the middle rivers can be listed - Anderson, Colville, Sagawanrtok. The abundance of fresh water and sediment and create the uniqueness of the reservoir and its bottom relief.

The offshore shelf has many small islets consisting of gravel. Their height and dimensions constantly change under the pressure of ice and currents.

The coastline is riddled with numerous bays.

Bottom relief

A significant part of the Beaufort Sea is located on a narrow continental shelf, the width of which is about 50 km. Outside the shelf, the depths are much more serious.

River sediments create a thick layer of sedimentary crystalline deposits. From the delta of the Mackenzie River, for example, a mineral dolomite enters the bottom sediments.

At the bottom of the sea found oil deposits, which are of great interest. The oil and gas bearing basin has an area of almost 120 thousand km. Its development began in 1965 and is still being conducted.

Flora and fauna

In the Beaufort Sea, there are about 70 species of phytoplankton. But its total biomass is not big.

Zooplankton is more diverse, it has 80 species. In addition, there are about 700 varieties of crustaceans and mollusks.

The climate here is too harsh, there is very little light and heat. The sea is covered with ice for 11 months a year. This creates significant obstacles to the study of the inhabitants of the depths.

Little is known about fish stocks. The most common smelt, capelin and navaga. In addition, there are several species of cod and herring fish. There are flounder, halibut and sea chanterelles.

Mammals feel themselves in the waters and on the banks very freely. Here live whales, beluga whales, seals and walruses. Sometimes there are polar sharks.

Since the Beaufort Sea is the least explored in the world, it can present many surprises to scientists. The main thing is not to give up and continue research.