Geological structure of the Chukotka Highlands. The Chukotka Plateau is a land of mountain heights and deep-water lakes
1) Chukotka Peninsula (Chukotka) is a peninsula in the extreme northeast of the Eurasian continent. Washed by the North Chukchi Sea Arctic Ocean from the north and the Bering Sea of the Pacific Ocean from the south.
2) The discoverer of the peninsula can be considered the expedition of 1648-1649 by Semyon Dezhnev, who passed through the strait between Asia and America. By January 1649, travelers had already reached the mouth of the Anadyr River. The peninsula was named in 1728 by V. Bering after the local people - the Chukchi, who lived mainly in Chukotka. The peninsula was also explored by: the expedition of Dmitry Laptev (1736, 1739-1742), in 1763-1764, traveling around Chukotka, drawing up maps; the first Chukchi scientist Nikolai Daurkin, Nikita Shalaurov; passed from the mouth of the Lena River to Cape Shelagsky in 1762, and later in 1765. After the campaigns of I. Bellings (1785-1794), the first maps of the Chukotka Peninsula were compiled
3) As mentioned earlier, Chukchi tribes lived in Chukotka, who settled here quite a long time ago (Stone-Old Stone Ages) from East and Central Asia.
4) The relief of Chukotka is mainly mountainous (1000-1500 m). Lowlands are mainly found in river valleys and coastal areas. The largest lowland is the Anadyr lowland. (500-1000 m). The largest peak does not have a name, but is simply called the nameless mountain, 1887 meters.
5) The region contains a unique gold mining district - Maysky, and the entire north-eastern part of the peninsula is considered promising for placer gold. On the territory of the district there are deposits of such minerals as oil, natural gas, tin, antimony, tungsten and mercury. Coal in Chukotka for the internal needs of the district is mined at the Anadyrskoye lignite and Beringovskoye coal deposits. The Chukotka sea shelf directly borders one of the large oil-bearing areas of Alaska.
6) The weather in Chukotka is quite harsh. In winter, the temperature often drops to -40-(-50) degrees Celsius, in summer – up to +20. The average wind speed is 5 m/s in both summer and winter, and if we take into account winter frosts, then winter can be postponed more for those who often traveled and lived in wildlife. Therefore, for a more or less comfortable trip, you should travel in late spring, summer and early autumn.
7) Again, it all depends on the time of year. In summer, in any case, you should take warm clothes, since the weather is changeable, sometimes you can wear something lighter.
8) I believe that the unique thing about Chukotka is its unique nature. But to be more serious, this lake is Lake Elgygytgyn, Whale Alley , Museum complex "Heritage of Chukotka".
9) Firstly, if you find yourself in Chukotka, you need to visit the above mentioned places. You can also go fishing (in calm weather, otherwise you will suffer from the strong wind blowing in your face). Enjoy nature
Geography and relief
The Chukotka Autonomous Okrug is located in the extreme northeast of Russia, more than half of the territory is beyond the Arctic Circle. The territory of the district borders on:
- Kolyma (in the west);
- Magadan region and Yakutia (in the west and southwest);
- Kamchatka region (in the south).
The district is washed by the waters of the Arctic Ocean (in the north), the Bering Strait (in the east), as well as the East Siberian, Bering and Chukchi seas. The district includes the islands of Wrangel, Ratmanov, Gerald, etc.
Figure 1. Landscape of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. Author24 - online exchange of student works
The southern border of Chukotka runs along the watershed of the Anadyr River and individual rivers in the Koryak Highlands.
The total area of the territory is more than 720 thousand square meters. km.
The main landscapes were formed in ancient times and have undergone virtually no changes:
- Anadyr Lowland - very swampy central part districts;
- Anadyr Plateau – located to the northwest of the lowland of the same name; river basins and the most important ridges radiate from it
- Koryak Highlands - located in the south of the district;
- Yukaghir Plateau - occupies the southwestern part of the district, heights reach from 500 to 700 m;
- The Vankarem and Chaun lowlands stretch along the sea coasts in the north. There are an abundance of lakes here, the area is very swampy.
The relief of the peninsula consists of hills (dome-shaped hills) with heights of up to 700 m. The highest point of Chukotka - 1853 m - is located on the Anyui Highlands.
Note 1
On the territory of Chukotka there is a lot of unique modern and relict ice, represented by thick sheet deposits, underground ice rock glaciers, as well as ice veins with a length of up to 50 m.
Climatic conditions
The climate of Chukotka is harsh. Climatic conditions are determined by the monsoon circulation. There are two seasons: a long frosty period and a short warm one. In the interior mountainous regions, the climatic conditions are sharply continental. On the coast, humid, cold, sea air predominates.
The proximity of the Arctic Ocean creates high humidity, cloudy weather and fog. The closer to the ocean, the more severe the weather conditions become.
Winter lasts up to 10 months a year. At this time, the continent cools significantly. Winter is dry and sunny. WITH Pacific Ocean Sometimes warm weather breaks through with snowfalls and blizzards.
During the warm period, wet cold masses move from the ocean to land, forming the summer monsoons.
The average January temperature is -40º C. The average July temperature ranges from +5º C to +13º C. Sometimes the temperature can rise to +30º C.
The soils are permafrost everywhere.
Characteristic features of shelf seas are storms, heavy ice conditions, fogs, as well as strong tidal currents.
Natural resources
Water resources. The district's rivers belong to the sea basins of the Pacific and Arctic oceans. Most of the rivers have been poorly studied. Large rivers include: Anadyr (with tributaries Belaya, Tanyurer, Main); Big Anyui and Small Anyui, Great. Many of the rivers freeze to the bottom. Most belong to mountain rivers. Most large lakes: Pekulneyskoe, Elgygytgyn, Krasnoe. The lakes are predominantly of thermokarst origin. There are deposits of mineral thermal waters (Lorinskoye, Chaplinskoye and Dezhnevskoye deposits). Seas of Chukotka: East Siberian (the coldest of all the seas in the district); Chukchi Sea ( most years cover it floating ice, in autumn, due to stormy winds, hummocks often form); Bering Sea (the warmest sea in Chukotka).
Minerals. The subsoil of the district is rich in reserves of platinum group metals (Anadyr-Koryak system), gold (Mayskoe gold-sulfide deposit, Shmidtovsky, Iultinsky, Chaunsky districts), silver, tin (Pyrkakai stockwork deposits), tungsten (Chaunsky district), copper, mercury, oil , gas (oil and gas basins - East Khatyr, Anadyr, North Chukotka, South Chukotka, East Siberian), hard and brown coal (Upper Alkatvaam deposit), etc. Deposits of chromium, molybdenum, bismuth, boron, titanium, beryllium, lithium, arsenic, iron, antimony, cobalt, nickel, zeolites, precious and semi-precious stones(garnet, demantoid, beryl, amethyst, topaz, axinite, rock crystal, etc.), ornamental stones (chalcedony, agate, jasper, rodingite, listvenite, gabbro, etc.). The explored mineral resource potential of the district is one of the highest in the Far East.
Construction Materials. Mineral deposits building materials presented the following types raw materials: construction sands, expanded clay, brick and sand-gravel mixtures, construction stones, carbonate rocks for construction lime.
Bioresources. Marine hunting resources are significant (minke whales, fin whales, beluga whales, killer whales and other cetacean mammals; bearded seals, walruses, striped seals, ringed seals and other pinnipeds). Deep processing of raw materials (thymus, lard, adrenal glands, spleen and other organs of sea animals) into biologically active substances (BAS) is underway. Fishing (tuna, shrimp, cephalopods, pollock, cod, large crustaceans) and reindeer husbandry are developed.
Hunting Resources. The most valuable commercially are: wild reindeer, elk, brown bears, sable, red fox, arctic fox, wolverine, wolf, muskrat, American mink, white hares, ermines, and white partridge.
Flora and fauna
Chukotka Autonomous Okrug is a region of tundra, forest-tundra and arctic deserts. The territory is dominated by low-growing tundra vegetation.
Arctic deserts are located on Wrangel Island and on the mountain tops. The vegetation cover is represented by sedge-tussock and shrub-moss representatives.
Island forests with a predominance of poplar, larch, birch, Korean willow, alder, etc. grow in river basins.
The forests of Chukotka are mainly home to more than 35 species of mammals: brown and polar bears, arctic fox, fox, wolf, wolverine.
The avifauna (170 species) is represented by partridges, geese, ducks, and swans. Guillemots, eiders, and gulls live on the coast.
Wide variety of fish. In terms of commercial use, halibut, large-sized pollock, cod, flounder, navaga, etc. are of value.
The territory of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug has 501 deposits of solid minerals (placer and ore gold, silver, tin, mercury, tungsten, hard and brown coal). Currently, gold and silver are being mined.
Gold
Placer gold. From total number(501) deposits of solid minerals in the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug are dominated by deposits of alluvial gold (380). Due to the difficulties associated with the harsh conditions and poorly developed infrastructure of the region, only a small part of them is being developed. In 2011, placers accounted for only about 9 percent (1.7 tons) of gold mined in Chukotka. Most local cooperatives mine in summer period. According to the Subsoil Use Administration for the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, the development is carried out by: LLC "Artel of Prospectors "Miner", CJSC "Chukotskaya TK", LLC "Artel of Prospectors "Chukotka", LLC "Artel of Prospectors "Siyanie", LLC "Gold Mining Company "Kupol" , CJSC "Artel of Prospectors "Polyarnaya Zvezda", LLC "Artel of Prospectors "Polyarnaya", LLC "Artel of Prospectors "Luch" and LLC "Liga".
As of January 1, 2012, proven reserves of placer gold (categories A+B+C1+C2) amounted to 115.2 tons, predicted resources (categories P1+P2+P3) amounted to 132 tons.
Ore gold. 8 gold ore deposits have been identified on the territory of the Autonomous Okrug. Development is underway on two of them.
Most of the metal is obtained from the exploitation of the Kupol gold-silver deposit (CJSC Chukotka Mining and Geological Company - owned by the Canadian corporation Kinross Gold), where over 9.5 tons of gold were produced in the first 8 months of 2012 (in August - 1.3 tons). Compared to the same period in 2011, ChGGK reduced production by 2.5 tons of gold, which was due to a planned reduction in production at the Kupol deposit.
The second largest company in terms of production volumes is OJSC Rudnik Karalveem (developing the deposit of the same name). In January-August 2012, the company produced 1,440.5 kg of gold.
At the end of 2011, a total of 19.61 tons of gold were mined in the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. In addition to ChGGK and Rudnik Karalveem, mining was carried out by LLC Rudnik Valunisty.
Further prospects for the development of precious metals mining in Chukotka as a whole can be assessed as positive. In the fourth quarter of 2012, the first gold is expected to be obtained from the Mayskoye deposit (ZRK Mayskoye LLC - owned by Polymetal), which in the future plans to reach annual production volumes of 6-10 tons. Also in the region, preparations are underway for the exploitation of the ore gold and silver deposits Dvoinoye (CJSC Chukotka Mining and Geological Company), Kekura (CJSC Basic Metals) and Klen (Klen LLC).
As of January 1, 2012, proven reserves of ore gold (categories A+B+C1+C2) amounted to 382.3 tons, predicted resources (categories P1+P2+P3) amounted to 670 tons.
Silver
In Chukotka, silver was identified as an associated component in 8 deposits. Mining is carried out by Chukotka Mining and Geological Company CJSC and Rudnik Valunisty LLC. In 2011, 212.2 tons of raw materials were extracted.
As of January 1, 2012, proven reserves of silver ore (categories A+B+C1+C2) amounted to 1,549 tons, predicted resources (categories P1+P2+P3) amounted to 9,976 tons.
Tin
Currently, the GBZ has taken into account 80 deposits of tin ore raw materials. There was no production in 2011 and 2012. However, the development of this type of mineral is considered promising, since the largest tin deposit in Russia, Pyrkakai, is located in Chukotka. The holder of the license for Pyrkakay since 2008 is Northern Tin LLC, owned by the Cypriot Aristus Holdings Ltd (which, in turn, is part of Roman Abramovich’s Millhouse holding). The reserves of stockwork deposits of tin and tungsten of the Pyrkakai tin-bearing cluster (Chaunsky district of Chukotka, 86 km southeast of the city of Pevek) amount to 228.5 thousand tons of tin (fourth place in the world) and 23 thousand tons of tungsten. Estimated capital expenditures for development are about $300 million, the start of production is scheduled for 2017. From 2018, it is planned to annually extract about 6 million tons of ore from the deposit, of which 11.1 thousand tons of tin and 814 tons of tungsten will be produced. The period of stable production at the field is 20 years, the entire life of the field is 29 years. In August 2012, it became known that Millhouse was considering the possibility of selling the field; Chinese or Malaysian mining companies could act as buyers.
As of January 1, 2012, proven reserves of tin (categories A+B+C1+C2) amounted to 336.4 thousand tons, forecast resources (categories P1+P2+P3) amounted to 507.6 thousand tons.
The material was prepared by the editors of the Subsoil Use portal based on: the Kommersant newspaper (No. 145 dated 08/08/2012), the article “Roman Abramovich is tired of tin”; the annual report of the Union of Gold Miners “Gold - 2011”, “Information note on subsoil use and the state of the mineral resource base of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug” of the Subsoil Use Administration for the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug.
Read also
Golden prospects of Kalychan
Bulletin of the Gold Miner. (http://www.gold.1prime.ru/bulletin/reviews/show.asp?id=35252)
Economic potential for the development of mineral resources of the Trans-Baikal Territory
International Journal of Applied and basic research. 2014, no. 7, pp. 81–85
The significant potential for developing the mineral resource base of the Trans-Baikal Territory is confirmed by the fact that significant reserves and resources of uranium, fluorspar, gold, molybdenum, copper, titanium, tungsten, lead, tin, zinc, coal and other minerals are concentrated on its territory...Mineral resources of Primorsky Krai
The resource base of the Primorsky Territory is determined by the presence of 332 deposits of solid minerals, namely: brown and hard coal, iron, tin, tungsten, lead, zinc, germanium, silver, ore and placer gold, boron oxide, fluorspar, graphite, zeolite, vermiculite , cement...Mineral resources of the Chukotka Autonomous Region
Mineral resources of the Khabarovsk Territory
The mining industry in the Khabarovsk Territory provides 15.7% of the volume of shipped goods and 7.4% of tax revenues to the territorial budget and is one of the basic industries in the regional economy. The industry employs about 10 thousand people, which is about 3% of the employed...Mineral resources of the Sakhalin region
35 types of various minerals have been discovered in the region - this is more than 1000 deposits, manifestations and promising areas. The existing mineral resource base is capable of providing mining and processing enterprises in the region with many types of mineral raw materials: fuel…By geological zoning Anyui Highland and northern part Chukotka Highlands belong to the Kolyma-Chukchi mountain region, characterized by a folded base, ancient massifs and uplifts. The southern part of the Chukotka Highlands belongs to the Okhotsk-Chukotka mountain region, lying on the covers of the volcanogenic belt (S. F. Biske).
West Side Anyui-Chukchi Highlands is the eastern edge of a vast mountain arc known as the Yana-Chukchi mountainous country, the largest and most complex constructed structure in the north-east. By outside the Leno-Chaun mountain arc stretches along it (A.P. Vaskovsky).
Anyui Highlands located between Kolyma and Chaun Bay, in the south it is limited by Bolshoi Anyui. The highlands are formed by a system of ridges. Among them, the longest is Anyuisky (380 km), which stretches from the Anyui Lowland to the Anadyr Plateau. The ridge is a watershed between large rivers - the Big and Small Anyui. On the periphery of the ridge there are short ridges - the Vulkanny, Orlovsky ridges, Chuvanai Mountains.
On the right bank of the Small Anyui there are several mountain ranges - Pyrkanai (1616 m), Rauchuansky (1649 m). Ilirneisky Ridge (Mt. of Two Circuses. 1785 m). Individual high massifs are faintly distinguished above the surrounding midlands, rising up to 1500 m. In the highest massifs, traces of glacial activity are found. In the northeast of the Anyui Highland is the Chaun Lowland, separating it from Chukotka Highlands.
Low-mountain relief predominates; mid-mountain relief exists only in areas with intense uplifts. In the basin of the Polish Anyui River, striking manifestations of Late Quaternary volcanism are known. Here you can observe the volcanic relief.
The average heights of the ridges do not exceed 1000 - 1200 m. The highest massifs are characterized by dissected relief, in which the predominant role is played by forms created by Quaternary glaciers and destruction processes, which is facilitated by the Arctic climate. The transformation of the relief is also associated with tectonic processes.
Chukotka Highlands is the main component of the Chukotka landscape area(it also includes the Anadyr Plateau). It extends from Chaunskaya Bay to Cape Dezhnev, representing a system of mid-altitude ridges and low-mountain massifs. Off the coast of Chaunskaya Bay lie the Shelagsky (1189 m) and Ichuveemsky (1030 m) ridges. The Ekvyvatapsky ridge (1636 m) stretches parallel to the coast of the Arctic Ocean. To the south of it, in the interfluves, there is a group of ridges - Pegtymelsky (1794 m), Palyavaamsky (1849 m), Chantalsky (1887 m), Ekityksky (1317 m). Even further south, the narrow and long Pekulney ridge (Mt. Odnoglavaya, 1393 m) plunges into the Anadyr Lowland in a narrow ridge.
To the southeast Chukotka Highlands continues with the Iskaten ridge (1552 m) and separated low massifs. On the Chukotka Peninsula there is the Providensky Massif (1194 m), on the Daurkina Peninsula there is the Genkany Range (978 m). These massifs and ridges are distinguished by their soft outlines. They are separated by wide valleys.
TO Chukotka Plateau These include the distant small Ushkany Mountains (Mt. Tumannaya, 726 m) and the Zolotoy Ridge (Mt. Ioanna, 1012 m). located near the Gulf of Anadyr.
Substantial part The Chukotka Plateau is part of the Okhotsk-Chukotka volcanogenic belt. It consists of almost continuous volcanogenic covers with intrusions breaking through them. The rock strata are composed mainly of basalts and andesites.
The unexplored and harsh Chukotka region inexplicably attracts and fascinates. You cannot treat her indifferently. Anyone who has ever visited those lands will never forget its greatness. The Chukotka Plateau evokes strong emotions, leaves vivid impressions in the memory and changes the spatial parameters that determine the rules of life. The appearance of this region was formed in
The pristine landscape has been preserved here to this day: unique expanses of lowlands, relief outlines of archipelagos and coastlines. The Chukotka Highlands are increasingly attracting specialists with historical and natural structures. Over the past few years, there has been active Scientific research in the field of tourism and recreation. The tourism industry is developing fruitfully: ski, water, extreme and adventure tours, as well as hunting, fishing and swimming in hot mineral springs.
Climate
Despite the harsh climatic conditions, people continue to admire Chukotka District. Almost all 9 months of the year there are heavy snowfalls and strong winds. The Chukotka Highlands are distinguished by frosty winters with temperatures down to -30 o C. The climate here is subarctic.
In summer, the region is cold, there are constant heavy rains, and there is snow in places. Regardless of the time of year, snowstorms hum and frosts crackle. Permanent permafrost is explained by the merger of two oceans with different atmospheric circulation. The Autonomous Okrug is characterized by extremely harsh climatic conditions (few sunny days, strong winds, hurricanes, storms).
Chukotka landscapes
The Chukotka Plateau delights with its pristine virgin beauty. The nature here is truly unique and attracts with chozeniy groves, stone kekurs (rocks peeking out from under the water surface) and hot springs. You can admire the polar lights and whale migration for an infinitely long time. The region is distinguished by relict ice: ice veins, strata deposits and rock glaciers - large underground ice.
During excavations, archaeologists often discover ancient remains of glaciers and cave blocks. Another feature of the Chukotka region is the shelf seas, which are valuable natural resources. The East Siberian Sea is considered the coldest, the water in which rarely rises to +2 o C. The warmest is the Bering Sea.
Lakes Krasnoye, Pekulneyskoye and the crater lake Elgygytgyn can also be called a decoration of the region. In river valleys, alder and birch trees grow in talik areas. They are found mainly near the Anadyr basin. Characterized by several important factors the amazing Chukotka Plateau - a relief cut through valleys and deep seas (the Arctic and Pacific oceans).
Animal and plant life
The extreme climate did not become an obstacle to the life and development of flora and fauna. There are more than 900 plants on the territory of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. Lingonberry, blueberry, dwarf cedar and alder bushes grow on Chukotka soil. In the river valley you can find black and red currants, birch, flora northern section boasts a variety of lichens (more than 400 species).
The Chukotka Highlands are famous for their unique fauna. Found in local forests such as polar bear, bighorn sheep, as well as 24 species of birds and marine life (blue and gray whales, fin whale, minke whale, narwhal). The land is rich in ermine, sable, arctic fox, reindeer, wolves, mink and others. The area is home to amazing birds (tundra partridges, swans, ducks, guillemots, seagulls) and insects (midges, mosquitoes, horseflies).
The Bering Sea is crowded various types fish, as well as shrimp, crabs and shellfish. In the reservoirs you can find burbot, salmon, smelt, pike, etc. There are nature reserves: “Tundra”, “Wrangel Island”, “Omolon”, “Avtotkuul”, Beringia”, “Chaunskaya Bay”.
Conclusion
The Chukotka Plateau is a region of permafrost. The district is interesting for its natural resources, as well as tourist orientation. The previous governor Abramovich significantly improved the mountain lowlands by building an entertainment center and a museum with archaeological, ethnographic, paleontological and mineralogical collections.
The current authorities, represented by Kopin Roman, are actively engaged in social sphere: healthcare, education and social support. Both leaders made the maximum contribution to the development of PrJSC. Of course, for now the region is unsuitable for tourist recreation, but there is still more to come...