Mankind has arisen and has been living for more than one millennium on a unique planet, the likes of which scientists have not yet discovered. Its uniqueness lies in many factors, but the main one is the presence of a large amount of water in a liquid state. 71% of our planet is covered in water, which made it possible for the birth of life. It is, without a doubt, about the oceans. There are four of them. These are the Indian, Atlantic, Arctic and Pacific Oceans. The largest of them is Quiet, which carries half of all the planet’s water reserves.
Pacific Ocean
The physical geography of the Pacific Ocean provides us with data on its size, flora and fauna. Its area is 179 million km 2 , and the average depth is 4 km. This is the only ocean that washes the shores of five continents. The exception is Africa, which is located inaccessible to the Pacific Ocean. Also, such a part of the world as Oceania can be called the Pacific Ocean as its home. Its other neighbors are other oceans: Indian, Atlantic and Arctic.
Seismic activity of the Pacific
Waterfalls, lakes, mountains, glaciers and the Pacific Ocean are closely related to each other. The bottom of the ocean continues life and is constantly changing. The processes of mountain building are in an active stage. There are many mountain ranges and lonely peaks that still continue to grow. This leads to powerful seismic activity and the formation of tsunamis. Glaciers located in North America, although they do not reach the ocean itself, create the possibility of icebergs. They arise in the bays and bays of the Pacific Ocean. Glaciers do not pose a special threat to ships, because they melt before they leave for the open ocean.
If we talk about what mountains along the coast of the Pacific Ocean exist, then we need to mention the Cordillera, the Andes, the Sikhote Alin and the Koryak Highlands.
Cordilleras
Cordilleras are mountains located in North America. They pass along the west coast. If mountains are mentioned along the coast of the Pacific Ocean, then most often we are talking about the Cordillera. The length of these mountains is about 9000 km, and the width can vary from 800 to 1600 km, depending on the location. The highest point of these mountains is McKinley, whose height reaches 6193 m. These mountains are rich in minerals such as copper, oil, lead, gold, molybdenum, platinum, silver, zinc and tin. The climate in these mountainous regions is quite diverse. It is determined by the height of the mountains and the width of their plume. In the same way, things are with flora and fauna. They are completely dependent on the climate of a certain region of the mountains.
Andes
The mountains along the Pacific Ocean located and located in South America are called the Andes. They are an integral part of the Cordillera, and they are also called so - Southern Cordillera. They originate near the Caribbean Sea and end in Tierra del Fuego. The total length of the Andes is 9 thousand km. These mountains have high peaks, but the winner among them is Mount Aconcagua with a height of 6960 m, which is also considered the most outstanding in the territory of all undivided Cordilleras. The Andes, depending on their location, are divided into Western, Central, Eastern, Coastal and Main.
These magnificent mountains on the Pacific coast have great wealth - ores of various non-ferrous metals. Even the name of these mountains comes from the Incan word "anta", which means "copper". There are also gas, oil and emeralds. Since the Andes are very long, they are located in six climatic zones, which led to a very wide variety of weather phenomena. On the slopes of these mountains mixed and coniferous forests grow, which have become home to many animals, which include llamas, bears, foxes, deer and others.
Sikhote Alin
Along the eastern edge of the Pacific Ocean are another unusually beautiful mountains called Sikhote-Alin. They are located near the coast of the Khabarovsk and Primorsky territories. In terms of length, they are significantly inferior to the Cordillera and the Andes (1200 km with a maximum loop width of 250 km). The highest mountain is Tardoki-Yani with a height of 2090 m. In the quarries of Sikhote-Alin, such minerals as tin, polymetals, lignite and coal, as well as gold, are mined. These mountains got their name due to the fact that the western slope is more gentle, as a result of which the rivers flowing to the west have become very long. Sikhote-Alin in translation from the Manchu language means "elevations with large western rivers."
These mountains, towering along the Pacific Ocean, have a very diverse fauna and flora. There are both mixed and coniferous forests. If we talk about animals, then the first to mention the Amur tiger - the largest cat on our planet. Unfortunately, this species is on the verge of extinction. Therefore, in 1935, a reserve was created in the central and eastern parts of the ridge. Another interesting species that lives only here in nature is the Far Eastern leopard. Winters in these mountains are very mild, with average temperatures. In summer, most precipitation falls.
Koryak Highlands
It is located in Kamchatka and in the Magadan Territory. Its length is approximately 880 km, its width reaches 270 km. The average height of the mountains of this ridge does not exceed 1800 m. The highest point of the Koryak Highlands is Mount Ledyanaya with a height of 2562 m above sea level. If you look at the ridge on the map, we will see concentrated mountains along the coast of the Pacific Ocean, namely in its northwestern part. The highlands are rich in diverse minerals. They include loose gold, and tin, and silver, and copper, and mercury, and brown coal, and sulfur, and even chalk. The ridges of the highlands, which diverge in different directions, form many hollows and plateaus called Parkhanoy.
The climate that is inherent in the highlands is mostly oceanic. Summer is cold with lots of fog. In winter, severe frosts and gusts of wind are observed. Because of this climate, the vegetation here is stingy, there are many deserts.
Unusual facts about the Pacific
The oceans are huge and mysterious. Therefore, it is impossible not to mention the most interesting facts about the Pacific Ocean when it comes to it. The first thing that can surprise a simple person is the size of this ocean. Its maximum width is the same as half the equator of the globe. And this is neither more nor less - 17 thousand km. Such an impressive size does not allow modern scientists to still find out what species live at the bottom of this giant. In the process of research, new, previously unknown species of animals are constantly found.
The Mariana Trench is the deepest of all. It goes down 11 km, and this does not allow oceanologists to find out what is at its bottom. Also interesting is that the highest mountain on the planet is not Everest, but Mauna Kea in the Hawaiian Islands. Just its main part is under water. Its height from the foot to the peak is 10 thousand m.
Thus, the Pacific Ocean is great and beautiful. The entire ecosystem of the planet depends on it. He gives us beautiful views and places to relax, and people should not forget about his protection.