Koryak Highlands (Koryak Range) is a mountain system located in the Far East, on the border of Kamchatka and Chukotka. Part of it belongs to Kamchatka, and another part - to the Magadan region.
Where is the Koryak Highland located?
As already mentioned, one part of the ridge belongs to Kamchatka, and the other part belongs to the Magadan region. The Koryak plateau is located near the Pacific coast, washed by the Bering Strait in the east and the waters of the north-eastern tip of the Sea of Okhotsk in the south-west. The Bering Strait in this area has a narrow shelf, beyond which the depths increase sharply to 3 km. In contrast, the Sea of Okhotsk in this region is shallow. The northeastern end of the mountain system approaches the Anadyr Gulf of the Pacific Ocean, which is also shallow.
Features of relief and geology
The Koryak Upland consists of small ranges, mountain ridges and mountain ranges. Ranges diverge in different directions from the central part of the highlands. The mountain system stretches in the direction northeast - southwest, has a length of about 1000 km. Its width varies. In different areas, the width can be from 80 to 270 km. The area is half a million square kilometers. The height of the Koryak Highlands is also different and varies from 600 to 1800 m. The highest part is the central part of the mountain system. The highest point of the Koryak Highlands is Ledyanaya Mountain (2560 m).
The central (across) part of the Koryak mountain system is represented by peaked mountains with pronounced rockiness and a large number of talus. Most steepness and concave type of slopes prevail. Gorges are widespread in the mountains. A total of 7 ridges stand out, the height of which is from 1000 m to 1700 m (depending on the specific ridge).
The eastern and southern coasts are often characterized by the presence of rocky cliffs, steep and high sea terraces, cut by coves of the coast.
Glaciation occurs in the mountains due to harsh climatic conditions. The total area of glaciers is 205 square kilometers, their lower border reaches 700-1000 m above sea level, and the length reaches 4000 m.
At the heart of the highlands are the formations of the Lower Paleozoic and Mesozoic. At higher altitudes, deposits of Cretaceous and Upper Jurassic prevail.
The highlands are rich in minerals. Gold placers, brown and hard coal, and sulfur were found here. There are also gold veins, accumulations of copper, mercury, silver, tin, molybdenum, polymetallic ores. In addition, oil and gas deposits were found.
Climate
The region is dominated by a cold climate of the oceanic type. A rather cold summer is typical with frequent cloudy weather, fogs and prolonged rains, sometimes with snow. Winters are not too frosty, but windy. The prevailing winds are north and north-west. Thaws sometimes occur. Intensive snow melting begins only in the third decade of May. The amount of precipitation is increasing from northwest to southeast - from 400 to 700 mm per year. In the north, the border of the permanent snow zone is located at an altitude of 1400 m, and down the gorges even lower.
The frost-free period in the depths of the mountain system is 90-95 days, and on the coast - 130-145 days.
The main climatic features of the region are as follows:
- Long and rather cold winters, short autumn and spring, rather cold summers.
- The average annual air temperature is everywhere below 0 ° Celsius.
- Frequent winds in all seasons of the year.
- Small accumulation of snow in open areas due to its constant blowing.
- The presence of permafrost in all areas (with the exception of certain areas).
Hydrology
The Koryak Upland is a hydrologically important region. From this area, such relatively large rivers as the Great and Main begin. In size, they, of course, are much inferior to the Trans-Siberian rivers, but on the regional map they are the largest. A feature of all mountain rivers is the formation of ice in their channels, which significantly change the course of the river and deform the channel itself.
Soil cover
Soil formation occurs in severe climatic conditions. The underlying rock is usually stony-gravelly profiles, on which thin peaty and peaty-gley soils are formed. Naked rock outcrops, accumulations of stones, pebbles, snow, with separate clumps of vegetation are frequent. In river valleys there may be floodplain-soddy soils. Sandy and pebble soils are common on the coast.
