The Strait of the Kara Gate: description, characteristics, photo

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:45

The Kara Strait is a body of water connecting the Barents and Kara Seas. Novaya Zemlya Island is located to the north of the strait, and Vaigach Island is located to the south. Also, the Northern Sea Route was laid through it.

The reservoir got its name because it is the only southern strait between the Barents and Kara Seas. But the word "Karsky" was added later, and earlier it was called simply "Gate". The map below will help you understand the exact location and answer the question of where the Kara Gates are located.

Opening

The opening date of the strait is unknown. But it is mentioned that in 1556 the English traveler Stephen Borough met Russian sailors here, who gave him full information about the sea route to the mouth of the Ob, and also offered escort. This is the very first mention of such an object as the Kara Gate. It is known that the strait has long been known to Russian industrialists. This helped develop the fishery. After all, it was here that the Russians constantly fished for sale and for their own consumption.

Characteristic

The Kara Strait is 33 km long and 50 km wide. Depthranges from Perseus Shoal to the eastern part. At this interval, the indicator varies from 7 to 230 m. Also along it is a section with a depth of more than 100 m and a width of just under 5 kilometers. The coast is high and rocky on all sides.

Climate

The climate here is arctic, harsh. Its feature is very long and cold winters. Strong winds and blizzards are a frequent occurrence for a place like the Kara Gates. Wind gusts sometimes reach 50 m/s. The water temperature is not higher than +13.5 °С, and the average mark is only 0.9 °С. Most of the time the strait is covered with ice. But in some years, surprisingly, the surface can remain unfrozen for most of the winter. This happens under the influence of the Gulf Stream.

Features

West of the Kara Strait is the southeastern part of the Pechora Sea. In the winter season, due to the loss of intensity of the actions of the Atlantic cyclones affecting it and the relatively warm southern current, it freezes. The surface of ice in the strait usually appears at the same time as in the Pechora Sea, from the southwestern side. The current here reaches very high rates. In the area of the western coast of Taimyr, the speed is 150 cm/s. This figure is much higher than the constant currents of the Kara Sea.

Flora and fauna

The flora of the strait is quite scarce and is limited to only 3 types of bottom algae: brown, red and green. There are exactly 60 fewer fish species here than inBarents Sea. We are talking about numerous representatives of such vertebrates as cisco, saffron cod, pollock, nelma, smelt, muksun and vendace. There are also seals, bearded seals and sometimes walruses.

A trip to this area will be very useful. You can not only have a great time, but also go fishing. This craft has been developing here for a long time, and this is not a secret for anyone. Why not get permission and go fishing? Have a nice trip!