Bering Sea

The Bering Sea is a marginal sea of the Arctic Ocean, located between the continents of Asia and North America. It is named after Vitus Bering, a Danish explorer who sailed through it in 1728. The Bering Sea is a vast body of water, encompassing a surface area of approximately 2,315,000 square kilometers (894,000 sq mi). It is renowned for its rich marine ecosystem, diverse wildlife, and unique geographical features.

Leopard Jorunna – Jorunna pardus

Tidepool sculpin – Oligocottus maculosus

Lingcod – Ophiodon elongatus

Walrus – Odobenus rosmarus

Arctic staghorn sculpin – Gymnocanthus tricuspis

Three-spined stickleback – Gasterosteus aculeatus

Beluga – Delphinapterus leucas

Bobtail Trophon – Boreotrophon truncatus

Northern Red Chiton – Boreochiton ruber

Diamondback Squid – Thysanoteuthis rhombus

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Geography

The Bering Sea is bordered by the Aleutian Islands to the south, the Kamchatka Peninsula to the west, and Alaska to the east. It connects to the Pacific Ocean through the Aleutian Islands and to the Arctic Ocean through the Bering Strait. The sea has an average depth of 1,590 meters (5,220 ft), with a maximum depth of 4,046 meters (13,274 ft) in the Bowers Basin. The Bering Sea is a cold and turbulent sea, with strong currents and frequent storms. The sea is also known for its extensive continental shelf, which extends up to 1,000 kilometers (620 mi) from the coastline.

Climate

The Bering Sea has a subarctic climate, characterized by cold, snowy winters and cool, rainy summers. Temperatures in the winter can drop below -20°C (-4°F), while summer temperatures generally range from 5 to 10°C (41 to 50°F). The sea is heavily influenced by the Aleutian Low, a semi-permanent low-pressure system that brings in cyclonic storms. The Bering Sea also experiences strong tides, which can reach up to 10 meters (33 ft) in some areas.

Fauna

The Bering Sea is home to a wide variety of marine life, including:

  • Mammals: Gray whales, humpback whales, orcas, walruses, seals, sea otters, polar bears, and Arctic foxes.
  • Birds: Seabirds like puffins, auklets, murres, and kittiwakes, as well as migratory birds like sandpipers, plovers, and geese.
  • Fish: Salmon, cod, pollock, flounder, halibut, and crab.

The sea is particularly known for its abundance of fish, which supports a significant commercial fishing industry. The Bering Sea is also an important breeding ground for many species of marine mammals and seabirds.

Surrounding Countries

The Bering Sea borders the following countries:

  • United States: Alaska
  • Russia: Kamchatka Peninsula

The sea is a strategic location for both countries, with significant economic and military interests. The Bering Strait, which separates the Bering Sea from the Arctic Ocean, serves as a critical maritime route for shipping and transportation.