The Western World Daily Readings on Geography Chapter 92 Russian Domain Physical Geography II

CHAPTER 92 Russian Domain Physical Geography II by from Noun The Oxford dictionary defines a peninsula as a piece of land almost surrounded by water or projecting out into a body of is a Russian peninsula with volcanoes . The Peninsula extends 900 miles southward from the nearly easternmost part of Russia . With over people in an area over 182 thousand square miles , averages about two people per square mile . In truth , over half ( 187 thousand ) of those people are in its provincial capital city . Fire and Ice . While Russia is well known for its cold weather , Russia Peninsula , along with the adjacent Islands , provides the country with a unique combination of fire and ice . As part of the Pacific Ocean Ring of Fire , contains volcanoes , both ancient ( dating to the Era ) and active ( 30 ) At the same time high latitude and often high elevation bring snowfall and cold to the region . Preservation of region has been promoted by establishment of nature preserves , combined as a World Heritage Site . Due to its remote location , the peninsula had relatively late exploration and remains notably little affected by human interaction . 441

442 The Peninsula is in the Russian Far East and extends into the Pacific Ocean , separating the Sea of from the Bering Sea portion of the ocean . The Islands dip southward from the tip of . Astride the edges of tectonic plates , benefits from the geological forces of subduction that release molten material from the Earth mantle . The resulting rise of this magma creates not only volcanoes and eruptions , but also a variety of thermal activity in , including hot springs and geysers . largest active volcano is Mount , while Mount has been erupting continuously since 1996 . by Nick lrom Noun Project JOEL QUAM AND SCOTT CAMPBELL Volcano Bay . Photo by on . Only four locations have geysers that shoot sprays of water and steam from the ground , typically on a predictable schedule . Along with the geysers of Yellowstone National Park in the United States and similar sites in Iceland and New Zealand , of Geysers contained twenty large geysers and some 200 smaller thermal springs . However , 2007 , the structural collapse of an adjacent mountainside delivered an immense tonnage of rock material into the Valley of Geysers covering geysers and damming water flow from the Geyser River . For excellent coverage ( explanation and photography ) of the event go to The largest of the geysers , Geyser , was not buried and is active . Will the rest of the valley eventually restore itself or will a new physical regime be established ?

Undoubtedly the flow of scientists and sightseers will continue to arrive to view the valley and other remarkable pieces of . For a spectacular view , go to DOMAIN PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY II 443 While tourists love viewing the remarkable geologic sites , travelers also enjoy watching the diverse wildlife in . Opportunities to view the brown bear excite tourists . The concentration , or population density , of brown bears there is among the highest anywhere in the world . The heavy concentration ( millions ! of salmon in the region streams provides the bears main source of food . Other noteworthy mammals in include elk , fox , and sable , as well as marine mammals such as walrus , seal , and sea lion . Among birds of note is sea eagle , unique to . Brawn bear at Kurt Lake in . Photo While the geologic by Harold on . processes that created are ancient , human activity on the peninsula has been relatively recent . Although native populations of and already existed on the peninsula , Russian discovery of came only in the late century , with subsequent Cossack settlements being founded in 1704 and 1706 . Russian explorer Bering founded the city in and Typical Apartment Building in populations were diminished through struggles with Russians , but , Russia . Photo by Kevin most significantly by smallpox . Dooley on . Russian discovery of varied thermal phenomena came only in 1941 . Prior to that , the volcanoes were a bold feature of the landscape , but geysers and hot springs were not so evident . Scientific evaluation and charting of these thermal sites began in the 19705 . economy has long been focused on fishing , with pollack , salmon , and crab being the most important catches . The lumber industry has played a secondary role , mainly exporting raw timber and Korea . Of late and certainly only since the removal of ' closed status for , has become an important contributor to the Peninsula . NASA . Public Domain . economy . An interactive or media element has been excluded from this version ofthe text . You can View it online here Physical Geography II ?

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444 JOEL QUAM AND SCOTT CAMPBELL . Video by from Direct Link to Video ( New Tab ) Because of its strategic location , was a highly secret and tightly secured region , even closed to Soviet citizens . While remains the base for the Russian Pacific submarine fleet , the region now is open to Russian and foreign travelers . Due to difficult times in the Russian economy , military spending has decreased in as compared to Soviet times . Did You Know ?

Georg Wilhelm accompanied Bering on an expedition to the region , a voyage ordered by Tsar Peter the Great . studied fauna and in the region , getting his name attached to the eagle . is featured in one of the episodes of Russia , the popular on the National Geographic Channel . Check Your Understanding sea eagle . Photo by Robert on . An interactive or media element has been excluded from this version of the text . You can view it online here ?

CITED AND ADDITIONAL BIBLIOGRAPHY , Harold . Brown Bear at Lake in . Accessed May 27 , Attribution Generic ( BY ) Dooley , Kevin . 2017 . Russia . Attribution Generic ( BY ) Bay in Front of the Volcano . Accessed May 27 , Attribution Generic ( BY ) Logan , Andrew . The Ring of Fire . Accessed May 27 ,

DOMAIN PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY II 445 , Robert . Sea Eagle . Accessed May 27 , Generic ( 2015 .