East Siberian Sea

The East Siberian Sea is in the Arctic.

It sits near the coast of Siberia. The water is very cold there.

Much of the sea is covered in ice. The ice only melts in late summer. You might see a polar bear or a seal. Some whales also swim in the water. People live in a city called Pevek.

It is a very icy and quiet place.

The East Siberian Sea is part of the Arctic Ocean.

It sits next to the coast of Siberia. To the west is the Laptev Sea. To the east is the Chukchi Sea. The sea is very shallow. Most of it is less than 50 meters deep.

The weather is very harsh. In winter, it is extremely cold. The sea freezes over from October to July. The ice can be 2 or 3 meters thick. In the summer, the ice starts to melt. Thick fog often covers the water.

Many animals live in these cold waters. You might see walruses or ringed seals. Polar bears also live near the ice. Large whales, like the beluga, swim here too. Many types of fish live in the sea.

People have lived near these shores for a long time. Groups like the Yukaghirs and Chukchi once lived here. They hunted and fished to survive. Today, the city of Pevek is a major port.

It is the northernmost city on mainland Russia.

The East Siberian Sea is a part of the Arctic Ocean.

It sits between the Arctic Cape to the north and the coast of Siberia to the south. To its west lies the Laptev Sea. To its east is the Chukchi Sea. The sea is quite shallow. About 70% of the water is less than 50 meters deep. Most areas are only 20 to 25 meters deep.

The weather here is very cold and harsh. In winter, the temperature can drop to about −30 °C in January. The sea freezes over between October and July. Near the coast, the ice stays still and can be 2 meters thick. Further out, the ice drifts and can be 2 to 3 meters thick. In the summer, the ice starts to melt around May. Fog is very common, appearing for 90 to 100 days each year.

Many interesting animals live in these chilly waters. You might see walruses, bearded seals, or ringed seals on the ice. Polar bears also live near these ice fields. Large whales like the bowhead, beluga, and narwhal visit the sea. There are many kinds of fish too, such as Arctic char and saffron cod. Even tiny living things like plankton are important here. They produce 7 million tonnes of food every year.

People have lived along these shores for thousands of years. Indigenous tribes like the Yukaghirs and Chukchi once lived here. They used reindeer sleds to travel and hunt. They also spent much of their time fishing. Later, groups like the Yakuts and Russians moved into the area. Today, the city of Pevek is a major port.

It is the northernmost city on mainland Russia.

The sea has had many different names in the past. Before 1935, people used many names like "Icy Sea" or "Sibirskoe." The Soviet Government gave it its current name on June 27, 1935. Today, the area is used for mining and for ships traveling the Northern Sea Route. Some large rivers flow into the sea, such as the Kolyma and Indigirka. These rivers bring much of the nutrients that help life grow in the water.

The East Siberian Sea is a marginal sea within the Arctic Ocean. It is located between the Arctic Cape to the north and the Siberian coast to the south. To its west, it borders the Laptev Sea. To its east, it meets the Chukchi Sea. The sea is bounded by the New Siberian Islands in the west and Wrangel Island and Cape Billings in the east.

This sea is one of the least studied regions in the Arctic. It is a vital part of the northern marine environment, though its harsh conditions make research difficult.

The physical geography of the sea is defined by shallow waters and a vast continental shelf. About 70% of the sea is shallower than 50 meters. Most of the area has depths of only 20 to 25 meters. The seabed is a plain that slopes from the southwest toward the northeast. This floor is covered in a mixture of silt, sand, and stones. In the northeastern section, near the mouths of the Kolyma and Indigirka rivers, there are deep trenches. These trenches are actually ancient river valleys that have been submerged by the rising sea.

The coastline is 3,016 kilometers long and varies greatly in appearance. The western section, between the New Siberian Islands and the Kolyma River, is uniform. It features low slopes that lead into a marshy tundra filled with small lakes. However, the coast east of the Kolyma River is quite different. It is mountainous and characterized by steep cliffs. While the sea is mostly open, there are a few small islands and groups, such as Ayon Island, which total only 80 square kilometers.

Climate in this region is polar and heavily influenced by the surrounding land and oceans. In winter, the continent dominates the weather. Cold winds from Siberia can cause January temperatures to average around −30 °C. Summer weather is influenced by northerly winds. These winds can be weak in June but strengthen significantly by August. In the western part of the sea, winds can reach speeds of 10 to 15 m/s. This makes the area quite violent compared to the calmer southeastern regions.

Fog is also a major feature, occurring for 90 to 100 days every year.

Ice plays a massive role in the sea's hydrology and biology. The sea freezes over between October and July. Near the coast, the ice is continuous and stationary, reaching 2 meters in thickness. Further out, the ice becomes drifting ice that can reach 2 to 3 meters thick.

Melting usually begins in May, starting near the Kolyma River delta. The sea's salinity and temperature change with the seasons. In summer, the surface water warms to 7–8 °C in bays, while salinity decreases due to melting snow.

Despite the harsh climate, the sea supports a specialized ecosystem. Flora and fauna are relatively scarce, but the summer plankton bloom is intense. This bloom produces 5 million tonnes of plankton in August and September alone. This massive amount of food supports various animals. You can find ringed seals, bearded seals, and walruses on the ice. Polar bears also hunt in these fields. Large whales, including the bowhead, beluga, and narwhal, visit the waters. Many fish species, such as Arctic char and saffron cod, are also common.

Human history in the region involves many indigenous groups. For thousands of years, tribes like the Yukaghirs and Chukchi lived along the shores. They practiced fishing, hunting, and reindeer husbandry. They were later joined by the Evens, Evenks, and Yakuts. These groups often moved north from the Baikal Lake area. Today, the area is used for industrial purposes like mining and navigation along the Northern Sea Route. The city of Pevek is the largest port and is the northernmost city on mainland Russia.

The sea has not always had its current name. Before June 27, 1935, it had no single distinct name. Various names were used interchangeably, such as Indigirskoe, Kolymskoe, or the Icy Sea. The name "East Siberian Sea" was officially assigned by a decree of the Soviet Government. This naming helped standardize the geography of the region. The sea remains a complex system where rivers like the Kolyma and Indigirka provide massive amounts of runoff, which shapes the entire environment.