New Siberian Islands

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New Siberian Islands ca.1820-th map

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NewSiberianIslands

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Kotelny-Insel 1 2014-08-24

Belkowski-Insel 1 2014-08-24

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Belkowski-Insel 2 2014-08-24

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Belkowski-Insel 3 2014-08-24

New Siberian Islands (Russian: Новосиби́рские острова́, Novosibirskiye Ostrova) are an archipelago located in the eastern Siberian Arctic Ocean to the north of the East Siberian coast, to the west of the Laptev Sea, and to the east of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia). The archipelago consists of three major groups of islands: the Anzhu Islands, the Lyakhovsky Islands, and the De Long Islands, along with several smaller islands.

Geography

The New Siberian Islands cover a total area of about 35,000 square kilometers. The islands are part of the Sakha Republic of Russia. The largest islands in the archipelago are Bolshevik Island, Kotelny Island, and New Siberia Island. The islands are characterized by their rugged terrain, with numerous rivers and lakes, and are predominantly covered with tundra vegetation. The highest point in the archipelago is found on Kotelny Island, reaching up to 374 meters above sea level.

The climate of the New Siberian Islands is Arctic, with long, harsh winters and short, cool summers. The sea surrounding the islands is covered with pack ice for most of the year, making them inaccessible by sea except for a brief period during the summer.

History

The New Siberian Islands have a rich history of exploration. Russian Cossacks are believed to have discovered the islands in the 17th century. The islands were more thoroughly explored in the 18th and 19th centuries by Russian and later Soviet expeditions. During these explorations, significant discoveries were made, including the finding of mammoth remains, which sparked scientific interest in the islands.

In the 20th century, the Soviet Union established a number of research stations on the islands, focusing on meteorological and geological studies. The presence of these research stations during the Cold War era also had strategic military significance.

Flora and Fauna

The vegetation of the New Siberian Islands is typical of the Arctic tundra, with mosses, lichens, and low shrubs being predominant. The islands are home to a variety of wildlife, including polar bears, Arctic foxes, and numerous species of seabirds. The surrounding waters are rich in marine life, including seals, walruses, and various species of whales.

Geology

The New Siberian Islands are of significant geological interest due to the presence of well-preserved fossils, including those of mammoths, which have been discovered in the permafrost. The islands are primarily composed of sedimentary rocks, with some volcanic formations. The discovery of mammoth remains has contributed to the study of Pleistocene megafauna and the understanding of past climates.

Current Status

Today, the New Siberian Islands are a remote and largely uninhabited region. The Russian government has shown interest in the potential oil and gas reserves in the area surrounding the islands. Environmental concerns have been raised regarding the impact of potential exploration and extraction activities on the fragile Arctic ecosystem.

The New Siberian Islands are also of interest for scientific research, particularly in the fields of geology, meteorology, and biology. The unique conditions of the Arctic environment offer opportunities for studies on climate change and its effects on Arctic ecosystems.