The East European Plain is second in size only to the Amazonian Lowland, located in South America. The second largest plain of our planet is located on the continent of Eurasia. Most of it is located in the eastern part of the mainland, the smaller one is in the western part. Because geographical position The East European Plain mainly falls on Russia, then it is often called the Russian Plain.
East European Plain: its boundaries and location
From north to south, the plain has a length of more than 2.5 thousand kilometers, and from east to west, 1 thousand kilometers. Its flat relief is explained by almost complete coincidence with the East European platform. And, therefore, large natural phenomena do not threaten her, small earthquakes and flooding are possible. In the northwest, the plain ends with the Scandinavian mountains, in the southwest - with the Carpathians, in the south - with the Caucasus, in the east - with the Mugodzhars and the Urals. Its highest part is located in the Khibiny (1190m), the lowest is located on the Caspian coast (28 m below sea level). Most of the plain is located in the forest zone, the southern and central parts are forest-steppes and steppes. extreme south and East End covered with desert and semi-desert.
East European Plain: its rivers and lakes
Onega, Pechora, Mezen, Northern Dvina are large rivers of the northern part that belong to the Arctic Ocean. The Baltic Sea basin includes big rivers, as the Western Dvina, Neman, Vistula. The Dniester, the Southern Bug, the Dnieper flow to the Black Sea. The Volga and the Urals belong to the Caspian Sea basin. TO Sea of Azov the Don strives its waters. In addition to large rivers, there are several large lakes on the Russian Plain: Ladoga, Beloe, Onega, Ilmen, Chudskoye.
East European Plain: wildlife
Animals of the forest group, arctic and steppe live on the Russian Plain. Forest representatives of the fauna are more common. These are lemmings, chipmunks, ground squirrels and marmots, antelopes, martens and forest cats, mink, black polecat and wild boar, garden, hazel and forest dormouse and so on. Unfortunately, man has caused significant damage to the fauna of the plain. Even before the 19th century, the tarpan (wild forest horse) lived in mixed forests. Today in Belovezhskaya Pushcha they try to save bison. There is a steppe reserve Askania-Nova, in which animals of Asia, Africa and Australia settled. And the Voronezh Reserve successfully protects beavers. Moose and wild boars, which had previously been completely exterminated, reappeared in this area.
Minerals of the East European Plain
The Russian Plain contains many mineral resources that are of great importance not only for our country, but also for the rest of the world. First of all, these are the Pechora coal basin, the Kursk deposits of magnetic ore, nepheline and apathetic ores on the Kola Peninsula, the Volga-Ural and Yaroslavl oil, brown coal in the Moscow region. No less important are the aluminum ores of Tikhvin and the brown iron ore of Lipetsk. Limestone, sand, clay and gravel are distributed almost throughout the plain. Salt is mined in the Elton and Baskunchak lakes, and potash salt is mined in the Kama Cis-Urals. In addition to all this, gas is being produced (the area of the Azov coast).
The plain is one of the main forms of the earth's relief. On the physical map The world's plains are marked with three colors: green, yellow and light brown. They occupy about 60% of the entire surface of our planet. The most extensive plains are confined to plates and platforms.
Characteristics of the plains
A plain is a piece of land or seabed that has a slight fluctuation in elevation (up to 200 m) and a slight slope (up to 5º). They are found at different heights, including at the bottom of the oceans.
A distinctive feature of the plains is a clear, open horizon line, straight or wavy, depending on the surface topography.
Another feature is that the plains are the main territories inhabited by people.
Natural areas of the plains
Since the plains occupy a vast territory, almost all natural areas. For example, tundra, taiga, mixed and broad-leaved forests, steppes and semi-deserts are represented on the East European Plain. Most of the Amazon lowland is occupied by selva, and on the plains of Australia there are semi-deserts and savannahs.
Plain types
In geography, the plains are divided according to several criteria.
1. Altitude distinguish:
. base . The height above sea level does not exceed 200m. A striking example is the West Siberian Plain.
. Exalted - with a height difference from 200 to 500 m above sea level. For example, the Central Russian Plain.
. upland plains , whose level is measured by marks over 500 m. For example, the Iranian Highlands.
. hollows — highest point located below sea level. An example is the Caspian lowland.
Separately, underwater plains are distinguished, which include the bottom of basins, shelves and abyssal areas.
2. By origin plains are:
. accumulative (marine, river and continental) - formed as a result of the influence of rivers, tides and tides. Their surface is covered with alluvial deposits, and in the sea - sea, river and glacial deposits. From the sea, one can cite as an example the West Siberian lowland, and from the river - the Amazon. Among continental plains, marginal lowlands with a slight slope towards the sea are referred to as accumulative plains.
. Abrasive - formed as a result of the impact of the surf on land. In areas where strong winds prevail, sea waves are frequent, and the coastline is formed from weak rocks, more often this type of plains is formed.
. Structural - the most complex in origin. In place of such plains, mountains once rose. As a result of volcanic activity and earthquakes, the mountains were destroyed. The magma flowing from cracks and splits fettered the surface of the land, like armor, hiding all the unevenness of the relief.
. Lake - formed on the site of dried-up lakes. Such plains are usually small in area and are often bordered by coastal ridges and ledges. An example of a lake plain is Jalanash and Kegen on the territory of Kazakhstan.
3. By type of relief plains are distinguished:
. flat or horizontal - Great Chinese and West Siberian Plains.
. wavy - are formed under the influence of water and water-glacial flows. For example, the Central Russian Upland
. hilly - in the relief there are separate hills, hills, ravines. An example is the East European Plain.
. stepped - are formed under the influence of the internal forces of the Earth. Example - Central Siberian Plateau
. concave - they include the plains of intermountain depressions. For example, the Tsaidam basin.
There are also ridge and ridge plains. But in nature, a mixed type is most often found. For example, the Pribelskaya undulating plain in Bashkortostan.
Plains climate
The climate of the plains is formed depending on its geographical location, the proximity of the ocean, the area of the plain itself, its length from north to south, and the climatic zone. Free movement of cyclones provides a clear change of seasons. Often the plains abound with rivers and lakes, which contribute to the formation of climatic conditions.
The largest plains in the world
Plains are common on all continents, with the exception of Antarctica. In Eurasia, the largest are the East European, West Siberian, Turan, East China plains. In Africa, the East African Plateau North America- Mississippi, Great, Mexican, in South America - the Amazonian lowland (the largest in the world, its area is over 5 million square kilometers) and the Guiana Plateau.
Plains are one of the main landforms of our planet. They occupy two or three surfaces of the planet Earth and are found even at the bottom of the oceans. To determine which plain is the largest in the world, an overview of the longest of them, stretching across four continents, will help.
Plain giant of Eurasia
The East European Plain tops the ranking of the longest on the Eurasian continent. It extends on the East European platform, covering the area, starting from the coast of the Baltic Sea and reaching the foot of the Ural Mountains. Another name - "Russian" - the area received due to the fact that most of it is located within Russia.
On four sides, the area is bounded by five seas: from the south - the Azov and Black, and from the north - the White, Caspian and Barents. The total area of the territory reaches 4 million km².
Throughout its length, a mostly flat-flat relief prevails, in which they successfully coexist and harmoniously alternate:
- elevations - individual points reach a height of 300 meters above sea level;
- lowlands - act as a basin of "water arteries".
Such structural features and elevation differences arose as a result of faults. They are characterized by tectonic origin.
The territory is conditionally divided into three lanes:
- Northern - includes the Valdai and Smolensk-Moscow Uplands, as well as the northern Uvaly.
- Central - represented by alternating Bugulma-Belebeevskaya, Volga and Central Russian uplands, separated by the Low Trans-Volga and Oka-Don lowlands.
- Southern - includes the Stavropol Upland and Ergeni, separated by the Caspian and Black Sea lowlands.
The key influence on the appearance of the northern part of the Russian Plain was played by large-scale icing, which occurred during the last ice age. During this period, dozens of lakes arose in the area, for example, Beloe, Pskovskoye, Chudskoye.
The large cities of Russia are concentrated within the flat terrain and most of the country's population lives. The plain is famous for being a storehouse of minerals. most requested and large deposit– Kursk magnetic anomaly.
Long plateau in Africa
The East African Plateau is located in the southeast of the mainland. It is the most mobile and tectonically active part of the continent. Due to this, the terrain is highly dissected: the deepest depressions of the great rift system are adjacent to mountain peaks. The total length of tectonic disturbances is 6000 km.
The main features of the relief terrain of this continent include:
- the greatest rift system;
- the largest lake Victoria;
- volcanoes Meru and Kilimanjaro.
The most typical and widespread landform of the mainland are calderas. They are basins of volcanic origin. The largest caldera in diameter, referred to as Ngorongoro, is considered the giant of the planet. The volcanic activity of the continent remains intense to this day. And many volcanoes are now activated.
On the plateau there are sources and watersheds flowing into Indian Ocean the largest rivers of the continent: Congo, Nile and Zambezi. Large masses of water from the tributaries of rivers and lakes affect the climate and vegetation of the long plateau. The vegetation cover is dominated by savannahs, at the foot of the mountain ranges there are tropical forests, at an altitude of 1200 meters and above - a park landscape.
The animal world is no less diverse. On the plateau you can meet both herbivores and predators, including the "king of beasts". Dryer places abound poisonous snakes and lizards.
The Great Plains are a foothill plateau with an area of 1.2 million km². They include 10 US states and 3 Canadian provinces.
The characteristic landscape of the area - separate sections, divided into vast plateaus by table-like ledges, the height of which reaches 300 meters:
- Missouri;
- Llano Estacado;
- Edward.
The deep-flowing Missouri and Mississippi rivers flow through the plains. Over the centuries of their existence, they managed to cut through the area with canyons, forming an extensive network of ravines. A feature of the landscape are numerous hilly areas, alternating with deep ravines and depressions - badlands. Due to the abundance of precipitation and regular weathering, their relief is extremely unstable.
Tornadoes are the main scourge of the Great Plains. The American part of the plain even falls into the “tornado alley” zone, where tornadoes are most often recorded. In the prairie region of the Great Plains winter period the shi-nuk wind prevails. This natural phenomenon is interesting in that it is accompanied by a sudden jump in air temperature, which is accompanied by snow melting. For this reason, the Indians living on the prairies deified the shi-nuk.
One of the most numerous inhabitants of the Great Plains are fold-lip bats. Their number in some caves is in the millions.
Permanent leader of South America
The Amazonian lowland is rightfully considered the largest plain on the globe. Its length is 5 million km². It was formed as a result of the flood of the full-flowing Amazon River under the influence of the accumulation of loose rocks.
The lowland lies in the Amazon Basin, which extends into the territory of Venezuela, Ecuador, Brazil, Guinea and Colombia. The Amazon River, originating in the Andes and carrying its waters to the Atlantic Ocean, is the silver leader in length and fullness in the world. Its waters make up about 20% of the total amount of water supplied from all rivers to the oceans.
It occupies lowland almost 40% of the continent. It is covered with tropical rainforests, referred to as the Amazon. It is conditionally divided into two parts: western and eastern.
It is a flat wide plain with a length of 1600 km. The largest tributary of the Maider, located on its lands, under the influence of tidal waves of the water giant - the Atlantic Ocean, during periods of flooding, almost completely floods the surface, forming one large water surface.
For this reason, the vegetation of the western Amazon is sparse and is represented mainly by palm trees and cocoa trees. Of the animals, the most common are those adapted to life on trees: sloths, monkeys, small anteaters.
The territory, located to the east of the mouths of Tapajos and Rio Negro, is divided into a series of hills reaching a height of 350 m. The rivers here are deeper incised and do not flood the valleys during periods of high water. In this part of the Amazon summer period arid subequatorial climate prevails. The vegetation is rich and is represented by both evergreen and deciduous trees. Animal world represented by species found on open spaces: armadillos, mazama deer, rodents.
Despite its length, dense forests make the Amazonian lowland a sparsely populated part of the continent. Only a few small settlements can be found on the territory of the plain. Indigenous people live in cities located along the main river of the continent.
Large areas of the Amazonian forests are now being cleared by the locals and used for ranching and growing soybeans. Massive logging is gradually turning huge concentrations of the Amazonian rainforest into arid savannah, upsetting the fragile ecological balance not only of the continent, but of the entire planet.
Plain - a piece of land, the slope of which does not exceed 50 o, and the heights do not differ by more than 200 meters. This is the most common type of relief on the planet, occupying about 64% of the territory. Within the territory of Russian Federation There are about 30 plains, the most famous of which is East European. In terms of area, it is second only to the Amazonian lowland and is the second in the world.
For Russia, the plains are of great importance, because almost 75% of the country is located on this type of terrain. Historically, it was on the flat areas that Slavic civilization developed: ancient cities and roads were built, political upheavals and wars took place. fertile soils plains not only provided people with food, but also brought unique features into culture and industry.
East European Plain (4 million km2)
One of the largest plains on the planet, covering most of Eastern Europe, received a second name - Russian. The distance between the northern and southern borders exceeds 2500 km. And from west to east it stretches for 2700 km. Borders:
- In the northwest - the Scandinavian mountains;
- Mountains in the southwest Central Europe(Sudet);
- In the southeast - Caucasian mountains;
- In the west - the Vistula River;
- In the north - the White and Barents Seas;
- In the east - Ural mountains and Mugodzhary.
The height of the plain above sea level is not uniform. Frequent highlands are located at elevations of 200-300 m, and large rivers flow through the lowlands, such as the Volga, Dnieper, Danube, Don, Western Dvina and Vistula. The origin of the vast majority of uplands and lowlands is tectonic.
Two plates lie at the base of the plain: Russian with a Precambrian crystalline basement and Scythian with a Paleozoic folded basement. The relief does not express the inter-tile boundary.
Glaciation had a significant impact on the process of relief formation, especially changing the surface of the northern areas. The passage of the glacier gave rise to the formation of many lakes for which the area is famous. This is how the White, Chudskoye and Pskov lakes were formed. In the southern part, the activity of glaciation is weakly manifested due to erosion processes.
Central Siberian Plateau (about 3.5 million km2)
In the eastern part of Russia there is another largest flat area - the Central Siberian Plateau. It covers the territories of the Irkutsk region, the Krasnoyarsk Territory and Yakutia.
- On South - mountain system Eastern Sayan, as well as the mountainous regions of the Baikal and Transbaikalia;
- In the west - the valley of the Yenisei River;
- In the north - the North Siberian lowland;
- To the east is the valley of the Lena River.
The plateau is located on the Siberian platform. Feature- alternating plateaus and ridges. the highest peak is Mount Stone (height 1701 m above zero), belonging to the middle mountains of Putorana. The western edge of the plateau is covered by dissected uplands of the Yenisei Ridge (the highest point is Mount Enashimsky Polkan 1104 m high). The territory of the Central Siberian Plateau is distinguished by the largest permafrost rocks in the world, the height of which reaches 1500 km.
West Siberian Plain (2.6 million km²)
The plain is located in the northern part of Asia and covers the entire territory of western Siberia. It has a characteristic trapezoidal shape, which narrows towards the north. The length from south to north is about 2500 km, and from west to east it varies from 800 to 1950 km. Borders:
- In the west - the Ural Mountains;
- In the east - the Central Siberian Plateau;
- In the north - the Kara Sea;
- In the south - the Kazakh uplands;
- In the southeast - the West Siberian Plain and the foothills of Altai.
The surface of the plain is relatively uniform with small difference heights. Low-lying areas are concentrated in the central and northern parts, and low elevations are located along the eastern, southern and western outskirts (the height does not exceed 250 m).
Baraba lowland (117 thousand km2)
The Baraba stele is located in the southern part Western Siberia, in the interfluve of the Irtysh and Ob. It is an undulating plain, in the southern part of which manes (parallel elevations) are common. On the territory of the lowland are the Novosibirsk and Omsk regions. It is composed of thick deposits of Mesozoic and Cenozoic age.
In lower areas (height 80-100 m), fresh (Ubinskoye) and salty (Chany, Tandovo and Sartlan) lakes, swamps filled with peat moss and solonchak fields were formed. In the course of exploration activities in the north of the plain, deposits of oil and natural gas were discovered.
Kulunda Plain (100 thousand km²)
The Kuludin Plain is the southern part West Siberian Plain and covers the regions of Altai and Pavlodar region. Its appearance is associated with the accumulative activity of large rivers - the Irtysh and the Ob. The southeast of the plain adjoins the Altai foothills. The highest point does not exceed 250 m, low-lying areas mainly occupy the central part (100-120 m above sea level).
The relief is distinguished by the alternation of elevated ridges (50-60m) and lowered areas separating them. The valleys of the rivers Burla, Kuchuk and Kulunda pass through the lowlands. For the industry of Western Siberia, the plain is of great importance due to the closed lakes, from which table and Glauber salt (Kuchuk and Kulunda lakes), as well as soda (Petukhovskie lakes) are extracted.
Azov-Kuban (Kuban-Azov lowland) plain (about 50 thousand km2)
The lowland is located in the Western part of Ciscaucasia and covers the territory Krasnodar Territory, Stavropol Territory and Rostov Region. The height of the plain above sea level does not exceed 300 m.
- In the south - the Kuban River;
- In the west - the Sea of Azov;
- In the east - the Kuma-Manych depression;
- In the north - the Yegorlyk River.
The main part of the plain is located within the Scythian plate. Rocks of Meso-Cenozoic age, mainly of sedimentary origin. The area of the lowland adjacent to the Black Sea is divided big amount branches of the Kuban River. In swampy areas of the plain, there are floodplains (flooded floodplains of rivers) and estuaries (bays that occur when a river flows into the sea).
Main article: Plain
flat plains
If a piece of land has a flat surface, then they say that it is a flat plain (Fig. 64). Separate sections of the West Siberian Lowland can serve as an example of a flat plain. There are few flat plains on the globe.
rolling plains
lowlands
uplands
Plateau
There are plains, the surface of which is located at an altitude of more than 500 m above sea level. Such plains are called plateaus. Thus, the vast plain between the Yenisei and Lena rivers is called the Central Siberian Plateau. There are many plateaus in southern Asia, Africa and Australia. Material from the site http://wikiwhat.ru
Plains by external processes
Pictures (photos, drawings)
Log is high or low
The surface of which of the plains of Russia is flatter
The plain is hilly and flat in russia
What plains are in appearance
Plains below 200 m above sea level
Questions for this article:
Answer left Ser012005
1. PLAINS - the most common type of relief on the earth's surface. On land, plains occupy about 20% of the area, the most extensive of which are confined to platforms and slabs. - All plains are characterized by small fluctuations in heights and slight slopes (slopes reach 5 °). The following plains are distinguished by absolute height:
- lowlands - their absolute height is from 0 to 200 m (Amazon);
- elevations - from 200 to 500 m above ocean level (Central Russian);
- upland, or plateaus - over 500 m above ocean level (Middle Siberian Plateau);
- plains lying below ocean level are called depressions (Caspian).
2. By general character the surfaces of the plain are horizontal, convex, concave, flat, hilly.
and p 3. According to the origin of the plains, the following types are distinguished:
Marine accumulative (see.
accumulation). Such, for example, is the West Siberian Lowland with its sedimentary cover of young marine strata;
Continental accumulative. They were formed as follows: at the foot of the mountains, the products of the destruction of rocks carried out from them by water flows are deposited.
Such plains have a slight slope to sea level. These most often include marginal lowlands;
River accumulative. They are formed as a result of the deposition and accumulation of loose rocks brought by the river (Amazon);
Abrasion plains (see Abrasion). They arose as a result of the destruction of the coast by the wave-cutting activity of the sea.
The largest plains in Russia: names, map, borders, climate and photos
These plains arise the faster, the weaker the rocks and the more often the unrest, the stronger the winds;
structural plains. They have a very complex origin. In the distant past they were mountainous countries. Over the course of millions of years, the mountains were destroyed by external forces, sometimes to the stage of almost plains (peneplains), then as a result tectonic movements in earth's crust cracks, faults appeared, along which magma poured onto the surface; she, like armor, covered the former unevenness of the relief, her own surface was preserved even or stepped as a result of the outpouring of traps.
These are the structural plains.
(taken from internet)
Plains, their classification. Subdivision of the plains by absolute height. Landforms associated with continental glaciation.
Plain- this is a piece of land or seabed, which has a slight fluctuation in height (up to 200 m) and a slight slope (up to 5º).
They are found at different heights, including at the bottom of the oceans. A distinctive feature of the plains - clear, open horizon line, straight or wavy, depending on surface topography.
Another feature is that the plains are the main territories inhabited by people.
Since the plains occupy a vast territory, almost all natural zones exist on them. For example, tundra, taiga, mixed and broad-leaved forests, steppes and semi-deserts are represented on the East European Plain. Most of the Amazon lowland is occupied by selva, and on the plains of Australia there are semi-deserts and savannahs.
Plain types
In geography, the plains are divided according to several criteria.
According to the absolute height, they distinguish:
base. The height above sea level does not exceed 200m. A striking example is the West Siberian Plain.
Exalted- with a height difference from 200 to 500 m above sea level. For example, the Central Russian Plain.
Upland plains, whose level is measured by marks over 500 m. For example, the Iranian Highlands.
hollows- the highest point is below sea level.
An example is the Caspian lowland.
Separately allocate underwater plains, which include bottom of basins, shelves and abyssal areas.
By origin, the plains are :
Accumulative (sea, river and continental) - formed as a result of the influence of rivers, ebbs and flows. Their surface is covered with alluvial deposits, and in the sea - with marine, river and glacial deposits. From the sea, one can cite as an example the West Siberian lowland, and from the river - the Amazon. Among continental plains, marginal lowlands with a slight slope towards the sea are referred to as accumulative plains.
Abrasive- are formed as a result of the impact of the surf on land.
In areas where strong winds prevail, sea waves are frequent, and the coastline is formed from weak rocks, this type of plains is more often formed.
Structural- the most complex in origin.
In place of such plains, mountains once rose. As a result of volcanic activity and earthquakes, the mountains were destroyed. The magma flowing from cracks and splits fettered the surface of the land, like armor, hiding all the unevenness of the relief.
Lake- formed on the site of dried-up lakes.
Such plains are usually small in area and are often bordered by coastal ridges and ledges. An example of a lake plain is Jalanash and Kegen in Kazakhstan.
3. According to the type of relief, plains are distinguished:
flat or horizontal- The Great Chinese and West Siberian Plains.
wavy- are formed under the influence of water and water-glacial flows.
For example, the Central Russian Upland
hilly- in the relief there are separate hills, hills, ravines. An example is the East European Plain.
stepped- are formed under the influence of internal forces of the Earth.
Example - Central Siberian Plateau
concave- they include the plains of intermountain depressions. For example, the Tsaidam basin.
Allocate also rugged and ridge plains. But in nature, most often found mixed type. For example, the Pribelskaya undulating plain in Bashkortostan.
The surface of the land was repeatedly subjected to continental glaciation.
In the era of maximum glaciation, glaciers covered more than 30% of the land area.
The main centers of glaciation in Eurasia were on the Scandinavian Peninsula, Novaya Zemlya, the Urals and Taimyr. In North America, the centers of glaciation were the Cordillera, Labrador, and the area west of the Hudson Bay (Kivatinsky Center).
In the relief of the plains, traces of the last glaciation (ended 10 thousand years ago) are most clearly expressed: Valdai- on the Russian plain, Würmsky- in the Alps, Wisconsin- in North America.
The moving glacier changed the relief of the underlying surface. The degree of its impact was different and depended on the rocks that made up the surface, on its relief, on the thickness of the glacier.
The surface, composed of soft rocks, was smoothed by the glacier, destroying sharp ledges. He destroyed fractured rocks, breaking off and carrying away their pieces. Freezing into a moving glacier from below, these pieces contributed to the destruction of the surface.
Encountering hills on the way, composed of hard rocks, the glacier polished (sometimes to a mirror shine) the slope facing towards its movement.
Frozen pieces of hard rocks left scars, scratches, and created complex glacial shading. The direction of ice scars can be used to judge the direction of movement of the glacier. On the opposite slope, the glacier broke out pieces of rock, destroying the slope. As a result, the hills acquired a characteristic streamlined shape. "lamb foreheads". Their length varies from several meters to several hundred meters, their height reaches 50 m. also in Canada and Scotland.
At the edge of a melting glacier was deposited moraine.
If the end of the glacier, due to melting, was delayed at a certain boundary, and the glacier continued to supply sediments, ridges and numerous hills arose. terminal moraines. Moraine ridges on the plain often formed near protrusions of the subglacial bedrock relief.
Ridges of terminal moraines reach a length of hundreds of kilometers at a height of up to 70 m. When advancing, the glacier moves the terminal moraine deposited by it and loose deposits in front of it, creating pressure moraine- wide asymmetric ridges (steep slope facing the glacier).
Many scientists believe that most of the terminal moraine ridges were created by the pressure of the glacier.
When the glacier body melts, the moraine contained in it is projected onto the underlying surface, greatly softening its irregularities and creating a relief. main moraine. This relief, which is a flat or hilly plain with swamps and lakes, is characteristic of areas of ancient continental glaciation.
In the area of the main moraine one can see drumlins- oblong hills, elongated in the direction of movement of the glacier.
The slope facing towards the moving glacier is steep. The length of drumlins ranges from 400 to 1000 m, width - from 150 to 200 m, height - from 10 to 40 m. In Russia, drumlins exist in Estonia, on the Kola Peninsula, in Karelia and in some other places. They are found, also in Ireland, in North America.
The water flows that occur during the melting of the glacier wash out and carry away mineral particles, depositing them where the flow slows down.
With the accumulation of deposits melt water arise strata of loose sediments, which differ from moraine in the sorting of the material.
Landforms created by meltwater flows as a result of erosion, and as a result of sediment accumulation, are very diverse.
Ancient runoff valleys melted glacial waters - wide (from 3 to 25 km) hollows stretching along the edge of the glacier and crossing the pre-glacial river valleys and their watersheds.
Deposits of glacial waters filled these hollows. Modern rivers partially use them and often flow in disproportionately wide valleys.
Kama- rounded or oblong hills with flat tops and gentle slopes, outwardly resembling moraine hills. Their height is 6-12 m (rarely up to 30 m). The depressions between the hills are occupied by swamps and lakes.
Kames are located near the glacier boundary, on its inner side, and usually form groups, creating a characteristic kame relief.
Kams, in contrast to moraine hills, are composed of roughly sorted material. The varied composition of these deposits and especially the thin clays found among them suggest that they accumulated in small lakes that arose on the surface of the glacier.
Oz- ridges resembling railway embankments. The length of the lakes is measured in tens of kilometers (30-40 km), the width - in tens (rarely hundreds) of meters, the height is very different: from 5 to 60 m. The slopes are usually symmetrical, steep (up to 40 °).
The eskers extend independently of the modern terrain, often crossing river valleys, lakes, and watersheds.
Sometimes they branch, forming systems of ridges, which can be divided into separate hills. The eskers are composed of diagonally stratified and, more rarely, horizontally stratified deposits: sand, gravel, and pebbles.
The origin of the eskers can be explained by the accumulation of sediments carried by meltwater flows in their channels, as well as in cracks inside the glacier. When the glacier melted, these deposits were projected onto the surface.
Zander- spaces adjacent to the terminal moraines, covered with deposition of melt water (washed moraine). At the end of the valley glaciers, sandra are insignificant in area, composed of medium-sized rubble and poorly rounded pebbles.
At the edge of the ice cover on the plain, they occupy large spaces, forming a wide strip of outwash plains. Outwash plains are composed of vast flat fans of subglacial flows that merge and partially overlap each other.
On the surface of the outwash plains, landforms created by the wind often appear.
An example of outwash plains can be a strip of "woodlands" on the Russian Plain (Pripyat, Meshcherskaya).
In areas that have experienced glaciation, there is a certain regularity in the distribution of the relief, its zoning In the central part of the glaciation area (Baltic Shield, Canadian Shield), where the glacier arose earlier, persisted longer, had highest power and speed of movement, an erosive glacial relief was formed.
The glacier demolished pre-glacial loose deposits and had a destructive effect on the bedrock (crystalline) rocks, the degree of which depended on the nature of the rocks and the pre-glacial relief.
The cover of a thin moraine, which lay on the surface during the retreat of the glacier, did not obscure the features of its relief, but only softened them. The accumulation of moraine in deep depressions reaches 150–200 m, while there is no moraine in neighboring areas with bedrock projections.
In the peripheral part of the glaciation area, the glacier existed for a shorter time, had less power and slower movement. The latter is explained by a decrease in head with distance from the glacier feeding center and its congestion with clastic material.
In this part, the glacier was mainly unloaded from clastic material and created accumulative landforms. Outside the border of the glacier distribution, directly adjoining it, there is a zone, the features of the relief of which are associated with the erosive and accumulative activity of melted glacial waters.
Plains of our planet
The cooling effect of the glacier also affected the formation of the relief of this zone.
As a result of the repeated glaciation and spread of the glacial cover in different glacial epochs, as well as as a result of shifts in the edge of the glacier, forms of glacial relief of various origins turned out to be superimposed on each other and greatly changed.
The glacial topography of the surface freed from the glacier was affected by other exogenous factors. The earlier the glaciation was, the stronger, naturally, the processes of erosion and denudation changed the relief. At the southern boundary of maximum glaciation, the morphological features of the glacial relief are absent or have been preserved very weakly.
Evidence of glaciation are the boulders brought by the glacier and the remnants of heavily altered glacial deposits preserved in places.
The relief of these areas is typically erosional. The river network is well formed, the rivers flow in wide valleys and have a developed longitudinal profile.
To the north of the boundary of the last glaciation, the glacial relief has retained its features and is a disorderly accumulation of hills, ridges, closed basins, often occupied by shallow lakes. Moraine lakes are relatively quickly filled with sediment, often they are drained by rivers. The formation of the river system at the expense of lakes "strung" by the river is typical for areas with glacial relief.
Where the glacier has lasted the longest, the glacial relief has changed comparatively little. These areas are characterized by not yet fully formed river network, undeveloped profile of rivers, lakes “not drained” by rivers.
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Main article: Plain
Plains by structure
According to the structure, the plains are classified into flat and hilly.
flat plains
If a piece of land has a flat surface, then they say that it is a flat plain (Fig. 64). Separate sections of the West Siberian Lowland can serve as an example of a flat plain.
There are few flat plains on the globe.
rolling plains
Hilly plains (Fig. 65) are more common than flat ones.
What plains are there in Russia
From the countries of Eastern Europe to the Urals stretches one of the largest rolling plains the globe- Eastern European, or Russian. On this plain one can meet both hills, and ravines, and flat areas.
Plains by height above sea level
According to the absolute height, lowlands, uplands and plateaus are distinguished.
In order to determine the absolute height of any part of the earth's surface, a height scale is placed on physical maps.
The coloring on the physical map shows at what height from the ocean level are various sections earth's surface.
lowlands
If the plain is not higher than 200 m from the ocean level, then it should be called a lowland (Fig. 66). The surface of some lowlands is below sea level. So, for example, the Caspian lowland is located 26-28 m below the ocean level, and the Amazonian lowland is not higher than 200 m above the ocean level.
To display the height of the plains on a physical map, different colors are used: lowlands should be painted over in green color.
At the same time, the lower the absolute height of this territory, the darker the green color. A dark green color denotes lowlands below sea level.
uplands
Those plains that are located at an altitude of more than 200 m above sea level, but not higher than 500 m, are commonly called hills.
Thus, the Central Russian Upland is higher than the level of the Baltic Sea by more than 200 m.
Uplands on geographical maps indicated by yellowish tones.
Plateau
There are plains, the surface of which is located at an altitude of more than 500 m above sea level.
Such plains are called plateaus. Thus, the vast plain between the Yenisei and Lena rivers is called the Central Siberian Plateau. There are many plateaus in southern Asia, Africa and Australia.
Material from the site http://wikiwhat.ru
Plateaus are indicated on maps by various shades Brown color. The higher the plateau, the darker the color.
Plains by external processes
By external processes distinguish between accumulation and denudation plains. Accumulation plains are formed due to accumulations and deposits of rocks. Denudation plains - on the contrary, due to the destruction of other forms of relief, for example, mountains.
Pictures (photos, drawings)
On this page, material on the topics:
Flat and hilly plains
What is elevation and examples
The name of the large plains of Russia is flat and hilly
What are the name plains
Flat plains titles
Questions for this article:
How do plains differ in height above sea level?
Material from the site http://WikiWhat.ru
Main article: Plain
Plains by structure
According to the structure, the plains are classified into flat and hilly.
flat plains
If a piece of land has a flat surface, then they say that it is a flat plain (Fig.
64). Separate sections of the West Siberian Lowland can serve as an example of a flat plain. There are few flat plains on the globe.
rolling plains
Hilly plains (Fig. 65) are more common than flat ones. From the countries of Eastern Europe to the Urals stretches one of the largest hilly plains of the globe - East European, or Russian. On this plain one can meet both hills, and ravines, and flat areas.
Plains by height above sea level
According to the absolute height, lowlands, uplands and plateaus are distinguished.
In order to determine the absolute height of any part of the earth's surface, a height scale is placed on physical maps.
Coloring on a physical map shows at what height from the level of the ocean there are various parts of the earth's surface.
lowlands
If the plain is not higher than 200 m from the ocean level, then it should be called a lowland (Fig.
66). The surface of some lowlands is below sea level. So, for example, the Caspian lowland is located 26-28 m below the ocean level, and the Amazonian lowland is not higher than 200 m above the ocean level.
To display the height of the plains on a physical map, different colors are used: lowlands should be painted over in green. At the same time, the lower the absolute height of this territory, the darker the green color. A dark green color denotes lowlands below sea level.
uplands
Those plains that are located at an altitude of more than 200 m above sea level, but not higher than 500 m, are commonly called hills.
Plains: characteristics and types
Thus, the Central Russian Upland is higher than the level of the Baltic Sea by more than 200 m.
Elevations on geographical maps are indicated by yellowish tones.
Plateau
There are plains, the surface of which is located at an altitude of more than 500 m above sea level. Such plains are called plateaus. Thus, the vast plain between the Yenisei and Lena rivers is called the Central Siberian Plateau.
There are many plateaus in southern Asia, Africa and Australia. Material from the site http://wikiwhat.ru
Plateaus are marked on maps with various shades of brown. The higher the plateau, the darker the color.
Plains by external processes
According to external processes, accumulation and denudation plains are distinguished.
Accumulation plains are formed due to accumulations and deposits of rocks. Denudation plains - on the contrary, due to the destruction of other forms of relief, for example, mountains.
Pictures (photos, drawings)
On this page, material on the topics:
Names of plains up to more than 500 m
Types of plains by height
Lowlands and highlands size
By height and classified ... ..
What is the flattest plain in Russia
Questions for this article:
How do plains differ in height above sea level?
Material from the site http://WikiWhat.ru
Examples of the use of the word plateau in the literature.
On the outskirts of the Alashan desert, at the Huang He bend, Ordos was located, a fertile loess plateau, and nearby existed, replacing each other, the capitals of medieval China - Chang'an, Luoyang, Xi'an and further into the depths of China - Kaifeng.
The Apurimac River, originating in the highlands plateau in the Andes off the west coast South America, is considered by many geographers to be the source of the Amazon.
It gradually dried up, as the Caspian Sea will dry up over time, thanks to the large concentration of sunlight in the vast expanses stretching from the Aral Sea to the Pamir Sea. plateau.
When the Copper Baboon crossed plateau, Tranto saw him and blew a greeting.
At the bottom of the slope, he saw that the valley was turning into a wide rocky plateau- dry, ominous, from which leafless gazane trees protruded here and there ancient look, which had the usual, bizarrely curved shape.