Alaska Peninsula
The Alaska Peninsula
In literature (especially Russian), the term "Alaska Peninsula" was used to denote the entire northwestern protrusion of the
, is named after the peninsula.The Alaska/Aleutian Peninsula is also grouped into Southwest Alaska.
The other largest peninsulas in Alaska include the Kenai Peninsula and Seward Peninsula.
Geography
The base of the Alaska Peninsula extends outward from the end of the Alaska Range.[4]
The Aleutian Range is a very active volcanic mountain range which runs along the entire length of the Peninsula. Within it lie Wildlife Refuges, including the Katmai National Park and Preserve, the Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve and the Becharof National Wildlife Refuge, the Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge, and the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. The most active volcano along the volcanic mountain range is Pavlof Volcano which is more than 8,251 feet (2,515 meters)(see also: Aleutian Arc).
The southern side of the Alaska Peninsula is rugged and mountainous, created by the uplifting tectonic activity of the North
Administration
All of the Peninsula is organized as a part of four adjacent
Climate
Average annual precipitation ranges from 24–65 in (610–1,650 mm). Coastal areas are subject to intense storms, wind, and rain. Winter temperatures average between 12 and 34 °F (−11 and 1 °C), and in summer between 43 and 59 °F (6 and 15 °C). Frosts can occur any day of the year at higher elevations.[6][7] The climate can be compared to that of parts of Scotland, the Aleutian Islands, Iceland, and Tierra del Fuego.
Port Heiden, Alaska | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Climate chart (explanation) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Chignik, Alaska | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Climate chart (explanation) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Flora and fauna
The Alaska Peninsula is home to some of the largest populations of native and undisturbed wildlife in the United States. Besides the famous
Exceptionally large seabird colonies exist along the coast.[7] Additionally, there are large populations of sea mammals in the North Pacific Ocean between the Alaska Peninsula and Kamchatka. This includes harbor seals, ringed seals, northern fur seals, whales, porpoises, sea otters and sea lions.[8]
The rugged southern half of the peninsula, and also the
Demographics
Besides the communities on the coast (see: Bristol Bay), the Alaska Peninsula also is home to several well-known villages: Cold Bay, King Cove, Perryville, Chignik, Chignik Lake, Chignik Lagoon, and Port Moller. Each is primarily inhabited by Alaska Natives and each, likewise, is mostly dependent on the fishing industry for sustenance.
References
- ^ Alaska Peninsula. Encyclopedia Britannica.
- ISBN 9781317261773.
- ^ Andrew Topf (13 November 2016). "Stars aligning for Redstar Gold's Alaska flagship". Mining.com. InfoMine.
- ^ "The Alaska Range and Denali: Geology and Orogeny (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2022-06-01.
- ^ "Alaska Peninsula Trek - Summer 2001". www.aktrekking.com. Retrieved 2020-10-13.
- ^ "Chapter 7-Ecological Subregions of the United States". Fs.fed.us. Retrieved 2013-06-18.
- ^ a b "Encyclopedia of Earth". Eoearth.org. Retrieved 2013-06-18.
- ^ Gillispie, Thomas E (June 15, 2018). An Overview of Alaskan's[sic] Prehistoric Cultures (PDF) (Report). OFFICE OF HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY. p. 61.