Many peaks are only between 1, and 2, feet high. The Appalachian Trail, a scenic hiking path 2, miles long, spans almost the entire length of the chain. A huge expanse of mainly level land covers the interior of North America. It was flattened by huge glaciers thousands of years ago. The terrain includes lowlands, rolling hills, thousands of lakes and rivers, and some of the world's most fertile soils.
The interior lowlands are divided into three subregions: the Interior Plains, the Great Plains, and the Canadian Shield.
The Interior Plains spread out from the Appalachians to about miles west of the Mississippi River. They gradually rise from a few hundred feet above sea level to about 2, feet.
To the west are the Great Plains, a largely treeless area that continues the ascent to about 4, feet. The Canadian Shield lies farther north. This rocky, mainly flat area covers nearly 2 million square miles around Hudson Bay. It averages 1, feet above sea level but reaches over 5, feet in Labrador. West of the plains are the massive, rugged Rocky Mountains, the other major mountain system of the United States and Canada. The Rockies are a series of ranges that extend about 3, miles from Alaska south to New Mexico.
Because they are relatively young—about 80 million years old—the Rockies have not been eroded like the Appalachians. Many of their jagged, snow-covered peaks are more than 12, feet high. The Continental Divide is the line of highest points in the Rockies that marks the separation between rivers flowing eastward and westward. Between the Rockies and the Pacific Ocean is an area of mixed landforms. A series of ranges, including the Sierra Nevada and the Cascade Range, run parallel to the Pacific coastline from California to Alaska.
North America's highest peak— Mt. McKinley also called by its Native American name, Denali —is in Alaska, towering 20, feet above sea level. Major earthquakes occur near the Pacific ranges. Between these ranges and the Rockies are steep cliffs, deep canyons , and lowland desert areas called basins.
Canada's northernmost lands are islands riding the icy seas near the Arctic Circle. Three of the islands—Ellesmere, Victoria , and Baffin—are huge. In North America, only Greenland is larger. Two island chains created by volcanic activity are part of the westernmost United States.
The rugged, treeless Aleutian Islands extend in an arc off the coast of Alaska. The lush, tropical Hawaiian Islands , though politically part of the United States, are not geographically part of North America. In the summer months there is plenty of sun, which allows for lots of vegetation growth. Due to the tilt of the earth, there is approximately 80 days during summer months, where the sun never dips below the horizon.
All of this sun still doesn't allow the ground to thaw more than a few feet. Precipitation falls mainly in the form of snow, especially in the eastern stretches of the range and, of course, at the higher elevations and mountain peaks.
The Brooks Range recieves between 75 and centimeters of snow annually, which is significantly lower than the other mountain ranges in Alaska. The Rocky Mountains of Canada experience extreme weather. Temperatures and climates change based on elevation as well. It is also interesting that the Rocky Mountains split the coastal climate of British Columbia and the dry climate of Alberta. The region tends to get consistent snow from November to March; however, there is occasional snowfall from August to May as well.
The summer months, although short, are very warm. Each summer month typically has the most precipitation in the form of rain, recieving around 50mm of rainfall in each month.
Many find that the hot temperatures are made more bearable by the dry climate. Plants and Animals: The Rocky Mountains can be a difficult region to inhabit, with the climate and the elevation, but regardless there are lots of animals—large or small, mammals or birds, herbivores or carnivores. On a hike it is common to see some smaller animals like squirrels and chipmunks. However, on a quieter routes or during specific times of year there is also a good chance you might come across a black bear.
Spotting a grizzly bear is less likely, but still possible especially if you're roaming a less densely forested area. Cougars also known as Mountain Lions are very rare predators to see and probably one of the most dangerous in the Rockies. The Rockies are significant to the North American continent as a whole because the Continental Divide the line which determines whether water will flow to the Pacific or the Atlantic Ocean is in the range.
The general climate for the Rocky Mountains is considered highland. Summers are usually warm and dry but mountain rain and thunderstorms can occur, while winters are wet and very cold. At high elevations, precipitation falls as heavy snow in the winter. The Rocky Mountains are very biodiverse and has various types of ecosystems. However, throughout the mountains, there are more than 1, types of flowering plants as well as trees like the Douglas Fir. The highest elevations, however, are above the tree line and thus have lower vegetation like shrubs.
The animals of the Rockies the elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain lion, bobcat and black bears among many others. For example, in Rocky Mountain National Park alone is populated by about 1, head of elk. At the highest elevations, there are populations of ptarmigan, marmot, and pika. National Park Service. Rocky Mountains - Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content.
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