FROZEN FRONTIER
10 Chilling Facts About Earth’s Southernmost Continent
Published on June 3, 2024
Credit: henrique setim
Under a cold and desolate façade, Antarctica - the icy continent at the bottom of the world - hides a myriad of mysteries and wonders. From its stunning landscapes to its unique wildlife, this frozen wilderness is one of the most intriguing places on Earth.
Grab your coat and join us in an expedition through 10 fascinating facts about the white continent.
Desert of Ice
Credit: NOAA
Despite its vast ice cover, Antarctica is considered a desert because of its low precipitation levels. In fact, it's the driest continent on Earth, with some areas receiving less than 2 inches of precipitation per year. And given the fact that Antarctica’s ice sheet holds around 60% of the world’s freshwater, it is certainly a paradoxical desert!
Coldest Place on Earth
Credit: Aaron Burden
This one might sound a bit obvious, but hold your horses. Antarctica is not only the coldest continent on Earth but also holds the record for the lowest temperature ever recorded, a bone-chilling -128.6°F. The extreme cold recorded was likely due to the continent's high elevation, ice cover, and lack of air moisture.
Penguin Paradise
Credit: Danielle Barnes
Antarctica is home to several species of penguins, including the iconic Emperor Penguin. These flightless birds are perfectly adapted to the harsh Antarctic conditions, with layers of blubber and tightly packed feathers to keep them warm in subzero temperatures. Despite often being found in remote locations, these charming animals are currently endangered due to the effects of climate change and the warming of oceanic waters.
Ozone Hole
Credit: Zoltan Tasi
While ozone-depleting gasses are emitted all over the planet, holes in the ozone layer in Earth’s atmosphere often form in extremely cold regions, due to various meteorological phenomena unique to these areas. The Antarctic ozone hole was first discovered in the 1980s and led to the ban of chemicals like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which deplete ozone molecules, in commercial applications. However, despite international efforts to reduce these emissions, the ozone hole persists, albeit at a reduced size.
Iceberg Homeland
Credit: 66 north
Almost 93% of the world's mass of icebergs is found surrounding Antarctica. These frozen giants are often formed when the massive ice shelves and glaciers found in the continent naturally break off and float away, usually drifting northward into the Southern Atlantic. Some icebergs in this region can be as large as small countries, posing a hazard to maritime navigation.
Miracle Microbes
Credit: National Cancer Institute
In the frigid waters beneath Antarctica's ice shelves, scientists have discovered thriving communities of microbes. These extremophiles, capable of surviving in extreme cold and darkness, play a crucial role in Antarctic ecosystems and could even offer insights into life's potential on other planets.
Great Explorers
Credit: Torsten Dederichs
Antarctica has a rich history of exploration, from the early expeditions of pioneers like Roald Amundsen and Ernest Shackleton to modern scientific research missions. The continent remains one of the last frontiers on Earth, with much of its interior still unexplored. Interestingly, astronauts are often sent to Antarctic bases during the dark winter months as training for the similarly unforgiving conditions found in space.
Midnight Sun
Credit: NOAA
During the Antarctic summer, the sun doesn't set for several months in regions south of the Antarctic Circle, leading to continuous daylight. This strange phenomenon, known as the midnight sun, provides ample opportunity for scientific research and exploration, as well as relatively improved weather conditions. Temperatures as high as 64.9 °F have been recorded, though the average is far lower, around 32 °F most of the time.
Antarctic Treaty
Credit: Torsten Dederichs
In 1959, twelve countries signed the Antarctic Treaty, establishing Antarctica as a scientific preserve and banning military activity on the continent. Today, the treaty has been ratified by 54 countries, fostering international cooperation in Antarctic research and environmental protection.
Subglacial Lakes
Credit: Cristian Palmer
Beneath Antarctica's ice sheet lie numerous subglacial lakes, hidden from view for millions of years. These lakes, kept liquid by geothermal heat, could harbor unique forms of life and provide clues to Earth's past climate. Among these, Lake Vostok is the largest of Antarctica's known subglacial lakes, and - with an estimated volume of 1,300 cu mi - also the 6th largest lake in the world by volume.
