Antarctic

Antarctic-Overview-Map-EN.

AntarcticPlate

Antarctica 6400px from Blue Marble

Orthographic projection centered on the Prince Edward Island

Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba)

Antarctica is Earth's southernmost continent, containing the geographic South Pole. It is situated in the Antarctic region of the Southern Hemisphere, almost entirely south of the Antarctic Circle, and is surrounded by the Southern Ocean. At 14.0 million square kilometers (5.4 million square miles), it is the fifth-largest continent, being nearly twice the size of Australia. Approximately 98% of Antarctica is covered by the Antarctic ice sheet, which is the largest ice sheet in the world. The continent has no permanent residents and contains no countries, but hosts a population of researchers and support staff who live at the research stations scattered across the continent, primarily during the summer months.

Geography

Antarctica is the coldest, driest, and windiest continent. It has the highest average elevation of all the continents. Most of Antarctica is a polar desert, with annual precipitation of only 200 mm (8 inches) along the coast and far less inland. The temperature in Antarctica has reached as low as −89.2 °C (−128.6 °F). Despite these harsh conditions, it is home to many species of penguins, seals, mosses, lichen, and various seabirds.

History

The existence of a southern continent was theorized as far back as the writings of Ptolemy in the 1st century AD, but Antarctica remained largely unexplored until the 19th century. The first confirmed sighting of the continent is commonly accepted to have been in 1820 by the Russian expedition led by Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen and Mikhail Lazarev. The continent has since been the focus of scientific research, particularly in the fields of biology, oceanography, and glaciology.

Research and Environmental Protection

The Antarctic Treaty System, established in 1959, regulates international relations with respect to Antarctica, to ensure that it is used for peaceful purposes only and to protect the continent's ecozone. Scientific research is conducted by more than 4,000 scientists from over 30 countries. The treaty prohibits military activities, mineral mining, and nuclear testing, while supporting scientific research and protecting the continent's ecozone.

Climate Change and Environmental Concerns

Antarctica plays a crucial role in the global climate system, particularly in relation to sea level rise and climate change. The melting of the Antarctic ice sheet is a significant concern, as it contains enough water to raise global sea levels by approximately 58 meters (190 feet) if it were to melt completely. Studies of the continent's ice cores also provide critical data for understanding past climates and predicting future climate change.

Biodiversity

Despite its extreme environment, Antarctica supports a unique biodiversity, particularly in the Southern Ocean that surrounds it. This includes a wide range of krill, fish, and marine mammals, as well as terrestrial organisms like bacteria, fungi, and algae that can survive in the harsh conditions. The conservation of this biodiversity is a focus of international environmental agreements.

Challenges

The main challenges facing Antarctica include environmental threats from climate change, such as ice sheet melting and habitat loss for native species. Human activities, although regulated by the Antarctic Treaty, also pose risks through potential pollution and the introduction of non-native species.