The Continent Of Antarctica Has A Unique Geographical Importance

Antarctica, larger than Europe or, makes up one-tenth of earth’s land mass.With temperatures of -89 Celsius and sustained winds of over 190 miles per hour, Antactica, the landscape has a vast but forbidding beauty.The continent is fully surrounded by water, specifically the Southern Ocean.

However, these frigid, icy waters contain some of the riches nutrient flows on earth, allowing for life such as whales, dolphins, seals, large fish, penguins, and birds of flight to survive in an otherwise inhospitable land.Masses of micro forage and krill inhabit under the huge ice shelves.This food is the primary fare for consumption by sea creatures such as seals and whales.affordable travel to antarctica

Any creatures living in Antarctica must become accustomed to the dry, windy and cold weather conditions that grow to extremes on that continent.The average altitude is greater than any other area on Earth. Precipitation is merely 200 mm a year near the coastline, with much less further inland.Plants and animals that have adapted to Antarctica’s harsh life include seals, penguins, various forms of algae, and cold resistant tundra vegetation.

Antarctica is actually a very important continent for the rest of the world, despite its vast distance.The heavier of the molecules in the atmosphere are found at a higher concentration at the poles, with a more pronounced greenhouse effect.The heat supplied by the rays of the sun is soaked up readily, and therefore produces tremendous heat as a result.

Our atmosphere contains 21% oxygen and 79% nitrogen.Carbon dioxide and methane are found in smaller quantities.As these water vapors and other gases soak up the planet’s radiation, they are heated.This is what makes up the greenhouse effect.antarctica vacation

The poles acquire carbon dioxide and methane at a faster pace than more temperate areas, due to the “slingshot effect” at the equator.Because this tremendous heat generated by the Greenhouse effect is so much more extreme than that of other areas, Antartica is the subject of a great deal of scientific scrutiny.

The ice covering Antarctica is almost 3 miles thick.The ice was formed by snow that has compacted for millions of years.Much has been learned by scientists through careful study and observation of atmospheric samples taken from the continent of Antarctica.

The destructive interaction of Chloro-fluoro-carbons (CFCs) expelled by the release of refrigerants into earth’s atmosphere, created the now infamous hole in the ozone layer.These chemicals actively damage the ozone.Large chunks of the ice layers have split or sever thanks to the warming effect.

Once broken off, the ice shelves move to the north and eventually melt in the warmer waters.The melting water adds more volume to the ocean’s level, slowing increasing it.Not to mention the krill loose their food source and habitat for reproduction.

It is estimated that the seas would rise over 180 feet if all the Antarctic ice melted.This could send rising to the 20th floor of skyscrapers in New York City! Nations of lower elevations like Archipelagos in the southern Pacific area and Bangladesh would simply be swallowed completely by the sea.

Antarctica is a land of beauty unrivaled, as testified by many of the people who have been there.The animals are not disturbed by the presence of people in the area.This womderful beauty, when combined with the apparent tranquility of the numerous sea animals roaming around, is pleasing to see.

The fervent hope is that Antartica can be protected by future civilizations so that this goregeous area will survive intact. However, the destruction of this continent has been ongoing for a very long time, and irrevocable damage is being done to it.Many nations have joined together and made advancements toward increasing sustainability and preserving the natural environment.

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