A is for Antarctica
I have always had a fascination with Antarctica, and not just because it is fun to say. There's something about this large mass of virtually uninhibited land that just begs to be written about it.
So here are the neat things I learned about Antarctica:
1) It is considered a desert with an annual precipitation of only 8 inches along the coast and less inland.
2) The temperature has reached a bone chilling -89 degrees Celsius (-129 Fahrenheit).
3) There are no permanent human inhabitants but 1,000 to 5,000 people are stationed there doing research depending on the time of year.
4) There is a treaty signed but 49 countries that prohibits military activities, mineral mining, nuclear explosions and nuclear waste disposal. This same treaty supports scientific research and protects the continents' ecosystem.
5) Antarctica contains 90% of the world's ice and about 70% of the world's fresh water. (crazy!)
6) If the West Antarctic Ice Sheet were to breakdown the world's oceans would rise several meters in mere centuries.
So here are the neat things I learned about Antarctica:
1) It is considered a desert with an annual precipitation of only 8 inches along the coast and less inland.
2) The temperature has reached a bone chilling -89 degrees Celsius (-129 Fahrenheit).
3) There are no permanent human inhabitants but 1,000 to 5,000 people are stationed there doing research depending on the time of year.
4) There is a treaty signed but 49 countries that prohibits military activities, mineral mining, nuclear explosions and nuclear waste disposal. This same treaty supports scientific research and protects the continents' ecosystem.
5) Antarctica contains 90% of the world's ice and about 70% of the world's fresh water. (crazy!)
6) If the West Antarctic Ice Sheet were to breakdown the world's oceans would rise several meters in mere centuries.
An interesting collection of facts. I knew the first one but the others were mostly new to me. I didn't realise there were so many people there at one time!
ReplyDeleteI cannot even begin to imagine being that cold! We dropped down to a few degrees below 0 during the polar vortex, and that was bad enough.
ReplyDeleteI have always been fascinated with Antarctica too...and although I want to visit I hate the cold...so don't know how that will work out. This was very interesting! Shelly Burke, checking in with the A to Z Challenge from www.nebraskafamilytimes.blogspot.com and www.achristianmomsguide.blogspot.com (also less than 100 followers!)
ReplyDeleteI've always been fascinated by Antarctica, too. Neat to learn some new facts. I'm glad about the treaty! Smart of the world to do.
ReplyDeleteTina @ Life is Good
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