Antarctica is such a vast continent, that it amounts to approximately 10% of the world’s total land mass, and is far larger than either or Europe.However, this continent is far from hospitable, with sustain winds reaching 192 mph and temperatures as low as negative 89 degrees Celsius.This body of land is encircled by the Southern Ocean, which is comprised of the southernmost waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Abundant wildlife – whales, seals, penguins, various aquatic life, and birds – are at home here in the world’s purest and most nutrient-rich waters.Micro forage, also known as krill, grown under the vast ice shelves of the region.Krill is the primary diet of baleen whales, seals and penguins, and is even used in Japan as a food source for humans.travel to antarctica
The wildlife of Antarctica must be equipped to endure its harsh climate, since it is the most arid, bitterly freezing, and windiest continent.The continent features not only the greatest altitude anywhere, but also has a severely limited amount of rain both on the coast and inland. The many different species of algea, vegetation, and animals that have evolved to stand the extreme cold.
A quirk of mother nature has rendered Antartica critical to the survival of mankind.The greenhouse effect, however, is more advanced at the poles because the cold makes the molecules which make up our atmosphere heavier and more concentrated.This traps the sun’s rays within the atmosphere resulting in the surface temperature rising steadily.
There is approximately 21% oxygen and 79% nitrogen in the atmosphere.Carbon dioxide and methane are found in smaller quantities.These substances, combined with water, serve to generate a tremendous amount of heat.This process is called the greenhouse effect.antarctica vacation
With what is commonly referred to as the “slingshot effect” at the equator, the polar areas amass greater methane and carbon dioxide far quicker than warmer climates.For this reason of increased temps 4 – 5 times greater, it is clear that Antarctica plays a crucial role in the study of the greenhouse effect.
The height of the ice on the continent is over 15,000 feet. This tremendous thickness is a build up of snow accumulated over many centuries.Core samples are taken from the ice. Scientists are able to gather much about the prehistoric era by analyzing the atomic isotopes and prehistoric air bubbles from these samples.
The notorious gap in the ozone layer is a result of injecting many coolants into the surrounding atmospheric area with severe negative consequences.These refrigerants combine poorly with ozone.As such, it has created a warming effect in the area, destroying ice shelves.
These shelves, once separated, will gradually head in a northerly direction and melt away.The resulting additional water greatly brings up the altitude of sea level.Additionally, the loss of ice shelves reduces the environment necessary for krill to survive.
If the ice continues to melt, the seas could rise over 180 feet. That means the sky scrapers of New York City would be fully submerged in the ocean from the 20th floor down.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 wildlife is not even disturbed by the humans walking about.Seeing wildlife in these glorious, natural settings is breath taking to say the least!
Hope remains that current and future civilizations will value Antarctica enough to protect and conserve its perfect brilliance.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.