The Average Ice Sheet Thickness In Antarctica Is 1 Mile
Antarctica, the southernmost continent, is almost completely covered in a thick layer of ice (except for dry valleys, which make up around 1% of the area). On average, the ice is more than one mile (1.6 km) thick, but in some sections it can get as thick as almost three miles (4.8 km).
Самый большой антарктический айсберг был больше Ямайки
The world’s largest recorded iceberg, was Iceberg B-15, which measured around 183 miles (295 km) long and 23 miles (37 km) wide, with a surface area of 4,200 square miles (11,000 sq km) – making it larger than the whole island of Jamaica. In 2000, the Iceberg B-15 broke up into smaller icebergs and later drifted away into the sea.
The Lowest Surface Temperature On Earth Ever Recorded Is -144 °F (-98 °C)
Back in 2013 it was thought that the coldest surface temperature on Earth, recorded in Antarctica, was -135°F (-93°C). However this year the study has been revised and scientists announced that on the coldest site on Earth, temperatures can drop even lower, to -144 °F (-98 °C). They were observed during polar night, in wintertime.
Antarctica Is The Only Continent Without Reptiles And Snakes
However, there is an abundance of other forms of wildlife, such as whales, seals, penguins and other birds. Penguins are the most common birds in the Antarctic. They live in colonies and survive in the harshest conditions.
Winds Can Reach The Speed Of 200 Miles Per Hour
Antarctica is one of the windiest places on Earth and is home to unusual katabatic and downslope winds. The strong winds are influenced by cold temperatures and the shape of the continent. The highest recorded wind.
There Are Places In Antarctica Which Haven’t Received Rain Or Snow In 2 Million Years
In Antarctica around 1% of the continent (4,000 km or 2,500 mi) is permanently ice-free – such areas are called dry valleys or Antarctic oasis. They are thought to be the world’s harshest deserts and it is estimated that these areas haven’t seen rain or snow in almost 2 million years.
Antarctica Is The Coldest, Windiest And Driest Continent
Despite all its ice, Antarctica is technically a desert, because of the low precipitation levels. The inner regions receive an average of 2 inches (50 millimeters) precipitation (in the form of snow) each year. To compare, the Sahara desert receives twice as much rain each year.
70% Percent Of World’s Fresh Water Is In Antarctica
Around 90% of the world’s ice and 70% of the fresh water is in Antarctica. If all of the Antarctic ice melted, sea levels in the world would rise about 200 feet (60 meters).
Mount Erebus Is One Of The Few Consistently Active Volcanoes On Earth
Mount Erebus is one of the few consistently active volcanoes and the southernmost active volcano on Earth. It contains a 1,700 °F (about 927 °C) lava lake, that is thought to be miles deep. Mount Erebus is always alive and bubbling, releasing gas and spitting out chunks of molten rock and feldspar crystals.
More Than 300 Large Lakes Exist Underneath The Ice Sheet
As of today, more than 300 large bodies of water have been identified. They do not freeze because of geothermal heat and pressure or simply put – the warmth of Earth’s core. Scientists believe that isolated lakes might be home to microorganisms that are yet to be discovered by the modern science.