7/29/2019 Antarctica is an Amazing and Incredibly Unique Continent

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Antarctica is an amazing and incredibly unique continent. It is both an austere and inhospitable landand home to some of the most extraordinary biodiversity on the planet. It is a desert with vaultingmountains, immense glaciers, active volcanoes and awe-inspiring vistas.

Antarctica was not always in its present southerly location. At one time it was part of present dayAustralia. Remains of dinosaurs and tropical forests have been discovered. Indeed, the wholeconcept of continental drift is made more fascinating by a study of this land of extremes.

Although the average water accumulation (arriving in the form of snow or ice) is only 5 or 6 inches (2inches or less over much of the interior), the icecap has reached a thickness of over 4000 metres insome areas and covers about 14 million square kilometres. Ninety-eight percent of Antarctica'scontinental area is covered with ice. This accounts for ninety percent of the world's ice and sixty-eightpercent of the earth's fresh water. If all this ice melted the earth's ocean level would rise 50 to 60metres!Beneath the icecap lies a rocky landmass of about 7 million square kilometres. It is estimated that

much of the landmass of western Antarctica is depressed into the earth's crust to a depth of 1 000metres lower than its original level. However, large mountains soar as high as 5 140 metres (16 859feet).There is little flora in Antarctica but what exists is significant. Brilliantly coloured lichens and mossesestablish themselves in ice-free areas and the frigid sea provides haven for many varieties ofmicroscopic life (phytoplankton).Fauna exists in overwhelming abundance, especially during the brief austral summer. Hundreds ofthousands of penguins gather to breed and feed. Whales, seals and albatross share the vast spaces.Krill, the most abundant animal in the world, occupies a central place in the Antarctic ecosystem andprovides the basic food source for many Antarctic predators. Man can be counted among thepotential, voracious consumers!Human activity has been recent and limited but there is an exciting and sometimes unsettling historyof exploration and exploitation. The remains of decades old whaling stations and exploration outpostsstand as silent reminders of past activity. Abandoned and active research stations are testament tothe political and scientific presence in Antarctica of several nations. The Antarctic Treaty came intoforce in 1961 and remains one of the most effective international agreements ever signed. As ofOctober 1999, forty-eight (48) members adhere to the Treaty and an annual meeting is held todiscuss a range of issues.The history of exploration is a fascinating one. Speculation existed from the beginning of the firstmillennium of the existence of a southern continent. The first recorded expedition to search for itbegan with Bouvet's expedition in 1738. Successive voyages by explorers, including the amazing

navigator James Cook, proved the existence of a southern land but ice and sea conditions andadverse weather prevented any sightings. In 1821, Bellinghausen was the first to record sighting thecontinent although there is evidence that whalers and sealers had been keeping it secret for someyears! Feats of great bravery, lies and intrigue, tragic failures and incredible successes are found inthe stories of the early and present day explorers.Much remains to be discovered, and protected, as you join the ranks of Antarctic explorers. Enjoyyour first glimpses of Antarctica as you participate in the following activities.