Warm Up What can you tell about the physical geography of Antarctica based off the elevation map?

TPO We will examine reasons for the exploration and the importance of Antarctica using a PPT and Cornell Notes to produce student created questions.

EQ Why is Antarctica so important and why is it significant to the global community?

Would you risk you life to visit Antarctica? Why or why not? RQ Would you risk you life to visit Antarctica? Why or why not?

ANTARCTICA

Antarctica Antarctica, the world’s 5th largest continent, and lies at the southernmost end of Earth. It covers 13,824,000 square kilometers (5,400,000 square miles)and the south pole is at the center. Antarctica and the Southern Ocean constitutes 40% of the entire planet. The seas around Antarctica are colder and less salty. Early Greek geographers hypothesized the existence of Antarctica well before anyone actually saw the continent.

Climate and Precipitation. Has the coldest climate on earth and is one of the world’s driest deserts. The land area of Antarctica is covered by a huge ice cap that extends into the surrounding ocean as ice shelves 98% covered in ice Contains 90% of the world’s ice Contains 70% of the world’s freshwater Highest average elevation of all continents Receives less than two inches of precipitation per year at the South Pole. Almost no snow falls in the interior of Antarctica.

Wildlife of Antarctica Most of the plant and animal life in Antarctica are found near the coasts. Some of the wildlife native to Antarctica include: penguins, blue whales, fur seals, orcas, and krill.

Antarctic Landscape

Antarctica Exploration No one set foot on the continent until John Davis went ashore on the Antarctic Peninsula in 1820. Teams of explorers first arrived in Antarctica in the early 1900s. Roald Amundsen, a Norwegian explorer, was the first to reach the South Pole. The 1st permanent Antarctic base was set up by an American, Commander Richard E. Byrd Please note that people reached Antarctica, but it took several times to actually reach the South Pole.

Exploration to Antarctica “MEN WANTED: for Hazardous Journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in case of success.” Ernest Shackleton’s Ad

Teams that have made it to the South Pole… Roald Amundsen and Team at the South Pole December 14, 1911 Scott’s Team at the South Pole January 17, 1912

Why should we be interested? Remote areas near the poles contain substantial resources and are attractive for possible future use, even though they are difficult to access.

Several nations lay claim to territory in Antarctica

Controlling Antarctica Under the Antarctic Treaty of 1959 12 nations agreed not to claim territory No military use is allowed Renewed in the 1990s The only people living in Antarctica are scientists in research stations scattered around the continent

Scientific Research Antarctica has no permanent population Vast areas of the continent have yet to be explored Thirty countries currently maintain scientific research stations there.

Why study Antarctica? Scientists are studying the ice and protein resources of Antarctica in hopes they might someday help solve problems of irrigation and food production Experts think that large deposits of coal, iron, copper, and other minerals may lie beneath the Antarctic ice cap. New technologies will have to be developed to mine or drill for minerals in Antarctica. Some Scientists fear that too much research and development in Antarctica could harm its fragile environment

Closure Answer on the back of your worksheet Answer the EQ/RQ: EQ: Why is Antarctica so important and why is it significant to the global community? RQ: Would you risk you life to visit Antarctica? Why or why not?