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rdfs:label | - Resource 01 - Facts About Antarctica
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rdfs:comment | - 90% of the world’s total ice and over 70% of the freshwater at the surface of the Earth.
* Currently only 0.4% of the surface of Antarctica is free from snow and ice. The peaks of the mountain chains stick up above the ice as nunataks. The highest point is Mount Vinson (4897m above sea level), sufficiently high to impact on Rossby wave circulation in the upper air.
* The weight of the ice leads to massive isostatic depression, pushing the land down by nearly 1km in places.
* Antarctica is classified as a cold desert, with a snowfall equivalent to only 150mm of rain per
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abstract | - 90% of the world’s total ice and over 70% of the freshwater at the surface of the Earth.
* Currently only 0.4% of the surface of Antarctica is free from snow and ice. The peaks of the mountain chains stick up above the ice as nunataks. The highest point is Mount Vinson (4897m above sea level), sufficiently high to impact on Rossby wave circulation in the upper air.
* The weight of the ice leads to massive isostatic depression, pushing the land down by nearly 1km in places.
* Antarctica is classified as a cold desert, with a snowfall equivalent to only 150mm of rain per year. Snow builds up gradually and ice flows by extrusion from the ice caps towards the coast as huge glaciers. In many places they extend out to sea as massive ice shelves.
* The Southern Ocean is a continuous belt of sea surrounding Antarctica. In winter over half the Southern Ocean freezes to a depth of about 1m. This sea ice has a significant effect on oceanic and atmospheric circulations. Much of the sea ice melts in summer thus giving a narrow window of opportunity for scientific research and tourist access.
* Antarctica contains no indigenous peoples. 18 countries operate year round scientific research stations on the Antarctic continent and surrounding islands, employing scientists from nearly 30 countries. Whilst only around 1,000 scientists and support staff work there in winter, the number rises to over 10,000 in December (summer).
* Increasing numbers of tourists are visiting the last great wilderness of Antarctica – currently around 30,000 per year – but this number is expected to rise.
* All activities are regulated by the Antarctic Treaty (1959) which designated Antarctica as a natural reserve ‘devoted to peace and science’.
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